Military Air Traffic Controller - ATC Phraseology

Ever wonder what pilots and air traffic controllers talk about? They're speaking English, but to the untrained ear it sounds like another language. This standardized 'language' allows ATC to effectively communicate with pilots; for controllers at Holloman AFB efficiency is a must when dealing with aircraft that range from fighter jets to RPAs. Senior Airman Trevor Sachs, 49th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, gives us an in-depth lesson in air traffic control phraseology.
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Credits: BreeAnn Sachs

[@garyodle5663]

I'm a former Air Force GCI controller and he's not kidding about having controller phraseology slip into our normal speech. If my wife says something I didn't quite catch I say "Say again?". If I say something incorrectly I'll say "correction" without even a pause and keep on going by saying whatever it was correctly. If somebody tells me to ignore something I say "Disregarding". That is normal speech for me. And confidence in the voice really is vital.

[@zewhite]

same

[@paulgibson8846]

Do they record all mil aircraft radio transmissions? I got some really neat historic dates and locations of special events, who knows where to FOIA it?

[@rogerfournier3284]

ON POINT: EXEMPLARY COMMENT, RESPECTFUL COMMENT!

[@immxrtalized9117]

Fr, I'm still in tech school, about to take my radar basic PC, and even just a month in, I started saying "say again" and "correction" regularly in my conversations. It's pretty cool to be able to look at most aircraft and know what type of aircraft they are, their call signs, their approximate altitude, and what speed they usually go at though. Although, I'm planning to reclass into combat control once I'm rated, I still find ATC to be one of those careers that you just get sucked into and the muscle memory you build just can't be forgotten.

[@garyodle5663]

I'm an airline flight dispatcher now but I used to be a controller in the Air Force. My supervisor told me that he could tell I used to a controller because sometimes in the middle of a sentence I'd say "correction" and keep on talking without a pause. When my wife says something I don't understand I say "Say again". When I leave someplace I "depart fix". And I was a controller back in the 70's. That stuff never leaves you.

[@twistedbunny]

"Yo, yeet tf outta the airport dawg"

[@troyledbetter6597]

Very interesting video! Thanks phor sharing the Phantoms in the clips!

[@doctorwigglespank8933]

The Phantom footage is pretty nice. Would love to see more of them.

[@karinlefevre9988]

The F4's you saw were from Tindall (I think) in New Mexico. I see their patches are Air Combat Combat and not Tactical Air Command. They did that little switch up after I got out in 91. But they still kept the Tactical Air Command patch. I wound up at Bergstrom AFB with the RF-4C Phantom. We did the recon. And yeah the F-4's were fun to watch.

[@BoomerKeith1]

Are they still using the Phantoms for training? In my opinion, the Phantom was the most bad ass looking airplane the US has ever flown.

[@karinlefevre9988]

I was stationed at Bergstrom AFB and the base realignment and closure B.R.A.C. closed them in 1993 i believe, and we had two squadrons of RF4C's. After that they went to AMARK aka the bone yard the whole wing about 80 some odd F-4's. Once they are there some are into drones and used as live target practice by the new and up coming Fighter Pilot's. There was a reserve unit the 924th was attached to Bergstrom that stayed running for a short time. Alabama had a base with F-4's but to my knowledge all the F-4's of the US are at AMARK now. But I'll bet there will be some survive here and there. NASA bought Italy's remaining F-104's for training. The are beautiful, painted blue on top and white on the bottom. Look up Starfighter inc on youtube.

[@sbreheny]

When was this footage taken? As far as I know there haven't been any F-4's in general USAF use since 1995. They were heavily used as target/practice drones (sometimes manned, sometimes not) after that but the markings would be different. Even the number of QF-4's is pretty small now - being replaced by QF-16's.

[@sbreheny]

Tyndall is in Florida. The video description here says Holloman which IS in NM. The Wikipedia article on the F-4 Phantom II says that some F-4s were used as full-scale aerial targets (FSAT) at Holloman in the 2010s. However, clearly at least the one shown here with a pilot is manned so I can't quite figure it out.

