Radio Phraseology Guide
Learn proper ATC communication and radio techniques for VATSIM
Introduction
Clear and concise radio communication is essential for safe operations on VATSIM. This guide covers the standard phraseology used when communicating with air traffic control.
Remember: Controllers would rather you ask for clarification than remain uncertain. It's always better to communicate clearly than to use incorrect phraseology.
Basic Principles
1. Think Before You Speak
Plan what you're going to say before pressing the push-to-talk button.
2. Be Concise
Keep transmissions brief and to the point. Include only necessary information.
3. Speak Clearly
Use a normal speaking voice at a moderate pace. Avoid speaking too fast or too slow.
4. Use Standard Phraseology
Standard phrases help prevent misunderstandings and make communications more efficient.
Phonetic Alphabet
Always use the phonetic alphabet for callsigns and clarifications:
Phonetic Numbers
Number pronunciations in US airspace (ICAO alternatives in parentheses):
Note: US controllers and pilots typically use natural pronunciations. ICAO phonetics (wun, too, three, fife, ait) are more common in international operations.
Standard Radio Calls
Clearance Delivery
📢 Phraseology Note:
JFK departures are pronounced phonetically as "Kennedy [number] Departure" (e.g., JFK5 = "Kennedy Five Departure"). The same goes for LGA ("LaGuardia [number] Departure") and EWR ("Newark [number] Departure").
Pilot:
"Kennedy Clearance Delivery, Delta one twenty three, IFR to Boston Logan International Airport, with information Alpha"
ATC:
"Delta one twenty three, Kennedy Clearance Delivery, cleared to Boston Logan International Airport, JFK# departure, radar vectors MERIT then as filed, maintain five thousand, expect flight level two one zero one zero minutes after departure, departure frequency one three five point niner, squawk 4521"
Pilot:
"Cleared to Boston Logan International Airport, JFK# departure, radar vectors MERIT then as filed, maintain five thousand, expect flight level two one zero one zero minutes after departure, departure frequency one three five point niner, squawk 4521, Delta one twenty three"
Pilot:
"Kennedy Clearance Delivery, Delta one twenty three, IFR to Boston Logan International Airport, with information Alpha"
ATC:
"Delta one twenty three, Kennedy Clearance Delivery, cleared to Boston Logan International Airport, SKORR# departure, YNKEE Transition, radar vectors MERIT then as filed, climb via SID, expect flight level two one zero one zero minutes after departure, departure frequency one three five point niner, squawk 4521"
Pilot:
"Cleared to Boston Logan International Airport, SKORR# departure, radar vectors MERIT then as filed, climb via SID, expect flight level two one zero one zero minutes after departure, departure frequency one three five point niner, squawk 4521, Delta one twenty three"
Note: "Climb via SID" authorizes you to climb in accordance with the altitude restrictions published on the SID. You must comply with all altitude and speed restrictions depicted on the procedure.
Ground
Pilot:
"Kennedy Ground, Delta one twenty three, gate 12, ready for taxi, with Alpha "
ATC:
"Delta one twenty three, Kennedy Ground, runway 4 left via Alpha, Kilo, cross runway 31 left at Kilo"
Pilot:
"Taxi runway 4 left via Alpha, Kilo, cross runway 31 left at Kilo, Delta one twenty three"
Tower - Takeoff
Pilot:
"Kennedy Tower, Delta one twenty three, holding short runway 4 left, ready for departure"
ATC:
"Delta one twenty three, Kennedy Tower, runway 4 left, cleared for takeoff"
Pilot:
"Cleared for takeoff runway 4 left, Delta one twenty three"
Departure
Pilot:
"New York Departure, Delta one twenty three, 2000 climbing 5000"
ATC:
"Delta one twenty three, New York Departure, radar contact, climb and maintain one zero thousand"
Pilot:
"Climb and maintain one zero thousand, Delta one twenty three"
Approach
Pilot:
"New York Approach, Delta one twenty three, descending to 10,000 with information Bravo"
ATC:
"Delta one twenty three, New York Approach, Kennedy altimeter two niner niner two, descend and maintain 4000, expect ILS runway 4 left approach"
Pilot:
"Descend and maintain 4000, expect ILS 4 left, Delta one twenty three"
Tower - Landing
Pilot:
"Kennedy Tower, Delta one twenty three, ILS 4 left"
ATC:
"Delta one twenty three, Kennedy Tower, runway 4 left, cleared to land"
Pilot:
"Cleared to land runway 4 left, Delta one twenty three"
After landing and exiting the runway:
ATC:
"Delta one twenty three, contact ground one two one point niner"
Pilot:
"Ground one two one point niner, Delta one twenty three, good day"
Common Terms & Phrases
Tips for Success
- Listen to other pilots and learn from their communications
- Listen for the first 30 seconds before transmitting on a new frequency
- Always read back altitude assignments, runway assignments, and hold short instructions
- If you miss something, ask ATC to "say again" - never guess
- Keep your callsign consistent throughout the flight
- Don't say "with you" - controllers already know you're there
- Practice offline to build confidence before flying on the network
- Remember: Controllers are here to help, not to judge
What to Avoid
- Avoid unnecessary chatter or jokes on busy frequencies
- Don't use non-standard terms like "taking the active" or "taking the runway"
- Never say "Roger" when you should read back an instruction
- Don't check in with "with you" - just state your callsign and altitude