Lesson 25

Radio Communications: Calling in with the Phonetic Alphabet

In this section, we will explore the critical aspect of using the Phonetic Alphabet when making radio calls. Utilizing the Phonetic Alphabet is essential for clear and effective communication in aviation. Let’s begin by understanding the importance of the Phonetic Alphabet and how to apply it when calling in.

What to say
The Phonetic Alphabet
How to use it

Study Guide

In this lesson, we’ll first walk you through the proper steps for calling in to Air Traffic Control (ATC). You’ll learn the structure of a clear and effective radio communication, including the essential components you need to convey, like who you’re calling, who you are, where you are, and what you need.

Once you’ve got the structure down, we’ll dive deeper into how communication works within that framework. Specifically, we’ll focus on using the phonetic alphabet to clearly articulate your UA’s call sign and explain how to use phonetic numbers when providing important details like your altitude or location.

By the end, you’ll be confident in both structuring your calls and using the proper phonetic terms to communicate smoothly and clearly with ATC and other pilots.

Part 1:

Introduction to Calling Into Official FAA Radio Channels

Clear and Concise Aviation Radio Communication

In aviation, clear communication is crucial to ensure safety, and that’s where the phonetic alphabet plays a key role.

The phonetic alphabet, using words like “Alpha,” “Bravo,” and “Charlie,” helps eliminate confusion when spelling out words or call signs over the radio, especially in noisy environments or when signal quality is poor.

For sUAS pilots, understanding and using this system provides clarity when coordinating with air traffic control (ATC) or other pilots, helping avoid miscommunication that could lead to serious errors.

sUAS pilots may also need to communicate numerical values—like altitudes, headings, or frequencies—using standardized phrases and clear terminology.

Following proper radio etiquette, including knowing how to initiate and terminate communications, helps make sure that information is exchanged properly. Active listening is equally important, allowing sUAS pilots to comprehend instructions from ATC and other pilots while maintaining situational awareness.

How to Initiate and Terminate Communications

This involves knowing when to speak, how to address other stations or aircraft, and structuring your message effectively.

If you’re calling air traffic control (ATC) using the phonetic alphabet for your DJI drone, your radio call might sound like this:

  1. Who you are calling: “Mammoth Tower” (or the name of the ATC or control tower you’re contacting)
  2. Who you are: “DJI Delta Juliet India Drone”
  3. Where you are: “500 feet AGL, 2 miles north of Nolan Lake”
  4. What you want: “Requesting permission to enter Class D airspace for aerial photography”
  5. Message end: “Over”

So, the full communication might be:

“Mammoth Tower, this is DJI Delta Juliet India Drone, 500 feet AGL, 2 miles north of Nolan Lake, requesting permission to enter Class D airspace for aerial photography, over.”

This format keeps your message clear and concise, following standard aviation radio protocols.

Examples:

DJI Mavic Drone:
“Mammoth Tower, this is DJI Mavic November One Two Three Alpha Bravo, 400 feet AGL, 1 mile west of Nolan Lake, requesting clearance to enter Class C airspace for environmental survey, over.”

Example 2: DJI Phantom Drone:
“Mammoth Tower, this is DJI Phantom November Four Five Six Charlie Delta, 600 feet AGL, 3 miles south of the Bottomless Pit, requesting permission for aerial video recording, over.”

Part 2:

Introduction to the Phonetic Alphabet

Introducing the Phonetic Alphabet

What is the Phonetic Alphabet?

The phonetic alphabet is a standardized set of words used to represent letters verbally.

Why the Phonetic Alphabet Helps

The use of standard words for letters reduces the chance of misunderstandings due to similar-sounding letters.

How the Phonetic Alphabet Works:

Every letter is associated with a distinct word, helping to support communication in noisy or challenging conditions where similar-sounding letters could be easily misunderstood. For instance, ‘B’ is represented by “Bravo,” and ‘C’ is denoted by “Charlie.”

The Phonetic Alphabet: A-Z / 1-9

Below is a table of the entire phonetic alphabet, including numbers, listing each letter and number along with its corresponding word.

