Chapter 14. Phraseology

Section 1. General

14-1-1. PURPOSE

This chapter prescribes standardized procedures and phraseologies to be used by flight service personnel when communicating weather and aeronautical information in broadcast, radiotelephone, and interphone communications. Where position or procedure-specific phraseology is required, reference is to be made to the relevant chapter of this order.

14-1-2. PHRASEOLOGY

The annotation PHRASEOLOGY denotes the prescribed words and/or phrases to be used in communications.

NOTE-
Specialists may, after first using the prescribed phraseology for a specific procedure, rephrase the message to ensure the content is understood. Good judgment shall be exercised when using nonstandard phraseology.

14-1-3. WORDS AND PHRASES

Use the words or phrases in broadcast, radiotelephone, and interphone communications as contained in the Pilot/Controller Glossary.

14-1-4. ANNOUNCING MISSING ITEMS

With the exception of RVR, announce the word “missing” when any item or component of a weather report is not reported, or in place of unreadable or obviously incorrect items or portions of weather reports. When appropriate, instead of speaking the name of several locations with missing reports, announce: “Other scheduled reports missing.”

NOTE-
On occasion, a parameter from an automated observation may be reported as missing in the body of the report but is available as a manually reported parameter in the remarks section. When the report is spoken, include the manually reported element in its proper sequence within the report.

14-1-5. ICAO PHONETICS

Use the ICAO pronunciation of numbers and, as necessary, individual letters for clarity. The ICAO radiotelephony alphabet and pronunciation guide are contained in TBL 14-1-1.

TBL 14-1-1
ICAO Pronunciation

NOTE-
Syllables to be emphasized in pronunciation are in bold face.

14-1-6. RELAY OF ATC COMMUNICATIONS

Prefix a clearance, information, or a request for information which will be relayed from a control facility to an aircraft with the appropriate phrase “A-T-C clears,” “A-T-C advises,” or “A-T-C requests.”

14-1-7. EXPEDITIOUS COMPLIANCE

a.Use the word “immediately” only when expeditious compliance is required to avoid an imminent situation.

b.Use the word “expedite” only when prompt compliance is required to avoid the development of an imminent situation.

c.In either case, and if time permits, include the reason for this action.

14-1-8. WEATHER PHRASEOLOGY

Use the following phraseology and procedures for stating surface weather observations and for information similarly encoded in other aviation weather products and forecasts.

a.Location.

1.Announce the geographic name (not the identifier) once for communications.

EXAMPLE-
“Paducah.”

2.When the location name is duplicated within 500 miles, follow the location name with the state name.

EXAMPLE-
“Columbus, Ohio.”

3.When weather reports originate at more than one airport at the same geographical location, identify the airport.

EXAMPLE-
“Anchorage, Anchorage Merrill.”
“Chicago O'Hare.”

4.Where it is considered necessary and is requested by the military base commander, broadcast military observations by stating the location, the name of the airport if different, and the controlling military branch.

EXAMPLE-
“Andrews Air Force Base.”
“Elmendorf, Elmendorf Air Force Base.”
“Fort Riley, Marshall Army Air Field.”
“Norfolk Naval Air Station.”

b.If AUTO appears after the date/time element, follow location announcement with the phrase AUTOMATED.

PHRASEOLOGY-
(Location) AUTOMATED.

c.If a special report is the most recent observation available, follow the location with the words SPECIAL REPORT, (last two digits of the time) OBSERVATION. Use data from the record report to fill in the items not included in the special observation, such as temperature and dew point.

d.If the weather data is not available, state the location and the word MISSING.

e.Wind Direction and Speed. Announce surface wind direction and speed by stating the word WIND followed by the separate digits of the wind direction to the nearest 10 degrees and the separate digits of the speed. A “G” between two wind speed values is announced as GUSTS. State local wind as it appears in the report. Announce the variability of wind at the end of the wind group. (See TBL 14-1-2.)

TBL 14-1-2
Wind Direction and Speed

f.Visibility.

1.State the word VISIBILITY followed by the visibility values in miles and/or fractions of miles, except announce values indicated by the figure 0 as ZERO. Announce the separate digits of whole numbers as applicable. (See TBL 14-1-3.)

TBL 14-1-3
Visibility

NOTE-
When visibility is less than 3 miles and variable, this information is reported in the remarks.

2.When stating AUTOB visibility values, announce the visibility in accordance with the reportable categories depicted in TBL 14-1-4 and TBL 14-1-5.

