RCD 1.3 figures, phonetics & pro-words

RCD 1.3 - Figures, Phonetics, & Pro-words

In aviation, and in everyday life, the ability to clearly communicate messages and ideas is vital. The use of pro-words, the phonetic alphabet, and figures helps to aid you in clear, concise, and accurate communication.

A good way to practise your phonetic alphabet is reading Car Number Plates. See if you can record a car number plate from home and share that with your Flight Commander.

Phonetic Alphabet

When it is necessary to identify a letter of the alphabet the authorised Phonetic Alphabet is to be used as outlined below. The syllables shown in bold type carry the emphasis. Difficult words or phrases to spell are preceded with the pro-words "I SPELL". If the transmitter can pronounce the word they will do so before and after to identify the word, for example:

"Papadopoulos – I SPELL Papa Alpha Papa Alpha Delta Oscar Papa Oscar Uniform Lima Oscar Sierra – Papadopoulos"

Figures

To distinguish figures from similar words being used in the transmission they are preceded with the pro-word "FIGURES".

See the table below for the correct pronunciation for each figure.

Numbers are transmitted digit by digit, however in good condition hundreds and thousands maybe spoken as such. Figures in a text – except for Grid References – may be spoken as in normal speech. Under poor conditions figures are spoken individually and preceded by pro-word "FIGURES", for example:

44 - "FIGURES Four Four"
136 - "FIGURES One Three Six"

Pro-words

A pro-word is a pronounceable phrase or word used to make radio communications more efficient. This assists in keeping Radio Communications short, clear and concise by allowing a word or phrase to be used instead of whole sentences e.g.:

"ROGER" means ‘I have received your last transmission satisfactorily’
"Out" means ‘I have finished transmitting, no reply required’.

Ensure that you don’t use more pro-words than required. Common errors are:

"OVER and OUT"– this is telling the receiver that ‘this is the end of my transmission, reply required, end of transmission, no reply required’. It is either OVER or OUT – it cannot be both.
"ROGER WILCO" – this is saying ‘ I have received your last transmission, I have received your last transmission and will comply’. WILCO incorporates ROGER so ROGER is not required.

When you think you are ready, try this Kahoot quiz!