[@zimmerman630]

I'm a student pilot working on my PPL and I often fumble when talking to the ATC, hopefully it gets easier with more practice.

[@aquaticllamas28]

Robert Me too my first 2 times on the the radios I jacked up but I don't have much trouble now.

[@ethanhiggins4887]

Vatsim (FSX) is the best way to practice imo. if the airports arent busy some of the controllers will even give you a hand

[@GEL0_12]

How is it now for you? You feel confident and competent in the craft?

[@zimmerman630]

@@GEL0_12 man this was a long time ago lol. im an airline pilot now and i have no issues on the radios so yes, it does get easier and better with time/practice

[@theprogamereins8554]

​@@zimmerman630 congrats bro, im where you were 5 years ago right now. taking my ppl written in two weeks. what airline do you fly for and how the hell did you build those 1500 hours?

[@zoeychevalier5132]

"uhh... go around, I need more time."

[@onuohafamily]

Zoey Chevalier lol

[@hwbarnes4610]

I was USAF ATC Tempelhof Airport, Berlin, Germany. 1961-1964 BARTCC, Tempelhof Tower, and Tempelhof GCA.

[@oldpirate7434]

I see a few things have change from 40 yrs ago. But i still miss it alot.

[@BoomerKeith1]

This video was worth the click just to see the Phantoms!

[@ColorNerdChris]

Phraseology bleeds into everyday conversation when you are a pilot too. Anyone who has worked with me can't tell you the number of times they have heard "stand-by'" or my favorite "approved as requested" from me.

[@shadmasterson1414]

How many times have you given your initials when ending a phone conversation. It really confuses the person on the other end.

[@GZA036]

Visual!

[@ettsn]

Unable, say again, affirmative, niner, phonetic alphabet, etc

[@jackbower6690]

God this is cringe

[@joeg5414]

Shad - LOL I used to do the initial thing by accident. When you spend all day giving initials it becomes habit. The only phraseology I would use by accident in everyday conversation was negative and correction.

[@biscuitninja]

New Mexico Patch! I used to work way out in the range, near the mountains. I'll just leave it at that.

[@Brian.Gardner]

Is that airforceproud95?

[@b_rad5678]

Good job Sr. Airman

[@joeg5414]

Nice! I went through Air Force ATC tech school. My first day on the simulators was on 9/11. Crazy day. Unfortunately I washed out and retrained in airfield management. When I went through you had to qualify in both tower and RAPCON. They have since changed it to one or the other. I think I would have made it if I only had to do tower. I hated RAPCON. Still have all of my ATC training manuals 16 years later lol.

[@jeffasmithplsjassmith]

for most of us navy guys we were trained for airfield and ocean ops many pilots had there own favorites they asked for

[@ATP360]

Did they only allow you to go through once?

[@joeg5414]

@@ATP360 they did give be the option to go through training again. I didn't want to. Don't know what is thinking. Stupid kid I guess Edit:3 years late 😂 I just stumbled on this video again and saw my old comment

[@regulator5521]

I cant wait to learn it when I join the Air Force 😊

[@samypons3185]

gooo

[@jasonkoo4855]

This looks so stressful. Props

[@luisrocha26]

It's almost like they soeak another language which requires a different way of reasoning. It's beautiful to hear too

[@bioriderfc]

I want to hear 'resume normal speed and navigation'.

[@user-qd8yl9eq4r]

God speed

[@maskent-ol3jy]

Sounds very sexy.

[@gemmahoney7586]

Great

[@silvalinan4077]

F-4s!!! You win an internet today!

[@Sed1676]

Whenever my wife asks me to do something, I immediately reply “is right now soon enough?

[@xochitl6765]

Nice

[@iwonderwhatidoanymoreonyou4063]

i’ll try to translate the beginning, the subtitles are screwed up: “-een, (hold??) short initial Runway 1-6, additional traffic unmanned MQ-9 (UAV), Midfield left downwind for Runway 2-5 on departure. Maintain at or below 5600 until outside the Class-Delta (airspace). Runway 2-5 wind 140@05, clear for takeoff.”

[@Beastjimbo]

Fun fact Civilian ATC get butt hurt more easily than military ATC!

