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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION
TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP SAFDARJANG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI
CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 9 - AIR SPACE AND AIR NAVIGATION
SERVICES STANDARDS
SERIES 'D', PART III
ISSUE IV, 18th NOVEMBER 2016 EFFECTIVE: FORTHWITH
F. No. xxxx-ANS
Subject: Aeronautical Telecommunications – Communication
Procedures
INTRODUCTION
In pursuant to Article 28 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation each
contracting State undertakes to provide in its territory, air navigation facilities to
facilitate air navigation and also adopt and put into operation the appropriate standard
systems for communication procedures, codes, markings, signals etc., in accordance
with standards which may be recommended or established from time to time, pursuant
to the Convention. International Civil Aviation Organization adopts and amends from
time to time, as may be necessary, international standards and recommended
practices and procedures for Aeronautical Telecommunications – Communication
Procedures in Annex 10 Volume II.
This CAR is issued under the provisions of Rule 29C and Rule 133A of the Aircraft
Rules, 1937 for the requirements to be followed in respect of Aeronautical
Telecommunications – Communication Procedures.
1. Definitions
When the following terms are used in this CAR, they have the meaning prescribed in
this para:
1.1 Services
Aeronautical broadcasting service. A broadcasting service intended for the
transmission of information relating to air navigation.
Aeronautical fixed service (AFS). A telecommunication service between specified
fixed points provided primarily for the safety of air navigation and for the regular,
efficient and economical operation of air services.
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Aeronautical fixed telecommunication network (AFTN). A worldwide system of
aeronautical fixed circuits provided, as part of the aeronautical fixed service, for the
exchange of messages and/or digital data between aeronautical fixed stations having
the same or compatible communications characteristics.
Aeronautical mobile service (RR S1.32). A mobile service between aeronautical
stations and aircraft stations, or between aircraft stations, in which survival craft
stations may participate; emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also
participate in this service on designated distress and emergency frequencies.
Aeronautical mobile (R)* service (RR S1.33). An aeronautical mobile service
reserved for communications relating to safety and regularity of flight, primarily along
national or international civil air routes.
Aeronautical mobile-satellite service (RR S1.35). A mobile-satellite service in which
mobile earth stations are located on board aircraft; survival craft stations and
emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this
service.
Aeronautical mobile-satellite (R)* service (RR S1.36). An aeronautical mobile-
satellite service reserved for communications relating to safety and regularity of flights,
primarily along national or international civil air routes.
Aeronautical radio navigation service (RR S1.46). A radio navigation service
intended for the benefit and for the safe operation of aircraft.
Aeronautical telecommunication service. A telecommunication service provided for
any aeronautical purpose.
International telecommunication service. A telecommunication service between
offices or stations of different States, or between mobile stations which are not in the
same State, or are subject to different States.
1.2 Stations
Aerodrome control radio station. A station providing radio-communication between
an aerodrome control tower and aircraft or mobile aeronautical stations.
Aeronautical fixed station. A station in the aeronautical fixed service.
Aeronautical station (RR S1.81). A land station in the aeronautical mobile service. In
certain instances, an aeronautical station may be located, for example, on board ship
or on a platform at sea.
Aeronautical telecommunication station. A station in the aeronautical
telecommunication service.
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AFTN communication centre. An AFTN station whose primary function is the relay
or retransmission of AFTN traffic from (or to) a number of other AFTN stations
connected to it.
AFTN destination station. An AFTN station to which messages and/or digital data
are addressed for processing for delivery to the addressee.
AFTN origin station. An AFTN station where messages and/or digital data are
accepted for transmission over the AFTN.
AFTN station. A station forming part of the aeronautical fixed telecommunication
network (AFTN) and operating as such under the authority or control of a State.
Air-ground control radio station. An aeronautical telecommunication station having
primary responsibility for handling communications pertaining to the operation and
control of aircraft in a given area.
Aircraft station (RR S1.83). A mobile station in the aeronautical mobile service, other
than a survival craft station, located on board an aircraft.
Communication centre. An aeronautical fixed station which relays or retransmits
telecommunication traffic from (or to) a number of other aeronautical fixed stations
directly connected to it.
Mobile surface station. A station in the aeronautical telecommunication service,
other than an aircraft station, intended to be used while in motion or during halts at
unspecified points.
Network station. An aeronautical station forming part of a radiotelephony network.
Radio direction finding (RR S1.12). Radiodetermination using the reception of radio
waves for the purpose of determining the direction of a station or object.
Radio direction-finding station (RR S1.91). A radiodetermination station using radio
direction finding.
Regular station. A station selected from those forming an en-route air-ground
radiotelephony network to communicate with or to intercept communications from
aircraft in normal conditions.
Regular station. A station selected from those forming an en-route air-ground
radiotelephony network to communicate with or to intercept communications from
aircraft in normal conditions which does not relay except for the purpose of serving
similar stations connected through it to a communication centre.
1.3 Communication methods
Air-ground communication. Two-way communication between aircraft and stations
or locations on the surface of the earth.
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Air-to-ground communication. One-way communication from aircraft to stations or
locations on the surface of the earth.
Blind transmission. A transmission from one station to another station in
circumstances where two-way communication cannot be established but where it is
believed that the called station is able to receive the transmission.
Broadcast. A transmission of information relating to air navigation that is not
addressed to a specific station or stations
Duplex. A method in which telecommunication between two stations can take place in
both directions simultaneously.
Ground-to-air communication. One-way communication from stations or locations
on the surface of the earth to aircraft.
Interpilot air-to-air communication. Two-way communication on the designated air-
to-air channel to enable aircraft engaged in flights over remote and oceanic areas out
of range of VHF ground stations to exchange necessary operational information and
to facilitate the resolution of operational problems.
Non-network communications. Radiotelephony communications conducted by a
station of the aeronautical mobile service, other than those conducted as part of a
radiotelephony network.
Radiotelephony network. A group of radiotelephony aeronautical stations which
operate on and guard frequencies from the same family and which support each other
in a defined manner to ensure maximum dependability of air-ground communications
and dissemination of air-ground traffic.
Readback. A procedure whereby the receiving station repeats a received message or
an appropriate part thereof back to the transmitting station so as to obtain confirmation
of correct reception.
Simplex. A method in which telecommunication between two stations takes place in
one direction at a time.
Telecommunication (RR S1.3). Any transmission, emission, or reception of signs,
signals, writing, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical
or other electromagnetic systems.
1.4 Direction finding
Homing. The procedure of using the direction-finding equipment of one radio station
with the emission of another radio station, where at least one of the stations is mobile,
and whereby the mobile station proceeds continuously towards the other station.
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Radio bearing. The angle between the apparent direction of a definite source of
emission of electro-magnetic waves and a reference direction, as determined at a radio
direction-finding station. A true radio bearing is one for which the reference direction is
that of true North. A magnetic radio bearing is one for which the reference direction is
that of magnetic North.
1.5 Teletypewriter systems
Automatic relay installation. A teletypewriter installation where automatic equipment
is used to transfer messages from incoming to outgoing circuits.
Fully automatic relay installation. A teletypewriter installation where interpretation
of the relaying responsibility in respect of an incoming message and the resultant
setting-up of the connections required to effect the appropriate retransmissions is
carried out automatically, as well as all other normal operations of relay, thus obviating
the need for operator intervention, except for supervisory purposes.
Message field. An assigned area of a message containing specified elements of data.
Semi-automatic relay installation. A teletypewriter installation where interpretation
of the relaying responsibility in respect of an incoming message and the resultant
setting-up of the connections required to effect the appropriate retransmissions require
the intervention of an operator but where all other normal operations of relay are
carried out automatically.
Teletypewriter tape. A tape on which signals are recorded in the 5-unit Start-Stop
code by completely severed perforations (Chad Type) or by partially severed
perforations (Chadless Type) for transmission over teletypewriter circuits.
“Torn-tape” relay installation. A teletypewriter installation where messages are
received and relayed in teletypewriter tape form and where all operations of relay are
performed as the result of operator intervention.
1.6 Agencies
Aeronautical telecommunication agency. An agency responsible for operating a
station or stations in the aeronautical telecommunication service.
Aircraft operating agency. The person, organization or enterprise engaged in, or
offering to engage in, an aircraft operation.
1.7 Frequencies
Primary frequency. The radiotelephony frequency assigned to an aircraft as a first
choice for air-ground communication in a radiotelephony network.
Secondary frequency. The radiotelephony frequency assigned to an aircraft as a
second choice for air-ground communication in a radiotelephony network.
1.8 Data link communications
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CPDLC message. Information exchanged between an airborne system and its ground
counterpart. A CPDLC message consists of a single message element or a
combination of message elements conveyed in a single transmission by the initiator.
CPDLC message set. A list of standard message elements and free text message
elements.
Controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC). A means of communication
between controller and pilot, using data link for ATC communications.
Current data authority. The designated ground system through which a CPDLC
dialogue between a pilot and a controller currently responsible for the flight is permitted
to take place.
Free text message element. Part of a message that does not conform to any standard
message element in the PANSATM (Doc 4444).
Next data authority. The ground system so designated by the current data authority
through which an onward transfer of communications and control can take place.
Logon address. A specified code used for data link logon to an ATS unit.
Standard message element. Part of a message defined in the PANS-ATM (Doc
4444) in terms of display format, intended use and attributes.
1.9 Miscellaneous
Aeronautical fixed circuit. A circuit forming part of the aeronautical fixed service
(AFS).
Aeronautical fixed telecommunication network circuit. A circuit forming part of the
aeronautical fixed telecommunication network (AFTN).
Aeronautical telecommunication log. A record of the activities of an aeronautical
telecommunication station.
Air-report. A report from an aircraft in flight prepared in conformity with requirements
for position, and operational and/ or meteorological reporting.
Altitude. The vertical distance of a level, a point or an object considered as a point,
measured from mean sea level (MSL).
ATS direct speech circuit. An aeronautical fixed service (AFS) telephone circuit, for
direct exchange of information between air traffic services (ATS) units.
Automatic telecommunication log. A record of the activities of an aeronautical
telecommunication station recorded by electrical or mechanical means.
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Flight level. A surface of constant atmospheric pressure which is related to a specific
pressure datum, 1013.2 hectopascals (hPa), and is separated from other such
surfaces by specific pressure intervals.
Frequency channel. A continuous portion of the frequency spectrum appropriate for
a transmission utilizing a specified class of emission.
Height. The vertical distance of a level, a point or an object considered as a point,
measured from a specified datum.
Human performance. Human capabilities and limitations which have an impact on
the safety and efficiency of aeronautical operations.
Location indicator. A four-letter code group formulated in accordance with rules
prescribed by ICAO and assigned to the location of an aeronautical fixed station.
Meteorological operational channel. A channel of the aeronautical fixed service
(AFS), for the exchange of aeronautical meteorological information.
Meteorological operational telecommunication network. An integrated system of
meteorological operational channels, as part of the aeronautical fixed service (AFS),
for the exchange of aeronautical meteorological information between the aeronautical
fixed stations within the network.
NOTAM. A notice distributed by means of telecommunication containing information
concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service,
procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel
concerned with flight operations.
Operational control communications. Communications required for the exercise of
authority over the initiation, continuation, diversion or termination of a flight in the
interest of the safety of the aircraft and the regularity and efficiency of a flight.
Route segment. A route or portion of route usually flown without an intermediate stop.
Routing Directory. A list in a communication centre indicating for each addressee the
outgoing circuit to be used.
SNOWTAM. A special series NOTAM notifying the presence or removal of hazardous
conditions due to snow, ice, slush or standing water associated with snow, slush and
ice on the movement area, by means of a specific format.
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2. Administrative Provisions Relating To The International Aeronautical
Telecommunication Service
2.1 Division of service
The international aeronautical telecommunication service shall be divided into four
parts:
1) aeronautical fixed service;
2) aeronautical mobile service;
3) aeronautical radio navigation service;
4) aeronautical broadcasting service.
2.2 Telecommunication - Access
All aeronautical telecommunication stations, including end systems and intermediate
systems of the aeronautical telecommunication network (ATN), shall be protected from
unauthorized direct or remote access
2.3. Hours of service
2.3.1 The Service Provider shall give notification of the normal hours of service of
stations and offices of the international aeronautical telecommunication service under
its control.
2.3.2 Any change in the normal hours of service shall also be notified. Such changes
shall also, whenever necessary, be promulgated in NOTAM.
2.3.3 If a station of the international aeronautical telecommunication service, or an
aircraft operating agency, requests a change in the hours of service of another station,
such change shall be requested as soon as possible after the need for change is
known. The station or aircraft operating agency requesting the change shall be
informed of the result of its request as soon as possible.
2.4. Supervision
2.4.1 Airports Authority of India shall be responsible for ensuring that the international
aeronautical telecommunication service is conducted in accordance with the
procedures in this CAR and should exchange information regarding the performance
of systems of communication, radio navigation, operation and maintenance, unusual
transmission phenomena, etc.
2.4.2 Occasional infringements of the procedures contained herein, when not
serious, should be dealt with by direct communication between the parties immediately
interested either by correspondence or by personal contact.
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2.4.3 When a station commits serious or repeated infringements, representations
relating to them shall be made to the authority designated in 2.4.1.
2.4.4 Intentionally left blank
2.5 Superfluous transmissions
It shall be ensured that there is no wilful transmission of unnecessary or anonymous
signals, messages or data by any station.
2.6 Interference
Before authorizing tests and experiments in any station, each Administration, in order
to avoid harmful interference, shall prescribe the taking of all possible precautions,
such as the choice of frequency and of time, and the reduction or, if possible, the
suppression of radiation. Any harmful interference resulting from tests and experiments
shall be eliminated as soon as possible.
3. General Procedures For The International Aeronautical
Telecommunication Service
3.1 General
The procedures outlined herein are general in character and shall be applied where
appropriate.
3.2. Extensions of service and closing down of stations
3.2.1 Stations of the international aeronautical telecommunication service
shall extend their normal hours of service as required to provide for traffic necessary
for flight operation.
3.2.2 Before closing down, a station shall notify its intention to all other stations
with which it is in direct communication, confirm that an extension of service is not
required and advise the time of re-opening if other than its normal hours of service.
3.2.3 When it is working regularly in a network on a common circuit, a station
shall notify its intention of closing down either to the control station, if any, or to all
stations in the network. It shall continue watch for two minutes and may then close
down if it has received no call during this period.
3.2.4 Stations with other than continuous hours of operation, engaged in, or
expected to become engaged in distress, urgency, unlawful interference, or
interception traffic, shall extend their normal hours of service to provide the required
support to those communications.
3.3. Acceptance, transmission and delivery of messages
3.3.1 Only those messages coming within the categories specified in 4.4.1.1
shall be accepted for transmission by the aeronautical telecommunication service.
3.3.1.1 The responsibility for determining the acceptability of a message shall
rest with the station where the message is filed for transmission.
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3.3.1.2 Once a message is deemed acceptable, it shall be transmitted, relayed
and (or) delivered in accordance with the priority classification and without
discrimination or undue delay.
3.3.1.3 The authority in control of any station through which a message is
relayed, should make representations at a later date to the authority in control of the
accepting station regarding any message which is considered unacceptable.
3.3.2 Only messages for stations forming part of the aeronautical
telecommunication service shall be accepted for transmission, except where special
arrangements have been made with the telecommunication authority concerned.
3.3.2.1 Acceptance as a single message of a message intended for two or more
addresses, whether at the same station or at different stations, shall be permitted
subject, however, to the provisions prescribed in 4.4.3.1.2.3.
3.3.3 Messages handled for aircraft operating agencies shall be accepted only
when handed in to the telecommunication station in the form prescribed herein and by
an authorized representative of that agency, or when received from that agency over
an authorized circuit.
3.3.4 For each station of the aeronautical telecommunication service from
which messages are delivered to one or more aircraft operating agencies, a single
office for each aircraft operating agency shall be designated by agreement between
the aeronautical telecommunication agency and the aircraft operating agency
concerned.
3.3.5 Stations of the international aeronautical telecommunication service shall
be responsible for delivery of messages to addressee(s) located within the boundaries
of the aerodrome(s) served by that station and beyond those boundaries only to such
addressee(s) as may be agreed by special arrangements with the Administrations
concerned.
3.3.6 Messages shall be delivered in the form of a written record, or other
permanent means as prescribed by authorities.
3.3.6.1 In cases where telephone or loudspeaker systems are used without
recording facilities for the delivery of messages, a written copy shall be provided, as
confirmation of delivery, as soon as possible.
3.3.7 Messages originated in the aeronautical mobile service by an aircraft in
flight and which require transmission over the aeronautical fixed telecommunication
network to effect delivery, shall be reprocessed by the aeronautical telecommunication
station into the message format prescribed in 4.4.2 prior to transmission on the AFTN.
3.3.7.1 Messages originated in the aeronautical mobile service by an aircraft in
flight and which require transmission over the aeronautical fixed service, other than on
AFTN circuits, shall also be reprocessed by the aeronautical telecommunication
station into the format prescribed in 4.4.2 except where, subject to the provisions of
3.3.5, prior and other arrangements have been made between the aeronautical
telecommunication agency and the aircraft operating agency concerned for
predetermined distribution of messages from aircraft.
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3.3.7.2 Messages (including air-reports) without specific address containing
meteorological information received from an aircraft in flight shall be forwarded without
delay to the meteorological office associated with the point of reception.
3.3.7.3 Messages (including air-reports) without specific address containing air
traffic services information from aircraft in flight shall be forwarded without delay to the
air traffic services unit associated with the communication station receiving the
message.
3.3.7.4 PANS.— When recording the text of air-reports in AIREP form, the data
conventions approved by ICAO for this purpose shall be used wherever possible.
3.3.7.5 PANS.— When air-reports in AIREP form are to be retransmitted by telegraphy
(including teletypewriting), the text transmitted shall be as recorded in compliance with
3.3.7.4.
3.4 Time system
3.4.1 Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) shall be used by all stations in the
aeronautical telecommunication service. Midnight shall be designated as 2400 for the
end of the day and 0000 for the beginning of the day.
3.4.2 A date – time group shall consist of six figures, the first two figures
representing the date of the month and the last four figures the hours and minutes in
UTC.
3.5 Record of communications
3.5.1 General
3.5.1.1 A telecommunication log, written or automatic, shall be maintained in
each station of the aeronautical telecommunication service except that an aircraft
station, when using radiotelephony in direct communication with an aeronautical
station, need not maintain a telecommunication log.
3.5.1.1.1 Aeronautical stations shall record messages at the time of their receipt,
except that, if during an emergency the continued manual recording would result in
delays in communication, the recording of messages may be temporarily interrupted
and completed at the earliest opportunity.
Note.— In the case of radiotelephony operation it would be desirable if voice recording
were provided for use during interruption in manual recording.
3.5.1.1.2 When a record is maintained in an air in a radiotelephone log or
elsewhere, concerning distress communications, harmful interference, or interruption
to communications, such a record shall be associated with information concerning the
time and the position, and altitude of the aircraft.
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3.5.1.2 In written logs, entries shall be made only by operators on duty except
that other persons having knowledge of facts pertinent to the entries may certify in the
log the accuracy of operators’ entries.
3.5.1.3 All entries shall be complete, clear, correct and intelligible. Superfluous
marks or notations shall not be made in the log.
3.5.1.4 In written logs, any necessary correction in the log shall be made only by
the person making the initial entry. The correction shall be accomplished by drawing or
typing a single line through the incorrect entry, initialling same, recording the time and
date of correction. The correct entry shall be made on the next line after the last entry.
3.5.1.5 Telecommunication logs, written or automatic, shall be retained for a
period of at least thirty days. When logs are pertinent to inquiries or investigations they
shall be retained for longer periods until it is evident that they will be no longer required.
