Standard Phraseology
Communication plays an important role in our daily lives. In the aviation industry, which is filled with risks, it becomes even more crucial. Today, we will learn about how people working in this field should communicate with each other.
Standard Phraseology
Reading time: ~ 5 minutes
Of the many factors involved in the process of communication, phraseology is perhaps the most important, because it enables us to communicate quickly and effectively despite differences in language and reduces the opportunity for misunderstanding.
Standard phraseology reduces the risk that a message will be misunderstood and aids the read-back/hear-back process so that any error is quickly detected. Ambiguous or non-standard phraseology is a frequent causal or contributory factor in aircraft accidents and incidents.
Standard phraseology reduces the risk that a message will be misunderstood and aids the read-back/hear-back process so that any error is quickly detected. Ambiguous or non-standard phraseology is a frequent causal or contributory factor in aircraft accidents and incidents.
On today's list:
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Documents that regulate stadard phraseology
International standards of phraseology are laid down in ICAO Annex 10 Volume II Chapter 5, ICAO Doc 4444 Chapter 12 and in ICAO Doc 9432 - Manual of Radiotelephony and in Amendment 4 to the Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material to Regulation (EU) No 923/2012. Many national authorities also publish radiotelephony manuals which amplify ICAO provisions, and in some cases modify them to suit local conditions.
In Russia, phraseology is regulated by the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated September 26, 2012 No. 362 "On Approval of the Federal Aviation Rules" Procedure for Radio Communication in the Airspace of the Russian Federation "(as amended).
Non-standard phraseology is sometimes adopted unilaterally by national or local air traffic services in an attempt to alleviate problems; however, standard phraseology minimises the potential for misunderstanding.
In Russia, phraseology is regulated by the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated September 26, 2012 No. 362 "On Approval of the Federal Aviation Rules" Procedure for Radio Communication in the Airspace of the Russian Federation "(as amended).
Non-standard phraseology is sometimes adopted unilaterally by national or local air traffic services in an attempt to alleviate problems; however, standard phraseology minimises the potential for misunderstanding.
In the pursuit of adapting to local conditions, there is a great temptation to change standard commands based on historical or other peculiarities. Although this practice is widespread, it has a negative impact on the overall safety of the system. Therefore, ICAO recommends that all aviation personnel comply as much as possible with international documents without violating local regulations.
Phraseology of SID/STAR
SID
Standard Instrument Departure (SID) is a documented procedure (chart) for aircraft departure from the aerodrome area after takeoff under instrument flight rules (IFR).
STAR
Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) is a documented procedure (chart) for aircraft movement under instrument flight rules (IFR) in the aerodrome area before landing.
The dedicated SID/STAR phraseology allows ATC and aircrew to communicate and understand detailed clearance information that would otherwise require long and potentially complex transmissions.
In modern aviation, there is a problem of mismatch in the perception of SID/STAR charts between pilots and air traffic control personnel. This is due to different approaches to understanding and solving tasks at these stages of flight. Unfortunately, such differences negatively affect the overall safety of flights, and currently, persistent efforts are being made in ICAO to correct this situation.
In modern aviation, there is a problem of mismatch in the perception of SID/STAR charts between pilots and air traffic control personnel. This is due to different approaches to understanding and solving tasks at these stages of flight. Unfortunately, such differences negatively affect the overall safety of flights, and currently, persistent efforts are being made in ICAO to correct this situation.
Failure Effects
Contributory Factors
- 1Pilot workload
- 2ATCO Workload
- 3
Frequency Congestion
- 4
Expectation of clearance
- 5Radio interference
Regardless of the reasons for violating phraseology, each such case carries a danger. The consequences of misunderstanding the controller or the controller misunderstanding you can be significant and unexpected.
Even if nothing bad happens for a long time, conducting radio communication with phraseology violations is another risk that you can easily remove from the equation of your flight.
Even if nothing bad happens for a long time, conducting radio communication with phraseology violations is another risk that you can easily remove from the equation of your flight.
Solutions
- 1Adoption by National Civil Aviation Authorities of the ICAO standardised phraseology
- 2Improved training in standard phraseology for pilots and ATCOs
- 3Insistence by managers and aircraft commanders on the use of standard phraseology
- 4Obtaining confirmation or clarification whenever doubt exists as to the content or meaning of a message
Incorrect use of phraseology can lead to misunderstanding, violation of the communication process, and ultimately to complex and dangerous situations related to dangerous proximity of aircraft or violation of altitude separation rules."