TBL 14-1-4
Visibility Reading

TBL 14-1-5
Visibility Reading

3.If an AUTOB visibility report consisting of three values is encountered, it is decoded as depicted below.

EXAMPLE-
“BV786”
6 = minimum visibility during past 10 minutes.
7 = present visibility.
8 = maximum visibility during past 10 minutes.

g.RVR/RVV.

1.Provide RVR/RVV information by stating the runway, “visual range” or “visibility value,” as appropriate, and the indicated value. The abbreviations “R-V-R” or “R-V-V” may be spoken in lieu of “visual range” or “visibility value.” When the indicated values are separated by a V, preface the values with the words VARIABLE BETWEEN, followed by the first value, the word AND, then the second value. (See TBL 14-1-6.)

TBL 14-1-6
RVR/RVV

2.When there is a requirement to issue an RVR or RVV value and a visibility condition greater or less than the reportable values of the equipment is indicated, state the condition as MORE THAN or LESS THAN the appropriate minimum or maximum readable value. (See TBL 14-1-7.)

TBL 14-1-7
RVR/RVV

h.Weather ElementsTBL 14-1-8 depicts sample phraseology for weather element contractions. Intensity refers to precipitation, not descriptors. Proximity is spoken after the phenomenon to which it refers. Descriptors are spoken ahead of weather phenomenon with the exception of ''showers'' which is spoken after the precipitation. TBL 14-1-9 contains a complete list of weather elements and appropriate phraseology.

i.Ceiling and Sky Coverage.

1.State sky coverage in the same order as reported on the weather observation. Announce ceiling as follows: (See TBL 14-1-10.)

TBL 14-1-8
Examples of Combining Intensity, Descriptors and Weather Phenomenon.

TBL 14-1-9
Weather Elements

TBL 14-1-10
Ceiling and Sky Coverage

2.State cloud heights in tens, hundreds and/or thousands of feet. (See TBL 14-1-11.)

TBL 14-1-11
Cloud Heights

NOTE-
1.When the ceiling is less than 3,000 feet and variable, the variable limits will be reported in the remarks.

2.When communicating weather information on the TIBS broadcast or telephone, specialist may announce cloud heights in either group form or in hundreds or thousands of feet, such as seventeen thousand or one seven thousand.

3.Announce sky conditions as indicated below. (See TBL 14-1-12.)

TBL 14-1-12
Sky Conditions

4.The following are examples of broadcast phraseology of sky and ceiling conditions:
(See TBL 14-1-13.)

TBL 14-1-13
Sky and Ceiling Conditions

j.Announce surface temperature and dew point by stating the words TEMPERATURE or DEWPOINT, as appropriate, followed by the temperature in degrees Celsius. Temperatures below zero are announced by prefixing the word MINUS before the values. (See TBL 14-1-14.)

TBL 14-1-14
Temperature/Dewpoint

k.Altimeter Setting.

1.State the word ALTIMETER followed by the four digits of the altimeter setting. (See TBL 14-1-15.)

TBL 14-1-15
Altimeter Setting

2.Identify the source of all altimeter settings when issued, if not given as part of an identified surface observation. Provide the time of the report if more than one hour old.

PHRASEOLOGY-
(airport name) (time of report if more than one hour old) ALTIMETER (setting).

3.If a request for the altimeter setting in MILLIBARS is received, announce the separate digits of the millibar equivalent value, using the millibar conversion chart, followed by the word MILLIBARS. If the millibar setting is not a whole number, always round down. (See TBL 14-1-16.)

REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.10, subpara 4-3-5f.

TBL 14-1-16
Millibar Conversion

4.When altimeter is in excess of 31.00:

(a)Advise all aircraft.

PHRASEOLOGY-
''ALTIMETER IN EXCESS OF THREE ONE ZERO ZERO. HIGH PRESSURE ALTIMETER PROCEDURES ARE IN EFFECT.''

(b)Advise VFR aircraft to set altimeter to 31.00 en route.

PHRASEOLOGY-
''RECOMMEND YOU SET ALTIMETER THREE ONE ZERO ZERO EN ROUTE.''

14-1-9. WEATHER REMARKS

Announce pertinent remarks from surface weather observations in accordance with FAAO JO 7340.2, Contractions, and as shown in the following tables. Do not state additive data or other information intended for NWS analysis or processing that does not contribute to the description of the conditions occurring at the station.

a.SKY AND CEILING. (See TBL 14-1-17.)