[@wildmustangart1577]

Lovin the F-4s!!

[@terryofford4977]

Who Doesn't,they were a kind of Junior A 10 Steve, tho' the Warthog was able to take a helluva bashing and still land with a wing shot out, I doubt an F4 could do the same and anyway,I must admit the beautiful sound of the A 10 firing its weapons is magic to the ears (of the Goodies).Terry Offord

[@wildmustangart1577]

I dunno! My dad flew F4s in combat for 2 years in Vietnam... he's not around to ask about that anymore. I do love the Brrrraaaaaat of the A10 gun though.

[@faustsmith]

Does ATC to aircraft pilot radio communications vary on the ground of an airport from airport to airport concerning receipt of IFR clearance on designated frequencies such as Clearance Delivery, Ramp, Ground, Apron and Tower? IFR clearances can be obtained from contact with any of these Air Traffic Control units above dependent on the ATC operational procedures in force at that specific airport. Does the pilot of an Airline have to be trained by the Airline as to which ATC unit to contact to obtain the specific clearance required at each airport?

[@MidwestMike100]

Where, or how you get your IFR clearance varies because of the size and manning at the various airports. A clearance delivered by a ground controller will be (sound) the same as when delivered by clearance delivery or center. How to get an IFR for a particular airport is explained in the flight publications. For military, it will be in the "IFR Supplement", for civilian the FAA AFD (Airport Facility Directory). Those will explain the procedure and radio frequency for obtaining IFR clearance. Even at uncontrolled airports, there are sometimes remoted radios that a pilot can talk to a neighboring approach/departure control for clearance. And these days, many PDC clearances (Pre-Departrure Clearance) can be received by email and SMS text to a phone number or email address listed on the flight plan and filing form.

[@oldpirate7434]

We were never allow to have our mike buttons on our uniform, always we hold them to talk to all aircraft and radar.

[@xerox782]

Is phraseology used in Army as well? If I would like to learn the same calls and lines used within ground units, what should I look for?

[@mattybserbia]

Sorry if this is too late of a reply, but almost all air traffic control phraseology in the civilian and military world is the exact same

[@tiwantiwaabibiman2603]

All military branches have their own terminology and of course the Army does, they have aircraft don't they?

[@MidwestMike100]

@@tiwantiwaabibiman2603 All basic ATC phraseology is standard among the military branches and the civilian community, as specified in the FAAH 7110.65. The military (USAF) has some added-on phrases, such as landing gear checks on landing clearance ("xxx, check wheels down, cleared to land"). I, personally, have never been impressed by controllers that take liberty creating "home-spun" phrases, or phraseology they think makes them sound cool. But the FAAH does allow some liberty to avoid confusion by stating that controllers use phraseology that is clear and concise to the pilot. I have worked at airports with student pilot training and found it best to avoid complex and multi-faceted instructions to a student pilot, that a veteran pilot would get the first time around.

[@richardmorin6968]

Subtitle starting at 0:12 makes no sens. It should read" Runway two five wind one four zero at five clear for take off"

[@footballskillz77]

"Traffic is 12 o clock , 5 miles, same level, opposite, brace for impact."

[@smoke_eater_]

If I’m not mistaken this was shit at Kirkland AFB in New Mexico.

[@abelgonzalez2101]

Holloman AFB

[@michaelwhite3665]

Looks like Holloman AFB nm

[@duuurs]

3 year old videos but f4s flying? I wanna go there

[@romanwysowaty6035]

Best job I ever had!

[@claudiaerkeloing344]

air traffic good guys in skies!!

[@F1MechNoah]

Old Tyndall Jets!!

[@LucasStoflet]

What headset is it they use? The in ear ones.

[@jimmybx0072]

Lucas Stoflet plantronics starset is what ive used for 12 years now

[@smileyheckster7231]

chevy 12 cleared to buzz the tower

[@LexieAssassin]

What I want to have explained is what all the aircraft terms mean. I've been watching a lot of sim videos lately and I'm not 100% sure what all the terms they're using mean. Stuff like mud spike, fox 1, fox 2, rifle, ect.

