When in the cockpit you should always be prepared to tell the three W's:

Who you are
Where you are
What you intend to do

The following radio techniques should always be used:

Test the radio prior to transmitting. This is normally done through squelch.

Listen to the radio frequency prior to your transmit: You don't want to cut of somebody else's conversation.

Think about what you are going to say before you key the mike: You don't want to keep the controller waiting while you think of what to tell him/her.

Hold the mike close to your lips and speak in a normal tone.

Wait for a few moments before calling the controller again: At times they are extremely busy and are not always able to get back to you at once.

Be alert to sounds or the lack of sounds from your receiver.
 

Because many letters sounds similar, the "Aviation Alphabet" is used to reduce confusion when talking over the radio.


Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, Xray, Yankee, Zulu
 

Phonetic pronunciation of digits:
1 ... Wun
2 ... Too
3 ... Tree
4 ... Fow-Er
5 ... Fife
6 ... Six
7 ... Sev-en
8 ... Ait
9 ... Nin-er
0 ... Zee-ro
 

Common Terminology

Acknowledge - Let me know you have received and understand this message.
Advise intentions - State your plans.
Affirmative - Yes.
Confirm - My version is.. is that correct?
Correction - I made a mistake.
Go ahead - State your request (never means "proceed").
Hold - Stop where you are.
Hold short of... - Proceed to, but hold short of the point specific.
Negative - No, or permission not granted, or that is not correct.
Proceed - You are authorized to begin or continue moving.
Read back - Repeat the instructions you have.
Roger - I have received all of your last transmission.
Say again - Repeat what you just said.
Standby -Wait... I will get back to you.
Unable - I can't do it.
Verify - Request confirmation of instruction or transmit correct information.
Wilco - I have received your message, understand it, and will comply.
 

Figures: Indicating ceiling heights, and upper wind levels:

Numbers below 9,900 are spoken as follows:
600 ... Six Hundred
5,500 ... Five Thousand Five Hundred
Numbers above 9,900 are spoken by separating the digits proceeding thousand.
15,000 ... One Five thousand
17,200 ... One Seven thousand two hundred

All digits must be pronounced:
Example: 10 Ten
Pronounced: One Zero
Decimal points are pronounced:
121.5 One Two One Point Five