TBL 14-1-17
Sky and Ceiling

b.Obscuring Phenomena. (See TBL 14-1-18.)

TBL 14-1-18
Obscuring Phenomena

c.Visibility. (See TBL 14-1-19.)

TBL 14-1-19
Visibility

d.Weather and obstruction to visibility.
(See TBL 14-1-20.)

TBL 14-1-20
Weather and Obstruction

e.Wind. (See TBL 14-1-21.)

TBL 14-1-21
Wind

f.Pressure. (See TBL 14-1-22.)

TBL 14-1-22
Pressure

g.Freezing Level Data.(See TBL 14-1-23.)

TBL 14-1-23
Freezing Level Data

h.Icing Data.(See TBL 14-1-24.)

TBL 14-1-24
Icing Data

i.Maintenance Data. (See TBL 14-1-25.)

TBL 14-1-25
Maintenance Data

14-1-10. WEATHER ADVISORIES

a.When announcing weather advisories, include the complete advisory description including the product name and alphanumeric identification. Specify Eastern, Central, or Western section as applicable when stating WSTs.

PHRASEOLOGY-
AIRMET
ALERT WEATHER WATCH, ONE ZERO SEVEN FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
CONVECTIVE SIGMET TWO SEVEN EASTERN
HOUSTON CENTER WEATHER ADVISORY ONE, ISSUANCE TWO
SIGMET WHISKEY THREE

b.Do not read the OUTLOOK section of WSTs when stating the advisory. Data contained in the OUTLOOK concerning convective activity location, movement, and intensity may be extracted for compilation in forecast summarizations.

EXAMPLE-
''Convective SIGMET one seven Eastern-from five zero south of St. Petersburg to three zero south of Columbus, line of thunderstorms three five miles wide moving east at one five knots. Maximum tops four seven thousand.''

c.VNR. When VFR flight is proposed and sky conditions or visibilities are present or forecast, surface based or aloft that, in your judgment, would make visual flight doubtful, include one of the following statements:

PHRASEOLOGY-
V-F-R FLIGHT NOT RECOMMENDED (location if applicable) DUE TO (conditions).
or
V-F-R NOT RECOMMENDED.

14-1-11. RADAR

Use the following phraseology and procedures for communicating radar products:

a.RAREPs.

1.Location. Announce the geographic name (not the identifier) once for communications and twice for broadcasts.

EXAMPLE-
“Lake Charles radar report.”
“Memphis, Memphis radar report.”

NOTE-
Special weather radar reports are not issued.

2.When broadcasting reports, announce the last two digits of the observation time followed by the word OBSERVATION.

EXAMPLE-
''Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City radar report, three five observation.''

3.State the type of echo pattern or configuration as follows: (See TBL 14-1-26.)

TBL 14-1-26
Echo Pattern

4.State the coverage of echoes in tenths.

EXAMPLE-
''Eight tenths.''

5.State the type in accordance with TBL 14-1-27, intensity in accordance with TBL 14-1-28, and intensity trend of the weather in accordance with TBL 14-1-29.

TBL 14-1-27
Type

TBL 14-1-28
Intensity

TBL 14-1-29
Intensity Trend

6.Describe the area covered by stating the azimuth and range of the points defining the echo pattern. (See TBL 14-1-30.)

TBL 14-1-30
Echo Pattern

7.State the dimensions of the echo pattern in nautical miles using separate digits. The symbol W means WIDE, and D indicates DIAMETER.

8.State the pattern movement referencing the direction to which the echoes are moving and the speed using separate digits. The patterns are decoded L for LINE, C for CELL, and A for AREA.
(See TBL 14-1-31.)

TBL 14-1-31
Direction of Movement

9.State the height of the tops in hundreds and/or thousands of feet, and their location by azimuth and distance where indicated. (See TBL 14-1-32.)

TBL 14-1-32
Heights-Tops

10.State any remarks after decoding from contractions.

11.Do not announce the letters and numbers comprising the digital radar codes at the end of the radar reports.

12.Do not announce those portions of RAREPs containing information on the location of a hurricane eye. These reports begin with the identifying words eye or center.

13.Following is an example of a RAREP as it appears and as it is broadcast.

EXAMPLE-
OKC 1935 LN 8TRW++/+ 86/40 164/60 199/115 15W L2425 MT 570 159/65
AUTO
^MO1 NO2 ON3 PM34 QM3 RL2 SL9

“Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, radar report. Three five observation. A line of eight-tenths coverage thunderstorms with heavy rainshowers increasing in intensity extending from four zero east to six zero south southeast to one one five south southwest of Oklahoma City. One five miles wide. Line moving northeast at two five. Max top five seven thousand, six five southeast of Oklahoma City.”

