IFR Radio Phraseology & Position Reports
Key phraseology rules, readback requirements, and non-radar position reporting for IFR pilots.
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Questions Covered in This Set
12 cards to master
What four questions does every good radio transmission answer, in order?
Who I'm calling, who I am, where I am, what I want.
What should initial contact with a new Center controller contain?
Facility, callsign, and altitude only — e.g. "Boston Center, Cirrus Five Two Three Sierra Papa, one two thousand." Wait for acknowledgment/"radar contact" before making requests.
How is 11,500 ft spoken? How is FL230?
"One one thousand five hundred"; "flight level two three zero."
Difference between "Roger" and "Wilco"?
"Roger" = I heard you (never an answer to a question or substitute for a readback). "Wilco" = I understand and will comply — use only when you actually can.
Correct phrase when you didn't understand a transmission?
"Say again" — never "repeat."
Which items must always be read back?
Hold-short and runway crossing instructions (with callsign), runway assignments, altitude assignments, headings/vectors, speed changes, and any clearance limit.
Why is "expect flight level two three zero" not a climb clearance?
"Expect" phrasing is planning/lost-comm information only; only "climb and maintain" authorizes the altitude.
What is hearback error and how do you protect against it?
A busy controller failing to catch your incorrect readback. Query any clearance that surprises you (altitude below MEA, heading into weather, similar callsign) before flying it.
When do you become responsible for position reports?
When radar service is lost or terminated while still IFR — then report over each compulsory reporting point.
How are compulsory vs on-request reporting points depicted on enroute charts?
Solid black triangles = compulsory; open (hollow) triangles = report on request only.
Phrases to avoid on frequency?
"With you" and "any traffic in the area please advise" — they add no information.
How may you answer a frequency change?
Read back the frequency plus your callsign: "One two four point five two, Three Sierra Papa."
