Pilot Training: Radio (R/T) Procedure Primer (US AAF)

The use of standard radio telephone procedures is the responsibility of all Pilots'

Operating Tips

1. Transmit in a concise and business-like manner. Make only necessary official transmissions.

2. Speak slowly. Pronounce each word and number distinctly.

3. Know your message. Group your words so the idea is clear.

4. Don't hesitate. Don't say "uh" and "er".

5. Speak loudly enough to be heard above the surrounding noises.

Radio Telephone Terms

"Roger" means "Received your message".

"Wilco" means "Received your message (where applicable) will comply." Use "Wilco" to acknowledge you will carry out landing, takeoff, or other instructions.

"Say again" means "Repeat".

"I say again", means, "I will repeat."

"Wrong" means "That is incorrect. The correct version is --".

"Correction" means "An error has been rnade. The correct version is --"

"That is correct" is self-explanatory.

"Wait"  if used by itself, means - "I must pause for a few seconds."  If the pause is to be longer than a few seconds use "Wait. Out." If "Wait" is to be used to prevent another station from transmitting, follow it  with "Out."

Pronunciation of Numbers

When you transmit numbers by radio telephone use the following standard pronounciation:

Statement of Numbers

Speak all numbers in serial form, as "wun ze-ro" for 10; "ate niner too" for 892.

An even hundred or thousand is spoken as "hun-dred" or  "Thow-sand". An exception is made for ceiling and flight levels of ten, eleven and twelv thousand feet. For example:

Radio Call Signs

Call signs for airplanes are composed of the last three numbers of the airplane serial number. If further identification is necessary, the ground station will request four or more numbers.

Establishing Communication

To establish (or reopen) communication make the initial call-up once, as illustrated in the following example. If you get no reply within 30 seconds make a second call-up, this time making it twice. Repeat this double call-up at 1 minute intervals until communication is established.

After communication is established you can continue without further call-up, but each message should begin with the airplane's identification and end with the proper termination.

Termination of Message

All messages will end in "Over" or "Out", depending on which is appropriate.

"Over" means "My transmission is ended. I expect a response."

"Out" means "This conversation is ended and no response is expected."

Contacting Ground Stations

Various ground radio communications facilities are at the disposal of the pilot. They include Army Airways Communications System stations, Army or CAA radio range stations, and Army or CAA control towers (See Radio Facility Charts for listings). Examples of call-ups are:

AACS stations --------------- "Scott Army Airways"

Radio ranges-------------------"Scott Radio"

Control towers-----------------"Scott Tower"

Army Airways Communications System operates control towers, Army airways and radio navigational aids. AACS stations will relay traffic to any point, including CAA or Navy, via telephone, telegraph, teletype, or interphone.

To Prearrange a Channel

Before departing from a base where an AACS station is located a pilot can file a radio message to notify airways stations along the route and at destination to stand by on any air-ground channel.

RADIO DIALOGUE - Example

Takeoff Instructions: Contact the tower for taxiing and takeoff instructions before moving from the line or parking area. Towers should give: (1) Wind direction and velocity and direction of takeoff traffic. (2) Runway clearance. (3) Special instructions for local conditions. (4) Taxi clearance. (5) Takeoff clearance. (6) Altimeter setting. (7) Time. For example:

Plane: "Washington tower, this is Army one five seven, over."

Washington: "Army one five seven, this is Washington tower, over."

Plane: "Washington tower, this is Army one five seven, taxi clearance, over."

Washington: "Army one five seven, traffic northwest, cleared to runway three three. Taxi to front of terminal building, turn right and follow taxi strip.

Altimeter three zero zero four, over."

Plane: "Army one five seven, wilco, out."

Plane (in takeoff position): "Washington tower this is Army one five seven, over."

Washington: "Army one five seven, this is Washington tower, over."

Plane: "Washington tower, this is Army one five seven, takeoff clearance, over."

Washington: "Army one five seven, cleared for takeoff, over."

Plane: "Army one five seven, wilco, out."

Washington: "Army one five seven, off at zero five, over."

Plane: "Army one five seven, roger, out."

Remain tuned to the tower frequency for at least 5 minutes after departure, unless cleared to another frequency by the control tower.