Phraseology Examples

MAYDAY Declaration

Frankfurt Radar · HB-CDA

PILOT: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Frankfurt Radar, HB-CDA, Piper PA-28, engine fire, unable to continue, request immediate descent and vectors to nearest suitable aerodrome. Currently Flight Level 130, 40 kilometers southeast of Frankfurt, five souls on board.

ATC HB-CDA, Frankfurt Radar, MAYDAY understood, engine fire. Immediately descend to 5,000 feet, turn left heading 280 for descent. Nearest aerodrome is Hanau, 35 kilometers on your new heading, descend at your discretion.

PILOT: Descending to 5,000, left heading 280, HB-CDA.

ATC: HB-CDA, descend APPROVED. Emergency services at Hanau are on standby. Continue descent, report leaving Flight Level 100.

PILOT: Leaving Flight Level 100, HB-CDA.

PAN-PAN Urgency

Zurich Approach · F-ABCD

PILOT: PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN. Zurich Approach, F-ABCD, Cessna 172, electrical system failure, battery power only, avionics failing. Requesting descent to Flight Level 60 and vectors to nearest full-service aerodrome. Currently Flight Level 100, 25 kilometers north of Zurich.

ATC F-ABCD, Zurich Approach, PAN-PAN acknowledged. Descend Flight Level 60, turn right heading 210 for Zurich approach. Next call CLEARED to land Runway 28.

PILOT: Descending Flight Level 60, right 210, F-ABCD.

ATC: F-ABCD, continue descent.

PILOT: Approaching Flight Level 60, continuing descent.

ATC: F-ABCD, level at 3,000 feet, turn left heading 250, expect ILS Runway 28 next instruction.

PILOT: Level 3,000, left 250, expect ILS, F-ABCD.

Communication Failure Declared After Restore

Zurich Approach · D-EFGH

PILOT: Zurich Approach, D-EFGH, radio failure, transmitted blind en route Flight Level 120, SQUAWK 7600, now on approach to Zurich, Flight Level 50, estimating five miles south, request landing Runway 28.

ATC D-EFGH, Zurich Approach, understood, radio failure declared. Turn left heading 310, continue descent, expect ILS Runway 28.

PILOT: Left 310, continuing descent, D-EFGH.

ATC: D-EFGH, descend to 2,000 feet, CLEARED ILS Runway 28.

PILOT: Descending 2,000, CLEARED ILS 28, D-EFGH.

Weather Deviation Request

Zurich Approach · OE-CMV

PILOT: Zurich Approach, OE-CMV, moderate to severe turbulence at Flight Level 120, unable to continue, request Flight Level 150.

ATC OE-CMV, APPROVED, climb to Flight Level 150, report level.

PILOT: Climbing to Flight Level 150, OE-CMV.

ATC: OE-CMV, continue climb.

PILOT: Level Flight Level 150, OE-CMV.

ATC: OE-CMV, ROGER, continue present routing.

PIREP Report

Geneva Approach · HB-IJK

PILOT: Geneva Approach, HB-IJK, PIREP. Position 20 kilometers northeast of Geneva, Flight Level 100, 1320 UTC Moderate icing, tops Flight Level 140, recommend westbound traffic use Flight Level 80 or below to avoid icing layer.

ATC HB-IJK, thank you for the PIREP. That information is relayed to traffic ahead.

PILOT: ROGER, HB-IJK.