ATC phraseology: a practical guide to clearances
Good phraseology is short, predictable and complete. Every transmission follows the same order — who you're talking to, who you are, what you want them to do — and pilots read back anything that changes where they go. This guide covers the clearances you give most often as Ground and Tower, in the format used in the United States (FAA JO 7110.65).
1. Callsign first, every time
Start with the aircraft's callsign so the right pilot is listening: "Cessna three alpha bravo, …", "American twelve thirty-four, …". After the first contact you can abbreviate a general aviation callsign to the type and last three characters ("Cessna three alpha bravo") once no similar callsigns are on frequency.
2. Taxi clearances
Give the runway, then the route: "Cessna three alpha bravo, runway three, taxi via alpha." If the route crosses or ends short of a runway, say so explicitly: "…taxi via alpha, hold short of runway two one." A pilot must read back every hold-short instruction — if it's missing, ask for it.
Crossing a runway needs its own clearance: "Cessna three alpha bravo, cross runway two one at alpha four."
3. Pushback (airline gates)
"American twelve thirty-four, push back approved, tail north." The tail direction tells the pilot which way the aircraft will face, so it doesn't block the alley behind another gate.
4. Line up and wait
"Southwest four ninety-one, runway two five right, line up and wait." Use it to get an aircraft onto the runway while traffic clears. Never leave an aircraft waiting on the runway with an arrival on short final.
5. Takeoff clearance
Wind (optional at busy fields), runway, then cleared for takeoff: "Cessna three alpha bravo, wind two one zero at eight, runway two one, cleared for takeoff." For VFR departures add the turn: "…right turn approved" or "…make right closed traffic."
6. Landing clearance
"Cessna three alpha bravo, runway two one, cleared to land." In the pattern, sequence first: "…number two, follow the Cherokee on downwind." If the runway isn't clear in time: "Cessna three alpha bravo, go around."
7. Readbacks and corrections
Pilots read back runway assignments, hold-short instructions, altitudes and headings. Listen to the readback, not just for it — if it's wrong, correct it immediately: "Negative, hold short of runway two one."
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the callsign, or putting it last.
- Clearing an aircraft to cross a runway in the taxi clearance without saying "cross".
- Accepting a readback that's missing the hold short.
- Saying "takeoff" in any instruction other than the takeoff clearance itself ("line up and wait", not "position for takeoff").
Practice it by voice
Towerline's AI pilots respond to exactly what you say — including your mistakes — at real airports: