ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organization
T is for Tango!
As a student pilot, you will need to learn how to talk like a pilot.
“Pilotspeak” includes a Phonetic Alphabet. This is based on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standardized phonetic alphabet. This may also be referred to as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
International Language
English is the International Language of Aviation. Every tower handling international traffic must have at least one English speaking controller on duty at all times. Pilots around the globe will use the English language for ICAO Airport Identification, Aircraft Registration Numbers (N-Number), Runway Numbers, Taxiway identification, Headings, Altitudes, etc.
Controlled English Vocabulary
Everyone speaking Aviation English will use a standardized vocabulary to facilitate communication and avoid misunderstandings. For non English pilots, it would be difficult to learn and memorize all the English language numbers from 0 through 360. To make things easier, only numbers 0 – 9 will be used to reference runways, headings and altitudes.
Runway Two Eight
Runways are numbered based on their Magnetic Heading oriented to the Magnetic North Pole, where the compass points. (Not the True North Pole where the Earth’s Axis is located)
Runway numbers are essentially the runway’s heading or direction. This number is rounded off to the nearest 10 degrees. These numbers represent the first two digits of the runway’s actual three digit magnetic direction. For instance, Runway Two Eight (28) is located at an angle of 280 degrees magnetic. You notice this is referred to as Runway “Two-Eight” instead of Runway “Twenty-Eight”. As mentioned, numbers 0 – 360 are referenced using single digits 0 – 9 to make it easier for non English pilots.
Headings
Like Runways, Headings are also referenced using each single digit. For instance, heading 175 would be heading “one seven five” instead of “one hundred seventy five”.
ICAO / NATO Phonetic Alphabet
As we all know, some letters and numbers sound very much alike. This is especially true when speaking over aviation radios, or by non-English pilots. To help avoid confusion, the Phonetic Alphabet is used to ensure every letter and number has a unique and distinct phonetic pronunciation. By speaking the standardized phonetic word, and not just the individual letter or number, pilots are easily understood.
Bravo, Charlie, Echo
The letters B, C and E, all sound very much alike. It would be easy to confuse these letters over radio communications. Instead, the phonetic words Bravo, Charlie and Echo would be used to represent B, C and E. With these phonetic words, there is little chance of mixing up or confusing the letters.
Taxiway Signs
As we know, Runways are referenced by number. However, Taxiways are referenced by a letter of the Alphabet to avoid confusion with Runways.
Here we see the pilot is currently on Taxiway F (Foxtrot), and to the right is Taxiway D (Delta). The Light on Dark lettering indicates the current Taxiway the pilot is located on.
Using the Phonetic Alphabet, we would reference these Taxiways as Foxtrot and Delta.
Let’s get to know the ICAO / NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
Here’s the list:
Phonetic Alphabet
- A – Alpha
- B – Bravo
- C – Charlie
- D – Delta
- E – Echo
- F – Foxtrot
- G – Golf
- H – Hotel
- I – India
- J – Juliet
- K – Kilo
- L – Lima
- M – Mike
- N – November
- O – Oscar
- P – Papa
- Q – Quebec
- R – Romeo
- S – Sierra
- T – Tango
- U – Uniform
- V – Victor
- W – Whiskey
- X – Xray
- Y – Yankee
- Z – Zulu
Phonetic Numbers
- 1 – WUN
- 2 – TOO
- 3 – TREE
- 4 – FOW-er
- 5 – FIFE
- 6 – SIX
- 7 – SEV-en
- 8 – AIT
- 9 – NIN-er
- 0 – ZEE-RO
You’ll notice the Phonetic Numbers have unique or distinct sounds and they also rely on very specific pronunciation as emphasized above.
Practice makes Pefect!
I remember when I first learned the Phonetic Alphabet. Every time I saw a car license plate, I would quickly try to rattle off the Phonetic Letters. Before long, I was speaking phonetic like a pro.
Sample Taxi Clearance
Here’s a sample Taxi Clearance you might here. How’s your Pilotspeak?
“November Two Four Two Two Charlie, taxi to Runway Two Seven via Charlie, southwest to Delta, turn left; cross Runway Two Seven and make a left turn on Golf, over.”
Don’t wait until you hear such a clearance, before learning your Phonetic Alphabet!
