Presentation by
Mabel Effiong
Introduction
Communication is the exchange of messages between two or more persons usually involving the components of sender (encoder), message (code), receiver (decoder), and feed-back. The last component determines whether the message was understood as intended, and whether communication has occurred.
Communication could be verbal or non-verbal and is influenced by culture, emotions, medium used, and location. For instance, in the aviation sector, a faulty medium (usually a radio) could distort a message and consequently wreak havoc. Every communication must be concise, purposeful, and be devoid of ambiguity.
The INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO) proposed a common alphabet for use by Member Countries in April of 1955; and the alphabet was formally adopted and implemented by March of 1956. This was after it had been agreed that English would be the language of aviation.
Radiotelephony Alphabets #
Radiotelephony alphabets as approved by ICAO are:
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 – Yankey
Z – Zulu
Letter Q is pronounced as “keh BEK”. Likewise, letter S is pronounced “si AIR rah.” It is important to note that this alphabet is also called the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) alphabet; and that it is used by the military as well.
Research revealed that letter R was initially rendered as “ROGER” by the International Telegraph Union in 1927, and was later adopted by ICAO – a United Nations agency that was formed after World War II. ROGER stands for “Received Order Given, Expect Results.” Later on, it was changed to “ROMEO.”
Further research uncovered some variations to the alphabet. For example, “DELTA” is sometimes replaced by “Data,” “Dixie,” or “David,” in airports which have majority Delta Airlines flights. This is to prevent confusion since DELTA is also a Call Sign. Another example is “LIMA,” which is replaced with “LONDON” in airports at Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore since LIMA means “five” in the languages of those area. Similarly, in Muslim countries where alcohol is banned, either of “WASHINGTON” or “WHITE” is used to replace “WHISKEY.” And finally, in Pakistan, “INDIGO” or “ITALY” serves as replacement to “INDIA” because of on-going conflict.
ICAO prescribes Level 4 as the minimum acceptable level of proficiency in the target language, especially for Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers. Therefore, Level 4 is also widely known as the Operational Level of Aviation English.
Radiotelephony Numbers #
In the Aviation Industry, Radiotelephony Numbers are as indicated thus:
1 – wun
2 – too
3 – tree (so as not to be called sri by some non-native speakers of English)
4 – fower (keeps it distinct from ‘for’)
5 – fife (five would be confused with ‘fire’ which is a command to shoot)
6 – siks
7 – seven
8 – ait
9 – niner (the extra syllable keeps it distinct from the German word ‘nein’ which means ‘no’)
0 – zero
Numbers which contain a decimal point are to be read as follows:
127.8 – as wun too seven decimal ait
Transmission Techniques #
The ICAO Manual of Radiotelephony (DOC 9432) prescribes rules for transmission as indicated below:
📌 Listen out on the frequency in use before transmitting, to avoid interfering with another transmission;
📌 Be familiar with good microphone operating techniques;
📌 Speak clearly and distinctly, using a normal conversational tone;
📌 Maintain an even rate of speech not exceeding 100 words per minute;
📌 A slight pause before and after numbers will make them better understood;
📌 Avoid space-fillers such as ‘eh,’ ‘ahh.’ Think well before depressing the button;
📌 Depress the radio transmit switch fully, and release when the message is completed; and
📌 Avoid a stuck microphone button.
Conclusion
As with every other field of human endeavor, effective communication in aviation remains a critical ingredient and determining factor in safe and efficient flight operations. For this reasons, industry stakeholders and enthusiasts will fare better if they become acquainted with the approved industry communication procedure.
REFERENCE
- ICAO Manual of Radiotelephony and Phraseology (DOC 9432)
