Phraseology — Page 82, Lesson 66

I want to walk you through the phraseology that governs how we communicate with air traffic control when changing levels, crossing points, handling emergencies, and managing approach procedures. This is professional, standardised language—every word matters, and there’s no room for improvisation. Let’s start with a critical note: the term “MAINTAIN” is not used in place of “DESCEND” or “CLIMB” when instructing an aircraft to change level. If I tell you to maintain a level, that means stay where you are. If I want you to go up or down, I must say “CLIMB” or “DESCEND” explicitly. That distinction is non-negotiable. Now, specification of cruising levels. When we need to cross a significant point at a specific altitude, the phrase is: CROSS (significant point) AT (level). If there’s flexibility, we can say AT or ABOVE, or AT or BELOW that level. For timing, we say: CROSS (significant point) AT (time) OR LATER, or OR BEFORE, AT (level). And if we’re maintaining our own separation and operating in visual meteorological conditions, we add the suffix: [MAINTAINING OWN SEPARATION AND VMC]. For a cruise climb—where you gradually increase altitude as fuel burns off—the phrase is: CRUISE CLIMB BETWEEN (levels), or ABOVE (level). Then we specify: CROSS (distance) (name of DME station) DME AT, or ABOVE, or BELOW (level). So you’re climbing slowly while crossing a DME fix at a certain distance and altitude. Emergency descent is a high-priority, urgent procedure. The phrase starts with: * EMERGENCY DESCENT (intentions). That asterisk indicates a priority message. If we need to clear airspace below, we say: EMERGENCY DESCENT AT (significant point or location) ALL AIRCRAFT BELOW (level) WITHIN (distance) OF (significant point or navigation aid). Then the instruction: LEAVE IMMEDIATELY, followed as necessary by specific instructions as to direction, heading, or track. If clearance cannot be issued immediately upon request, we use: EXPECT CLEARANCE AT (time). That tells you when to expect the clearance, not that you have it now. For en route absorption of terminal delay—when we hold you en route to absorb delay before arrival—the phrase is: AT (time or position) DESCEND TO (level) FOR EN ROUTE DELAY OF (number) minutes. So you descend to a specific level and hold that delay. Separation instructions: CROSS (significant point) AT (time). Or we ask: ADVISE IF ABLE TO CROSS (significant point) AT (time). That’s a request for your capability. And for Mach number control: MAINTAIN MACH (number). Now we move into Approach Control Services, starting with departure instructions. After departure, we say: AFTER DEPARTURE TURN RIGHT (or LEFT) HEADING (three digits). Or simply: TURN RIGHT (or LEFT) HEADING (three digits). For tracking: TRACK (three digits) DEGREES [MAGNETIC or TRUE] TO (or FROM) (significant point) UNTIL (time, or REACHING (fix or significant point or level)) [BEFORE SETTING HEADING]. Then: SET HEADING AT (or BEFORE, or LATER THAN) (time). Or: SET HEADING TO (or DIRECT) (significant point) AT (or BEFORE, or LATER THAN) (time). After reaching or passing a level or point: AFTER REACHING (or PASSING) (level or significant point) SET HEADING [DIRECT] (significant point). And for a standard instrument departure: CLEARED VIA (designation). There’s a note that conditions associated with this phrase are in Part III, 12.2. Approach instructions: CLEARED VIA (designation). Or: CLEARED TO (clearance limit) VIA (designation). Or: CLEARED VIA (details of route to be followed). For the approach itself: CLEARED (type of approach) APPROACH [RUNWAY (number)]. Or simply: CLEARED APPROACH [RUNWAY (number)]. To start the approach: COMMENCE APPROACH [RUNWAY (number)]. If you want to request a straight-in: REQUEST STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH [RUNWAY (number)]. With a time: COMMENCE APPROACH AT (time). And when you have visual contact: REPORT VISUAL. Or specifically: REPORT RUNWAY [LIGHTS] IN SIGHT. That covers the phraseology for level changes, crossing points, emergency descents, delays, separation, departures, and approaches. Every phrase is designed to be unambiguous and efficient.