NATO Alphabet

The ICAO Alphabet (also known as the NATO phonetic alphabet) is a standardized set of code words assigned to the letters of the Roman alphabet. It is used in aviation, military, and other fields to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings during voice communication, especially over radio.

Using the ICAO alphabet ensures that letters and words are clearly understood regardless of accent, language, or transmission quality. This is critical in aviation, where a misunderstanding could have serious consequences.

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• Always pronounce the full code word (e.g., "Tango" instead of "T").
• In German ATC training, syllables may be marked for stress, e.g., HOtel, PApa.
• This alphabet is used not only for aircraft call signs but also for spelling out names, codes, or other critical identifiers.

The aircraft registration "OE-CMV" would be read over the radio as:
"Oscar Echo Charlie Mike Victor"