Section 2. Radio Communications

1. FREQUENCY USE

1. Monitor assigned radio frequencies continuously. Keep speaker volumes at a level sufficient to hear all transmissions.
2. Use radio frequencies for the specific purposes for which they are intended. A frequency may be used for more than one function when required.
3. Use the minimum number of frequencies to conduct communications.
4. Request pilots file flight plans on discrete frequencies when possible.

1. AUTHORIZED TRANSMISSIONS

1. Transmit only those messages necessary for safe and efficient use of the NAS.

1. Relay operational information to an aircraft or its company, as requested, when abnormal conditions necessitate such requests. Do not agree to handle such messages on a regular basis.
2. Relay official FAA messages as required.

1. Inform an aircraft of the source of any message you relay from an appropriate authority.
2. Use the words or phrases in radio communications as contained in the Pilot/Controller Glossary.

1. RADIO MESSAGE FORMAT

1. Use the following format for radio communications with an aircraft:

1. Identification of aircraft.
2. Identification of the calling unit.
3. The type of message to follow when this will assist the pilot.
4. The word “over,” if necessary.

1. Specialist initiated call. State the prefix (for example, “November” when establishing initial communications with U.S. registered aircraft), followed by the ICAO phonetic pronunciation of the numbers/letters of the aircraft registration. The specialist may state the aircraft type, the model, the manufacturer's name, followed by the ICAO phonetic pronunciation of the numbers/letters of the aircraft registration if used by the pilot on the initial or subsequent call.

1. Replying to call up from aircraft. Identification of the aircraft initiating the call up. Use the full identification in reply to aircraft with similar sounding identifications. For other aircraft, use the same identification the pilot used in initial call up; then use the correct identification after communication has been established. The specialist may state the aircraft type, model, or manufacturer's name followed by the ICAO phonetic pronunciation of the numbers/letters of the aircraft registration if used by the pilot.

1. Specialists must use the word “super” as part of the identification in all communications with or about super aircraft.

1. Specialists must use the word “heavy” as part of the identification in communications with or about heavy jet aircraft.

1. When in radio-telephone communications with “Air Force One,” do not add the “heavy” designator to the call sign. State only the call sign “Air Force One” regardless of the type of aircraft.
2. Preface a clearance or instruction intended for a specific aircraft with the identification of that aircraft.
3. Emphasize appropriate digits, letters, or similar sounding words to aid in distinguishing between similar sounding aircraft identifications. Additionally, notify each pilot concerned when communicating with aircraft having similar sounding identifications.

1. ABBREVIATED TRANSMISSION

Transmissions may be abbreviated as follows:

1. Use the identification prefix and the last three digits or letters of the aircraft identification after communications have been established. Do not abbreviate similar sounding aircraft identifications or the identification of an air carrier or other civilian aircraft having an FAA-authorized call sign.
2. Omit the facility identification after communication has been established.
3. Transmit the message immediately after the call up (without waiting for the aircraft's reply) when the message is short and receipt is generally assured.
4. Omit the word “over” if the message obviously requires a reply.

1. ROUTINE RADIO CONTACTS

Prior to terminating the contact, provide the following information if it is pertinent and the pilot indicates that it has not been received previously.

1. Adverse weather. Inform the pilot of any pertinent adverse weather (for example, AIRMET, G-AIRMET, SIGMET, Convective SIGMET, CWA, or urgent PIREP) affecting the aircraft's position, route, or destination.
2. NOTAM. Inform the pilot of any pertinent NOTAMs affecting the flight.
3. Altimeter setting.

1. If the aircraft is operating below 18,000 feet MSL, issue current altimeter setting obtained from direct reading instruments or received from weather reporting stations. Use the setting for the location nearest the position of the aircraft.
2. If the aircraft is arriving or departing a local airport served by an operating control tower, issue altimeter setting on request only.
3. When a pilot acknowledges that he/she has received the AFIS broadcast, specialists may omit those items contained in the broadcasts if they are current (Alaska only).
4. Specialists must advise aircraft arriving or departing from a non-towered airport which has a commissioned automated weather reporting with ground-to-air capability to monitor the automated weather frequency for the altimeter setting.

1. When the barometric pressure is greater than 31.00 inches Hg, Flight Standards will implement high barometric pressure procedures by NOTAM, defining the geographic area affected. When this occurs, use the following procedures:

1. IFR aircraft. Issue the altimeter setting and advise the pilot that high pressure altimeter setting procedures are in effect. Control facilities will issue specific instructions when relaying IFR clearances and control instructions through FSS facilities when the altimeter is above 31.00 inches Hg.
2. VFR aircraft. Issue the altimeter setting. Advise the pilot that high pressure altimeter setting procedures are in effect and to use an altimeter setting of 31.00 inches Hg en route.