NOTE-
All weather radar reports are automated with a scheduled issuance time of H+35. Do not state the word “automated.”

b.Radar displays. When stating precipitation intensity from a radar display (such as NEXRAD), use the following four categories as appropriate:

1.Light: (Equates to radar return levels of less than 30 dBZ.)

2.Moderate: (Equates to radar return levels of 30 to 40 dBZ.)

3.Heavy: (Equates to radar return levels of greater than 40 to 50 dBZ.)

4.Extreme: (Equates to radar return levels of greater than 50 dBZ.)

14-1-12. WINDS AND TEMPERATURES ALOFT FORECAST (FD)

When announcing the FD use the following phraseology and procedures:

a.State the altitude, then announce wind direction and speed by the separate digits of the wind direction to the 10-degree multiple, the word AT, and the separate digits of the speed.

b.When the forecast speed is less than 5 knots, the coded group is 9900 and read, LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

c.Encoded wind speed 100 to 199 knots have 50 added to the direction code and 100 subtracted from the speed.

d.If wind speed is forecast at 200 knots or greater, the wind group is coded as 199 knots; i.e., 7799 is decoded 270 degrees at 199 knots or greater.

e.A six-digit group includes forecast temperature. Provide temperatures on request only, stating the word TEMPERATURE followed by the word MINUS, as appropriate, and the separate digits.
(See TBL 14-1-33.)

TBL 14-1-33
Altitude

14-1-13. NUMBER USAGE

State numbers as follows:

a.Serial numbers. The separate digits.
(See TBL 14-1-34.)

TBL 14-1-34
Serial Numbers

b.Altitudes or flight levels.

1.Altitudes. The separate digits of the thousands plus the hundreds. (See TBL 14-1-35.)

TBL 14-1-35
Altitudes

2.Altitudes may be restated in group form for added clarity if the specialist chooses.
(See TBL 14-1-36.)

TBL 14-1-36
Altitudes - continued

3.Flight levels. The words flight level followed by the separate digits of the flight level.
(See TBL 14-1-37.)

TBL 14-1-37
Flight Levels

4.MDA/DH Altitudes. The words minimum descent altitude or decision height followed by separate digits of the MDA/DH altitude. (See TBL 14-1-38.)

TBL 14-1-38
MDA/DH Altitude

c.Time.

1.General time information. The four separate digits of the hour and minutes in terms of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). (See TBL 14-1-39.)

TBL 14-1-39
Coordinated Universal Time

2.Upon request. The four separate digits of the hours and minutes in terms of UTC followed by the local time equivalent; or the local time equivalent only. Local time may be based on the 24-hour clock system. (See TBL 14-1-40.)

TBL 14-1-40
Coordinated Universal Time

3.Time check. The word ''time'' followed by the four separate digits of the hour and minutes, and nearest quarter minute. Fractions of a quarter minute less than 8 seconds are stated as the preceding quarter minute; fractions of a quarter minute of 8 seconds or more are stated as the succeeding quarter minute.
(See TBL 14-1-41.)

TBL 14-1-41
Time Check

4.Abbreviated time. The separate digits of the minutes only. (See TBL 14-1-42.)

TBL 14-1-42
Abbreviated Time

NOTE-
Change to the next minute is made at the minute plus 30 seconds.

d.Field elevation. The words field elevation followed by the separate digits of the elevation.
(See TBL 14-1-43.)

TBL 14-1-43
Field Elevation

e.The number 0, is stated as zero except where it appears in group form.

EXAMPLE-
''Field elevation One Six Zero.''
''Cessna Two One Six Zero Seven.''
''Boeing Seven - Oh - Seven.''

f.Heading. The word heading followed by the three separate digits of the number of degrees, but omit the word degrees. Use heading 360 degrees to indicate a north heading. (See TBL 14-1-44.)

TBL 14-1-44
Heading/Degrees

g.Radar beacon codes. The word squawk followed by the separate digits of the four-digit code. (See TBL 14-1-45.)

TBL 14-1-45
Radar Beacon

h.Runways. The word runway followed by the separate digits of the runway designation. For a parallel runway, state the word left, right, or center if the letter L, R, or C is included in the designation. (See TBL 14-1-46.)

