The Phonetic Alphabet in Aviation Communication

How to Use Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc When a Pilot Speaks to ATC

Jun 6, 2009

Pilots use the Radio to Speak to ATC, Helen Krasner

Pilots in their planes communicate with air traffic control using the phonetic radio alphabet. Here is a list of the letters and examples of its use and how it all works.

Naming letters of the alphabet can be ambiguous. For instance, B can sound very much like D or V. Therefore a phonetic alphabet has been developed for use on two way radios, in which each letter is represented by a word beginning with that letter. This alphabet is used extensively in aviation, when pilots communicate with air traffic control officers.

The Phonetic Radio Alphabet

Here is a list of the words used for each letter of the alphbet:-

Alpha
Bravo
Charlie
Delta
Echo
Foxtrot
Golf
Hotel
India
Juliet
Kilo
Lima
Mike
November
Oscar
Papa
Quebec
Romeo
Sierra
Tango
Uniform
Victor
Whiskey
X-Ray
Yankee
Zulu

When do Pilots use the Phonetic Radio Alphabet?

The radio alphabet is used in the following instances:-

When the pilot gives ATC the registration of his plane. For example G-ABCD becomes Gold Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta.
When giving the names of radio beacons, which all have a three letter designator. For example, TNT becomes Tango November Tango.
At any other times when saying the letters may cause confusion. For example, a pilot may say he is in Visual Meteorological Conditions, or VMC. But if the air traffic controller has trouble hearing him, he may say he is Victor Mike Charlie.

An Example of the Use of the Radio Alphabet

In the following example the pilot of a small plane wants to enter controlled airspace, ie the zone around a large airport...

Pilot: Bigtown Approach, this is Golf Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta.

(The pilot introduces himself and his plane on the first radio call)

ATC: Golf Charlie Delta, pass your message.

(ATC abbreviates the aircraft call sign to the first and last two letters. This is done for convenience, unless ATC is speaking to two aircraft with similar call signs, in which case the whole aircraft registration will be used. “Pass your message” indicates that the pilot should now give ATC some standard information)

Pilot: Golf Charlie Delta is a Cessna 152, from Smalltown to Nexttown, routing via Delta Echo Foxtrot, presently overhead Anytown at 2000 feet, VMC, request zone transit.

(The pilot tells ATC what type of aircraft he is flying, where he is going, his route via a radio beacon, his current position, and what he wants…ie transit through controlled airspace)

ATC: Golf Charlie Delta, that’s approved. Cleared to enter controlled airspace, not above 2500 feet.

As can be seen, use of the radio alphabet clarifies conversation and prevents confusion in a difficult environment for communication. It may seem complicated and strange, but with practice its use becomes second nature to both pilots and air traffic controllers.