3.5.1.6 The following information shall be entered in written logs:
a) the name of the agency operating the station;
b) the identification of the station;
c) the date;
d) the time of opening and closing the station;
e) the signature of each operator, with the time the operator assumes and
relinquishes a watch;
f) the frequencies being guarded and type of watch (continuous or
scheduled) being maintained on each frequency;
g) except at intermediate mechanical relay stations where the provisions of
this paragraph need not be complied with, a record of each
communication, test transmission, or attempted communication showing
text of communication, time communication completed, station(s)
communicated with, and frequency used. The text of the communication
may be omitted from the log when copies of the messages handled are
available and form part of the log;
h) all distress communications and action thereon;
i) a brief description of communication conditions and difficulties, including
harmful interference. Such entries should include, whenever practicable,
the time at which interference was experienced, the character, radio
frequency and identification of the interfering signal;
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j) a brief description of interruption to communications due to equipment
failure or other troubles, giving the duration of the interruption and action
taken;
k) such additional information as may be considered by the operator to be
of value as a part of the record of the station’s operations.
3.6 Establishment of radiocommunication
3.6.1 All stations shall answer calls directed to them by other stations in the
aeronautical telecommunication service and shall exchange communications on
request.
3.6.2 All stations shall radiate the minimum power necessary to ensure a
satisfactory service.
3.7 Use of abbreviations and codes
3.7.1 Abbreviations and codes shall be used in the international aeronautical
telecommunication service whenever they are appropriate and their use will shorten
or otherwise facilitate communication.
3.7.1.1 Where abbreviations and codes other than those approved by ICAO are
contained in the text of messages, the originator shall, if so required by the
aeronautical telecommunication station accepting the message for transmission, make
available to that station a decode for the abbreviations and codes used.
3.8 Cancellation of messages
3.8.1 Messages shall be cancelled by a telecommunication station only when
cancellation is authorized by the message originator.
4. Aeronautical Fixed Service (AFS)
4.1 General
4.1.1 The aeronautical fixed service shall comprise the following systems and
applications that are used for ground-ground (i.e. point-to-point and/or point-to-
multipoint) communications in the international aeronautical telecommunication
service:
a) ATS direct speech circuits and networks;
b) meteorological operational circuits, networks and broad-cast systems;
c) the aeronautical fixed telecommunications network (AFTN);
d) the common ICAO data interchange network (CIDIN);
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e) the air traffic services (ATS) message handling services; and
f) the inter-centre communications (ICC).
4.1.2 Material permitted in AFS messages
Note.— The provisions contained in 4.1.2 do not apply to ATS voice communications.
4.1.2.1 The following characters are allowed in text messages: Letters:
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Figures: 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Other signs: - (hyphen)
? (question mark)
: (colon)
( (open bracket)
) (close bracket)
. (full stop, period, or decimal point)
, (comma)
‘ (apostrophe)
= (double hyphen or equal sign)
/ (oblique)
+ (plus sign)
Characters other than those listed above shall not be used in messages unless
absolutely necessary for understanding of the text. When used, they shall be spelled
out in full.
4.1.2.2 For the exchange of messages over the teletypewriter circuits, the
following signals of the International Telegraph Alphabet No. 2 (ITA-2) shall be
permitted:
signals nos. 1 to 3 - in letter and in figure case;
signal no. 4 - in letter case only;
signal no. 5 - in letter and in figure case;
signals nos. 6 to 8 - in letter case only;
signal no. 9 - in letter and in figure case;
signal no. 10 - in letter case only; and
signals nos. 11 to 31 - in letter and figure case.
4.1.2..3 For the exchange of messages over the teletypewriter circuits, the following
characters of Inter-national Alphabet No. 5 (IA-5) shall be permitted:
- characters 0/1 to 0/3, 0/7 - in the priority alarm (see 4.4.15.2.2.5), 0/10,
0/11 - in the ending sequence (see 4.4.15.3.12.1), 0/13;
- characters 2/0, 2/7 to 2/9, 2/11 to 2/15;
- characters 3/0 to 3/10, 3/13, 3/15;
- characters 4/1 to 4/15;
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- characters 5/0 to 5/10; and
- character 7/15.
4.1.2.3.1 The exchange of messages using the full IA-5 shall be subject to agreement
between the Administrations concerned.
4.1.2.4 Roman numerals shall not be employed. If the originator of a message
wishes the addressee to be informed that roman figures are intended, the arabic figure
or figures shall be written and preceded by the word ROMAN.
4.1.2.5 Messages using the ITA-2 code shall not contain:
1) any uninterrupted sequence of signals nos. 26, 3, 26 and 3 (letter case
and figure case) in this order, other than the one in the heading as
prescribed in 4.4.2.1.1; and
2) any uninterrupted sequence of four times signal no. 14 (letter case and
figure case) other than the one in the ending as prescribed in 4.4.6.1.
4.1.2.6 Messages using IA-5 shall not contain:
1) character 0/1 (SOH) other than the one in the heading as prescribed in
4.4.15.1.1 a);
2) character 0/2 (STX) other than the one in the origin line as prescribed in
4.4.15.2.2.7;
3) character 0/3 (ETX) other than the one in the ending as prescribed in
4.4.15.3.12.1;
4) any uninterrupted sequence of characters 5/10, 4/3, 5/10, 4/3 in this
order (ZCZC);
5) any uninterrupted sequence of characters 2/11, 3/10, 2/11, 3/10 in this
order (+:+:);
6) any uninterrupted sequence of four times character 4/14 (NNNN); and
7) any uninterrupted sequence of four times character 2/12 (,,,,).
4.1.2.7 The text of messages shall be drafted in plain language or in
abbreviations and codes, as prescribed in 3.7. The originator shall avoid the use of
plain language when reduction in the length of the text by appropriate abbreviations
and codes is practicable. Words and phrases which are not essential, such as
expressions of politeness, shall not be used.
4.1.2.8 If the originator of a message wishes alignment functions [<≡] to be
transmitted at specific places in the text part of such message (see 4.4.5.3 and
4.4.15.3.6), the sequence [< ≡] shall be written on each of those places.
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4.2 ATS Direct Speech circuits
Note: Requirements relating to ATS direct speech communications are contained in
Para 6 of CAR Section 4 Series ‘E’ Part II – Air Traffic Services.
4.3 Meteorological operational channels and meteorological
operational telecommunication networks
Meteorological operational channel procedures and meteorological operational
communication network procedures shall be compatible with aeronautical fixed
telecommunications network (AFTN) or ATS message handling services (AMHS)
procedures.
Note.— “Compatible” is to be interpreted as a mode of operation ensuring that the
information exchanged over the meteorological operational channels also can be
exchanged over the aeronautical fixed telecommunication network or AMHS without
harmful effect on the operation of the aeronautical fixed telecommunication network or
AMHS and vice versa.
4.4. Aeronautical fixed telecommunication network (AFTN)
4.4.1 General
4.4.1.1 Categories of messages. Subject to the provisions of 3.3, the following
categories of message shall be handled by the aeronautical fixed telecommunication
network:
a) distress messages;
b) urgency messages;
c) flight safety messages;
d) meteorological messages;
e) flight regularity messages;
f) aeronautical information services (AIS) messages;
g) aeronautical administrative messages;
h) service messages.
4.4.1.1.1 Distress messages (priority indicator SS). This message category
shall comprise those messages sent by mobile stations reporting that they are
threatened by grave and imminent danger and all other messages relative to the
immediate assistance required by the mobile station in distress.
4.4.1.1.2 Urgency messages (priority indicator DD). This category shall
comprise messages concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft or other vehicles, or of
some person on board or within sight.
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4.4.1.1.3 Flight safety messages (priority indicator FF) shall comprise:
a) movement and control messages as defined in PANS-ATM (Doc 4444),
Chapter 10;
b) messages originated by an aircraft operating agency of immediate
concern to aircraft in flight or preparing to depart;
c) meteorological messages restricted to SIGMET information, special air-
reports, AIRMET messages, volcanic ash and tropical cyclone advisory
information and amended forecasts.
4.4.1.1.4 Meteorological messages (priority indicator GG) shall comprise:
a) messages concerning forecasts, e.g. terminal aerodrome forecasts
(TAFs), area and route forecasts;
b) messages concerning observations and reports, e.g. METAR, SPECI.
4.4.1.1.5 Flight regularity messages (priority indicator GG) shall comprise:
a) aircraft load messages required for weight and balance computation;
b) messages concerning changes in aircraft operating schedules;
c) messages concerning aircraft servicing;
d) messages concerning changes in collective requirements for
passengers, crew and cargo covered by deviation from normal operating
schedules;
e) messages concerning non-routine landings;
f) messages concerning pre-flight arrangements for air navigation services
and operational servicing for non-scheduled aircraft operations, e.g.
overflight clearance requests;
g) messages originated by aircraft operating agencies reporting an aircraft
arrival or departure;
h) messages concerning parts and materials urgently required for the
operation of aircraft.
4.4.1.1.6 Aeronautical information services (AIS) messages (priority indicator GG)
shall comprise:
a) messages concerning NOTAMs;
b) messages concerning SNOWTAMs
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4.4.1.1.7 Aeronautical administrative messages (priority indicator KK) shall
comprise:
a) messages regarding the operation or maintenance of facilities provided
for the safety or regularity of aircraft operations;
b) messages concerning the functioning of aeronautical telecommunication
services;
c) messages exchanged between civil aviation authorities relating to
aeronautical services.
4.4.1.1.8 Messages requesting information shall take the same priority indicator
as the category of message being requested except where a higher priority is
warranted for flight safety.
4.4.1.1.9 Service messages (priority indicator as appropriate). This category shall
comprise messages originated by aeronautical fixed stations to obtain information or
verification concerning other messages which appear to have been transmitted
incorrectly by the aeronautical fixed service, confirming channel-sequence numbers,
etc.
4.4.1.1.9.1 Service messages shall be prepared in the format prescribed in 4.4.2 or
4.4.15. In applying the provisions of 4.4.3.1.2 or 4.4.15.2.1.3 to service messages
addressed to an aeronautical fixed station identified only by a location indicator, this
indicator shall be immediately followed by the ICAO three-letter designator YFY,
followed by an appropriate 8th letter.
4.4.1.1.9.2 Service messages shall be assigned the appropriate priority indicator.
4.4.1.1.9.2.1 When service messages refer to messages previously transmitted, the
priority indicator assigned shall be that used for the message(s) to which they refer.
4.4.1.1.9.3 Service messages correcting errors in transmission shall be addressed
to all the addressees that will have received the incorrect transmission.
4.4.1.1.9.4 A reply to a service message shall be addressed to the station which
originated the initial service message.
4.4.1.1.9.5 The text of all service messages shall be as concise as possible.
4.4.1.1.9.6 A service message, other than one acknowledging receipt of SS
messages, shall be further identified by the use of the abbreviation SVC as the first
item in the text.
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4.4.1.1.9.7 When a service message refers to a message previously handled,
reference to the previous message shall be made by use of the appropriate
transmission identification (see 4.4.2.1.1 b) and 4.4.15.1.1 b)) or the filing time and
originator indicator groups (see 4.4.4 and 4.4.15.2.2) identifying the reference
message.
4.4.1.2 Order of priority
4.4.1.2.1 The order of priority for the transmission of messages in the aeronautical
fixed telecommunication network shall be as follows:
Transmission priority Priority indicator
1 SS
2 DD FF
3 GG KK
4.4.1.2.2 Messages having the same priority indicator shall be transmitted in the
order in which they are received for transmission.
4.4.1.3 Routing of messages
4.4.1.3.1 All communications shall be routed by the most expeditious route
available to effect delivery to the addressee.
4.4.1.3.2 Predetermined diversion routing arrangements shall be made, when
necessary, to expedite the movement of communication traffic. Each communication
centre shall have the appropriate diversion routing lists, agreed to by the
Administration(s) operating the communication centres affected and shall use them
when necessary.
4.4.1.3.2.1 Diversion routing shall be initiated:
1) in a fully automatic communication centre:
a) immediately after detection of the circuit outage, when the traffic
is to be diverted via a fully automatic communication centre;
b) within a 10-minute period after detection of the circuit outage,
when the traffic is to be diverted via a non-fully automatic
communication centre;
2) in a non-fully automatic communication centre within a 10-minute period
after detection of the circuit outage.
Service message notification of the diversion requirement should be provided where
no bilateral or multilateral prearranged agreements exist.
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4.4.1.3.3 As soon as it is apparent that it will be impossible to dispose of traffic
over the aeronautical fixed service within a reasonable period, and when the traffic is
held at the station where it was filed, the originator shall be consulted regarding further
action to be taken, unless:
a) otherwise agreed between the station concerned and the originator; or
b) arrangements exist whereby delayed traffic is automatically diverted to
commercial telecommunication services without reference to the
originator.
4.4.1.4 Supervision of message traffic
4.4.1.4.1 Continuity of message traffic. The receiving station shall check the
transmission identification of incoming transmissions to ensure the correct sequence
of channel-sequence numbers of all messages received over that channel.
4.4.1.4.1.1 When the receiving station detects that one or more channel-sequence
numbers are missing, it shall send a complete service message (see 4.4.1.1.9) to the
previous station rejecting receipt of any message that may have been transmitted with
such missing number(s). The text of this service message shall comprise the signal
QTA, the procedure signal MIS followed by one or more missing transmission
identification (see 4.4.2.1.1.3 and 4.4.15.1.1.4) and the end- of-text signal (see 4.4.5.6
and 4.4.15.3.12).
Note.— The following examples illustrate application of the above-mentioned
procedure. In example 2) the hyphen (-) separator is understood to mean “through” in
plain language.
1) when one channel-sequence number is missing:
2) when several channel-sequence numbers are missing:
4.4.1.4.1.1.1 When the provisions of 4.4.1.4.1.1 are applied, the station notified of the
missing message(s) condition by the service message shall reassume its responsibility
for transmission of the message (or messages) that it had previously transmitted with
the transmission identification concerned, and shall retransmit that message (or those
messages) with a new (correct in sequence) transmission identification. The receiving
station shall synchronize such that the next expected channel-sequence number is the
last received channel-sequence number plus one.
4.4.1.4.1.2 When the receiving station detects that a message has a channel
sequence number less than that expected, it should advise the previous station using
a service message with a text comprising:
1) the abbreviation SVC;
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2) the procedure signal LR followed by the transmission identification of the
received message;
3) the procedure signal EXP followed by the transmission identification
expected;
4) the end-of-text signal.
4.4.1.4.1.2.1 When the provisions of 4.4.1.4.1.2 are applied, the station
receiving the out-of- sequence message should synchronize such that the next
expected channel-sequence number is the last received channel-sequence number
plus one. The previous station should check its outgoing channel-sequence numbers
and, if necessary, correct the sequence.
4.4.1.4.2 Misrouted messages
Note.— A message is considered to have been misrouted when it contains no relaying
instructions, expressed or implied, on which the receiving station can take action.
4.4.1.4.2.1 When the receiving station detects that a message has been misrouted
to it, it shall either:
1) send a service message (see 4.4.1.1.9) to the previous station rejecting
receipt of the misrouted message; or
2) itself assume responsibility for transmission of the message to all
addressee indicators.
4.4.1.4.2.2 When the provisions of 4.4.1.4.2.1, 1) are applied, the text of the service
message shall comprise the abbreviation SVC, the signal QTA, the procedure signal
MSR followed by the transmission identification (see 4.4.2.1.1.3 and 4.4.15.1.1.4) of
the misrouted message and the end-of-text signal (see 4.4.5.6 and 4.4.15.3.12).
4.4.1.4.2.3 When, as a result of the provisions of 4.4.1.4.2.2, a sending station is
notified of the misrouted message condition by service message, it shall reassume its
responsibility for the message and shall retransmit as necessary on the correct
outgoing channel or channels.
4.4.1.4.3 When a circuit becomes interrupted and alternative facilities exist, the
last channel-sequence numbers sent and received shall be exchanged between the
stations concerned. Such exchanges shall take the form of complete service
messages (see 4.4.1.1.9) with the text comprising the abbreviation SVC, the
procedure signals LR and LS followed by the transmission identifications of the
relevant messages and the end-of-text signal (see 4.4.5.6 and 4.4.15.3.12).
4.4.1.5 Failure of communications
4.4.1.5.1 Should communication on any fixed service circuit fail, the station
concerned shall attempt to re-establish contact as soon as possible.
4.4.1.5.2 If contact cannot be re-established within a reasonable period on the
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normal fixed service circuit, an appropriate alternative circuit should be used. If
possible, attempts should be made to establish communication on any authorized fixed
service circuit available.
4.4.1.5.2.1 If these attempts fail, use of any available air-ground frequency shall be
permitted only as an exceptional and temporary measure when no interference to
aircraft in flight is ensured.
4.4.1.5.2.2 Where a radio circuit fails due to signal fade- out or adverse propagation
conditions, a receiving watch shall be maintained on the regular fixed service
frequency normally in use. In order to re-establish contact on this frequency as soon
as possible there shall be transmitted:
a) the procedure signal DE;
b) the identification of the transmitting station transmitted three times;
c) the alignment function [< ≡];
d) the letters RY repeated without separation for three lines of page copy;
e) the alignment function [ < ≡ ];
f) end-of-message signal (NNNN).
The foregoing sequence shall be repeated as required.
4.4.1.5.2.3 A station experiencing a circuit or equipment failure shall promptly notify
other stations with which it is in direct communication if the failure will affect traffic
routing by those stations. Restoration to normal shall also be notified to the same
stations.
4.4.1.5.3 Where diverted traffic will not be accepted automatically or where a
predetermined diversion routing has not been agreed, a temporary diversion routing
shall be established by the exchange of service messages. The text of such service
messages shall comprise:
1) the abbreviation SVC;
2) the procedure signal QSP;
3) if required, the procedure signal RQ, NO or CNL to request, refuse or
cancel a diversion;
4) identification of the routing areas, States, territories, locations, or stations
for which the diversion applies;
5) the end-of-text signal.
4.4.1.6 Long-term retention of AFTN traffic record
4.4.1.6.1 Copies of all messages, in their entirety, transmitted by an AFTN origin
station shall be retained for a period of at least 30 days.
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4.4.1.6.2 AFTN destination stations shall retain, for a period of at least 30 days, a
record containing the information necessary to identify all messages received and the
action taken thereon.
4.4.1.6.3 AFTN communication centres should retain, for a period of at least 30
days, a record containing the information necessary to identify all messages relayed
or retransmitted and the action taken thereon.
4.4.1.7 Short-term retention of AFTN traffic records
4.4.1.7.1 Except as provided in 4.4.1.7.2, AFTN communication centres shall
retain, for a period of at least one hour, a copy of all messages, in their entirety,
retransmitted or relayed by that communication centre.
4.4.1.7.2 In cases where acknowledgement is made between AFTN
communication centres, a relay centre shall be considered as having no further
responsibility for retransmission or repetition of a message for which it has received
positive acknowledgement, and it may be deleted from its records.
4.4.1.8 Test procedures on AFTN channels
4.4.1.8.1 Test messages transmitted on AFTN channels for the purpose of testing
and repairing lines shall consist of the following:
1) the start-of-message signal;
2) the procedure signal QJH;
3) the originator indicator;
4) three page-copy lines of the sequence of characters RY in ITA-2 or
U(5/5) *(2/10) in IA-5; and
5) the end-of-message signal.
4.4.2 Message format - International Telegraph Alphabet No. 2 (ITA-2)
All messages, other than those prescribed in 4.4.1.8 and 4.4.9.3, shall comprise the
components specified in 4.4.2.1 to 4.4.6.1 inclusive.
Note — An illustration of the ITA-2 message format is given in Figure 4-1.
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4.4.2.1 Heading
4.4.2.1.1 The heading shall comprise:
a) start-of-message signal, the characters ZCZC;
b) transmission identification comprising:
1) circuit identification;
2) channel-sequence number.
c) additional service information (if necessary) comprising:
1) one SPACE;
2) no more than ten characters.
d) spacing signal.