TBL 14-1-46
Runway Designation

i.Frequencies.

1.The separate digits of the frequency, inserting the word point where the decimal occurs. When the frequency is in the L/MF or HF band, include the word kilohertz. (See TBL 14-1-47.)

TBL 14-1-47
Frequencies

2.Issue MLS/TACAN frequencies by stating the word CHANNEL followed by the assigned two-or three-digit channel number.

EXAMPLE-
''M-L-S channel five three zero.''
''TACAN channel niner seven.''

j.Speeds.

1.The separate digits of the speed followed by the word knots. (See TBL 14-1-48.)

TBL 14-1-48
Speed

2.For Mach speeds, the word Mach, followed by the separate digits of the Mach number inserting the word point where the decimal occurs.
(See TBL 14-1-49.)

TBL 14-1-49
Speed

k.Miles. The separate digits of the mileage followed by the word mile(s). (See TBL 14-1-50.)

TBL 14-1-50
Miles

14-1-14. FACILITY IDENTIFICATION

Identify facilities as follows:

a.Airport traffic control towers: State the name of the facility followed by the word tower. Where military and civil airports are located in the same general area and have similar names, state the name of the military service followed by the name of the military facility and the word tower.

EXAMPLE-
''Barksdale Tower.''
''Columbus Tower.''
''Navy Jacksonville Tower.''

b.Function within a terminal facility. State the name of the facility followed by the name of the function.

EXAMPLE-
''Boston Departure.''
''LaGuardia Clearance Delivery.''
''O'Hare Ground.''

c.Approach control facilities, including TRACONs, RAPCONs, RATCFs, and ARACs. State the name of the facility followed by the word approach. Where military and civil facilities are located in the same general area and have similar names, state the name of the military service followed by the name of the military facility and the word approach.

EXAMPLE-
''Denver Approach.''
''Griffiss Approach.''
''Navy Jacksonville Approach.''

d.Air route traffic control centers. State the name of the facility followed by the word center.

e.When calling or replying on an interphone line which connects only two facilities, you may omit the facility's name.

EXAMPLE-
''Flight Data.''
''Inflight, clearance request.''

f.FAA Automated Flight Service Stations/Flight Service Stations.

1.Inflight position. State the name of the AFSS/FSS followed by the word radio, and position if appropriate.

EXAMPLE-
''Fairbanks Radio.''
''Fort Dodge Radio, Inflight 2.''

2.Flight Watch position. State the name of the associated ARTCC followed by the words FLIGHT WATCH.

EXAMPLE-
''Indianapolis Flight Watch.''

NOTE-
During transition to EFAS consolidation, nonconsolidated facilities will state the name of the parent AFSS facility followed by the words FLIGHT WATCH.

3.When calling or replying on interphone lines connecting more than one facility, state the name of the AFSS/FSS followed by the word radio.

EXAMPLE-
''San Angelo Radio.''

4.When answering public access telephone lines, state the geographical name of the AFSS/FSS and the words Flight Service.

EXAMPLE-
''Burlington Flight Service.''
''Miami Flight Service.''

g.Radar facilities having ASR or PAR but not providing approach control service. State the name of the facility followed by the letters G-C-A.

EXAMPLE-
''Chanute G-C-A.''
''Corpus Christi G-C-A.''
''Davison G-C-A.''

14-1-15. AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION

a.Civil. State the aircraft type, the model, the manufacturer's name, or the prefix November followed by the numbers/letters of the aircraft registration.

EXAMPLE-
''Bonanza One Two Three Four Tango.''
''Douglas Three Zero Five Romeo.''
''Jet Commander One Four Two Four.''
''November One Two Three Four Golf.''

NOTE-
The prefix November denotes a U.S. aircraft registry.

1.Air carrier and other civil aircraft having FAA authorized call signs. State the call sign, in accordance with FAAO JO 7340.2, Contractions, followed by the flight number in group form.

EXAMPLE-
''American Five Twenty-One.''
''Commuter Six Eleven.''
''General Motors Thirty-Fifteen.''
''Eastern Ten Zero Four.''
''Delta One Hundred.''

2.If aircraft identification becomes a problem, the call sign shall be restated after the flight number of the aircraft involved.

EXAMPLE-
''American Five Twenty-One American.''
''Commuter Six Eleven Commuter.''
''General Motors Thirty-Seven General Motors.''

REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 2-1-2, Facility Standard Operation Procedures Directive.

3.Air taxi and co