CAP 413 User manual
CAP 413
Radiotelephony Manual
Edition 20
www.caa.co.uk
Safety Regulation Group
CAP 413
Radiotelephony Manual
Edition 20
Safety Regulation Group
17 November 2011
CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
© Civil Aviation Authority 2011
All rights reserved. Copies of this publication may be reproduced for personal use, or for use within a
company or organisation, but may not otherwise be reproduced for publication.
To use or reference CAA publications for any other purpose, for example within training material for
students, please contact the CAA at the address below for formal agreement.
ISBN 978 0 11792 610 3
First published September 1978
Second edition April 1984
Third edition August 1992
Fourth edition January 1994
Fifth edition January 1995
Sixth edition January 1996
Seventh edition December 1996
Eighth edition January 1998
Ninth edition January 1999
Tenth edition January 2000
Eleventh edition January 2001
Twelfth edition 5 February 2002 (corrected 7 February 2002)
Thirteenth edition 1 October 2002
Fourteenth edition 1 September 2003
Fifteenth edition 1 September 2004
Sixteenth edition 1 May 2006
Seventeenth edition 21 July 2008
Eighteenth edition 19 February 2009 (effective date 12 March 2009)
Nineteenth edition 15 December 2009
Twentieth edition 31 March 2011
Twentieth edition incorporating amendments to 17 November 2011
Enquiries regarding the content of this publication should be addressed to:
Aerodrome and Air Traffic Standards Division, Safety Regulation Group, Civil Aviation Authority, Aviation
House, Gatwick Airport South, West Sussex, RH6 0YR
The latest version of this document is available in electronic format at www.caa.co.uk/publications,
where you may also register for e-mail notification of amendments.
Published by TSO (The Stationery Office) on behalf of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Printed copy available from:
TSO, PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN www.tsoshop.co.uk
Fax orders: 0870 600 5533 Textphone: 0870 240 3701
CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
Amendment Record
Amendment
Number Amendment Date Incorporated by Incorporated on
1 17 November 2011 CAA 17 November 2011
CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
Amendment
Number Amendment Date Incorporated by Incorporated on
CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
Chapter Page Date Chapter Page Date
Page iii
iii 17 November 2011
iv 17 November 2011
v 17 November 2011
Contents 1 17 November 2011
Contents 2 17 November 2011
Contents 3 17 November 2011
Contents 4 17 November 2011
Contents 5 17 November 2011
Contents 6 17 November 2011
Contents 7 17 November 2011
Explanatory Note 1 17 November 2011
Revision History 1 17 November 2011
Revision History 2 17 November 2011
Foreword 1 31 March 2011
Foreword 2 31 March 2011
Chapter 1 1 17 November 2011
Chapter 1 2 17 November 2011
Chapter 1 3 17 November 2011
Chapter 1 4 31 March 2011
Chapter 1 5 31 March 2011
Chapter 1 6 31 March 2011
Chapter 1 7 17 November 2011
Chapter 1 8 17 November 2011
Chapter 1 9 17 November 2011
Chapter 1 10 17 November 2011
Chapter 2 1 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 2 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 3 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 4 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 5 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 6 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 7 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 8 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 9 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 10 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 11 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 12 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 13 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 14 17 November 2011
Chapter 2 15 17 November 2011
Chapter 2 16 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 17 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 18 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 19 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 20 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 21 31 March 2011
Chapter 2 22 31 March 2011
Chapter 3 1 17 November 2011
Chapter 3 2 17 November 2011
Chapter 3 3 31 March 2011
Chapter 3 4 31 March 2011
Chapter 3 5 31 March 2011
Chapter 3 6 31 March 2011
Chapter 3 7 31 March 2011
Chapter 3 8 31 March 2011
Chapter 3 9 31 March 2011
Chapter 3 10 31 March 2011
Chapter 3 11 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 1 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 2 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 3 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 4 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 5 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 6 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 7 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 8 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 9 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 10 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 11 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 12 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 13 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 14 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 15 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 16 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 17 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 18 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 19 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 20 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 21 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 22 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 23 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 24 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 25 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 26 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 27 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 28 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 29 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 30 31 March 2011
