AIM - COM 5. 9 - Standard Radio Telephony

General
The Radiocommunication Regulations specify that aeronautical radio communications
are restricted to communications relating to

    • the safety and navigation of an aircraft;
    • the general operation of the aircraft; and
    • the exchange of messages on behalf of the public.

In addition, a person may operate radio apparatus only to transmit a non-superfluous
signal or a signal containing non-profane or non-obscene radiocommunications.

Pilots should

(a)    send radio messages clearly and concisely using standard phraseology
        whenever practical;
(b)    plan the content of the message before transmitting; and
(c)    listen out before transmitting to avoid interference with other transmissions.

Message:     Radiotelephony traffic generally consists of four parts: the call-up, the
                   reply, the message and the acknowledgement.

Pilot:         REGINA TOWER, (THIS IS) CESSNA FOXTROT BRAVO
                CHARLIE DELTA (OVER).

Tower:      FOXTROT BRAVO CHARLIE DELTA, REGINA TOWER.

Pilot:         REGINA TOWER, FOXTROT BRAVO CHARLIE DELTA, TEN
                SOUTH THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED FEET VFR
                LANDING INSTRUCTIONS

Tower:      BRAVO CHARLIE DELTA, REGINA TOWER, RUNWAY TWO
                SIX, WIND TWO THREE ZERO AT TEN, ALTIMETER TWO
                NINE NINE TWO, CLEARED TO THE CIRCUIT.

Pilot:         BRAVO CHARLIE DELTA.

The terms “this is” and “over” may be omitted, and if no likelihood of confusion
exists, the call sign for the agency being called may be abbreviated as follows:

Pilot:         TOWER, BRAVO CHARLIE DELTA, CONFIRM RIGHT TURN.

Message Acknowledgement: Pilots should acknowledge the receipt of all messages
directed to them, including frequency changes. Such acknowledgement may take the
form of a transmission of the aircraft call sign, a repeat of the clearance with the
aircraft call sign or the call sign with an appropriate word(s).

Tower:     VICTOR LIMA CHARLIE, CLEARED TO LAND.

Pilot:         VICTOR LIMA CHARLIE.

Tower:     FOXTROT VICTOR LIMA CHARLIE, CONFIRM YOU ARE AT
                FIVE THOUSAND.

Pilot:         FOXTROT VICTOR LIMA CHARLIE, AFFIRMATIVE.

NOTE:     The clicking of the microphone button as a form of acknowledgement is not
                an acceptable radio procedure.