4.4.2.1.1.1 The circuit identification shall consist of three letters selected and
assigned by the transmitting station; the first letter identifying the transmitting, the
second letter the receiving end of the circuit and the third letter to identify the channel;
where there is only one channel between the transmitting and receiving stations,
channel letter A shall be assigned; where more than one channel between stations is
provided, the channels shall be identified as A, B, C, etc. in respective order.
4.4.2.1.1.2 Three-digit channel-sequence numbers from 001 to 000 (representing 1
000) shall be assigned sequentially by telecommunication stations to all messages
transmitted directly from one station to another. A separate series of these numbers
shall be assigned for each channel and a new series shall be started daily at 0000
hours.
4.4.2.1.1.2.1 The use of the 4-digit channel-sequence number, to preclude duplication
of the same numbers during the 24-hour period, is permitted subject to agreement
between the authorities responsible for the operation of the circuit.
4.4.2.1.1.3 The transmission identification shall be sent over the circuit in the
following sequence:
a) SPACE [→ ];
b) transmitting-terminal letter;
c) receiving-terminal letter;
d) channel-identification letter;
e) FIGURE SHIFT [ ↑ ];
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f) channel-sequence number (3 digits).
4.4.2.1.2. In teletypewriter operation, the spacing signal, consisting of 5 SPACES
[ →→→→→]followed by 1 LETTER SHIFT [↓], shall be transmitted immediately
following the transmission identification prescribed in 4.4.2.1.1.3.
4.4.2.1.3 Optional service information shall be permitted to be inserted following
the transmission identification subject to agreement between the authorities
responsible for the operation of the circuit. Such additional service information shall be
preceded by a SPACE followed by not more than ten characters and shall not contain
any alignment functions.
4.4.2.1.4 To avoid any misinterpretation of the diversion indicator especially when
considering the possibility of a partly mutilated heading, the sequence of two
consecutive signals no. 22 (in the letter case or in the figure case) should not appear
in any other component of the heading.
4.4.3. Address
4.4.3.1 The address shall comprise:
a) alignment function [< ≡ ];
b) priority indicator;
c) addressee indicator(s);
d) alignment function [< ≡ ];
4.4.3.1.1 The priority indicator shall consist of the appropriate two-letter group
assigned by the originator in accordance with the following:
Message category: Priority Indicator:
Distress messages SS
Urgency messages DD
Flight safety messages FF
Meteorological messages GG
Flight Regularity messages GG
Aeronautical information services messages GG
Aeronautical administrative messages KK
Service messages as appropriate
4.4.3.1.2 An addressee indicator, which shall be immediately preceded by a
SPACE, except when it is the first address indicator of the second or third line of
address shall comprise:
a) the four-letter location indicator of the place of destination;
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b) the three-letter designator identifying the organization/ function
(aeronautical authority, service or aircraft operating agency) addressed;
c) an additional letter, which shall represent a department, division or
process within the organization/function addressed. The letter X shall be
used to complete the address when explicit identification is not required.
4.4.3.1.2.1 Where a message is to be addressed to an organization that has not
been allocated an ICAO three-letter designator of the type prescribed in 4.4.3.1.2, the
location indicator of the place of destination shall be followed by the ICAO three-letter
designator YYY (or the ICAO three-letter designator YXY in the case of a military
service or organization). The name of the addressee organization shall then be
included in the first item of the text of the message. The eighth position letter following
the ICAO three-letter designator YYY or YXY shall be the filler letter X.
4.4.3.1.2.2 Where a message is to be addressed to an aircraft in flight and,
therefore, requires handling over the AFTN for part of its routing before retransmission
over the aeronautical mobile service, the location indicator of the aeronautical station
which is to relay the message to the aircraft shall be followed by the ICAO three-letter
designator ZZZ. The identification of the aircraft shall then be included in the first item
of the text of the message. The eighth position letter following the ICAO three-letter
designator ZZZ shall be the filler letter X.
4.4.3.1.2.3 The complete address shall be restricted to three lines of page-printing
copy and, except as provided in 4.4.14, a separate addressee indicator shall be used
for each addressee whether at the same or at different locations.
4.4.3.1.2.3.1 Where messages are offered in page-copy form for transmission and
contain more addressee indicators than can be accommodated on three lines of a
page-copy, such message shall be converted, before transmission, into two or more
messages, each of which shall conform with the provisions of 4.4.3.1.2.3. During such
conversion, the addressee indicators shall, in so far as practicable, be positioned in
the sequence which will ensure that the minimum number of retransmissions will be
required at subsequent communication centres.
4.4.3.1.2.3.2 On teletypewriter circuits, the completion of each line of addressee
indicator groups in the address of a message shall be immediately followed by the
alignment function [< ≡ ];
4.4.4 Origin
The origin shall comprise:
a) filing time;
b) originator indicator;
c) priority alarm (when necessary);
d) optional heading field;
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e) alignment function [< ≡ ];
4.4.4.1 The filing time shall comprise the 6-digit date-time group indicating the
date and time of filing the message for transmission (see 3.4.2); in teletypewriter
operation, the filing time shall be followed by one LETTER SHIFT [↓].
4.4.4.2 An originator indicator, which shall be immediately preceded by a
SPACE, shall comprise:
a) the four-letter location indicator of the place at which the message is
originated;
b) the three-letter designator identifying the organization/ function
(aeronautical authority, service or aircraft operating agency) which
originated the message;
c) an additional letter which shall represent a department, division or
process within the organization/function of the originator. The letter X
shall be used to complete the address when explicit identification is not
required.
4.4.4.2.1 Where a message is originated by an organization that has not been
allocated an ICAO three-letter designator of the type prescribed in 4.4.4.2 b), the
location indicator of the place at which the message is originated shall be followed
immediately by the ICAO three-letter designator YYY followed by the filler letter X (or
the ICAO three-letter designator YXY followed by the filler letter X in the case of a
military service or organization). The name of the organization (or military service) shall
then be included in the first item in the text of the message.
4.4.4.2.2 Where a message originated by an aircraft in flight requires handling on
the AFTN for part of its routing before delivery, the originator indicator shall comprise
the location indicator of the aeronautical station responsible for transferring the
message to the AFTN, followed immediately by the ICAO three-letter designator ZZZ
followed by the filler letter X. The identification of the aircraft shall then be included in
the first item in the text of the message.
4.4.4.2.3 Messages relayed over the AFTN that have been originated in other
networks shall use a valid AFTN originator indicator that has been agreed for use by
the relay or gateway function linking the AFTN with the external network.
4.4.4.3 The priority alarm shall be used only for distress messages. When used,
it shall consist of the following, in the order stated:
a) FIGURE SHIFT [ ↑ ];
b) FIVE transmissions of signal no. 10 (figure case);
c) LETTER SHIFT [ ↓ ].
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4.4.4.4 The inclusion of optional data in the origin line shall be permitted
provided a total of 69 characters is not exceeded and subject to agreement between
the authorities concerned.
4.4.4.4.1 The presence of the optional data field shall be indicated by one
occurrence of the space character and terminated by the alignment function.
4.4.4.4.2 When additional addressing information in a message needs to be
exchanged between source and destination addresses, it should be conveyed in the
optional data field (ODF), using the following specific format:
a) characters one and full stop (1) to indicate the parameter code for the
additional address function;
b) three modifier characters, followed by an equal sign [=] and the assigned
8-character ICAO address; and
c) the character hyphen (-) to terminate the additional address parameter
field.
4.4.4.4.2.1 When a separate address for service messages or inquiries is different
from the originator indicator, the modifier SVC should be used.
4.4.4.5 The origin line shall be concluded by an alignment function [< ≡ ];
4.4.5 Text
4.4.5.1 The text of messages shall be drafted in accordance with 4.1.2
4.4.5.2 When an originator’s reference is used, it shall appear at the beginning
of the text, except as provided in 4.4.5.2.1 and 4.4.5.2.2.
4.4.5.2.1 When the ICAO three-letter designators YXY, YYY or ZZZ comprise the
second element of the addressee indicator (see 4.4.3.1.2.1 and 4.4.3.1.2.2) and it,
therefore, becomes necessary to identify in the text the specific addressee of the
message, such identification group will precede the originator’s reference (if used) and
become the first item of the text.
4.4.5.2.2 When the ICAO three-letter designators YXY, YYY or ZZZ comprise the
second element of the originator indicator (see 4.4.4.2.1 and 4.4.4.2.2) and it thus
becomes necessary to identify in the text the name of the organization (or military
service), or the aircraft, which originated the message, such identification shall be
inserted in the first item of the text of the message.
4.4.5.2.3 When applying the provisions of 4.4.5.2.1 and 4.4.5.2.2 to messages
where the ICAO three-letter designator(s) YXY, YYY or ZZZ is (are) used to refer to
two or more different organizations (or military services), the sequence of further
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identification in the text shall correspond to the complete sequence used in the address
and origin of the message. In such instance, each addressee identification shall be
followed immediately by an alignment function. The name of the (YXY, YYY or ZZZ)
organization originating the message shall then be preceded with “FROM”. “STOP”
followed by an alignment function shall then be included in the text at the end of these
identifications to precede the remainder of the text wording.
4.4.5.3 An alignment function [< ≡ ]; shall be transmitted at the end of each
printed line of the text except for the last (see 4.4.5.6).
4.4.5.4 When it is desired to confirm a portion of the text of a message in
teletypewriter operation, such confirmation shall be separated from the last text group
by an alignment function [< ≡ ]; and shall be indicated by the abbreviation CFM followed
by the portion being confirmed.
4.4.5.5 When it is discovered that an error has been made in the text, the
correction shall be separated from the last text group or confirmation, if any, by an
alignment function [< ≡ ]; in the case of teletypewriter circuits. This shall be followed
by the abbreviation COR and the correction.
4.4.5.5.1 Stations shall make all indicated corrections on the page-copy prior to
local delivery.
4.4.5.6 At the end of the text the following end-of-text signal shall be transmitted:
1 LETTER SHIFT [ ↓ ], alignment function [< ≡ ];
4.4.5.7 The text of the messages entered by the AFTN origin station shall not
exceed 1 800 characters in length.
4.4.6 Ending
4.4.6.1 The ending shall comprise:
a) the page-feed sequence consisting of 7 LINE FEEDS [≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡ ≡];
b) the end-of-message signal, consisting of the letter N (letter case of signal
no. 14), appearing FOUR times in undivided sequence.
And in addition, on message traffic transmitted to “torn-tape” relay
stations only:
c) the message-separation signal, consisting of a LETTER SHIFT [ ↓ ]
transmitted 12 times in uninterrupted sequence.
4.4.6.2 AFTN messages entered by the AFTN origin station shall not exceed 2
100 characters in length.
30CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
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4.4.7 Tape feed
4.4.7.1 Intentionally left blank
4.4.7.1.1 Arrangements shall be made with the transmitting station for the latter to
send, at the end of a single message, or following the last message of a series, an
agreed number of LETTER SHIFTS [ ↓ ] in addition to the components prescribed in
4.4.6
4.4.8 Stripped address
4.4.8.1 When applying the provisions of 4.4.3 or 4.4.15.2.1, an AFTN
communication centre shall omit from the address all the addressee indicators not
required for:
a) onward transmission by the AFTN communication centre to which the
message is transmitted;
b) local delivery to the addressee(s) by the AFTN destination station;
c) onward transmission or local delivery by the aggregate of stations on a
multi-point circuit.
4.4.9 Teletypewriter operating procedure - general
4.4.9.1 End-of-line functions
4.4.9.1.1 A single line of page-copy shall not contain more than a total of 69
characters and/or spaces.
4.4.9.1.2 One CARRIAGE RETURN [<] and one LINE FEED IMPULSES [≡] shall
be transmitted between each printed page-line of the text of a message.
4.4.9.2 Duration of transmissions. For simplex circuits, the transmission of a
series of messages in a single transmission shall not continue for longer than
approximately five minutes. Action shall be taken to deliver or relay each message
correctly received without waiting for the end of the series.
4.4.9.3 Channel-check transmissions. Except as provided in 4.4.9.3.3 and
4.4.9.3.5 the following periodic transmissions shall be sent on teletypewriter circuits:
1) heading (see 4.4.2.1.1);
2) alignment function [< ≡ ];
3) the procedure signal CH;
4) alignment function [< ≡ ];
5) end-of-message signal [NNNN];
31CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
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6) message-separation signal [↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓] (if required).
The receiving station shall then check the transmission identification of this incoming
transmission to ensure its correct sequence in respect of all messages received over
that incoming channel.
4.4.9.3.1 Where a circuit is unoccupied, the transmission specified in 4.4.9.3
should be sent at H + 00, H + 20, H + 40.
4.4.9.3.2 Where a circuit is unoccupied, the transmission specified in 4.4.9.3
should be sent at H + 00, H + 20, H + 40.
1) the abbreviation SVC;
2) the procedure signal MIS;
3) the procedure signal CH;
4) (optionally) the time at which the transmission was expected;
5) the procedure signal LR;
6) the transmission identification of the last message received;
7) the end-of-text signal.
4.4.9.3.3 When a teletypewriter channel is equipped with a system of controlled
circuit protocol, and following agreement between the Administrations responsible, the
transmission specified in 4.4.9.3 shall not be made.
4.4.9.3.4 Intentionally left blank
4.4.9.3.5 Intentionally left blank
4.4.10 Normal teletypewriter transmission procedures
4.4.10.1 Messages shall be transmitted in accordance with predetermined
responsibility for onward relay as agreed between the Administrations responsible for
the operation of directly connected stations (see also 4.4.1.3 and 4.4.1.5.2.3).
4.4.10.1.1 Arising from the responsibility agreements established under the
provisions of 4.4.10.1, each station of the AFTN shall employ and, subject to the
provisions of 4.4.10.1.1.1, adhere to a Routing Directory which consists of the Routing
List.
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4.4.10.1.1.1 When an incoming message contains only identical location indicators in
the lines-following-the-heading the receiving station shall accept responsibility for
further relay. If possible such relay shall be effected on the normal outgoing circuit to
the place of destination of the message; if it is not possible to use the normal circuit,
an appropriate alternative outgoing circuit shall be used. When neither of these
facilities is in operation, the message shall not be retransmitted over the circuit from
which it was received, without prior service message (see 4.4.1.1.9) notification of this
action being given to the station that had made the previous transmission.
4.4.10.1.1.2 An AFTN message originator not capable of handling service messages
should agree with the AFTN centre it is connected to on a method of exchanging
service messages.
4.4.10.1.2 Form of transmission - teletypewriter operation. All transmissions shall
comprise in the following order (see Figure 4-2).
4.4.10.1.2.1 Starting pulse. When the receiving station uses equipment fitted with a
time-switch to stop the teletype-writer machine motor when the channel is idle, a 20-
30 milli-second SPACING IMPULSE shall be transmitted when the channel has been
at rest for 30 seconds or more and at least 1.5seconds shall be permitted to elapse
before the transmission of the heading.
4.4.10.1.3 Message format. All messages shall be prepared in accordance with the
provisions of 4.4.2 (ITA-2 format) or 4.4.15 (IA-5 format).
4.4.10.1.3.1 The Heading Line, with the exception of the SOH character, should be
omitted on circuits employing one of the data link control procedures contained in 8.6.3
and 8.6.4 of Annex 10, Volume III.
4.4.10.1.4 Reprocessing procedures
4.4.10.1.4.1 A message requiring retransmission shall have its previous heading
deleted by the station which received such message for relay. The retransmission shall
commence with the new heading using the transmission identification for the outgoing
channel.
4.4.10.1.4.1.1 When applying the provisions of 4.4.10.1.4.1, transmission of the
address part of the message shall commence at some point during the 5 SPACES, 1
LETTER SHIFT[→→→→→↓] immediately preceding the first alignment function [< ≡
];
4.4.10.1.4.1.2 Intentionally left blank
4.4.10.1.4.1.3 Intentionally left blank
4.4.10.1.4.2 Intentionally left blank.
4.4.10.1.4.2.1 Intentionally left blank
4.4.10.1.5 Intentionally left blank
33CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
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4.4.10.1.6 Acknowledgement of receipt of messages. In teletypewriter operation
and except as provided in 4.4.10.1.6.1, a receiving station shall not transmit
acknowledgement of receipt of incoming messages. In lieu thereof the provisions of
4.4.1.4.1 shall be applied.
4.4.10.1.6.1 The receipt of distress messages (priority SS - see 4.4.1.1.1) shall be
individually acknowledged by the AFTN destination station sending a service message
(see 4.4.1.1.9) to the AFTN origin station. Such acknowledgement of receipt shall take
the format of a complete message addressed to the AFTN origin station, shall be
assigned priority indicator SS and the associated priority alarm (see 4.4.4.3) and shall
have a text comprising:
1) the procedure signal R;
2) the origin (see 4.4.4), without priority alarm, or optional heading
information of the message being acknowledged;
3) the end-of-text signal [↓< ≡ ]
4.4.10.1.7 In cases where an addressee of a multi-address message requests a
repetition of the message from the origin station, the origin station shall address the
repeat of the message only to the addressee requesting the repeat. Under these
conditions the procedure signal DUPE shall not be included.
4.4.11 Action on mutilated or improperly formatted messages detected in
teletypewriter relay stations
4.4.11.1 If, before retransmission is commenced, a relay station detects that a
message has been mutilated or improperly formatted at some point ahead of the end-
of-message signal, and it has reason to believe that this mutilation had occurred before
the message had been received by the previous station, it shall send a service
message (see 4.4.1.1.9) to the originator as identified by the originator indicator in the
origin of the mutilated or improperly formatted message, requesting repetition of the
incorrectly received message.
4.4.11.2 When the provisions of 4.4.11.1 are applied, the originator as identified
by the originator indicator in the origin of the mutilated message shall reassume
responsibility for the mutilated message, and shall comply with the provisions of
4.4.11.3.
4.4.11.3 Following application of the provisions of 4.4.11.2, the following
reprocessing shall be accomplished before the unmutilated version of the message is
transmitted for the second time towards the same addressee or addressees:
1) insert a new heading;
2) remove the ending of the message (see 4.4.6.1);
34CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
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3) insert in lieu thereof the procedure signal DUPE, preceded by at least 1
LETTER SHIFT [↓] and followed by 1 CARRIAGE RETURN, 8 LINE
FEEDS,end-of-message signal and, if necessary (see 4.4.6 and 4.4.7),
the LETTER SHIFTS [↓] of the message-separation signal and tape feed.
4.4.11.4 If, before retransmission is commenced, a relay station detects that one
or more messages have been mutilated at some point ahead of the end-of-message
signal, and it has reason to believe that this mutilation had occurred during or
subsequent to its transmission from the previous station, it shall send a service
message (see 4.4.1.1.9) to the previous station rejecting the mutilated transmission
and requesting a repetition of the incorrectly received message (or messages).
4.4.11.5 When the provisions of 4.4.11.4 are applied, the station receiving the
service message shall reassume responsibility for the referenced message. It shall
then retransmit the unmutilated copy of the referenced message with a new (i.e.
correct in sequence) transmission identification (see 4.4.2.1.1 b)). If that station is not
in possession of an unmutilated copy of the original message, it shall take the action
prescribed in 4.4.11.1.
4.4.11.6 If, before retransmission is commenced, a relay station detects that a
received message has a recognizable but mutilated end-of-message signal, it shall,
where necessary, repair this mutilation before retransmission.
4.4.11.7 If, during retransmission of a message, a relay station detects that the
message has been mutilated at some point ahead of the end-of-message signal and
is able to take action before a correct end-of-message signal has been transmitted, it
shall:
1) cancel the transmission by inserting into the channel the sequence [↓<
≡ ] QTA→QTA[↓< ≡ ] followed by a complete ending (see 4.4.6);
2) reassume responsibility for the message;
3) comply with the provisions of 4.4.11.1 or 4.4.11.4 as appropriate.
