The Phonetic Alphabet For Aviation
Written on October 15, 2006 – 9:20 pm | by gaulardcom |
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I am really tired right now, but I wanted to get this up. I will explain in the morning when I write my post about today’s flight lesson. What a trip…
The phonetic alphabet is as follows:
A- Alpha
B- Bravo
C- Charlie
D- Delta
E- Echo
F- Foxtrot
G- Golf
H- Hotel
I- India
J- Juliet
K- Kilo
L- Lima
M- Mike
N- November
O- Oscar
P- Papa
Q- Quebec
R- Romeo
S- Sierra
T- Tango
U- Uniform
V- Victor
W- Whiskey
X- X-ray
Y- Yankee
Z- Zulu
A google search would tell you that the Phonetic Alphabet assigns a word to each letter in the English alphabet, so that letters can be exchanged easily and with clarity. Instead of saying “ABC,” you would say “Alpha, Bravo, Charlie.”
To elaborate, communication via radio is notoriously unintelligible. If you listen to ATC (Air Traffic Control) chatter, you’ll notice a considerable amount of background noise when a general aviation pilot is on the mic.
Note, as well, that 9 is “niner”, to prevent confusion with “five.”
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Tags: Flight Ground School, Flying
9 Responses to “The Phonetic Alphabet For Aviation”
By Stephi H on Oct 16, 2006 | Reply
That’s the same one we used in the Army
By gaulardcom on Oct 16, 2006 | Reply
Roger, out.
By Paul on Oct 17, 2006 | Reply
you would never say “roger that” on a military circuit, that’s CB talk. It’s “roger, over” or “roger, out” Roger means the message is received and understood. In the days of morse code this was indicated by sending the single letter “R” (.-.). Once voice communication began to be used in a tacticle environment, they used the older phonetic alphabet equivalent for R by saying ROGER.
WILCO is a legitimate term on a Navy Circuit, but its never “roger, wilco” WILCO means “will comply” so the “I have received and understood your message” is implied.
By gaulardcom on Oct 17, 2006 | Reply
I did say “Roger, out.” What are you talking about? (haha)
By Paul on Oct 17, 2006 | Reply
You can’t change your comments! cheater!
By Aviatrix on Oct 17, 2006 | Reply
And three is “tree” and four is “fower” and five is “fife.” For some reason Canadians giggle when Americans say “niner” and Americans giggle when Canadians say “fife.” I dare you to use “tree.” I’ll bet your flight instructor looks at you funny.
Papa is supposed to be pronounced paPAH, too, but I leave that to the Europeans.
By gaulardcom on Oct 18, 2006 | Reply
I am going to use “tree” next time I fly. good thing the tail number is N734DS.
You write very well. I enjoyed your blog.
By Jerry on Jan 5, 2007 | Reply
Long ago it was able, baker, charlie. Today it is alpha, bravo, charlie. But who has heard about alpha, bravo, cocoa? I remember it well, from when I was learning to fly. Am I losing my mind, or does someone else remember it too?
By gaulardcom on Jan 5, 2007 | Reply
I am not sure about the history of the phonetic alphabet, but the funny thing is, I still almost mistakenly use the Greek alphabet…alpha, beta, gamma…Damn those fraternities.