[@sbreheny]

buddy spike (I think this is what you are calling mud spike) means that you have received an indication that someone has locked-on to you with their fire control radar but the indication shows that it is a friendly aircraft. You announce this over the radio to avoid friendly fire I think. Fox 1 means that you are firing a semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile like the AIM-7 Sparrow. Fox 2 means that you are firing an infrared homing missile, like the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Fox 3 mean that you are firing an active-radar fire-and-forget missile like the AIM-120 AMRAAM or the (now retired) AIM-54 Phoenix. I don't know what "rifle" means.

[@LexieAssassin]

I think rifle is firing a anti-radiation (anti-radar) missile, and I suspect mud spike (or is it mudspike?) is a lock from a SAM radar or the like seeing as such a vehicle/object would be, if only in a sense, "in the mud."

[@MiguelDamas]

"Rifle" is a friendly air to ground missile launch, like an AGM-65. "Magnum" is a friendly anti-radiation missile launch, like an AGM-88. "Mud spike" seems to be used commonly in video games / sims but the word "spike", according to the multiservice brevity codes list should only be used for airborne threats or as a response to a friendly aircraft lock - "buddy spike". The correct phraseology for a ground threat is MUD + direction + type, i.e. MUD 4 o'clock SA-6. Google "multiservice brevity codes". That'll clear everything up for you.

[@dan8532]

Mud has to do with SAM sites, Fox 1/2/3 has to do with missiles being launched and the number is type of missile "Fox 3 two-ship" means 2 active radar missiles have been launched. Rifle means friendly air to surface missile launch

[@terryofford4977]

Affirmative, Negative, Say again, Unable, UR Clear, Stand by 1,UR No 1/2/3 after Golf Alpha Papa Mike Fox. (Speaking to Civil AIrcraft using mix of Military and Civil Air Traffic language at Civil/ Military, dual Use International Airports plus all the usual short sharp terms, understandable by almost ALL pilots,both civil and Military was always a challenge, especially when speaking with non English speaking pilots in South East Asia, eg Laos, Cambodia Vietnam (many of the latter speak good French however) The British ROYAL AIR FORCE had extremely good and tough training systems which permitted raw recruits the simpler tasks of creating NOTAMS,(Notice to Airmen) also a universal Q Code was used for the written NOTAMS ,E.G. Q-RUUS R/W 09 OIII (in English,Teheran Airport Runway 09 U/S ( Unserviceable due to WIP (Work in Progress) NOTE Pity the Taiwanese didn't use such information when the Singapore 747 Airliner Crashed into Work Machinery some years ago, taking off on the wrong runway. The Royal Air Force training included Runway Caravan Operation, GCA Approaches and other highly responsible positions and is among the best in the world,especially when Dual Military/Civil operations occur, plus the advantage of working dual systems with civil aviation operators.When an Ex Military operator leaves the RAF he 'she is able to easily fit into Civil operations with only a very few verbal adjustments.Terry Offord

[@stickznbrickz]

Leaving for BMT May 14th for ATC wish me luck !

[@JTuckerF]

Good luck brother, Air Traffic is sweet. It will seem pretty overwhelming at times, but if you study you'll get it no problem. Greetings from Nellis AFB!

[@JACLS]

Well, it's been a yearand a half, How you doin'? dija make the grade?dija get a good assignment? Are you lovin' it?

[@stickznbrickz]

@@JACLS i ended up not getting ATC but am a crew chief for the cv-22 @ RAF Mildenhall in england

[@metallicafamily001]

Is this one of the safest jobs in Air Force.? This is what I wanna do

[@mokelly7377]

Kain Day safe, yes. However my sister swigged pepto liked nobody's business while she was working in the tower

[@christosantonopoulos2018]

yes but can you analyze quickly enough to fly that aircraft at Mach 2 hope their are trim adjustments on the stick at mach 2 would not want to move that two much at that speed, micro movements. not too mention dog fighting at jet speeds, hey do not be a maverick and goose and whilst under fire spin that is a big no no as your increasing the probability of the jet firing at you is increased think about the thickness of your aerofoil I have my pattern that is my concern

[@TheTh747]

The Hell !!! F-4's ?!?!?!?!?!? Are they still in service? are they trainers ?

