GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Phonetic Alphabet Transmission of Letters International radio comms use the phonetic alphabet. Phonetic spelling is only used if there is a chance of misunderstanding. When using an aircraft callsign, each letter is spoken separately. The phonetic alphabet is not used for Q-codes.
Transmission of Numbers
Transmission of Time When transmitting the time only the minutes of the hour are normally required. If there is a possibility of confusion include the hour as well.
Standard Words and Phrases
Common Abbreviations ABBREVIATION - MEANING Abbreviations are spoken using the constituent letters. ABBREVIATION - MEANING ACC - Area control centre or area control ADF - Automatic direction finding equipment ADR - Advisory route AFIS - Aerodrome flight information service AGL - Above ground level AlP - Aeronautical information publication AIS - Aeronautical information service AMSL - Above mean sea level ATC - Air traffic control ATD - Actual time of departure ATIS - Automatic terminal information service ATS - Air traffic service ATZ - Air trafic zone
ABBREVIATION - MEANING DME - Distance Measuring Equipment EET - Estimated Elapsed Time ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival ETD - Estimated Time of Departure FIC - Flight Information Centre FIR - Flight Information Region FIS - Flight Information Service GCA - Ground Controlled Approach H24 - Continuous Day and Night Service HF - High Frequency (3 - 30 MHz) HJ - Sunrise to Sunset HN - Sunset to Sunrise HS - Service Available During Hours of Scheduled Operation HX - No Specific Hours
ABBREVIATION - MEANING IFR - Instrument Flight Rules ILS - Instrument Landing System IMC - Instrument Meteorological Conditions INFO - Information INS - Inertial Navigation System LORAN - Long Range Navigation System MET - Meteorology MLS - Microwave Landing System NDB - Non-directional Beacon NIL - None NOTAM - A notice which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations PAPI - Precision Approach Path Indicator QFE - Atmospheric Pressure at Aerodrome Elevation
ABBREVIATION - MEANING QNH - Altimeter setting to obtain elevation when on ground RCC - Rescue Co-ordination Centre RNAV - Area Navigation RVR - Runway Visual Range SID - Standard Instrument Departure SIGMET - Information concerning en-route weather phenomena SSR - Secondary Surveillance Radar STAR - Standard (instrument) Arrival TACAN - UHF Tactical Air Navigation Aid TMA - Terminal Control Area UHF - Ultra-high Frequency (300 - 3000 MHz)
ABBREVIATION - MEANING UTA - Upper Control Area UTC - Co-ordinated Universal Time VASI - Visual Approach Slope Indicator VDF - VHF Direction Finding Station VFR - Visual Flight Rules VHF - Very High Frequency (30 - 300 MHz) VIP - Very Important Person VMC - Visual Meteorological Conditions VOR - VHF Omni-directional Beacon VORTAC - VOR and TACAN Combined