17 November 2011
List of Effective Pages
CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
Page iv
Chapter Page Date Chapter Page Date
Chapter 4 31 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 32 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 33 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 34 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 35 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 36 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 37 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 38 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 39 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 40 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 41 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 42 31 March 2011
Chapter 4 43 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 44 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 45 17 November 2011
Chapter 4 46 17 November 2011
Chapter 5 1 31 March 2011
Chapter 5 2 31 March 2011
Chapter 5 3 31 March 2011
Chapter 5 4 17 November 2011
Chapter 5 5 17 November 2011
Chapter 5 6 17 November 2011
Chapter 5 7 17 November 2011
Chapter 5 8 17 November 2011
Chapter 5 9 17 November 2011
Chapter 5 10 17 November 2011
Chapter 5 11 17 November 2011
Chapter 6 1 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 2 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 3 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 4 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 5 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 6 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 7 17 November 2011
Chapter 6 8 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 9 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 10 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 11 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 12 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 13 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 14 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 15 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 16 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 17 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 18 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 19 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 20 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 21 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 22 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 23 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 24 17 November 2011
Chapter 6 25 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 26 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 27 31 March 2011
Chapter 6 28 17 November 2011
Chapter 6 29 17 November 2011
Chapter 6 30 17 November 2011
Chapter 7 1 31 March 2011
Chapter 7 2 31 March 2011
Chapter 7 3 31 March 2011
Chapter 7 4 31 March 2011
Chapter 7 5 31 March 2011
Chapter 8 1 31 March 2011
Chapter 8 2 31 March 2011
Chapter 8 3 17 November 2011
Chapter 8 4 17 November 2011
Chapter 8 5 17 November 2011
Chapter 8 6 17 November 2011
Chapter 8 7 17 November 2011
Chapter 9 1 31 March 2011
Chapter 9 2 31 March 2011
Chapter 9 3 31 March 2011
Chapter 9 4 31 March 2011
Chapter 9 5 31 March 2011
Chapter 9 6 31 March 2011
Chapter 9 7 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 1 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 2 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 3 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 4 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 5 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 6 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 7 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 8 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 9 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 10 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 11 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 12 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 13 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 14 17 November 2011
Chapter 10 15 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 16 31 March 2011
17 November 2011
CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
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Chapter Page Date Chapter Page Date
Chapter 10 17 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 18 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 19 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 20 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 21 17 November 2011
Chapter 10 22 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 23 17 November 2011
Chapter 10 24 17 November 2011
Chapter 10 25 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 26 31 March 2011