4.4.11.8 If, after a message has been transmitted in toto, a station detects that
the text or the origin of the message was mutilated or incomplete, it shall transmit to
all addressees concerned a service message with the following text, if an unmutilated
copy of the message is available in the station:
SVC CORRECTION (the origin of the incorrect message)
STOP (followed by the correct text).
4.4.11.9 If, after transmission of the text of a message, a relay station detects that
the message has an obviously mutilated end-of-message signal, it shall insert a proper
end-of-message signal into the channel.
35CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
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4.4.11.10 If, after transmission of the text material of a message, a relay station
can detect that there is no complete end-of-message signal, but has no practicable
means of discovering whether the irregularity has affected only the end-of-message
signal or whether it may have also caused part of the original text to have been lost, it
shall insert into the channel the following:
1) ↓< ≡ CHECK≡ TEXT≡
NEW→ ENDING →ADDED
2) its own station identification;
3) ↓< ≡
4) a proper ending as prescribed in 4.4.6.1.
4.4.11.11 Relay stations applying the procedural provisions of 4.4.11.9 or
4.4.11.10 should, if practicable, ensure that the appropriate material therein prescribed
is inserted prior to the transmission of a complete start-of-message signal associated
with any following message.
4.4.11.12 If a relay station detects that a message was received with a completely
mutilated address line, it shall send a service message to the previous station rejecting
the mutilated transmission.
4.4.11.12.1 The text of this service message shall comprise:
1) the abbreviation SVC;
2) the procedure signal QTA;
3) the procedure signal ADS;
4) the transmission identification of the message rejected;
5) the indication CORRUPT;
6) the end-of-text signal.
4.4.11.12.2 The station receiving such a service message shall reassume
responsibility for the referenced message, and shall retransmit the message with a
corrected address line, and a new transmission identification.
4.4.11.13 If a relay station detects a received message with an invalid (i.e. length
other than 8 letters) or unknown addressee indicator, it shall relay the message to
those valid addresses for which it has relay responsibility using the stripped address
procedure (see 4.4.8).
4.4.11.13.1 In addition, except as in 4.4.11.13.3, the station shall send a service
message to the previous station requesting correction of the error. The text of this
service message shall comprise:
36CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
SERIES D PART III 18TH NOVEMBER 2016
1) the abbreviation SVC;
2) the procedure signal ADS;
3) the transmission identification of the message in error;
4) an alignment function;
5) the first address line of the message as received;
6) an alignment function;
7) either:
a) for an invalid addressee indicator: the indication CHECK;
b) for an unknown addressee indicator: the indication UNKNOWN;
8) the invalid or unknown addressee indicator(s);
9) the end-of-text signal.
4.4.11.13.2 A station receiving a service message as prescribed in 4.4.11.13.1 shall,
if a correct addressee indicator is available, repeat the message to that addressee only
using the stripped address procedure (see 4.4.8) or, if a correct addressee indicator is
not available, act as prescribed in 4.4.11.13.1.
4.4.11.13.3 Where the procedure of 4.4.11.13 is applied in the case of an unknown
addressee indicator, and if the origin of the message is without fault, the station shall
send a service message to the originator. The text of this service message shall
comprise:
1) the abbreviation SVC;
2) the procedure signal ADS;
3) the origin of the message in error;
4) an alignment function;
5) the first address line of the message as received;
6) an alignment function;
7) the indication UNKNOWN;
8) the unknown addressee indicator(s);
9) the end-of-text signal.
37CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
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4.4.11.13.4 A station receiving such a service message shall obtain a correct
addressee indicator and shall repeat the message to the addressee using the stripped
address procedure (see 4.4.8).
4.4.11.14 When the first relay station detects that a message was received with a
mutilated origin line or without any origin, it shall:
a) stop processing the message;
b) send a service message to the station from which the message was
received.
4.4.11.14.1 The text of this service message shall comprise:
1) the abbreviation SVC;
2) the procedure signal QTA;
3) the procedure signal OGN;
4) the transmission identification of the message rejected;
5) the indication CORRUPT;
6) the end-of-text signal.
4.4.11.14.2 The station receiving a service message as prescribed in 4.4.11.14.1
shall reassume responsibility for the referenced message and shall retransmit the
message with a correct origin line and a new transmission identification.
Note.— When applying the provisions of 4.4.11.14, the minimum requirements for
processing the origin of AFTN messages are:
1) the date-time group consisting of six numeric characters;
2) the originator indicator consisting of eight alpha characters.
38CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
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4.4.11.15 When the first relay station detects that a message was received with an
incorrect originator indicator, it shall:
a) stop processing the message; and
b) send a service message to the station from which the message was
received.
4.4.11.15.1 The text of the service message shall comprise:
1) the abbreviation SVC;
2) the procedure signal QTA;
3) the procedure signal OGN;
4) the transmission identification of the message rejected;
5) the indicator INCORRECT; and
6) the end-of-text signal.
4.4.11.15.2 The station receiving a service message as prescribed in 4.4.11.15.1
shall resume responsibility for the referenced message and shall retransmit the
message with a correct originator indicator and, if applicable, a new transmission
identification.
4.4.12 Intentionally left blank
4.4.13 Correction of errors during message origination in cases where the
message is flowing into the AFTN during preparation
4.4.13.1 Messages flowing into the AFTN during preparation shall not be
terminated with an end-of-message signal if they contain known uncorrected errors.
4.4.13.2 Where an error is made, in this circumstance, in any part of the message
which precedes the text, the unfinished message shall be cancelled by sending the
sequence ↓< ≡ QTA→QTA↓< ≡ followed by a complete ending (see 4.4.6).
4.4.13.3 Errors made in the text and noticed immediately shall be corrected by
making the error sign (→ E→ E→ E→), transmitting the last correct word or group and
then continuing with the message.
4.4.13.4 In cases where errors are made in the text and not noticed until later in
the origination process, the station shall comply with the provisions of 4.4.5.5.
4.4.13.5 In cases where it becomes obvious, during the origination of the text, that
the message should be cancelled, the station shall take the action described in
4.4.13.2.
39CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
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4.4.14 Predetermined distribution system for AFTN messages
4.4.14.1 When it has been agreed between the Administrations concerned to
make use of a predetermined distribution system for AFTN messages, the system
described below shall be used.
4.4.14.2 The Predetermined Distribution Addressee Indicator (PDAI) shall be
constructed as follows:
a) The first and second letters:
The first two letters of the Location Indicator of the communications
centre of the State which has agreed to implement the system and which
receives messages over a circuit for which it has a predetermined
routing responsibility;
b) The third and fourth letters:
The letters ZZ, indicating a requirement for special distribution;
c) The fifth, sixth and seventh letters:
1) The fifth, sixth and seventh letters taken from the series A to Z
and denoting the national and/or international distribution list(s) to
be used by the receiving AFTN centre;
2) “N” and “S”, as the fifth letter, are reserved for NOTAM and
SNOWTAM respectively (see Appendix 5 to Annex 15);
d) The eighth letter:
Either the filler letter “X” or a letter taken from the series A to Z to further define the
national and/or international distribution list(s) to be used by the receiving AFTN
centre.
4.4.14.3 PANS.— Predetermined Distribution Addressee Indicators (PDAIs)
should be used whenever possible on AFTN messages between States which have
agreed to make use of the predetermined distribution system.
4.4.14.4 AFTN messages carrying Predetermined Distribution Addressee
Indicators allocated by the State receiving the message shall be routed to the
addressees listed on the associated list of Addressee Indicators described in 4.4.14.5.
4.4.14.5 States shall send their list of selected Predetermined Distribution
Addressee Indicators together with the associated lists of Addressee Indicators to:
a) the States from which they will receive AFTN messages for
predetermined distribution, to assure correct routing; and
40CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
SERIES D PART III 18TH NOVEMBER 2016
b) the States which will originate AFTN messages for predetermined
distribution to facilitate the treatment of requests for retransmission and
to assist originators in using the Predetermined Distribution Addressee
Indicators correctly.
4.4.14.5.1 The list of Addressee Indicators associated with a Predetermined
Distribution Addressee Indicator shall include either:
a) Addressee Indicators for national distribution; or
b) Addressee Indicators for international distribution; or
c) Predetermined Distribution Addressee Indicators for international
distribution; or
d) any combination of a), b) and c).
4.4.15 Message format - International Alphabet No. 5 (IA-5)
When it has been agreed between the Administrations concerned to use International
Alphabet No. 5 (IA-5) the format described in 4.4.15 through 4.4.15.3 shall be used. It
shall be the responsibility of Administrations using IA-5 to accommodate adjacent
AFTN stations employing ITA-2 code in the format described in 4.4.2.
All messages, other than those prescribed in 4.4.1.8 and 4.4.9.3 shall comprise the
components specified in 4.4.15.1 to 4.4.15.6 inclusive.
Note 1.— An illustration of the IA-5 message format is given in Figure 4-4.
41CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
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4.4.15.1 Heading
4.4.15.1.1 The heading shall comprise:
a) start-of-heading (SOH) character 0/1;
b) transmission identification comprising:
1) circuit or link identification;
2) channel-sequence number;
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c) additional service information (if necessary) comprising:
1) one SPACE;
2) no more than 10 characters.
4.4.15.1.1.1 On point-to-point circuits or links, the identification shall consist of three
letters selected and assigned by the transmitting station; the first letter identifying the
transmitting, the second letter the receiving end of the circuit, and the third letter the
channel. Where only one channel exists, the letter A shall be assigned. Where more
than one channel between stations is provided, the channels shall be identified as A,
B, C, etc., in respective order. On multipoint channels, the identification shall consist
of three letters selected and assigned by the circuit control or master station.
4.4.15.1.1.2 Except as provided in 4.4.15.1.1.3 three-digit channel-sequence
numbers from 001 to 000 (representing 1000) shall be assigned sequentially by
telecommunication stations to all messages transmitted directly from one station to
another. A separate series of these numbers shall be assigned for each channel and
a new series shall be started daily at 0000 hours.
4.4.15.1.1.3 The expansion of the channel-sequence number to preclude duplication
of the same numbers during the 24-hour period should be permitted subject to
agreement between the Authorities responsible for the operation of the circuit.
4.4.15.1.1.4 The transmission identification shall be sent over the circuit in the
following sequence:
a) transmitting-terminal letter;
b) receiving-terminal letter;
c) channel-identification letter;
d) channel-sequence number.
4.4.15.1.1.5 Additional service information shall be permitted to be inserted following
the transmission identification subject to agreement between the Authorities
responsible for the operation of the circuit. Such additional service information shall be
preceded by a SPACE (®) followed by not more than 10 characters inserted into the
heading of message immediately following the last digit of the channel-sequence
number and shall not contain any alignment functions. When no such additional
service information is added the information in 4.4.15.1.1.4 shall be followed
immediately by that of 4.4.15.2.
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4.4.15.2 Address
4.4.15.2.1 The address shall comprise:
a) alignment function < ≡
b) priority indicator;
c) addressee indicator(s);
d) alignment function < ≡
4.4.15.2.1.1 The priority indicator shall consist of the appropriate two-letter group
assigned by the originator in accordance with the following:
Priority indicator Message category
SS distress messages
DD urgency messages
FF flight safety messages
GG flight messages
GG flight regulatory messages
GG aeronautical information services messages
KK aeronautical administrative messages
As appropriate service messages
4.4.15.2.1.2 The order of priority shall be the same as specified in 4.4.1.2
4.4.15.2.1.3 An addressee indicator, which shall be immediately preceded by a
SPACE, except when it is the first address indicator of the second or third line of
addresses, shall comprise:
a) the four-letter location indicator of the place of destination;
b) the three-letter designator identifying the organization/ function
(aeronautical authority, service or aircraft operating agency) addressed;
c) an additional letter, which shall represent a department, division or
process within the organization/function addressed. The letter X shall be
used to complete the address when explicit identification is not required.
4.4.15.2.1.3.1 Where a message is to be addressed to an organization that has
not been allocated an ICAO three-letter designator of the type prescribed in
4.4.15.2.1.3 the location indicator of the place of destination shall be followed by the
ICAO three-letter designator YYY (or the ICAO three-letter designator YXY in the case
of a military service or organization). The name of the addressee organization shall
then be included in the first item in the text of the message. The eighth position letter
following the ICAO three-letter designator YYY or YXY shall be the filler letter X.
44CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 9
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4.4.15.2.1.3.2 Where a message is to be addressed to an aircraft in flight and,
therefore, requires handling over the AFTN for part of its routing before retransmission
over the Aeronautical Mobile Service, the location indicator of the aeronautical station
which is to relay the message to the aircraft shall be followed by the ICAO three-letter
designator ZZZ. The identification of the aircraft shall then be included in the first item
of the text of the message. The eighth position letter following the ICAO three-letter
designator ZZZ shall be the filler letter X.
4.4.15.2.1.4 The complete address shall be restricted to three lines of page-printing
copy, and, except as provided in 4.4.16, a separate addressee indicator shall be used
for each addressee whether at the same or different locations.
4.4.15.2.1.5 The completion of the addressee indicator group(s) in the address of a
message shall be immediately followed by the alignment function.
4.4.15.2.1.6 Where messages are offered in page-copy form for transmission and
contain more addressee indicators than can be accommodated on three lines of a
page copy, such messages shall be converted, before transmission, into two or more
messages, each of which shall conform with the provisions of 4.4.15.2.1.5. During such
conversion, the addressee indicators shall, in so far as practicable, be positioned in the
sequence which will ensure that the minimum number of retransmissions will be
required at subsequent communication centres.
4.4.15.2.2 Origin
The origin shall comprise:
a) filing time;
b) originator indicator;
c) priority alarm (when necessary);
d) optional heading information;
e) alignment function < ≡ ;
f) start-of-text character, character 0/2 (STX).
4.4.15.2.2.1 The filing time shall comprise the 6-digit date-time group indicating the
date and time of filing the message for transmission (see 3.4.2).
4.4.15.2.2.2 The originator indicator, which shall be immediately preceded by a
SPACE, shall comprise:
a) the four-letter location indicator of the place at which the message is
originated;
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b) the three-letter designator identifying the organization/ function
(aeronautical authority, service or aircraft operating agency) which
originated the message;
c) an additional letter which shall represent a department, division or
process within the organization/function of the originator. The letter X
shall be used to complete the address when explicit identification is not
required.
4.4.15.2.2.3 Where a message is originated by an organization that has not been
allocated an ICAO three-letter designator of the type prescribed in 4.4.15.2.2.2, the
location indicator of the place at which the message is originated shall be followed
immediately by the ICAO three-letter designator YYY followed by the filler letter X (or
the ICAO three-letter designator YXY followed by the filler letter X in the case of a
military service or organization). The name of the organization (or military service) shall
then be included in the first item in the text of the message.
4.4.15.2.2.3.1 Messages relayed over the AFTN that have been originated in
other networks shall use a valid AFTN originator indicator that has been agreed for
use by the relay or gateway function linking the AFTN with the external network.
4.4.15.2.2.4 Where a message originated by an aircraft in flight requires handling on
the AFTN for part of its routing before delivery, the originator indicator shall comprise
the location indicator of the aeronautical station responsible for transferring the
message to the AFTN, followed immediately by the ICAO three-letter designator ZZZ
followed by the filler letter X. The identification of the aircraft shall then be included in
the first item in the text of the message.
4.4.15.2.2.5 The priority alarm shall be used only for distress messages. When used
it shall consist of five successive BEL (0/7) characters.
4.4.15.2.2.6 The inclusion of optional data in the origin line shall be permitted
provided a total of 69 characters is not exceeded and subject to agreement between
the Administrations concerned.
4.4.15.2.2.6.1 The presence of the optional data field shall be indicated by one
occurrence of the space character and terminated by the alignment function.
4.4.15.2.2.6.2 When additional addressing information in a message needs to
be exchanged between source and destination addresses, it shall be conveyed in the
optional data field (ODF), using the following specific format:
a) characters one and full stop (1.) to indicate the parameter code for the
additional address function;
b) three modifier characters, followed by an equal sign (=) and the assigned
8-character ICAO address; and
c) the character hyphen (-) to terminate the additional address parameter
field.
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4.4.15.2.2.6.2.1 When a separate address for service messages or inquiries is
different from the originator indicator, the modifier SVC shall be used.
4.4.15.2.2.7 The origin line shall be concluded by an alignment function < ≡ and the
start-of-text (STX) (0/2) character.
4.4.15.3 Text
4.4.15.3.1 The text of messages shall be drafted in accordance with 4.1.2 and shall
consist of all data between STX and ETX.
4.4.15.3.2 When an originator’s reference is used, it shall appear at the beginning
of the text, except as provided in 4.4.15.3.3 and 4.4.15.3.4.
4.4.15.3.3 When the ICAO three-letter designators YXY, YYY or ZZZ comprise the
second element of the addressee indicator (see 4.4.15.2.1.3.1 and 4.4.15.2.1.3.2) and
it, therefore, becomes necessary to identify in the text the specific addressee of the
message, such identification group shall precede the originator’s reference (if used)
and become the first item of the text.
4.4.15.3.4 When the ICAO three-letter designators YXY, YYY or ZZZ comprise the
second element of the originator indicator (see 4.4.15.2.2.3 and 4.4.15.2.2.4) and it
thus becomes necessary to identify in the text the name of the organization (or military
service) or the aircraft which originated the message, such identification shall be
inserted in the first item of the text of the message.
4.4.15.3.5 When applying the provisions of 4.4.15.3.3 and 4.4.15.3.4 to messages
where the ICAO three-letter designator(s) YXY, YYY, ZZZ refer to two or more different
organizations (or military services), the sequence of further identification in the text
shall correspond to the complete sequence used in the address and originator
indicator of the message. In such instance, each addressee identification shall be
followed immediately by an alignment function. The name of the (YXY, YYY or ZZZ)
organization originating the message shall then be preceded with “FROM”. “STOP”
followed by an alignment function shall then be included in the text at the end of this
identification and preceding the remainder of text.
4.4.15.3.6 An alignment function shall be transmitted at the end of each printed line
of the text. When it is desired to confirm a portion of the text of a message in
teletypewriter operation, such confirmation shall be separated from the last text group
by an alignment function < ≡ , and shall be indicated by the abbreviation CFM followed
by the portion being confirmed.
4.4.15.3.7 Where messages are prepared off-line, e.g. by preparation of a paper
tape, errors in the text shall be corrected by backspacing and replacing the character
in error by character DEL (7/15).
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4.4.15.3.8 Corrections to textual errors made in on-line operations shall be
corrected by inserting (→ E→ E→ E→), following the error, then retyping the last
correct word (or group).
4.4.15.3.9 When it is not discovered until later in the origination process that an
error has been made in the text, the correction shall be separated from the last text
group, or confirmation, if any, by an alignment function < ≡. This shall be followed by
the abbreviation COR and the correction.
4.4.15.3.10 Stations shall make all indicated corrections on the page-copy prior to
local delivery or a transfer to a manually operated circuit.
4.4.15.3.11 When messages are transmitted only on low-speed circuits, he text of
messages entered by the AFTN origin station shall not exceed 1800 characters in
length. AFTN messages exceeding 1 800 characters shall be entered by the AFTN
origin station in the form of separate messages.
Note 1.— Low-speed circuits operate at 300 bits per second or less.
Note 2.— Guidance material for forming separate messages from a single long
message is given in Attachment C to Volume II.
Note.3. — The character count includes all printing and nonprinting characters in the
text from, but not including, the start-of-text signal to, but not including, the first
alignment function of the ending.