Related Accidents and Incidents
C525 / B773, vicinity London City UK, 2009
On 27 July 2009, a Cessna 525 departing from London City failed to comply with the initial 3000 ft QNH SID Stop altitude and at 4000 ft QNH in day VMC came into close proximity on an almost reciprocal heading with a Boeing 777-300ER. Actual minimum separation was approximately 0.5nm laterally and estimated at between 100 ft and 200 ft vertically.
The investigation found that “Had the revised ICAO (SID R/T phraseology) procedures been adopted by the UK, it is likely that this incident would have been prevented because (the Cessna) would have leveled off at 3000 ft regardless of its cleared altitude.”
The investigation found that “Had the revised ICAO (SID R/T phraseology) procedures been adopted by the UK, it is likely that this incident would have been prevented because (the Cessna) would have leveled off at 3000 ft regardless of its cleared altitude.”
Vehicle / PAY4, Perth Western Australia, 2012
Whilst a light aircraft was lined up for departure, a vehicle made an incorrect assumption about the nature of an ambiguously-phrased ATC TWR instruction and proceeded to enter the same runway. There was no actual risk of conflict since, although LVP were still in force after earlier fog, the TWR controller was able to see the vehicle incursion and therefore withhold the imminent take off clearance.
The subsequent Investigation noted that it was imperative that clearance read backs about which there is doubt are not made speculatively in the expectation that they will elicit confirmation or correction.
The subsequent Investigation noted that it was imperative that clearance read backs about which there is doubt are not made speculatively in the expectation that they will elicit confirmation or correction.
Radio discipline
Communication between pilots and air traffic controllers is a process that is vital for the safe and efficient control of air traffic.
Pilots must report their situation, intentions and requests to the controller in a clear and unambiguous way; and the controller must respond by issuing instructions that are equally clear and unambiguous.
The process of communication is important and must be successful even in the most difficult conditions. Good radio discipline is essential to this process.
Pilots must report their situation, intentions and requests to the controller in a clear and unambiguous way; and the controller must respond by issuing instructions that are equally clear and unambiguous.
The process of communication is important and must be successful even in the most difficult conditions. Good radio discipline is essential to this process.
Aspects of Radio Discipline
1
Listening out before transmitting
unless flight crew listen out before making a first call on a new frequency, they may interupt an exchange between other traffic and ATC
2
Use of standard phraseology
3
Message format and content
4
Appropriate use of the frequency
avoiding exchanges unrelated to the function of the frequency
Summary
Aviation is a field filled with a significant amount of risks. However, most problems can be solved if competent specialists interact with each other and work together. To ensure such a state of affairs, it is necessary to adhere to standard radio communication phraseology.
During routine flights, especially when conducting radio communication in one's native language and familiar FIR, there is a great temptation to deviate from standard phrases and have more of a conversation with the controller. In small quantities and in a relaxed atmosphere, this may not lead to any negative consequences. However, it is the responsibility of pilots and controllers to perceive the situation correctly, which can be difficult to do when the likelihood of misunderstanding increases.
Therefore, ICAO documents, our state rules and procedures of most airlines recommend never deviating from these rules. They will help maintain concentration, a unified picture of the flight, and simply relieve the crew and ATC of the burden.
By studying and applying radio communication rules (and local peculiarities, of course), any pilot can fly to any country - and feel at home there.
During routine flights, especially when conducting radio communication in one's native language and familiar FIR, there is a great temptation to deviate from standard phrases and have more of a conversation with the controller. In small quantities and in a relaxed atmosphere, this may not lead to any negative consequences. However, it is the responsibility of pilots and controllers to perceive the situation correctly, which can be difficult to do when the likelihood of misunderstanding increases.
Therefore, ICAO documents, our state rules and procedures of most airlines recommend never deviating from these rules. They will help maintain concentration, a unified picture of the flight, and simply relieve the crew and ATC of the burden.
By studying and applying radio communication rules (and local peculiarities, of course), any pilot can fly to any country - and feel at home there.
Name of article: Standard Phraseology
Release date: 8/10/2023
Acrticle author: Nikita Pavlov
Release date: 8/10/2023
Acrticle author: Nikita Pavlov
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