Chapter 10 27 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 1 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 2 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 3 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 4 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 5 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 6 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 7 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 8 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 9 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 10 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 11 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 12 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 13 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 14 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 15 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 16 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 17 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 18 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 19 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 20 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 21 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 22 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 23 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 24 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 25 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 26 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 27 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 28 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 29 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 30 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 31 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 32 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 33 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 34 31 March 2011
Chapter 11 35 17 November 2011
Chapter 11 36 31 March 2011
Appendix 1 1 31 March 2011
Appendix 1 2 17 November 2011
Appendix 1 3 17 November 2011
Appendix 1 4 17 November 2011
Appendix 1 5 31 March 2011
Appendix 2 1 31 March 2011
Appendix 2 2 31 March 2011
Appendix 2 3 31 March 2011
Appendix 2 4 31 March 2011
Bibliography 1 17 November 2011
Index 1 17 November 2011
Index 2 17 November 2011
Index 3 17 November 2011
Index 4 17 November 2011
Index 5 17 November 2011
Index 6 17 November 2011
Index 7 17 November 2011
Index 8 17 November 2011
Index 9 17 November 2011
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CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
Contents Page 1
List of Effective Pages iii
Explanatory Note 1
Revision History 1
Foreword 1
Document Description 1
Document Purpose 1
Document Applicability 1
Document Source 1
Document Format 1
Document Revisions 2
Document Availability 2
Document Comments and Queries 2
Chapter 1 Glossary
Terms 1
Definitions 1
Abbreviations 5
Chapter 2 Radiotelephony
General Procedures 1
Introduction 1
Transmitting Technique 1
Transmission of Letters 2
Transmission of Numbers 3
Transmission of Time 4
Standard Words and Phrases 5
Callsigns for Aeronautical Stations 7
Callsigns for Aircraft 8
Military Aircraft Callsigns 10
Continuation of Communications 11
Corrections and Repetitions 13
Acknowledgement of Receipt 13
Transfer of Communications 13
Clearance Issue and Read-back Requirements 14
Withholding Clearances 17
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CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
Contents Page 2
Simultaneous Transmissions 18
Complying with Clearances and Instructions 18
Communication Failure 19
Test Transmissions 20
Pilot Complaints Concerning Aeronautical Telecommunications 21
Air Traffic Service Complaints Concerning Aircraft
Communications 21
Hours of Service and Communications Watch 21
Record of Communications 22
Categories of Message 22
Chapter 3 General Phraseology
General 1
Introduction 1
Level Reporting 1
Speed Control 5
Initial Call – IFR flights 6
Initial Call – VFR Flight 7
Passing Message Details 7
Position Reporting 8
Flight Plans 9
Low Visibility Procedures 10
Delays 10
Chapter 4 Aerodrome Phraseology
Aerodrome Control Service Phraseology 1
Introduction 1
Type of Service 1
Departure Information and Engine Starting Procedures 1
Pushback and Powerback 2
Taxi Instructions 2
Pre-Departure Manoeuvring 5
Take-Off Clearance 6
Aerodrome Traffic Circuit 10
Final Approach and Landing 13
Missed Approach 15
Runway Vacating and Communicating after Landing 16
Essential Aerodrome Information 16
Arrestor Systems at Military Aerodromes 17
Aerodrome Flight Information Service Phraseology 18
Introduction 18
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CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
Contents Page 3
Type of Service 18
AFIS Phraseology for Ground Movement, Take-Off,
Landing and Transit 19
Aerodrome Phraseology for Helicopters 23
Introduction 23
Helicopter Callsigns 23
Helicopter Phraseology for Taxiing 23
Helicopter Phraseology for Take-Off and Landing (ATC only) 24
Helicopter Hover Phraseology Examples (ATC and AFIS only) 24
Helicopter Taxiing Phraseology Examples (ATC and AFIS only) 25
Helicopter Take-Off and Landing Phraseology Examples
(ATC only) 25
Aerodrome Phraseology for Vehicles (ATC and AFIS only) 27
Introduction 27
Movement Instructions 27
To Cross a Runway 29
Vehicles Towing Aircraft 30
Low Visibility Procedures 31
Messages regarding Safety of an Aircraft 31
Messages regarding Wildlife 31
Driver unsure of Position 31
Broken-down Vehicle 31
Radio Failure 31
Aerodrome Air/Ground Communication Service Phraseology 32
Introduction 32
Type of Service 32
Air/Ground Station Identification 32
Phraseology and Examples 32
Offshore Communication Service 36
Radiotelephony Reports at Unattended Aerodromes 39
Introduction 39
Additional Procedures for the Use of SAFETYCOM 39
Unattended Aerodrome Phraseology Examples 40
Aerodrome Information 42
Meteorological Conditions 42
Voice Weather Broadcast (VOLMET) UK 42
Runway Visual Range (RVR)/Visibility 43
Runway Surface Conditions 44
Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) UK 46
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CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
Contents Page 4
Chapter 5 Radar Phraseology
General 1
Introduction 1
Radar Identification of Aircraft 1
Secondary Surveillance Radar Phraseology 2
ATS Surveillance Service 4
Radar Vectoring 5
Traffic Information and Avoiding Action Phraseology 6
ACAS/TCAS Phraseology 8
Communications and Loss of Communications 8
Essential Traffic Information 9
