Radio Jargon & Standard Phraseology

ATC and cockpit standard communication procedures and NATO phonetics.

WILCO

Indicates that transmission is understood and will be complied with.

ROGER

Confirms that the entire transmission has been received correctly.

LINE UP & WAIT

Instruction to enter the runway and hold in position.

CLEARED

ATC authorization for takeoff, landing, or approach.

HOLD / HOLDING

Instruction to maintain current position, altitude, or heading.

SAY AGAIN

Request to repeat the last radio transmission.

UNABLE

Indicates that an instruction cannot be safely executed.

MAYDAY

Distress signal indicating imminent and serious danger.

PAN PAN

Urgency signal concerning the safety of aircraft or life.

NATO Phonetic Alphabet

International coding standard used for registrations and coordinates.

AAlpha
BBravo
CCharlie
DDelta
EEcho
FFoxtrot
GGolf
HHotel
IIndia
JJuliett
KKilo
LLima
MMike
NNovember
OOscar
PPapa
QQuebec
RRomeo
SSierra
TTango
UUniform
VVictor
WWhiskey
XX-ray
YYankee
ZZulu