[@davidhoffman5789]

TheTh747, I bet it is stock footage somebody really likes.

[@johnwyman4037]

They were used as aggressors and drones for air-to-air training up to at least the mid 2000s.

[@samb4099]

You think that but they could take out anyone in the world at any time so if that's far behind I'm OK with that lol

[@briangarner]

Those are F-4Js?????? When was that filmed, the helmets looked new??? I didn't think they still flew those.

[@relytlirpa]

training aircraft

[@michaeltaylor8835]

What about liners in mil airspace

[@johnwyman4037]

Michael Taylor happens all the time.

[@bobbrown8661]

How do you track a raptor?

[@RobinsM]

It will still show up, then if they are in the US they turn on the transponder.

[@user-xv4he4mt4x]

3:30 Subtitled "Levi" Shouldn't it be "Lima"? and this is the topic on ATC Phraseology....

[@jflo4073]

Not if that is his callsign. Same as calling a BA a Speedbird, not a Sierra.

[@abelgonzalez2101]

That was the call sign of the aircraft not the phonetic for L

[@asfandali1271]

Can anyone tell me that USAF traffic controllers are officers or airmen?

[@tylerhayes5436]

Asfand Ali Air Force Air Traffic Controllers are enlisted. The airman in the video is an E-4, senior airman.

[@asfandali1271]

+Tyler Hayes copied thanks

[@gabisasmr]

Do you have to be super good in math? For this job after high school I'm considering this job but let me be honest I am terrible at adding and subtracting and dividing like crazy large numbers or large decimals I can do basic mental math quickly in my head but that's it math is just not my strongest subject

[@jeffreyannas2398]

Not really.

[@bushmaster9576]

In order to be atc you have to love your voice

[@NeeChee100]

do they do their job standing up?

[@davidhoffman5789]

NeeChee100, Mostly to see out the control tower windows. A common behavior, if they are not too busy, is to watch an aircraft land until the nose wheel touches down, just to make sure it lands safely. For a takeoff they will watch until the aircraft lifts off the ground.

[@genericwhitemale1114]

NeeChee100 depends on what you want to do. Some stand some sit.

[@blowingmoney707]

In tech school for atc right now. Im already saying correction in my normal speech lol

[@user-dw4im7uc8d]

Assuming you’re out from tech school how was it.

[@blowingmoney707]

@@user-dw4im7uc8d tbh it really doesnt even touch the surface of what u need to know for operational, but the course itself was cool. Just sucks when you lose your friends in your class from them washing back or out. Are you going into it?

[@jobdlugosz179]

@@blowingmoney707I’m very late to the conversation but how is it going? Do you have any suggestions on how to study before joining?

[@blowingmoney707]

@@jobdlugosz179 one thing that could help is just glancing over the faao 7110.65. That’s the foundation of atc as far as book work goes but the performance part of it just comes from practicing in the sims.

[@elitegotenks2204]

Do I need a college degree like a master degree for this position in marines corps

[@andynguyen5003]

KASH KAY no. Atc is an enlisted job so no.

[@wilfredosolis8309]

Conspicuous

[@Swisspastel80]

What does actual mean?

[@dronetrooper2448]

Holy Shit, the initial transmission is long as Fu*K!!

[@spiral83]

it is, but it's actually very brief and concise, the order of transmission of information is universal (the entire world uses the same order) so the receiver of the transmission retains only the crucial information easily. the most complicated is actually the taxiing on the runway, as these vary from place to place; airports military or civilian don't have the same shape, taxis and runways are not in the same place, and those can easily be confusing to pilots if you don't pay attention.

[@dronetrooper2448]

I get that, Im a controller too, but thats abnormally long for a transmission.Pay attention to how many numbers are in the transmission. "Traffic at the initial runway 16, traffic unmanned mq-9 at midfield left downwind, on departure maintain at or below 5,600 until leaving the class D, rwy 25 wind 240@5 cleared for takeoff" and thats only because the video caught the end of that transmission.

