Single Radio Limitations/Terminology

CHAPTER THREE

RADIO INSTRUMENTS

Route of flight.

Altitude data in the order flown.

Mach number, if applicable.

(Clearance procedures for airborne USAF aircraft).

Holding instructions.

Any special information.

10. Frequency and beacon code information.

SINGLE RADIO LIMITATIONS/TERMINOLOGY

Federal Aviation Regulations (91.183 in part) require crews maintain a continuous watch on

assigned ATC frequency:

"The pilot in command of each aircraft operated under IFR in controlled airspace shall have a

continuous watch maintained on the appropriate frequency and .... "

The operable term in the excerpt above is "continuous". Therefore, it is technically a flight

violation to "sneak over" to ATIS between frequency changes. To comply with the FARs, a

crew in the single radio T-2 must request permission to go off frequency to get ATIS or talk to

METRO. The standard UHF call will be: "Center, ROKT 205 request 2 minutes off frequency,

monitor guard".

Use appropriate radio terminology in the National Airspace System, and correct tactical

terminology outside national airspace. When operating tactically (from an aircraft carrier on the

high seas, or on military missions in Special Use Airspace), tactical radio communications terms

are required. Those terms are confusing and unprofessional when used in the National Airspace

System. For example, reporting "commencing" an approach and referring to altitudes as Angels

("one point five") are both correct when operating tactically, whereas in the National Airspace

System, there is no report required when "commencing" an approach, and altitudes are referred

to in thousands and hundreds of feet ("one thousand five hundred").

Refrain from using the term "Numbers" when referring to the ATIS. "Numbers" means wind,

altimeter, and runway information only.

Use callsign first or callsign last in communications with ATC. "Rocket 205, Roger" or

"descend and maintain one thousand five hundred, Rocket 205".

3-12

RADIO INSTRUMENTS