4.4.15.3.11.1 The transmission on medium- or high-speed circuits of AFTN messages
with text exceeding 1 800 characters that have not been entered by the AFTN origin
station in the form of separate messages shall be subject to agreement between the
Administrations concerned and not diminish the performance characteristics of the
network or link.
Note 1.— Medium-speed circuits operate at speeds in the range between 300 and
3000 bits per second. High-speed circuits operate at speeds in excess of 3000 bits
per second.
Note 2.— Guidance material for forming separate messages from a single long
message is given in Attachment B to Volume II.
Note 3.— The character count includes all printing and nonprinting characters in the
text from, but not including, the start-of-text signal to, but not including, the first
alignment function of the ending.
4.4.15.3.12 Ending
4.4.15.3.12.1 The ending of a message shall comprise the following in the order stated:
a) an alignment < ≡ function following the last line of text;
b) page-feed character, character 0/11 (VT);
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c) end-of-text character 0/3 (ETX).
4.4.15.3.12.1.1 Station terminal equipment (page printers) on the International
Alphabet Number 5 (IA-5) shall be provided with a capability to generate sufficient line
feed functions for local station use upon the reception of a VERTICAL TAB character
(0/11).
4.4.15.3.12.1.2 When the message does not transit ITA-2 portions of the AFTN,
or where Administrations have made provisions to add automatically the second
carriage return before transmission to an ITA-2 circuit, one carriage return in the
alignment function and end-of-line function should be permitted subject to agreement
between the Administrations concerned.
4.4.15.3.12.1.3 When messages are transmitted only on low-speed circuits,
messages entered by the AFTN origin station shall not exceed 2100 characters in
length.
Note 1.— Low-speed circuits operate at 300 bits per second or less.
Note.2 — The character count includes all printing and nonprinting characters in the
message from and including the start-of-heading character (SOH) to and including the
end-of-text character.
4.4.15.3.12.1.4 The transmission on medium- or high-speed circuits of AFTN
messages exceeding 2 100 characters that have not been entered by the AFTN origin
station in the form of separate messages shall be subject to agreement between the
Administrations concerned and not diminish the performance
characteristics of the network or link.
Note 1.— Medium-speed circuits operate at speeds in the range between 300 and
3000 bits per second. High-speed circuits operate at speeds in excess of 3000 bits
per second.
Note 2.— The character count includes all printing and non-printing characters in the
message from and including the start-of-heading character (SOH) to and including the
end-of-text character.
4.4.15.4 Except as provided in 4.4.15.5 to 4.4.15.6 and 4.4.16, the procedures of
4.4.8 and 4.4.9 to 4.4.13 shall be used for messages using IA-5 code.
4.4.15.4.1 The transmission of message texts that do not require conversion to the IA
- 2 code and format and with message lines containing more than 69 printable and
non-printable characters shall be subject to agreement between the Administrations
concerned.
4.4.15.5 Channel-check transmissions. In the case where continuous control of
channel condition is not provided the following periodic transmissions shall be sent on
tele-typewriter circuits:
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1) heading line;
S
2) alignment function T ;
X
3) the procedure signal CH;
E
4) alignment function T.
X
4.4.15.5.1 Where a circuit is unoccupied and uncontrolled, the transmission
identified in 4.4.15.5 should be sent at H + 00, H + 20, H + 40.
4.4.15.6 The receipt of distress messages (priority indicator SS, see 4.4.1.1.1)
shall be individually acknowledged by the AFTN destination station by sending a
service message (see 4.4.1.1.9) to the AFTN origin station. Such acknowledgement
of receipt shall take the format of a complete message addressed to the AFTN origin
station, shall be assigned priority indicator SS and the associated priority alarm (see
4.4.15.2.2.5), and shall have a text comprising:
1) the procedure signal R;
2) the origin line (see 4.4.15.2.2) without priority alarm, or optional heading
information of the message being acknowledged;
3) the ending (see 4.4.15.3.12.1).
4.4.16 Action taken on mutilated messages in IA-5 detected in
computerized AFTN relay stations
4.4.16.1 On channels employing continuous control the mutilation detection and
subsequent recovery shall be a function of the link control procedures and shall not
require the subsequent sending of service or CHECK TEXT NEW ENDING ADDED
messages.
4.4.16.2 On channels not employing continuous control the relay station shall
employ the following procedures:
4.4.16.2.1 If, during the reception of a message a relay station detects that the
message has been mutilated at some point ahead of the end-of-text character, it shall:
1) cancel the onward routing responsibility for the message;
2) send a service message to the transmitting station requesting a
retransmission.
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4.4.16.2.2 When the provisions of 4.4.16.2.1 are applied, the station receiving the
service message shall reassume responsibility for the referenced message with a new
(i.e. correct in sequence) transmission identification (see 4.4.15.2.1). If that station is
not in possession of an unmutilated copy of the original message, it shall send a
message to the originator as identified by the originator indicator in the origin of the
mutilated message, requesting repetition of the incorrectly received message.
4.4.16.3 If, after transmission of the text material of a message, a relay station
can detect that there is no complete end-of-text character, but has no practical means
of discovering whether the irregularity has affected only the end-of-text character, or
whether it has also caused part of the original text to have been lost, it shall insert into
the channel the following:
1) ≡CHECK ≡ TEXT ≡
NEW→ENDING→ADDED
2) its own station identification;
3) (ending - see 4.4.15.3.12.1).
4.4.17 Transfer of AFTN messages over code and byte independent
circuits and networks
When AFTN messages are transferred across code and byte independent circuits and
networks of the AFS, the following shall apply.
4.4.17.1 Except as provided in 4.4.17.3 the heading line of the message shall be
omitted. The message shall start with an alignment function followed by the address.
4.4.17.2 The message shall end with a complete ending.
4.4.17.3 For the purposes of technical supervision, entry centres should be
permitted to insert additional data preceding the first alignment function and/or
following the ending of the message. Such data may be disregarded by the receiving
station.
4.4.17.3.1 When the provisions of 4.4.17.3 are applied, the data added shall not
include either carriage return or line feed characters or any of the combinations listed
in 4.1.2.4.
4.5 Common ICAO Data Interchange Network (CIDIN)
Note 1.— The common ICAO data interchange network (CIDIN), which comprises
application entities and communication services for ground-ground message
exchange, makes use of protocols based on the International Telegraph and
Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT) X.25 Recommendation to provide code
and byte-independent communication facilities.
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Note 2.— The principal goals of the CIDIN are to improve the AFTN and to support
large message transmission and more demanding applications, such as operational
meteorological information (OPMET), between two or multiple ground systems.
Note 3.— Details of CIDIN communication procedures, as implemented in Europe, are
shown in the EUR CIDIN Manual.
4.6 ATS Message Handling Services (ATSMHS)
4.6.1 The ATS message service of the ATS (air traffic services) message
handling service (ATSMHS) application shall be used to exchange ATS messages
between users over the aeronautical telecommunication network (ATN) internet.
4.7 Inter-Centre Communications (ICC)
The inter-centre communications (ICC) applications set shall be used to exchange
ATS messages between air traffic service users over the ATN internet.
Note — The ICC applications set enables the exchange of information in support of
the following operational services:
a) flight notification;
b) flight coordination;
c) transfer of control and communications;
d) flight planning;
e) airspace management; and
f) air traffic flow management.
5. Aeronautical Mobile Service – Voice Communications
5.1 General
Note 1.— For the purposes of these provisions, the communication procedures
applicable to the aeronautical mobile service, as appropriate, also apply to the
aeronautical mobile satellite service.
Note 2.— Guidance material for the implementation of the aeronautical mobile
satellite service is contained in the Manual on the Aeronautical Mobile Satellite
(Route) Service (Doc 9925). Additional guidance for satellite voice communications
(SATVOICE) is contained in the Satellite Voice Operations Manual (Doc 10038) and
the Performance-based Communication and Surveillance (PBCS) Manual (Doc
9869).
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5.1.1 In all communications the highest standard of discipline shall be observed at all
times.
5.1.1.1 ICAO standardized phraseology shall be used in all situations for which
it has been specified. Only when standardized phraseology cannot serve an intended
transmission, plain language shall be used.
5.1.1.2 The transmission of messages, other than those specified in 5.1.8, on
aeronautical mobile frequencies when the aeronautical fixed services are able to serve
the intended purpose, shall be avoided.
5.1.1.3 In all communications, the consequences of human performance which
could affect the accurate reception and comprehension of messages should be taken
into consideration.
5.1.2 Where it is necessary for an aircraft station to send signals for testing or
adjustment which are liable to interfere with the working of a neighboring aeronautical
station, the consent of the station shall be obtained before such signals are sent. Such
transmissions shall be kept to a minimum.
5.1.3 When it is necessary for a station in the aeronautical mobile service to
make test signals, either for the adjustment of a transmitter before making a call or for
the adjustment of a receiver, such signals shall not continue for more than 10 seconds
and shall be composed of spoken numerals (ONE, TWO, THREE, etc.) in
radiotelephony, followed by the radio call sign of the station transmitting the test
signals. Such transmissions shall be kept to a minimum.
5.1.4 Except as otherwise provided, the responsibility of establishing
communication shall rest with the station having traffic to transmit.
5.1.5 After a call has been made to the aeronautical station, a period of at least
10 seconds should elapse before a second call is made. This should eliminate
unnecessary transmissions while the aeronautical station is getting ready to reply to
the initial call.
5.1.6 When an aeronautical station is called simultaneously by several aircraft
stations, the aeronautical station shall decide the order in which aircraft shall
communicate.
5.1.7 In communications between aircraft stations, the duration of
communication shall be controlled by the aircraft station which is receiving, subject to
the intervention of an aeronautical station. If such communications take place on an
ATS frequency, prior permission of the aeronautical station shall be obtained. Such
requests for permission are not required for brief exchanges.
5.1.8 Categories of messages
The categories of messages handled by the aeronautical mobile service and the order
of priority in the establishment of communications and the transmission of messages
shall be in accordance with the following table.
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Message category and order of priority Radiotelephony signal
a) Distress calls, distress messages
and distress traffic MAYDAY
b) Urgency messages, including PAN, PAN
messages preceded by the medical or PAN, PAN
transport signal MEDICAL
c) Communication relating --
to direction finding
d) Flight safety messages --
e) Meteorological messages --
f) Flight regularitymessages --
5.1.8.1 Distress messages and distress traffic shall be handled in
accordance with the provisions of 5.3.
5.1.8.2 Urgency messages and urgency traffic, including messages
preceded by the medical transports signal, shall be handled in accordance with the
provisions of 5.3.
5.1.8.3 Communications relating to direction finding shall be handled in
accordance with Chapter 6.
5.1.8.4 Flight safety messages shall comprise the following:
1) movement and control messages [see PANS-ATM (Doc 4444)];
2) messages originated by an aircraft operating agency or by an aircraft, of
immediate concern to an aircraft in flight;
3) meteorological advice of immediate concern to an aircraft in flight or
about to depart (individually communicated or for broadcast);
4) other messages concerning aircraft in flight or about to depart.
5.1.8.5 Meteorological messages shall comprise meteorological information to
or from aircraft, other than those in 5.1.8.4, 3).
5.1.8.6 Flight regularity messages shall comprise the following:
1) messages regarding the operation or maintenance of facilities essential
for the safety or regularity of aircraft operation;
2) messages concerning the servicing of aircraft;
3) instructions to aircraft operating agency representatives concerning
changes in requirements for passengers and crew caused by
unavoidable deviations from normal operating schedules. Individual
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requirements of passengers or crew shall not be admissible in this type
of message;
4) messages concerning non-routine landings to be made by the aircraft;
5) messages concerning aircraft parts and materials urgently required;
6) messages concerning changes in aircraft operating schedules.
5.1.8.6.1 Air traffic services units using direct pilot-controller communication channels
shall only be required to handle flight regularity messages provided this can be
achieved without interference with their primary role and no other channels are
available for the handling of such messages.
5.1.8.7 Messages having the same priority should, in general, be transmitted in
the order in which they are received for transmission.
5.1.8.8 Interpilot air-to-air communication shall comprise messages related to
any matter affecting safety and regularity of flight. The category and priority of these
messages shall be determined on the basis of their content in accordance with 5.1.8.
5.1.9 Cancellation of messages
5.1.9.1 Incomplete transmissions. If a message has not been completely
transmitted when instructions to cancel are received, the station transmitting the
message shall instruct the receiving station to disregard the incomplete transmission.
This shall be effected in radiotelephony by use of an appropriate phrase.
5.1.9.2 Complete transmissions
When a completed message transmission is being held pending correction and the
receiving station is to be informed to take no forwarding action, or when delivery or
onward relay cannot be accomplished, transmission should be cancelled. This should
be
effected in radiotelephony by the use of an appropriate phrase.
5.1.9.3 The station cancelling a transmission shall be responsible for any
further action required.
5.2 Radiotelephony Procedures
5.2.1 General
5.2.1.1 PANS.— When a controller or pilot communicates via voice, the
response should be via voice. Except as provided by 8.2.12.1, when a controller or
pilot communicates via CPDLC, the response should be via CPDLC.
5.2.1.2 Language to be used
5.2.1.2.1 The air-ground radiotelephony communications shall be
conducted in the English language.
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5.2.1.2.2 Intentionally left blank
5.2.1.2.3 The languages available at a given station on the ground
shall form part of the Aeronautical Information Publications and other
published aeronautical information concerning such facilities.
5.2.1.3 Word spelling in radiotelephony. When proper names, service
abbreviations and words of which the spelling is doubtful are spelled out in
radiotelephony the alphabet in Figure 5-1 shall be used.
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5.2.1.4 Transmission of numbers in radiotelephony
5.2.1.4.1 Transmission of numbers
5.2.1.4.1.1 All numbers, except as prescribed in 5.2.1.4.1.2 , to 5.2.1.4.1.6 shall be
transmitted by pronouncing each digit separately.
Note.— The following examples illustrate the application of this procedure (see
5.2.1.4.3.1 for pronunciation).
aircraft call signs transmitted as
CCA 238 Air China two three eight
OAL 242 Olympic two four two
Headings transmitted as
100 degrees heading one zero zero
080 degrees heading zero eight zero
wind direction and speed transmitted as
200 degrees 70 knots wind two zero zero degrees seven zero knots
160 degrees 18 knots wind one six zero degrees one eight knots gusting three zero knots
gusting 30 knots
runway transmitted as
27 runway two seven
30 runway three zero
5.2.1.4.1.2 Flight levels shall be transmitted by pronouncing each digit separately
except for the case of flight levels in whole hundreds, which shall be transmitted by
pronouncing the digit of the whole hundred followed by the word HUNDRED
Note.— The following examples illustrate the application of this procedure (see
5.2.1.4.3.1 for pronunciation).
flight levels transmitted as
FL 180 flight level one eight zero
FL 200 flight level two hundred
5.2.1.4.1.3 The altimeter setting shall be transmitted by pronouncing each digit separately except for the case of
a setting of 1 000 hPa which shall be transmitted as ONE THOUSAND.
Note.— The following examples illustrate the application of this procedure (see 5.2.1.4.3.1 for pronunciation).
altimeter setting transmitted as
1009 QNH one zero zero nine
1000 QNH one thousand
993 QNH nine nine three
5.2.1.4.1.4 All numbers used in the transmission of transponder codes shall be transmitted by pronouncing each
digit separately except that, when the transponder codes contain whole thousands only, the information shall be
transmitted by pronouncing the digit in the number of thousands followed by the word THOUSAND.
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Note.— The following examples illustrate the application of this procedure (see 5.2.1.4.3.1 for pronunciation).
transponder codes transmitted as
2400 squawk two four zero zero
1000 squawk one thousand
2000 squawk two thousand
5.2.1.4.1.5 All numbers used in the transmission of altitude, cloud height, visibility and runway visual range (RVR)
information, which contain whole hundreds and whole thousands, shall be transmitted by pronouncing each digit in
the number of hundreds or thousands followed by the word HUNDRED or THOUSAND as appropriate.
Combinations of thousands and whole hundreds shall be transmitted by pronouncing each digit in the number of
thousands followed by the word THOUSAND followed by the number of hundreds followed by the word
HUNDRED.
Note.— The following examples illustrate the application of this procedure (see 5.2.1.4.3.1 for pronunciation).
Altitude transmitted as
800 eight hundred
3 400 three thousand four hundred
12 000 one two thousand
cloud height transmitted as
2 200 two thousand two hundred
4 300 four thousand three hundred
visibility transmitted as
1 000 visibility one thousand
700 visibility seven hundred
runway visual range transmitted as
600 RVR six hundred
1 700 RVR one thousand seven hundred
5.2.1.4.1.6 When providing information regarding relative bearing to an object or to conflicting traffic in terms of
the 12-hour clock, the information shall be given pronouncing the double digits as TEN, ELEVEN, or TWELVE
[O’CLOCK].
5.2.1.4.1.7 Numbers containing a decimal point shall be transmitted as prescribed in 5.2.1.4.1.1, with the decimal
point in appropriate sequence being indicated by the word DECIMAL.
Note 1.— The following examples illustrate the application of this procedure:
Number Transmitted as
100.3 ONE ZERO ZERO DECIMAL THREE
38 143.9 THREE EIGHT ONE FOUR THREE DECIMAL NINE
5.2.1.4.1.8 PANS.— When transmitting time, only the minutes of the hour should normally be required. Each
digit should be pronounced separately. However, the hour should be included when any possibility of confusion is
likely to result.
Note.— The following example illustrates the application of this procedure when applying the provisions of
5.2.1.2.2:
Time Statement
0920 (9:20 A.M.) TOO ZE-RO
Or ZE-RO NIN-er TOO ZE-RO
1643 (4:43 P.M.) FOW-er TREE
or WUN SIX FOW-er TREE
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5.2.1.4.2 Verification of numbers
5.2.1.4.2.1 When it is desired to verify the accurate reception of numbers
the person transmitting the message shall request the person receiving the
message to read back the numbers.
5.2.1.4.3 Pronunciation of numbers
5.2.1.4.3.1 When the language used for communication is English,
numbers shall be transmitted using the following pronunciation:
Numeral or Numeral element Pronunciation
0 ZE-RO
1 WUN
2 TOO
3 TREE
4 FOW-er
5 FIFE
6 SIX
7 SEV-en
8 AIT
9 NIN-er
Decimal DAY-SEE-MAL
Hundred HUN-dred
Thousand TOU-SAND
Note.— The syllables printed in capital letters in the above list are to be stressed; for example,
the two syllables in ZE-RO are given equal emphasis, whereas the first syllable of FOW-er is given
primary emphasis.
5.2.1.5 Transmitting technique
5.2.1.5.1 PANS.— Each written message should be read prior to commencement of
transmission in order to eliminate unnecessary delays in communications.
5.2.1.5.2 Transmissions shall be conducted concisely in a normal conversational tone.
5.2.1.5.3 PANS.— Speech transmitting technique should be such that the highest
possible intelligibility is incorporated in each transmission. Fulfillment of
this aim requires that air crew and ground personnel should:
a) enunciate each word clearly and distinctly;
b) maintain an even rate of speech not exceeding 100 words per minute.
When a message is transmitted to an aircraft and its contents need to be
recorded the speaking rate should be at a slower rate to allow for the writing
process. A slight pause preceding and following numerals makes them easier
to understand;
c) maintain the speaking volume at a constant level;
d) be familiar with the microphone operating techniques particularly in
relation to the maintenance of a constant distance from the microphone if a
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modulator with a constant level is not used;
e) suspend speech temporarily if it becomes necessary to turn the head
away from the microphone.
5.2.1.5.4 Speech transmitting technique shall be adapted to the prevailing
communications conditions.
5.2.1.5.5 PANS.— Messages accepted for transmission should be transmitted in
plain language or ICAO phraseologies without altering the sense of the
message in any way. Approved ICAO abbreviations contained in the text
of the message to be transmitted to aircraft should normally be converted
into the unabbreviated words or phrases which these abbreviations
represent in the language used, except for those which, owing to frequent
and common practice, are generally understood by aeronautical
personnel.