Danger Area Crossing Service/Danger Area Activity Information
Service 9
Chapter 6 Approach Phraseology
Approach Control Service Phraseology 1
IFR Departures 1
VFR Departures 2
IFR Arrivals 3
VFR Arrivals 7
Special VFR Flights 8
Vectoring to Final Approach 9
Direction Finding (DF) 12
VDF Procedure 13
NDB(L) and VOR Procedures 17
Area Navigation Global Navigation Satellite System RNAV (GNSS)
Phraseology 20
Surveillance Radar Approach (SRA) 21
Landing Altimeter Setting (QNE) 24
PAR Approach 24
Clearance to enter Control Zones (CTR) 24
Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) associated with another
Aerodrome 25
Lower Airspace Radar Service (LARS) 25
Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace (ATSOCAS) 26
Chapter 7 Area Phraseology
Area Control Service Phraseology 1
General 1
Position Reporting 1
Flights Joining Airways 2
Flights Leaving Airways 2
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Flights Crossing Airways 3
Flights Holding En-Route 3
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Phraseology 4
Chapter 8 Emergency Phraseology
Distress and Urgency Communication Procedures 1
Introduction 1
States of Emergency 1
UHF and VHF Emergency Service 1
UHF and VHF Emergency Service – General Procedures 2
Emergency Message 3
Ejection from Aircraft 4
Ballistic Recovery Systems 4
Speechless Code 4
Radio Procedures – Practice Emergencies 5
Training Fix 5
Relayed Emergency Message 6
Imposition of Silence 6
Emergency Descent 7
Termination of Distress Communications and of RTF Silence 7
Chapter 9 Miscellaneous Phraseology
Other Communications 1
Wake Turbulence 1
Wind Shear 1
AIRPROX Reporting 2
Oil Pollution Reporting 2
Interceptions by Military Aircraft 3
Aircraft Operating Agency Messages 3
Use of ATS Frequencies for Aircraft Operating Agency
Messages 4
8.33 kHz Phraseology 4
Operations by aircraft deploying brake chutes 5
Mareva Injunctions 6
CPDLC Failure 7
Aerodrome Emergency Services 7
Chapter 10 Military Specific Phraseology
Military Specific Phraseology 1
Military Variances to Chapter 2 1
Transmission of UHF Channels 1
Transmission of Time 1
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Contents Page 6
Standard Words and Phrases 1
Communications 2
RT Phraseology When Using SSR 2
Military Specific Procedures (Control of Aircraft) 2
NATO Standard Visual Circuit Procedures 2
NATO Studs and Common VHF Frequencies 2
Weather and Aerodrome Information 3
Cancellation of Take-Off 4
Phraseology for Joining the Visual Circuit/Pattern 4
Landing Gear Position 5
Arrestor System Procedures and Phraseology 5
Phraseology for Fixed-Wing VTOL Operations 8
Emergency Messages 8
Flameout/Engine Failure – Aerodrome Phraseology 8
PAR Phraseology 9
PAR Azimuth Only/SRA Phraseology 11
ILS Phraseology 12
Descent to Low Level 14
Jamming phraseology 14
Speechless Procedures 14
Military Missed Approach 16
Suspension of RT Procedures 17
Formations in Trail 17
Contact Lost 17
Freecall and Continue With 17
Aerobatics and General Handling 18
Passing the Number of Persons on Board (POB) 18
Clearances with an Occupied Runway 18
Formation Clearances 19
TACAN Specific Phraseology 19
Radar PFL 20
Controlled Descent through Cloud (QGH) 20
Flameout Spiral Descent 23
No Compass/No Gyro 25
Supersonic Flight 25
Military Aerodrome Traffic Zones (MATZ) and
Penetration Services 26
Military Safety Broadcast – Securité 27
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Contents Page 7
Chapter 11 Phraseology Examples
Examples of Types of Flights 1
Introduction 1
An IFR Flight 2
A VFR/IFR Flight 17
Flight in the Military Visual Circuit 24
Flight Receiving Lower Airspace Radar Service (LARS)
and Danger Area Crossing Service (DACS) 28
Callsign Prefix – 'STUDENT' 30
Flight Receiving Avoiding Action 31
Flight Receiving En-Route Basic Service 32
Flight Transmitting a Practice Pan 33
Arrival Flight (Aerodrome FIS) 35
Appendix 1 UK Differences to ICAO Radiotelephony Procedures
Appendix 2 UK Civil/Military Radiotelephony Differences
Bibliography
Index
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CAP 413 Radiotelephony Manual
Explanatory Note Page 1
Explanatory Note
Twentieth Edition, Amendment 1: Summary
In addition to editorial changes and minor corrections, and a change throughout the document
from millibar to hectopascal as the unit of measurement of atmospheric pressure,
Amendment 1 comprises:
Section Chapter Paragraph Subject Origin
Glossary 1 1.1 Addition of definition for Backtrack,
and removal of Absolute Minima. CAA
Radiotelephony 2 1.14.5 Readback requirement of altimeter
settings, including units when value is
below 1000 hectopascals.
CAA
Aerodrome
Phraseology 4 1.8.7 Expansion of examples for circuit
phraseology. CAA
Aerodrome
Phraseology 4 1.9.6 Example phraseology for a low pass. CAA
Aerodrome
Phraseology 4 1.12 Correction to phraseology for
reduction in RFFS. CAA
Aerodrome
Phraseology 4 2.3.2 Enhanced text for FISO phraseology
regarding use of runway designators. CAA
Aerodrome
Phraseology 4 5.5.2 Passing of traffic information, and
logistics information by an offshore
aeronautical radio station.
CAA
Aerodrome
Phraseology 4 7.3 Removal of Absolute Minimum and
addition of ‘check your minima’. CAA
Approach
Phraseology
6 1.4.1 Correction to example of pilot
readback of VFR clearance.
CAA
Approach
Phraseology
6 1.17.6 Addition of example for reducing a
service due to surveillance
performance.
MAA
Emergency
Phraseology 8 1.7 Addition of phraseology for use of
Ballistic Recovery System.
CAA
Phraseology
Examples
11 1.2.5 Correction to phraseology for
'descend on the glidepath'.
CAA
Appendix 1 2 & 3 Update of UK differences to ICAO.
Hectopascals and 'Negative I say
again’ now in use.
CAA
Bibliography 1 JSP 552 Military Air Traffic Service
Regulations renamed ATM 3000
Manual of Military Air Traffic
Management.
MAA
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Table of contents