1. If a request for the altimeter setting in millibars is received, use the setting for the location nearest the position of the aircraft and convert to the millibars equivalent value using a millibars conversion chart. If the millibars setting is not a whole number, always round down. See TBL 4-2-1.

1. Incorrect cruising altitude. If the aircraft is operating VFR at an altitude between 3,000 feet AGL to, but not including, FL180 and reports at an incorrect cruising altitude for the direction of flight, issue a VFR cruising altitude advisory.

1. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TRANSFER

Transfer radio communications by specifying the following:

1. The name of the facility to be contacted and the frequency.

1. In situations where an aircraft will continue to communicate with your facility, use the following:

1. ATC CLEARANCES, ADVISORIES, OR REQUESTS

1. Notify ATC via interphone of a pilot's request for clearance and include the departure and destination airports and, if appropriate, departing runway and time in the request. Forward pilot requests to execute a visual climb over airport procedure to ATC. Relay, verbatim, ATC clearances, advisories, and requests received from the control facility. Give a time check to the nearest quarter minute when relaying a clearance that includes a release or void time.

1. Prefix all ATC clearances, advisories, or requests with the appropriate phrase “A-T-C CLEARS,” “A-T-C ADVISES,” etc.
2. When issuing information, relaying clearances, or instructions, ensure acknowledgement by the pilot.
3. If altitude, heading, or other items are read back by the pilot, ensure the read‐back is correct. If incorrect or incomplete, make corrections as appropriate.

1. DEPARTURE REPORTS

1. When an IFR aircraft reports airborne or is observed airborne, transmit the aircraft identification and departure time to the control facility from which the clearance was received.

1. When an aircraft which has filed an IFR flight plan requests a VFR departure, facilitate the request as follows:

1. If the facility/sector responsible for issuing the clearance is unable to issue a clearance, inform the pilot and suggest that the delay be taken on the ground. If the pilot insists upon taking off VFR and obtaining an IFR clearance in the air, relay the pilot's intentions and, if possible, the VFR departure time to the facility/sector holding the flight plan.
2. After obtaining approval from the facility/ sector responsible for issuing the IFR clearance, an aircraft planning IFR flight may be authorized to depart VFR. Inform the pilot of the proper frequency and, if appropriate, where or when to contact the facility responsible for issuing the clearance.

1. When requesting:

1. When relaying to aircraft:

1. Relaying to control facility:

1. IFR FLIGHT PROGRESS REPORTS

Relay to the appropriate ATC facility the aircraft identification, position, time, altitude, estimate of next reporting point, name of subsequent reporting point, and any pilot remarks or requests including amended flight plan data.

1. ARRIVAL/MISSED APPROACH REPORTS

Relay to the appropriate ATC facility, by the most expeditious means available, the time that an IFR aircraft lands, cancels, or executes a missed approach, and intentions, if known.

1. NON‐DELIVERY OF MESSAGES

Inform ATC when a message has not been delivered within:

1. Three minutes of receipt; or
2. Three minutes after the specified delivery time; or
3. A specified cancellation time.

1. BROADCAST (BLIND TRANSMISSION) OF MESSAGES

Broadcast messages as requested by ATC. If no accompanying transmitting instructions are received, transmit the message four times:

1. Once upon receipt; and
2. At approximately 3‐minute intervals thereafter.

1. UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY INTO CLASS A AIRSPACE OR PROHIBITED/RESTRICTED AREA

1. Unauthorized entry into Class A airspace. When a VFR aircraft's position report indicates an unauthorized entry into of Class A airspace:

1. Inform the pilot of the Class A airspace unauthorized entry and request intentions.

1. Inform the control facility immediately.
2. Relay ATC instructions.

1. Unauthorized entry into prohibited/restricted areas. When an aircraft report indicates unauthorized entry into a prohibited/restricted area:

1. Inform the pilot.

1. Inform the control facility immediately. Relay ATC instructions.

1. NON‐EMERGENCY PARACHUTE JUMPING

1. Specialists must forward all pertinent information received from pilots prior to and during parachute jumping activity to other affected ATC facilities.
2. When a pre‐jump radio call required by 14 CFR 105.13 is received, contact the ARTCC sector or terminal facility in whose airspace the jump begins. If the controller has pertinent traffic, advise the jump aircraft to contact the control facility on the appropriate frequency for traffic information.
3. If the aircraft is unable to contact the control facility directly, obtain traffic information and relay it to the aircraft.