5.2.1.5.6 PANS.— To expedite communication, the use of phonetic spelling should
be dispensed with, if there is no risk of this affecting correct reception and
intelligibility of the message.
5.2.1.5.7 PANS.— The transmission of long messages should be interrupted
momentarily from time to time to permit the transmitting operator to confirm
that the frequency in use is clear and, if necessary, to permit the receiving
operator to request repetition of parts not received.
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5.2.1.5.8 The following words and phrases shall be used in
radiotelephony communications as appropriate and shall have the
meaning ascribed hereunder:
Phrase Meaning
ACKNOWLEDGE “Let me know that you have received
and understood this message.”
AFFIRM “Yes.”
APPROVED “Permission for proposed action
granted.”
BREAK “I hereby indicate the separation between
portions of the message.”
(To be used where there is no clear distinction between the text and other portions of
the message.)
BREAK BREAK “I hereby indicate the separation between
messages transmitted to different aircraft in
a very busy environment.”
CANCEL “Annul the previously transmitted
clearance.”
CHECK “Examine a system or procedure.”
(Not to be used in any other context. No answer is normally expected.)
CLEARED “Authorized to proceed under the conditions
specified.”
CONFIRM “I request verification of: (clearance,
instruction, action, information).”
CONTACT “Establish communications with...”
CORRECT “True” or “Accurate”.
CORRECTION “An error has been made in this transmission
(or message indicated). The
correct version is...”
DISREGARD “Ignore.”
GO AHEAD “Proceed with your message.”
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HOW DO YOU READ “What is the readability of my
transmission?” (see 5.2.1.8.4.)
I SAY AGAIN “I repeat for clarity or emphasis.”
MAINTAIN “Continue in accordance with the
condition(s) specified” or in its literal sense,
e.g. “Maintain VFR”.
MONITOR “Listen out on (frequency).”
NEGATIVE “No” or “Permission not granted” or “That
is not correct” or “Not capable”.
OVER “My transmission is ended, and I expect a
response from you.
Note.— Not normally used in VHF or satellite
voice communications.
OUT “This exchange of transmissions is ended
and no response is expected.”
Note.— Not normally used in VHF or satellite
voice communications.
READ BACK “Repeat all, or the specified part, of this
message back to me exactly as received.”
RECLEARED “A change has been made to your last
clearance and this new clearance
supersedes your previous clearance or part
thereof.”
REPORT “Pass me the following information...”
REQUEST “I should like to know...” or “I wish to
obtain...”
ROGER “I have received all of your last
transmission.”
SAY AGAIN “Repeat all, or the following part, of your
last transmission.”
SPEAK SLOWER “Reduce your rate of speech.”
STANDBY “Wait and I will call you.”
UNABLE “I cannot comply with your request,
instruction, or clearance.”
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WILCO (Abbreviation for “will comply”.)
“I understand your message and will comply
with it.”
WORDS TWICE a) As a request: “Communication is difficult. Please
send every word, or group of words, twice.”
b) As information: “Since communication is difficult,
every word, or group of words, in this
message will be sent twice.”
5.2.1.6 Composition of messages
5.2.1.6.1 Messages handled entirely by the aeronautical mobile
service shall comprise the following parts in the order stated:
a) call indicating the addressee and the originator (see 5.2.1.7.3);
b) text (see 5.2.1.6.2.1.1).
5.2.1.6.2 Messages requiring handling by the AFTN for part of their
routing and similarly messages which are not handled in accordance with
predetermined distribution arrangements (see 3.3.7.1) shall be
composed as follows:
5.2.1.6.2.1 When originated in an aircraft:
1) call (see 5.2.1.7.3);
2) the word FOR;
3) the name of the organization addressed;
4) the name of the station of destination;
5) the text.
5.2.1.6.2.1.1 The text shall be as short as practicable to convey the necessary
information; full use shall be made of ICAO phraseologies.
5.2.1.6.2.2 When addressed to an aircraft. When a message, prepared in accordance
with 4.4.2, is retransmitted by an aeronautical station to an aircraft in flight,
the heading and address of the AFTN message format shall be omitted
during the retransmission on the aeronautical mobile service.
5.2.1.6.2.2.1 When the provisions of 5.2.1.6.2.2 are applied, the aeronautical mobile
service message transmission shall comprise:
a) the text [incorporating any corrections (COR) contained in the AFTN
message];
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b) the word FROM;
c) the name of the originating organization and its location (taken from the
origin section of the AFTN message).
5.2.1.6.2.2.2 PANS.— When the text of a message to be transmitted by an
aeronautical station to an aircraft in flight contains approved ICAO abbreviations, these
abbreviations should normally be converted during the transmission of the message
into the unabbreviated words or phrases which the abbreviations represent in the
language used, except for those which, owing to frequent or common practice, are
generally understood by aeronautical personnel.
5.2.1.7 Calling
5.2.1.7.1 Radiotelephony call signs for aeronautical stations
Aeronautical stations in the aeronautical mobile service shall be identified by:
a) the name of the location; and
b) the unit or service available.
5.2.1.7.1.2 The unit or service shall be identified in accordance with the table below
except that the name of the location or the unit/service may be omitted provided
satisfactory communication has been established.
Unit/service available Call sign suffix
area control centre CONTROL
` approach control APPROACH
approach control radar arrivals ARRIVAL
approach control radar departures DEPARTURE
aerodrome control TOWER
surface movement control GROUND
radar(in general) RADAR
precision approach radar PRECISION
direction finding station HOMER
flight information service INFORMATION
clearance delivery DELIVERY
apron control APRON
company dispatch DISPATCH
aeronautical station RADIO
5.2.1.7.2 Radiotelephony call signs for aircraft
5.2.1.7.2.1 Full call signs
5.2.1.7.2.1.1 An aircraft radiotelephony call sign shall be one of the following types:
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Type a) the characters corresponding to the registration marking of the aircraft
Type b) the telephony designators of the aircraft operating agency, followed
by the last four character of the registration marking of the aircraft
Type c) the telephony designator of the aircraft operating agency, followed
by the flight identification
5.2.1.7.2.2 Abbreviated call signs
5.2.1.7.2.2.1 The aircraft radiotelephony call signs shown in 5.2.1.7.2.1.1, with the
exception of Type c), may be abbreviated in the circumstances prescribed in
5.2.1.7.3.3.1. Abbreviated call signs shall be in the following form:
Type a) - the first character of the registration and at least the last
two characters of the call sign;
Type b) - the telephony designator of the aircraft operating agency,
followed by at least the last two characters of the call sign;
Type c) - no abbreviated form.
5.2.1.7.3 Radiotelephony procedures
5.2.1.7.3.1 An aircraft shall not change the type of its radiotelephony call
sign during flight, except temporarily on the instruction of an air traffic
control unit in the interests of safety.
5.2.1.7.3.1.1 Except for reasons of safety no transmission shall be directed to an
aircraft during take-off, during the last part of the final approach or during the landing
roll.
5.2.1.7.3.2 Establishment of radiotelephony communications
5.2.1.7.3.2.1 Full radiotelephony call signs shall always be used when establishing
communication. The calling procedure of an aircraft establishing communication shall
be in accordance with Table 5-2.
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5.2.1.7.3.2.2 PANS.— Stations having a requirement to transmit information to all
stations likely to intercept should preface such transmission by the general call ALL
STATIONS, followed by the identification of the calling station.
Note.— No reply is expected to such general calls unless individual stations are
subsequently called to acknowledge receipt.
5.2.1.7.3.2.3 The reply to the above calls shall be in accordance with Table 5-3.
5.2.1.7.3.2.4 PANS.— When a station is called but is uncertain of the identification of
the calling station, it should reply by transmitting the following:
5.2.1.7.3.2.5 Communications shall commence with a call and a reply when it is
desired to establish contact, except that, when it is certain that the station called will
receive the call, the calling station may transmit the message, without waiting for a
reply from the station called.
5.2.1.7.3.2.6 Interpilot air-to-air communication shall be established on the air-to-air
channel 123.45 MHz by either a directed call to a specific aircraft station or a general
call, taking into account conditions pertaining to use of this channel.
5.2.1.7.3.2.6.1 PANS.— As the aircraft may be guarding more than one frequency,
the initial call should include the distinctive channel identification “INTERPILOT”.
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5.2.1.7.3.3 Subsequent radiotelephony communications
5.2.1.7.3.3.1 Abbreviated radiotelephony call signs, as prescribed in 5.2.1.7.2.2, shall
be used only after satisfactory communication has been established and provided that
no confusion is likely to arise. An aircraft station shall use its abbreviated call sign only
after it has been addressed in this manner by the aeronautical station.
5.2.1.7.3.3.2 After contact has been established, continuous two-way communication
shall be permitted without further identification or call until termination of the contact.
5.2.1.7.3.3.3 In order to avoid any possible confusion, when issuing ATC clearances
and reading back such clearances, controllers and pilots shall always add the call sign
of the aircraft to which the clearance applies.
5.2.1.7.3.4 Indication of transmitting channel
5.2.1.7.3.4.1 PANS.— As the aeronautical station operator generally guards more
than one frequency, the call should be followed by an indication of the frequency used,
unless other suitable means of identifying the frequency are known to exist.
5.2.1.7.3.4.2 PANS.— When no confusion is likely to arise, only the first two digits of
the High Frequency (in kHz) need be used to identify the transmitting channel.
5.2.1.7.3.4.3 PANS.— Except as specified in 5.2.1.7.3.4.4 all six digits of the
numerical designator should be used to identify the transmitting channel in VHF
radiotelephony communications, except in the case of both the fifth and sixth digits
being zeros, in which case only the first four digits should be used.
5.2.1.7.3.4.4 PANS.— In airspace where all VHF voice communications channels are
separated by 25 kHz or more and the use of six digits as in 5.2.1.7.3.4.3 is not
substantiated by the operational requirement determined by the appropriate
authorities, the first five digits of the numerical designator should be used, except in
the case of both the fifth and sixth digits being zeros, in which case only the first four
digits should be used.
5.2.1.8 Test procedures
5.2.1.8.1 PANS.— The form of test transmissions should be as follows:
a) the identification of the station being called;
b) the aircraft identification;
c) the words “RADIO CHECK”;
d) the frequency being used.
5.2.1.8.2 PANS.— The reply to a test transmission should be as follows:
a) the identification of the aircraft;
b) the identification of the aeronautical station replying;
c) information regarding the readability of the aircraft transmission.
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5.2.1.8.3 PANS.— The test transmission and reply thereto should be
recorded at the aeronautical station.
5.2.1.8.4 PANS.— When the tests are made, the following readability
scale should be used:
Readability Scale
1 Unreadable
2 Readable now and then
3 Readable but with difficulty
4 Readable
5 Perfectly readable
5.2.1.9 Exchange of communications
5.2.1.9.1 Communications shall be concise and unambiguous,
using standard phraseology whenever available.
5.2.1.9.1.1 Abbreviated procedures should only be used after initial
contact has been established and where no confusion is likely to arise.
5.2.1.9.2 Acknowledgement of receipt. The receiving operator
shall make certain that the message has been received correctly before
acknowledging receipt.
5.2.1.9.2.1 When transmitted by an aircraft station, the
acknowledgement of receipt of a message shall comprise the call sign of
that aircraft.
5.2.1.9.2.2 PANS.— An aircraft station should acknowledge receipt of
important air traffic control messages or parts thereof by reading them
back and terminating the readback by its radio call sign.
5.2.1.9.2.3 When acknowledgement of receipt is transmitted by an
aeronautical station:
1) to an aircraft station: it shall comprise the call sign of the aircraft, followed
if considered necessary by the call sign of the aeronautical station;
2) to another aeronautical station: it shall comprise the call sign of the
aeronautical station that is acknowledging receipt.
5.2.1.9.2.3.1 PANS.— An aeronautical station should acknowledge position reports
and other flight progress reports by reading back the report and terminating the
readback by its call sign, except that the readback procedure may be suspended
temporarily whenever it will alleviate congestion on the communication channel.
5.2.1.9.2.4 PANS.— It is permissible for verification for the receiving
station to read back the message as an additional acknowledgement of
receipt. In such instances,
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the station to which the information is read back should acknowledge the correctness
of readback by transmitting its call sign.
5.2.1.9.2.5 PANS.— If both position report and other information —
such as weather reports — are received in the same message, the
information should be acknowledged with the words such as “WEATHER
RECEIVED” after the position report has been read back, except when
intercept of the information is required by other network stations. Other
messages should be acknowledged, the aeronautical station transmitting
its call sign only.
5.2.1.9.3 End of conversation. A radiotelephone conversation shall be
terminated by the receiving station using its own call sign.
5.2.1.9.4 Corrections and repetitions
5.2.1.9.4.1 When an error has been made in transmission, the word
“CORRECTION” shall be spoken, the last correct group or phrase repeated, and then
the correct version transmitted.
5.2.1.9.4.2 If a correction can best be made by repeating the entire message, the
operator shall use the phrase “CORRECTION, I SAY AGAIN” before transmitting the
message a second time.
5.2.1.9.4.3 When an operator transmitting a message considers that reception is
likely to be difficult, he should transmit the important elements of the message twice.
5.2.1.9.4.4 If the receiving operator is in doubt as to the correctness of the message
received, he shall request repetition either in full or in part.
5.2.1.9.4.5 If repetition of an entire message is required, the words “SAY AGAIN”
shall be spoken. If repetition of a portion of a message is required, the operator shall
state: “SAY AGAIN ALL BEFORE...(first word satisfactorily received)”; or “SAY
AGAIN...(word before missing portion) TO...(word after missing portion)”; or “SAY
AGAIN ALL AFTER...(last word satisfactorily received)”.
5.2.1.9.4.6 Specific items shall be requested, as appropriate, such as “SAY AGAIN
ALTIMETER”, “SAY AGAIN WIND”.
5.2.1.9.4.7 If, in checking the correctness of a readback, an operator notices
incorrect items, he shall transmit the words “NEGATIVE I SAY AGAIN” at the
conclusion of the readback followed by the correct version of the items concerned.
5.2.1.9.5 “Operations normal” reports
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PANS.— When “operations normal” reports are transmitted by aircraft, they shall
consist of the prescribed call followed by the words “OPERATIONS NORMAL”.
5.2.2 Establishment and assurance of communications
5.2.2.1 Communications watch/Hours of service
5.2.2.1.1 During flight, aircraft stations shall maintain watch and shall not cease
watch, except for reasons of safety, without informing the aeronautical station(s)
concerned.
5.2.2.1.1.1 Aircraft on long over-water flights, or on flights over designated areas
over which the carriage of an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) is required, shall
continuously guard the VHF emergency frequency 121.5 MHz, except for those
periods when aircraft are carrying out communications on other VHF channels or when
airborne equipment limitations or cockpit duties do not permit simultaneous guarding
of two channels.
5.2.2.1.1.2 Aircraft shall continuously guard the VHF emergency frequency 121.5
MHz in areas or over routes where the possibility of interception of aircraft or other
hazardous situations exist.
5.2.2.1.1.3 Aircraft on flights other than those specified in 5.2.2.1.1.1 and 5.2.2.1.1.2
should guard the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz to the extent possible.
5.2.2.1.1.4 The user of the air-to-air VHF communications channel shall ensure that
adequate watch is maintained on designated ATS frequencies, the frequency of the
aeronautical emergency channel, and any other mandatory watch frequencies.
5.2.2.1.2 Aeronautical stations shall maintain watch during the hours of service as
notified in AIP.
5.2.2.1.3 Aeronautical stations shall maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF
emergency channel 121.5 MHz during the hours of service of the units at which it is
installed.
5.2.2.1.4 When it is necessary for an aircraft station or aeronautical station to
suspend operation for any reason, it shall, if possible, so inform other stations
concerned, giving the time at which it is expected that operation will be resumed. When
operation is resumed, other stations concerned shall be so informed.
5.2.2.1.4.1 When it is necessary to suspend operation beyond the time specified in
the original notice, a revised time of resumption of operation shall, if possible, be
transmitted at or near the time first specified.
5.2.2.1.5 When two or more ATS frequencies are being used by a controller,
consideration should be given to providing facilities to allow ATS and aircraft
transmissions on any of the frequencies to be simultaneously retransmitted on the
other frequencies in use thus permitting aircraft stations within range to hear all
transmissions to and from the controller.
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5.2.2.2 Principles of network operation (HF communications)
5.2.2.2.1 PANS.— The aeronautical stations of a radiotelephony network should assist
each other in accordance with the following network principles, in order to provide the
air-ground communication service required of the network by aircraft flying on the air
routes for which the network is responsible.
5.2.2.2.2 PANS.— When the network comprises a large number of stations, network
communications for flights on any individual route segment should be provided by
selected stations, termed “regular stations” for that segment.
5.2.2.2.3 PANS.— In areas or on routes where radio conditions, length of flights or
distance between aeronautical stations require additional measures to ensure
continuity of air-ground communication throughout the route segment, the regular
stations should share between them a responsibility of primary guard whereby each
station will provide the primary guard for that portion of the flight during which the
messages from the aircraft can be handled most effectively by that station.
5.2.2.2.4 PANS.— During its tenure of primary guard, each regular station should,
among other things:
a) be responsible for designating suitable primary and secondary frequencies for its
communications with the aircraft;
b) receive all position reports and handle other messages from and to the aircraft
essential to the safe conduct of the flight;
c) be responsible for the action required in case of failure of communications (see
5.2.2.7.2).
5.2.2.2.5 PANS.— The transfer of primary guard from one station to the next will
normally take place at the time of the traversing of flight information region or control
area boundaries, this guard being provided at any time, as far as possible, by the
station serving the flight information centre or area control centre in whose area the
aircraft is flying. However, where communication conditions so demand, a station may
be required to retain primary guard beyond such geographical boundaries or release
its guard before the aircraft reaches the boundary, if appreciable improvement in air-
ground communication can be effected thereby.
5.2.2.3 Frequencies to be used
5.2.2.3.1 Aircraft stations shall operate on the appropriate radio frequencies.
5.2.2.3.1.1 The air-ground control radio station shall designate the frequency(ies) to
be used under normal conditions by aircraft stations operating under its control.
5.2.2.3.1.2 PANS.— In network operation, the initial designation of primary and
secondary frequencies should be made by the network station with which the aircraft
makes pre-flight check or its initial contact after take-off. This station should also
ensure that other network stations are advised, as required, of the frequency(ies)
designated.
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5.2.2.3.2 An aeronautical station, when designating frequencies in accordance
with 5.2.2.3.1.1 or 5.2.2.3.1.2, should take into account the appropriate propagation
data and distance over which communications are required.
5.2.2.3.3 If a frequency designated by an aeronautical station proves to be
unsuitable, the aircraft station should suggest an alternative frequency.
5.2.2.3.4 PANS.— When, notwithstanding the provisions of 5.1.1, air-ground
frequencies are used for the exchange between network stations of messages
essential for coordination and cooperation between the stations, such communication
should, so far as possible, be effected over network frequencies not being used at that
time for the bulk of the air-ground traffic. In all cases, the communication with aircraft
stations should take priority over the inter-ground station communications.
5.2.2.4 Establishment of communications
5.2.2.4.1 Aircraft stations shall, if possible, communicate directly with the air-
ground control radio station appropriate to the area in which the aircraft are flying. If
unable to do so, aircraft stations shall use any relay means available and appropriate
to transmit messages to the air-ground control radio station.
5.2.2.4.2 When normal communications from an aeronautical station to an aircraft
station cannot be established, the aeronautical station shall use any relay means
available and appropriate to transmit messages to the aircraft station. If these efforts
fail, the originator shall be advised in accordance with procedures prescribed by the
appropriate Authority.
