Simviation Forums

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone could enlighten me to as why when communicating with ATC in a heavy, they seem to include a little bit at the end of the identification such as 'with lima' or 'with bravo'. Does anybody know what this represents as it has always puzzled me!

Thanks!

JonnyB

that's the current ATIS information. The ATIS report ends with a military phonetic (Alpha, bravo, charlie etc...) This is usually a computer automated message and is updated several times a day.

This is just to make sure the ATC knows you have the latest runway and weather reports.
In really bad weather you can have maybe 3 different ATIS reports in 20 mins, so it's very important to be "up to date", so to speak  :)

in the real world it also includes various other information such a taxiways which are closed, workmen on the field and other dangers to look out for

As far as I understand, the "heavy" designation is an indicator that your aircraft is a larger aircraft that displaces a lot of air and wake.  This way smaller aircraft don't run thru this 'wake' and have problems.

This is my basic understand that I read on this board.  Anybody with a better explaination, please chime in.

Being in a heavy or not it does not matter. If you are talking to ATC and flying VFR then ATC will use your TAIL NUMBER to call you. IN FS this also applies if your plane does not have a airline name and flying IFR. All letters of the alphabet are spoken in greek so as there is no confusion. The ATIS uses the same method. The word used represents the latest update. ATIS is updated at least every hour but like the others have said it can change a lot once the weather starts to change. You will need this info for landing taxing or taking off. This is ATC'S way to make sure you have the latest weather advisery. If you use the wrong word ATC will advise you to get the latest advisery then call them back. ATC will not give you taxi clearance or landing clearance with out this info.

All letters of the alphabet are spoken in greek so as there is no confusion.

Small but important note: it's not Greek, but instead is the phonetic alphabet. The Greek alphabet starts with Alpha Beta, not Alpha Bravo.

Small but important note: it's not Greek, but instead is the phonetic alphabet. The Greek alphabet starts with Alpha Beta, not Alpha Bravo.

Also I believe known in various circles as ..........radio/spelling/telephone/analogy alphabets..take your pick.

Well, my question is-why say "nine-er"?  I asked this a while ago but I don't remember what thread.  Since I've started flying I've noted that many pilots drop the "-er" and simply say "nine".  But what's the point in the first place?  Nine doesn't sound like anything.  I'm thinking that it was started a long time ago for a good reason and tradition has simply kept it alive.

[quote]Well, my question is-why say "nine-er"?

When R/T was introduced just prior to WWII a phonetic alphabet was introduced by many, not all countries. They varied according to language. English was A Able, B Baker and so on. After WWII it became evident that an international phonetic alphabet was necessary, so the NATO alphabet was adopted and also accepted by ICAO. So, Alpha, Bravo, etc. Interestingly, the USAF used F Fox instead of foxtrot for the longest time. On time, Zulu time, or GMT was so called because the symbol (Z with a vertical line) is that used at the Naval College at Greenwich where the meridian passes through. There's supposed to be no confusion when using the NATO phonetics, but just ask one of your friends to say Charlie Quebec Quebec Foxtrot Uniform without upsetting anyone.