[@spiral83]

true, it's a mouthfull :D

[@reskyululrahmat5870]

Mark?

[@palletcolorato]

I recently completed a painting of the F-15 Strike Eagle. You may view this painting and others on my Facebook Page. facebook.com/exportrait/

[@gurgy3]

DoD ATCT designs suck. Looks like a freakin terrarium inside.

[@jamesholt7340]

don't fighter jets have radar that tells them where other planes are in the sky???

[@sbreheny]

Yes and no. First, it can only see maybe +/- 45 degrees in front of you, so you wouldn't be warned about intersecting traffic coming from left, right, or behind you. Second, having to use that and listen to ATC instructions regarding clearances (which would be necessary anyway since radar can't tell you about permissions) would be a lot of workload. Third, on most military aircraft, except air defense interceptor variants, the radar is not equipped to interrogate the transponder on civilian aircraft (which ATC does and uses to keep track of which plane is which). Lastly, I will say that I believe that they DO often use their radar to find other military aircraft that they have to rendezvous with, such as the other aircraft in their element (e.g. wingman) or a refueling tanker.

[@christosantonopoulos2018]

are you guys going to leave me in the civilian sector and why? I should not be where I am guys.

[@DimitriTorterat]

Why does this video have a French title but NOTHING in it is French, not even subtitles?

[@joehentalack2443]

So what the fuck did you say to the fighter pilots on 911.........????

[@karinlefevre9988]

I had the chance to do that but the washout rate was 50%, as I remember they did their training at Mertal Beach. A great place to hang. After basic we went to the base chapel and had a meeting about who wanted to go into the PJ's, after watching the film on it I almost bit, even though the wash out rate was over 90%. Looking back I wish I had went for the PJ's. Nothing would have been lost (but my pride) if I would have washed out because they would have sent me to the job me and the AF agreed on when I enlisted. But I can always say that that I was invited to join the Special Forces lol!! I mean really, how many people In the whole world can say that LOL LOL!!

[@oldpirate7434]

I could spot a F-4 at 15 miles for the overhead pattern.

[@tickleberry3610]

is this area 51?

[@TickledFunnyBone]

Copy that.

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

prolly usa airspace clogged w death machine air traffic

[@wilfredosolis8309]

Internet archived,,////

[@brandonmyler3651]

He needs to shave

[@lovellrodriguez8567]

Tower this is foxtrot 5 i need. A clear runway asap break .tower: what is your emergency foxtrot 5 to tower I NEED TOO PEE FASTER THAN A .HURRY . NOW CLEAR ME A RUNWAY BREAK ""

[@DanielRucci]

Uhhhhh login and password visible on screen at 2:20??? can someone pull this video down please?

[@southhaysfire0173]

Uh, what?

[@DanielRucci]

Charles Ferguson you can see a login and password on the screen at the top at 2:20

[@jpmcgrath4283]

Opsec

[@Gunhound523]

Login and password huh? Well, if you can use a radio frequency to log into something, you know something I don't lol. That screen turns transmitters and receivers on and off for the various radios.

[@bryanitdoesntmatter8451]

Hahaaaaa! Air Force cats think they got some ATC skills lol!

[@nielsrz6231]

does it pay well?

[@brianpeters2254]

Jobs in the military pay by rank, not by job position.

[@nielsrz6231]

+Brian P how much money do you think this guy makes?

[@theonlytimeisnow8328]

Depends on his rank, google base pay and it will tell you how much each person gets paid for every rank.

[@xheralt]

They're sergeants, so their pay is on the low side of midrange for military. The gentlemen (and ladies) who earn the big bucks are the ones _flying_ the aircraft, not to mention the ones with stars on their collars who determine where the aircraft actually go...

[@MichaelOnines]

The featured air traffic controller was Senior Airman Sachs (E-4, wearing 3 "stripes" on his sleeves). I also saw some Airman First Class (E-3, 2 stripes). Don't forget to include Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistance (BAS) when calculating their pay. If they are in the dorms they don't get BAH, but they get the room for "free".

[@iatsd]

Ahahahaha - FPS control? America is so far behind....

[@davidhoffman5789]

iatsd , How so?