5.2.2.4.3 PANS.— When, in network operation, communication between an aircraft
station and a regular station has not been established after calls on the primary and
secondary frequencies, aid should be rendered by one of the other regular stations for
that flight, either by calling the attention of the station first called or, in the case of a
call made by an aircraft station, by answering the call and taking the traffic.
5.2.2.4.3.1 PANS.— Other stations of the network should render assistance by taking
similar action only if attempts to establish communications by the regular stations have
proved unsuccessful.
5.2.2.4.4 PANS.— The provisions of 5.2.2.4.3 and 5.2.2.4.3.1 should also be applied:
a) on request of the air traffic services unit concerned;
b) when an expected communication from an aircraft has not been received within a
time period such that the occurrence of a communication failure is suspected.
Note.— A specific time period may be prescribed by the appropriate ATS Authority.
5.2.2.5 Transfer of HF communications
5.2.2.5.1 PANS.— An aircraft station should be advised by the appropriate
aeronautical station to transfer from one radio frequency or network to another. In the
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absence of such advice, the aircraft station should notify the appropriate aeronautical
station before such transfer takes place.
5.2.2.5.2 PANS.— In the case of transfer from one network to another, the transfer
should preferably take place while the aircraft is in communication with a station
operating in both networks to ensure continuity of communications. If, however, the
change of network must take place concurrently with the transfer of communication to
another network station, the transfer should be coordinated by the two network
stations prior to advising or authorizing the frequency change. The aircraft should also
be advised of the primary and secondary frequencies to be used after the transfer.
5.2.2.5.3 An aircraft station which has transferred communications watch from one
radio frequency to another shall, when so required by the appropriate ATS Authority,
inform the aeronautical station concerned that communications watch has been
established on the new frequency.
5.2.2.5.4 PANS.— When entering a network after takeoff, an aircraft station should
transmit its take-off time or time over the last check-point, to the appropriate regular
station.
5.2.2.5.5 PANS.— When entering a new network, an aircraft station should transmit
the time over the last checkpoint, or of its last reported position, to the appropriate
regular station.
5.2.2.5.6 PANS.— Before leaving the network, an aircraft station should in all cases
advise the appropriate regular station of its intention to do so by transmitting one of the
following phrases, as appropriate:
a) when transferring to a pilot-to-controller channel:
Aircraft: CHANGING TO . . . (air traffic services unit concerned)
b) after landing:
Aircraft: LANDED . . . (location) . . . (time)
5.2.2.6 Transfer of VHF communications
5.2.2.6.1 An aircraft shall be advised by the appropriate aeronautical station to
transfer from one radio frequency to another in accordance with agreed procedures.
In the absence of such advice, the aircraft station shall notify the appropriate
aeronautical station before such a transfer takes place.
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5.2.2.6.2 When establishing initial contact on, or when leaving, a VHF frequency,
an aircraft station shall transmit such information as may be prescribed by the
appropriate Authority.
5.2.2.7 Communications failure
5.2.2.7.1 Air-ground
5.2.2.7.1.1 When an aircraft station fails to establish contact with the aeronautical
station on the designated frequency, it shall attempt to establish contact on another
frequency appropriate to the route. If this attempt fails, the aircraft station shall attempt
to establish communication with other aircraft or other aeronautical stations on
frequencies appropriate to the route. In addition, an aircraft operating within a network
shall monitor the appropriate VHF frequency for calls from nearby aircraft.
5.2.2.7.1.2 If the attempts specified under 5.2.2.7.1.1 fail, the aircraft station shall
transmit its message twice on the designated channel(s), preceded by the phrase
“TRANSMITTING BLIND” and, if necessary, include the addressee(s) for which the
message is intended.
5.2.2.7.1.2.1 PANS.— In network operation, a message which is transmitted blind
should be transmitted twice on both primary and secondary frequencies. Before
changing frequency, the aircraft station should announce the frequency to which it is
changing.
5.2.2.7.1.3 Receiver failure
5.2.2.7.1.3.1 When an aircraft station is unable to establish communication due to
receiver failure, it shall transmit reports at the scheduled times, or positions, on the
frequency in use, preceded by the phrase “TRANSMITTING BLIND DUE TO
RECEIVER FAILURE”. The aircraft station shall transmit the intended message,
following this by a complete repetition. During this procedure, the aircraft shall also
advise the time of its next intended transmission.
5.2.2.7.1.3.2 An aircraft which is provided with air traffic control or advisory service
shall, in addition to complying with 5.2.2.7.1.3.1, transmit information regarding the
intention of the pilot-in-command with respect to the continuation of the flight of the
aircraft.
5.2.2.7.1.3.3 When an aircraft is unable to establish communication due to airborne
equipment failure it shall, when so equipped, select the appropriate SSR code to
indicate radio failure.
5.2.2.7.2 Ground-to-air
5.2.2.7.2.1 When an aeronautical station has been unable to establish contact with
an aircraft station after calls on the frequencies on which the aircraft is believed to be
listening, it shall:
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a) request other aeronautical stations to render assistance by calling the
aircraft and relaying traffic, if necessary;
b) request aircraft on the route to attempt to establish communication with
the aircraft and relay traffic, if necessary.
5.2.2.7.2.2 The provisions of 5.2.2.7.2.1 shall also be applied:
a) on request of the air traffic services unit concerned;
b) when an expected communication from an aircraft has not been received
within a time period such that the occurrence of a communication failure
is suspected.
5.2.2.7.2.3 If the attempts specified in 5.2.2.7.2.1 fail, the aeronautical station should
transmit messages addressed to the aircraft, other than messages containing air traffic
control clearances, by blind transmission on the frequency(ies) on which the aircraft is
believed to be listening.
5.2.2.7.2.4 Blind transmission of air traffic control clearances shall not be made to
aircraft, except at the specific request of the originator.
5.2.2.7.3 Notification of communications failure. The air-ground control radio
station shall notify the appropriate air traffic services unit and the aircraft operating
agency, as soon as possible, of any failure in air-ground communication.
5.2.3 HF message handling
5.2.3.1 General
5.2.3.1.1 PANS.— When operating within a network, an aircraft station should, in
principle, whenever communications conditions so permit, transmit its messages to
the stations of the network from which they can be most readily delivered to their
ultimate destinations. In particular, aircraft reports required by air traffic services
should be transmitted to the network station serving the flight information centre or
area control centre in whose area the aircraft is flying. Conversely, messages to
aircraft in flight should, whenever possible, be transmitted directly to the aircraft by the
network station serving the location of the originator.
5.2.3.1.2 PANS.— Messages passed from an aircraft to a network station should,
whenever possible, be intercepted and acknowledged by other stations of the network,
which serve locations where the information is also required.
5.2.3.1.2.1 PANS.— Acknowledgement of intercept should be made immediately after
the acknowledgement of receipt by the station to which the message was passed.
5.2.3.1.2.2 PANS.— Acknowledgement of an intercept message should be made by
transmitting the radio call sign of the station having intercepted the message, followed
by the word ROGER, if desired, and the call sign of the station having transmitted the
message.
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5.2.3.1.2.3 PANS.— In the absence of acknowledgement of intercept within one
minute, the station accepting the message from the aircraft should forward it, normally
over the aeronautical fixed service, to the station(s) which have failed to acknowledge
intercept.
5.2.3.1.2.3.1 PANS.— If, in abnormal circumstances, forwarding is necessary using
the air-ground channels, the provisions of 5.2.2.3.4 should be observed.
5.2.3.1.2.4 PANS.— When such forwarding is done over the aeronautical fixed
telecommunication network, the messages should be addressed to the network
station(s) concerned.
5.2.3.1.2.5 PANS.— The station(s) to which the messages have been forwarded
should carry out local distribution of them in the same way as if they had been received
directly from the aircraft over the air-ground channel.
5.2.3.1.2.6 The aeronautical station receiving an air-report or a message containing
meteorological information transmitted by an aircraft in flight shall forward the
message without delay:
1) to the air traffic services unit and meteorological offices associated with
the station;
2) to the aircraft operating agency concerned or its representative when
that agency has made a specific request to receive such messages.
5.2.3.1.3 PANS.— The provisions of 5.2.3.1.2 should also be applied, if practicable,
in non-network operation.
5.2.3.1.4 When a message addressed to an aircraft in flight is received by the
aeronautical station included in the address, and when that station is not able to
establish communication with the aircraft to which the message is addressed, the
message should be forwarded to those aeronautical stations on the route which may
be able to establish communication with the aircraft.
5.2.3.1.4.1 If the aeronautical station to which the message is addressed is unable
to dispose of the message in accordance with 5.2.3.1.4, the station of origin should be
advised.
5.2.3.1.4.2 The aeronautical station forwarding the message shall amend the
address thereof, by substituting for its own location indicator the location indicator of
the aeronautical station to which the message is being forwarded.
5.2.3.2 Transmission of ATS messages to aircraft
5.2.3.2.1 PANS.— If it is not possible to deliver an ATS message to the aircraft within
the time specified by ATS, the aeronautical station should notify the originator.
Thereafter, it should take no further action with respect to this message unless
specifically instructed by ATS.
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5.2.3.2.2 PANS.— If delivery of an ATS message is uncertain because of inability to
secure an acknowledgement, the aeronautical station should assume that the
message has not been received by the aircraft and should advise the originator
immediately that, although the message has been transmitted, it has not been
acknowledged.
5.2.3.2.3 PANS.— The aeronautical station, having received the message from ATS,
should not delegate to another station the responsibility for delivery of the message to
the aircraft. However, in case of communication difficulties, other stations should
assist, when requested, in relaying the message to the aircraft. In this case, the station
having received the message from ATS should obtain without delay definite assurance
that the aircraft has correctly acknowledged the message.
5.2.3.3 Recording of air-ground communications on teletypewriter
5.2.3.3.1 PANS.— When recording on teletypewriter, the following procedure should
be used:
a) each line should begin at the left margin;
b) a new line should be used for each transmission;
c) each communication should contain some or all of the following items in the order
shown:
1) call sign of the calling station;
2) text of the message;
3) call sign of the station called or the receiving station, followed by the appropriate
abbreviation to indicate “Received”, “Readback”, or “No reply heard”;
4) call sign of station(s) acknowledging intercept followed by appropriate
abbreviation to indicate “Received”;
5) designation of frequency used;
6) time in UTC of the communication;
d) missing parts of the message text should be indicated by typing the three periods
(space . space . space . space) or three letters M (space M space M space M space);
e) correction of typing errors should be made by keyboard manipulation (space E
space E space E space), followed by the correct information. Errors detected after the
completion of the entry should be corrected after the last entry, using the abbreviation
COR, followed by the correct information.
5.2.4 SELCAL procedures
Note.— The procedures contained in 5.2.4 are applicable when SELCAL is used and
replace certain of the procedures related to calling contained in 5.2.1.
5.2.4.1 General
5.2.4.1.1 PANS.— With the selective calling system known as SELCAL, the voice
calling is replaced by the transmission of coded tones to the aircraft over the
radiotelephony channels. A single selective call consists of a combination of four pre-
selected audio tones whose transmission requires approximately 2 seconds. The
tones are generated in the aeronautical station coder and are received by a decoder
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connected to the audio output of the airborne receiver. Receipt of the assigned tone
code (SELCAL code) activates a cockpit call system in the form of light and/or chime
signals.
Note.— Due to the limited number of SELCAL codes, similar code assignments to
multiple aircraft may be expected. Therefore, the use of correct radiotelephony (RTF)
procedures contained in this chapter is emphasized when establishing
communications via SELCAL.
5.2.4.1.2 PANS.— SELCAL should be utilized by suitably equipped stations for
ground-to-air selective calling on the en-route HF and VHF radio channels.
5.2.4.1.3 PANS.— On aircraft equipped with SELCAL, the pilot is still able to keep a
conventional listening watch if required.
5.2.4.2 Notification to aeronautical stations of aircraft SELCAL codes
5.2.4.2.1 PANS.— It is the responsibility of the aircraft operating agency and the
aircraft to ensure that all aeronautical stations, with which the aircraft would normally
communicate during a particular flight, know the SELCAL code associated with its
radiotelephony call sign.
5.2.4.2.2 PANS.— When practicable, the aircraft operating agency should
disseminate to all aeronautical stations concerned, at regular intervals, a list of
SELCAL codes assigned to its aircraft or flights.
5.2.4.2.3 PANS.— The aircraft should:
a) include the SELCAL code in the flight plan submitted to the appropriate air traffic
services unit; and
b) ensure that the HF aeronautical station has the correct SELCAL code information
by establishing communications temporarily with the HF aeronautical station while still
within VHF coverage.
Note.— Provisions regarding completion of the flight plan are set forth in the PANS-
ATM (Doc 4444).
5.2.4.3 Pre-flight check
5.2.4.3.1 PANS.— The aircraft station should contact the appropriate aeronautical
station and request a pre-flight SELCAL check and, if necessary, give its SELCAL
code.
5.2.4.3.2 PANS.— When primary and secondary frequencies are assigned, a SELCAL
check should normally be made first on the secondary frequency and then on the
primary frequency. The aircraft station would then be ready for continued
communication on the primary frequency.
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5.2.4.3.3 PANS.— Should the pre-flight check reveal that either the ground or airborne
SELCAL installation is inoperative, the aircraft should maintain a continuous listening
watch on its subsequent flight until SELCAL again becomes available.
5.2.4.4 Establishment of communications
5.2.4.4.1 PANS.— When an aeronautical station initiates a call by SELCAL, the
aircraft replies with its radio call sign, followed by the phrase “GO AHEAD”.
5.2.4.5 En-route procedures
5.2.4.5.1 PANS.— Aircraft stations should ensure that the appropriate aeronautical
station(s) are aware that SELCAL watch is being established or maintained.
5.2.4.5.2 PANS.— When so prescribed on the basis of regional air navigation
agreements, calls for scheduled reports from aircraft may be initiated by an
aeronautical station by means of SELCAL.
5.2.4.5.3 PANS.— Once SELCAL watch has been established by a particular aircraft
station, aeronautical stations should employ SELCAL whenever they require to call
aircraft.
5.2.4.5.4 PANS.— In the event the SELCAL signal remains unanswered after two calls
on the primary frequency and two calls on the secondary frequency, the aeronautical
station should revert to voice calling.
5.2.4.5.5 PANS.— Stations in a network should keep each other immediately advised
when malfunctioning occurs in a SELCAL installation on the ground or in the air.
Likewise, the aircraft should ensure that the aeronautical stations concerned with its
flight are immediately made aware of any malfunctioning of its SELCAL installation,
and that voice calling is necessary.
5.2.4.5.6 PANS.— All stations should be advised when the SELCAL installation is
again functioning normally.
5.2.4.6 SELCAL code assignment to aircraft
5.2.4.6.1 PANS.— In principle, the SELCAL code in the aircraft should be associated
with the radiotelephony call sign, i.e. where the flight number (service number) is
employed in the radio call sign, the SELCAL code in the aircraft should be listed
against the flight number. In all other cases, the SELCAL code in the aircraft should
be listed against the aircraft registration.
Note.— The use of aircraft radio call signs, consisting of the airline abbreviation
followed by the flight service number, is increasing among aircraft operators
throughout the world. The SELCAL equipment in aircraft should, therefore, be of a type
which permits a particular code being associated with a particular flight number,
i.e. equipment which is capable of adjustment in code combinations. At this stage,
however, many aircraft still carry SELCAL equipment of the single code type, and it
will not be possible for aircraft with such equipment to satisfy the principle set out
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above. This should not militate against use of the flight number type of radio call sign
by an aircraft so equipped if it wishes to apply this type of call sign, but it is essential
when a single code airborne equipment is used in conjunction with a flight number type
radio call sign that the ground stations be advised in connection with each flight of the
SELCAL code available in the aircraft.
5.3 Distress and urgency radiotelephony communication procedures
5.3.1 General
5.3.1.1 Distress and urgency traffic shall comprise all radiotelephony messages
relative to the distress and urgency conditions respectively. Distress and urgency
conditions are defined as:
a) Distress: a condition of being threatened by serious and/or imminent
danger and of requiring immediate assistance.
b) Urgency: a condition concerning the safety of an aircraft or other vehicle,
or of some person on board or within sight, but which does not require
immediate assistance.
5.3.1.2 The radiotelephony distress signal MAYDAY and the radiotelephony
urgency signal PAN PAN shall be used at the commencement of the first distress and
urgency communication respectively.
5.3.1.2.1 At the commencement of any subsequent communication in distress and
urgency traffic, it shall be permissible to use the radiotelephony distress and urgency
signals.
5.3.1.3 The originator of messages addressed to an aircraft in distress or
urgency condition shall restrict to the minimum the number and volume and content of
such messages as required by the condition.
5.3.1.4 If no acknowledgement of the distress or urgency message is made by
the station addressed by the aircraft, other stations shall render assistance, as
prescribed in 5.3.2.2 and 5.3.3.2 respectively.
5.3.1.5 Distress and urgency traffic shall normally be maintained on the
frequency on which such traffic was initiated until it is considered that better assistance
can be provided by transferring that traffic to another frequency.
5.3.1.6 In cases of distress and urgency communications, in general, the
transmissions by radiotelephony shall be made slowly and distinctly, each word being
clearly pronounced to facilitate transcription.
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5.3.2 Radiotelephony distress communications
5.3.2.1 Action by the aircraft in distress
5.3.2.1.1 In addition to being preceded by the radiotelephony distress signal
MAYDAY (see 5.3.1.2), preferably spoken three times, the distress message to be sent
by an aircraft in distress shall:
a) be on the air-ground frequency in use at the time;
b) consist of as many as possible of the following elements spoken
distinctly and, if possible, in the following order:
1) name of the station addressed (time and circumstances
permitting);
2) the identification of the aircraft;
3) the nature of the distress condition;
4) intention of the person in command;
5) present position, level (i.e. flight level, altitude, etc., as
appropriate) and heading.
5.3.2.2 Action by the station addressed or first station acknowledging the
distress message
5.3.2.2.1 The station addressed by aircraft in distress, or first station
acknowledging the distress message, shall:
a) immediately acknowledge the distress message;
b) take control of the communications or specifically and clearly transfer
that responsibility, advising the aircraft if a transfer is made;
c) take immediate action to ensure that all necessary information is made
available, as soon as possible, to:
1) the ATS unit concerned;
2) the aircraft operating agency concerned, or its representative, in
accordance with pre-established arrangements;
d) warn other stations, as appropriate, in order to prevent the transfer of
traffic to the frequency of the distress communication.
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5.3.2.3 Imposition of silence
5.3.2.3.1 The station in distress, or the station in control of distress traffic, shall be
permitted to impose silence, either on all stations of the mobile service in the area or
on any station which interferes with the distress traffic. It shall address these
instructions “to all stations”, or to one station only, according to circumstances. In either
case, it shall use:
- STOP TRANSMITTING;
- the radiotelephony distress signal MAYDAY.
5.3.2.3.2 The use of the signals specified in 5.3.2.3.1 shall be reserved for the
aircraft station in distress and for the station controlling the distress traffic.
5.3.2.4 Action by all other stations
5.3.2.4.1 The distress communications have absolute priority over all other
communications, and a station aware of them shall not transmit on the frequency
concerned, unless:
5.3.2.4.1 The distress communications have absolute priority over all other
communications, and a station aware of them shall not transmit on the frequency
concerned, unless:
a) the distress is cancelled or the distress traffic is terminated;
b) all distress traffic has been transferred to other frequencies;
c) the station controlling communications gives permission;
d) it has itself to render assistance.
5.3.2.4.2 Any station which has knowledge of distress traffic, and which cannot
itself assist the station in distress, shall nevertheless continue listening to such traffic
until it is evident that assistance is being provided.