Part 3:

Articulating Numbers in the Phonetic Alphabet

How to Structure Numbers in Aviation Radio

In this part of the lesson, we’ll explore how to express numbers clearly in radio communication, breaking them down based on their magnitude. Each digit is spoken individually, with terms like “hundred,” “thousand,” and “million” used to clarify the size of the number.

We’ll cover how to structure numbers differently depending on their length—whether you’re dealing with 3-digit, 4-digit, or 5+ digit numbers.

For example, “480” is pronounced “FOUR HUNDRED EIGHT ZERO,” while “4,500” becomes “FOUR THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED.”

It may seem a bit tricky at first, but once you understand the pattern, it will feel natural.

3 Digit Numbers| 0-999

For numbers with three digits say each digit separately

In standard aviation communication procedures, altitudes below 1,000 feet are expressed as individual digits. Basically you’re saying one digit at a time, so 456 is FOUR, FIVE, SIX.

For example, the proper way to communicate 280 feet would be two eight zero,” not “two hundred eight zero.”

For example:

  • 580 feet: “FIVE EIGHT ZERO” (NOT five hundred and eighty)
  • 270 feet “TWO SEVEN ZERO” (NOT two hundred and seventy)
  • 420 feet: “FOUR TWO ZERO”
  • 768 feet: “SEVEN SIX EIGHT”

4 Digit Numbers

Pronounce the thousands first, followed by the hundreds.

> First, state the individual digit separately for the thousands, followed by the term “THOUSAND.””

> Next, articulate the hundreds by stating the number of hundreds followed by the term “HUNDRED” if applicable.

> If the number also includes tens or units, state those values separately after the hundreds.

For example:

  • 1,000 feet = ONE THOUSAND

  • 1,200 feet = ONE THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED

  • 1,250 feet = ONE THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED FIFTY

  • 7,200 feet = SEVEN THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED FIFTY

5 Digit Numbers

> First, state each individual digit separately for the thousands, followed by the term “THOUSAND.”

> Next, articulate the hundreds and tens separately.

For example, 10,500 feet is communicated as “ONE ZERO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED,” while 12,800 feet would be “ONE TWO THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED.”

  • 10,000 feet: ONE ZERO THOUSAND
  • 10,500 feet: ONE ZERO THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED
  • 12,000 feet: ONE TWO THOUSAND
  • 12,550: ONE TWO THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED, FIFTY
  • 24,500 feet: TWO FOUR THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED
  • 24,560 feet: TWO FOUR THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED, SIXTY
  • 49,600 feet: FOUR NINE THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED
  • 49,650 feet = FOUR NINE THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED FIFTY

Quick Review

Hover over each box to reveal the answer on the other side.

270 feet

is stated as

TWO SEVEN ZERO

763 feet

is stated as

SEVEN SIX THREE

1,400 feet

is stated as

ONE THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED

1,450 feet

is stated as

ONE THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY

15,000 feet

is stated as

ONE FIVE THOUSAND

16,350 feet

is stated as

ONE SIX THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED FIFTY

29,600 feet

is stated as

TWO NINE THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED

29,630 feet

is stated as

TWO NINE THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED THIRTY

Practice Quiz

Radio: Phonetic Alphabet and Numbers

1 / 7

How does the phonetic alphabet support effective communication in challenging conditions?

2 / 7

What is the main purpose of using the phonetic alphabet in aviation communication?

3 / 7

How should you structure the message when requesting permission to enter Class D airspace for aerial photography with your DJI drone?

4 / 7

What is the correct way for an sUAS pilot to communicate an altitude of 23,560 feet MSL to Air Traffic Control (ATC)?

5 / 7

What is the correct way for an sUAS pilot to communicate an altitude of 23,500 feet MSL to Air Traffic Control (ATC)?

6 / 7

What is the correct way for an sUAS pilot to communicate an altitude of 7,200 feet MSL to Air Traffic Control (ATC)?

7 / 7

What is the correct way for an sUAS pilot communicate an altitude of 10,900 feet MSL to Air Traffic Control (ATC)?

Your score is

The average score is 85%

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