Free reference
Eight stages from start-up to an emergency, in standard ICAO wording.
Follow a Bengaluru–Chennai flight through its radio calls, from start-up to landing, using standard ICAO wording. Every example uses the call sign VT-KAV. Read it, then say it aloud. New to the pattern behind the calls? Read how a radio call is built, part by part first, then come back and watch it run for a whole flight.
Listen to the ATIS before you transmit and note its letter. Quote that letter in your first call to Ground.
PilotBengaluru Ground, VT-KAV, Stand 34, IFR to Chennai, FL 290, POB 148, request start-up, information Delta.
ATCVT-KAV, Bengaluru Ground, start-up approved, QNH 1008.
ReadbackStart-up approved, QNH 1008, VT-KAV.
A clearance bundles the destination, the departure, the first level and the transponder code. Repeat each part back, then finish with your call sign.
PilotBengaluru Delivery, VT-KAV, request IFR clearance to Chennai.
ATCVT-KAV, cleared to Chennai via MAA1B departure, maintain FL 180, squawk 4527.
ReadbackCleared to Chennai, MAA1B departure, FL 180, squawk 4527, VT-KAV.
Every taxi instruction ends at a point where you must stop. Repeat the runway, the route, any hold-short point and the QNH.
PilotBengaluru Ground, VT-KAV, Stand 34, request taxi, information Delta.
ATCVT-KAV, taxi to holding point runway 09L via taxiway Bravo, QNH 1008.
ReadbackTaxi to holding point runway 09L via Bravo, QNH 1008, VT-KAV.
Say you are ready from the holding point. When take-off is approved, repeat the runway so the controller knows you took the right one.
PilotBengaluru Tower, VT-KAV, holding point runway 09L, ready for departure.
ATCVT-KAV, wind 090 degrees 6 knots, runway 09L, cleared for take-off.
ReadbackRunway 09L, cleared for take-off, VT-KAV.
Give your current and cleared level on first contact with each new controller, and repeat every level instruction you receive.
PilotChennai Control, VT-KAV, passing flight level 140 for flight level 290.
ATCVT-KAV, climb flight level 290.
ReadbackClimb flight level 290, VT-KAV.
Levels and altimeter settings must always be repeated back. Once you are lined up on the localiser, report that you are established.
ATCVT-KAV, descend flight level 080, QNH 1006.
ReadbackDescend flight level 080, QNH 1006, VT-KAV.
PilotChennai Approach, VT-KAV, established ILS runway 25.
Acknowledge a landing clearance with the runway and your call sign, then call Ground once you have left the runway.
ATCVT-KAV, wind 070 degrees 5 knots, runway 25, cleared to land.
ReadbackRunway 25, cleared to land, VT-KAV.
PilotChennai Ground, VT-KAV, runway vacated, request taxi to stand.
Distress opens with MAYDAY spoken three times, urgency with PAN PAN three times. Follow with your call sign, the problem, what you intend to do, position, level and number of people on board.
PilotMAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, Chennai Control, VT-KAV, engine failure, descending flight level 140, intend to land Tiruchirappalli, 148 persons on board.
Numbers are pronounced one digit at a time using the radiotelephony forms: ZE-RO, WUN, TOO, TREE, FOW-er, FIFE, SIX, SEV-en, AIT, NIN-er. A decimal point is DAY-SEE-MAL and a thousand is TOU-SAND. A flight level such as FL 290 is read as “flight level two niner zero”.
It means your last transmission arrived in full. It is not a yes — say "Affirm" for yes.
One digit at a time, in the radiotelephony forms: ZE-RO, WUN, TOO, TREE, FOW-er, FIFE, SIX, SEV-en, AIT, NIN-er. A decimal point is DAY-SEE-MAL, and a flight level such as FL 290 is read as "flight level two niner zero".
Say MAYDAY three times, then your call sign, the problem, your intention, position and level, and how many people are on board. For urgency, PAN PAN three times instead.