5.3.2.5 Termination of distress communications and of silence
5.3.2.5.1 When an aircraft is no longer in distress, it shall transmit a message
cancelling the distress condition.
5.3.2.5.2 When the station which has controlled the distress communication traffic
becomes aware that the distress condition is ended, it shall take immediate action to
ensure that this information is made available, as soon as possible, to:
1) the ATS unit concerned;
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2) the aircraft operating agency concerned, or its representative, in
accordance with pre-established arrangements.
5.3.2.5.3 The distress communication and silence conditions shall be terminated
by transmitting a message, including the words “DISTRESS TRAFFIC ENDED”, on
the frequency or frequencies being used for the distress traffic. This message shall be
originated only by the station controlling the communications when, after the reception
of the message prescribed in 5.3.2.5.1, it is authorized to do so by the appropriate
authority.
5.3.3 Radiotelephony urgency communications
5.3.3.1 Action by the aircraft reporting an urgency condition except as
indicated in 5.3.3.4
5.3.3.1.1 In addition to being preceded by the radiotelephony urgency signal PAN
PAN (see 5.3.1.2), preferably spoken three times and each word of the group
pronounced as the French word “panne”, the urgency message to be sent by an aircraft
reporting an urgency condition shall:
a) be on the air-ground frequency in use at the time;
b) consist of as many as required of the following elements spoken
distinctly and, if possible, in the following order:
1) the name of the station addressed;
2) the identification of the aircraft;
3) the nature of the urgency condition;
4) the intention of the person in command;
5) present position, level (i.e. flight level, altitude, etc., as
appropriate) and heading;
6) any other useful information.
Note.— The foregoing provisions of 5.3.3.1.1 are not intended to prevent an aircraft
broadcasting an urgency message, if time and circumstances make this course
preferable.
5.3.3.2 Action by the station addressed or first station
acknowledging the urgency message
5.3.3.2.1 The station addressed by an aircraft reporting an urgency condition, or
first station acknowledging the urgency message, shall:
a) acknowledge the urgency message;
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b) take immediate action to ensure that all necessary information is made
available, as soon as possible, to:
1) the ATS unit concerned;
2) the aircraft operating agency concerned, or its representative, in
accordance with pre-established arrangements;
c) if necessary, exercise control of communications.
5.3.3.3 Action by all other stations
5.3.3.1 The urgency communications have priority over all other
communications, except distress, and all stations shall take care not to interfere with
the transmission of urgency traffic.
5.3.3.4 Action by an aircraft used for medical transports
5.3.3.4.1 The use of the signal described in 5.3.3.4.2 shall indicate that the
message which follows concerns a protected medical transport pursuant to the 1949
Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols.
5.3.3.4.2 For the purpose of announcing and identifying aircraft used for medical
transports, a transmission of the radiotelephony urgency signal PAN PAN, preferably
spoken three times, and each word of the group pronounced as the French word
“panne”, shall be followed by the radiotelephony signal for medical transports MAY-
DEE-CAL, pronounced as in the French “médical”. The use of the signals described
above indicates that the message which follows concerns a protected medical
transport. The message shall convey the following data:
a) the call sign or other recognized means of identification of the medical
transports;
b) position of the medical transports;
c) number and type of medical transports;
d) intended route;
e) estimated time en route and of departure and arrival, as appropriate; and
f) any other information such as flight altitude, radio frequencies guarded,
languages used, and secondary surveillance radar modes and codes.
5.3.3.5 Action by the station addressed or by other stations receiving a
medical transports message
5.3.3.5.1 The provisions of 5.3.3.2 and 5.3.3.3 shall apply as appropriate to
stations receiving a medical transports message.
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5.4 Communications related to acts of unlawful interference
5.4.1 The station addressed by an aircraft being subjected to an act of unlawful
interference, or first station acknowledging a call from such aircraft, shall render all
possible assistance, including notification of appropriate ATS units as well as any other
station, agency or person in a position to facilitate the flight.
6. Aeronautical Radio Navigation Service
6.1 General
6.1.1 The aeronautical radio navigation service shall comprise all types and
systems of radio navigation aids in the international aeronautical service.
6.1.2 An aeronautical radio navigation aid which is not in continuous operation
shall, if practicable, be put into operation on receipt of a request from an aircraft, any
controlling authority on the ground, or an authorized representative of an aircraft
operating agency.
6.1.2.1 Requests from aircraft should be made to the aeronautical station
concerned on the air-ground frequency normally in use.
6.1.3 Arrangements shall be made for the local aeronautical information
service unit to receive without delay essential information about changes in the
operational status of non-visual aids as required for pre-flight briefing and
dissemination in accordance with the provisions of Annex 15.
6.2 Intentionally left blank
7. Aeronautical Broadcasting Service
7.1 General:
7.1.1 Broadcast material
The text of broadcast material shall be prepared by the originator in the form
desired for transmission.
7.1.2 Frequencies and schedules
7.1.2.1 Broadcasts shall be made on specified frequencies and at specified
times.
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7.1.2.2 Schedules and frequencies of all broadcasts shall be publicized in
appropriate documents. Any change in frequencies or times shall be publicized by
NOTAM at least two weeks in advance of the change.* Additionally, any such change
shall, if practicable, be announced on all regular broadcasts for 48 hours preceding the
change and shall be transmitted once at the beginning and once at the end of each
broadcast.
*Note.- This does not prevent an emergency change of frequency when required in
circumstances which do not permit the promulgation of a NOTAM at least two weeks
in advance of the change.
7.1.2.3 Scheduled broadcasts (other than sequential collective type
broadcasts), shall be started at the scheduled time by the general call. If a broadcast
must be delayed, a short notice shall be transmitted at the scheduled time advising
recipients to “stand by” and stating the approximate number of minutes of delay.
7.1.2.3.1 After definite advice has been given to stand by for a certain period, the
broadcast shall not be started until the end of the standby period.
7.1.2.4 Where broadcasts are conducted on a time-allotment basis,
transmission shall be terminated by each station promptly at the end of the allotted
time period whether or not transmission of all material has been completed.
7.1.2.4.1 In sequential collective type broadcasts each station shall be ready to
commence its broadcasts at the designated time. If for any reason a station does not
commence its broadcast at the designated time, the station immediately following in
sequence shall wait and then commence its broadcast at its own designated time.
7.1.3 Interruption of service
In the event of interruption of service at the station responsible for a broadcast, the
broadcast shall, if possible, be made by another station until normal service is
resumed. If this is not possible, and the broadcast is of the type intended for
interception by fixed stations, the stations which are required to copy the broadcasts
shall continue to listen on the specified frequencies until normal service is resumed.
7.2 Radiotelephone broadcast procedures
7.2.1 Broadcast technique
7.2.1.1 Transmissions by radiotelephone shall be as natural, short and concise
as practicable consistent with clarity.
7.2.1.2 Rate of speech on radiotelephone broadcasts shall not exceed 100
words per minute.
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7.2.2 Preamble of the general call
The preamble of each radiotelephone broadcast shall consist of the general call,
station name, and optionally the time of broadcast (UTC).
Note: The following example illustrates the application of this procedure
(general call) ALL STATIONS
(the words THIS IS) THIS IS
(station name) NEW YORK RADIO
(time of broadcast) TIME, ZERO ZERO FOUR FIVE
8. Aeronautical Mobile Service Data Link Communications
8.1 General
Note 1.— While the provisions of Chapter 8 are based primarily on the use of
controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC), the provisions of 8.1 would apply
to other data link applications, where applicable, including automatic dependent
surveillance — contract (ADS-C) and data link-flight information services (e.g. D-
ATIS, D-VOLMET, etc.).
Note 2.— For the purposes of these provisions, the communication procedures
applicable to the aeronautical mobile service, as appropriate, also apply to the
aeronautical mobile satellite service.
Note 3. —Guidance material relating to CPDLC, ADS-C, and related data link
initiation capability (DLIC), can be found in the Global Operational Data Link (GOLD)
Manual (Doc 10037).
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8.1.1 Data link initiation capability (DLIC)
8.1.1.1 General
8.1.1.1.1 PANS.— Before entering an airspace where data link applications are used
by the ATS unit, data link communications shall be initiated between the aircraft and
the ATS unit in order to register the aircraft and, when necessary, allow the start of a
data link application. This shall be initiated by the aircraft, either automatically or by
the pilot, or by the ATS unit on address forwarding.
8.1.1.1.2 PANS.— The logon address associated with an ATS unit shall be published
in Aeronautical Information Publications in accordance with Annex 15.
Note.— A given FIR may have multiple logon addresses; and more than one FIR may
share the same logon address.
8.1.1.2 Aircraft initiation
PANS.— On receipt of a valid data link initiation request from an aircraft approaching
or within a data link service area, the ATS unit shall accept the request and, if able to
correlate it with a flight plan, shall establish a connection with the aircraft.
8.1.1.3 ATS unit forwarding
PANS.— The ground system initially contacted by the aircraft shall provide to the next
ATS unit any relevant updated aircraft information in sufficient time to permit the
establishment of data link communications.
8.1.1.4 Failure
8.1.1.4.1 PANS.— In the case of a data link initiation failure, the data link system shall
provide an indication of the failure to the appropriate ATS unit(s). The data link system
shall also provide an indication of the failure to the flight crew when a data link initiation
failure results from a logon initiated by the flight crew.
Note.— When the aircraft’s logon request results from responding to a contact request
by a transferring ATS unit, then both ATS units will receive the indication.
8.1.1.4.2 PANS.— The ATS unit shall establish procedures to resolve, as soon as
practicable, data link initiation failures. Procedures shall include, as a minimum,
verifying that the aircraft is initiating a data link request with the appropriate ATS unit
(i.e. the aircraft is approaching or within the ATS unit’s control area); and if so:
a) when a flight plan is available, verify that the aircraft identification, aircraft
registration, or aircraft address and other details contained in the data link initiation
request correspond with details in the flight plan, and where differences are detected
verify the correct information and then make the necessary changes; or
b) when a flight plan is not available, create a flight plan with sufficient information in
the flight data processing system, to achieve a successful data link initiation; then
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c) arrange for the re-initiation of the data link.
8.1.1.4.3 PANS.— The aircraft operator shall establish procedures to resolve, as soon
as practicable, data link initiation failures. Procedures shall include, as a minimum,
that the pilot:
a) verify the correctness and consistency of the flight plan information available in the
FMS or equipment from which data link is initiated, and where differences are detected
make the necessary changes; and
b) verify the correct address of the ATS unit; then
c) re-initiate data link.
8.1.2 Composition of data link messages
8.1.2.1 The text of messages shall be composed in standard message format
(e.g. CPDLC message set), in plain language or in abbreviations and codes, as
prescribed in 3.7. Plain language shall be avoided when the length of the text can be
reduced by using appropriate abbreviations and codes. Non-essential words and
phrases, such as expressions of politeness, shall not be used.
8.1.2.2 The following characters are allowed in the composition of messages:
Letters: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
(upper case only)
Figures: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Other signs: - (hyphen)
? (question mark)
: (colon)
( (open bracket)
) (close bracket)
. (full stop, period, or decimal point)
, (comma)
‘ (apostrophe)
= (double hyphen or equal sign)
/ (oblique)
+ (plus sign)
and the space character.
Characters other than those listed above shall not be used in messages.
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8.1.2.3 Roman numerals shall not be employed. If the originator of a
message wishes the addressee to be informed that Roman figures are intended, the
Arabic figure or figures shall be written and preceded by the word ROMAN.
8.1.3 Display of data link messages
8.1.3.1 Ground and airborne systems shall allow for messages to be
appropriately displayed, printed when required, and stored in a manner that permits
timely and convenient retrieval should such action be necessary.
8.1.3.2 Whenever textual presentation is required, the English language shall be
displayed as a minimum.
8.2 CPDLC procedures
8.2.1 In all communications the highest standard of discipline shall be
observed at all times.
8.2.1.1 Consequences of human performance, which can affect the accurate
reception and comprehension of messages, shall be taken into consideration when
composing a message.
8.2.2 Ground and airborne systems shall provide controllers and pilots with the
capability to review and validate any operational messages they send.
8.2.3 Ground and airborne systems shall provide controllers and pilots with the
capability to review, validate and when applicable, acknowledge any operational
messages they receive.
8.2.4 The controller shall be provided with the capability to respond to
messages, including emergencies, to issue clearances, instructions and advisories,
and to request and provide information, as appropriate.
8.2.5 The pilot shall be provided with the capability to respond to messages,
to request clearances and information, to report information, and to declare or cancel
an emergency.
8.2.6 The pilot and the controller shall be provided with the capability to
exchange messages standard message elements, free text message elements or a
combination of both..
8.2.7 Unless specified by the appropriate ATS authority, voice read-back of
CPDLC messages shall not be required.
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8.2.8 Establishment of CPDLC
8.2.8.1 The controller and the pilot shall be informed when CPDLC has been
successfully established.
8.2.8.2 PANS: CPDLC shall be established in sufficient time to ensure that the
aircraft is communicating with the appropriate ATC unit.
8.2.8.3 The controller and pilot shall be informed when CPDLC is available for
operational use, at initial establishment, as well as on resumption of CPDLC after a
failure.
8.2.8.4 The pilot shall be able to identify the air traffic control unit providing the
air traffic control service at any time while the service is being provided.
8.2.8.5 When the airborne system detects that CPDLC is available for
operational use, it shall send the CPDLC downlink message element CURRENT DATA
AUTHORITY.
8.2.8.6 Airborne - initiated CPDLC
8.2.8.6.1 PANS: When an ATC unit receives an unexpected request for CPDLC
from an aircraft, the circumstances leading to the request shall be obtained from the
aircraft to determine further action.
8.2.8.6.2 PANS: When the ATC unit rejects a request for CPDLC, it shall provide
the pilot with the reason for the rejection using an appropriate CPDLC message.
8.2.8.7. ATC unit-initiated CPDLC
8.2.8.7.1 An ATC unit shall only establish CPDLC with an aircraft if the aircraft has
no CPDLC link established, or when authorized by the ATC unit currently having
CPDLC established with the aircraft.
8.2.8.7.2 When a request for CPDLC is rejected by an aircraft, the reason for the
rejection shall be provided using CPDLC downlink message element NOT CURRENT
DATA AUTHORITY or message element NOT AUTHORIZED NEXT DATA
AUTHORITY, as appropriate. Local procedures shall dictate whether the reason for
rejection is presented to the controller. No other reasons for airborne rejection of ATC
unit-initiation of CPDLC shall be permitted.
8.2.9. Exchange of operational CPDLC messages
8.2.9.1 Controllers and pilots shall construct CPDLC messages using standard
message elements, free text message elements or a combination of both.
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8.2.9.1.1 PANS: When CPDLC is being used and the intent of the message is
included in the CPDLC message set contained in the PANS-ATM, appendix 5, the
associated standard message elements shall be used.
8.2.9.1.2 PANS: Except as provided by 8.2.12.1, when a controller or pilot
communicates via CPDLC, the response should be via CPDLC. When a controller or
pilot communicates via voice, the response should be via voice.
8.2.9.1.3 PANS: If a CPDLC message that requires an operational response is
subsequently negotiated via voice, an appropriate CPDLC message closure response
shall be sent, to ensure proper synchronization of the CPDLC dialogue.
8.2.9.2 The composition of a CPDLC message shall not exceed five message
elements, only two of which may contain the route clearance variable.
.
8.2.9.2.1 PANS: The use of long messages or messages with multiple clearance
elements or messages with a combination of clearance and information should be
avoided where possible.
8.2.9.3 CPDLC ground systems and airborne systems shall be capable of using
the CPDLC message alert attributes in order to draw attention to higher priority
messages.
Note.— Message attributes dictate certain message handling requirements for the
CPDLC user receiving a message. Each CPDLC message has two attributes: alert
and response attributes. When a message contains multiple message elements, the
highest precedence message element attribute type becomes the attribute type for the
entire message.
8.2.9.3.1 The alert attribute shall delineate the type of alerting required upon
message receipt. Alert types are presented in Table 8-1.
8.2.9.3.2 The response attribute shall delineate valid responses for a given
message element. Response types are presented in Table 8-2 for uplink messages
and Table 8-3 for downlink messages.
Table 8-1 Alert Attribute (Uplink and Downlink)
Type Description Procedures
H High 1
M Medium 2
L Low 3
N No alerting required 4
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8.2.9.3.2.1 PANS: When a multi element message requires a response, the
response shall apply to all message elements.
8.2.9.3.2.2 PANS: When a single message element clearance or any part of a
multielement clearance message cannot be complied with, the pilot shall send an
UNABLE response for the whole message.
8.2.9.3.2.3 PANS: The controller shall respond with an UNABLE message that applies
to all elements of the request when no element (s) of a single or multi-element
clearance request can be approved. The current clearance (s) shall not be restated.
8.2.9.3.2.4 PANS:. When a multi-element clearance request can only be partially
accommodated, the controller shall respond with an UNABLE message applying to all
the message elements of the request and, if appropriate, include a reason and/or
information on when a clearance may be expected.
8.2.9.3.2.5 When all elements of a single or multi-element clearance request can be
accommodated, the controller shall respond with clearances corresponding to each
element of the request. This response should be a single uplink message.
8.2.9.3.2.6 PANS: When a CPDLC message contains more than one message
element and the response attribute for the message is Y, when utilized, the single
response message shall contain the corresponding number of replies in the same
order.
8.2.9.4 When a ground or airborne system generates the CPDLC message
ERROR, the reason for the error shall be included in the message.
8.2.9.5 The appropriate ATS authority shall select those message elements
contained in PANS-ATM, Appendix 5 that support operations in their airspace. Should
an ATS authority choose to select a subset of the message elements, and a received
message does not belong to this subset, the ATC unit shall respond by uplinking the
message element MESSAGE NOT SUPPORTED BY THIS ATC UNIT.
8.2.9.5.1 Only the uplink messages appropriate to a particular control sector’s
operations should be provided to the controller.
8.2.9.5.3 Information concerning CPDLC message element subsets utilized, shall be
published in the aeronautical information publications (AIP).
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8.2.9.6 Transfer of CPDLC
8.2.9.6.1 PANS: When CPDLC is transferred, the transfer of voice communication
and CPDLC shall commence concurrently.
8.2.9.6.2 PANS: When an aircraft is transferred from an ATC unit where CPDLC
available to an ATC unit where COPDLC is not available, CPDLC termination shall
commence concurrent with the transfer of voice communication.
8.2.9.6.3 When a transfer of CPDLC results in a change of data authority, and
there are still messages for which the closure response has not been received (i.e.
messages outstanding), the controller transferring the CPDLC shall be informed.
8.2.9.6.3.1 If the controller needs to transfer the aircraft without replying to any
downlink message(s) outstanding, the system shall have the capability to
automatically send the appropriate closure response message(s). In such cases, the
contents of any automatically sent closure response message(s) shall be promulgated
in local instructions.
8.2.9.6.3.2 When the controller decides to transfer the aircraft without receiving pilot
responses to any uplink message(s) outstanding, the ground system shall have the
capability to automatically end the dialogue for each message prior to the transfer.
8.2.9.6.3.2.1 PANS: The controller shall revert to voice communication to clarify any
ambiguity associated with the message (s) outstanding.
8.2.9.6.4 When a transfer of CPDLC does not result in a change of data authority,
and there are still messages outstanding, these messages shall either be forwarded
to the appropriate controller or shall be closed in accordance with local instructions
and, if necessary, letters of agreement.
8.2.10 Display of CPDLC messages
ATC units utilizing a CPDLC message contained in the PANS-ATM should display the
associated text pertaining to that message as presented in the PANS-ATM, Appendix
5.
8.2.11 Free text message elements
8.2.11.1 PANS: The use of free text message elements by controllers or pilots,
other than standardized free text messages referred to in paragraph 8.2.9.5.2 should
be avoided.
8.2.11.2 When the CPDLC message set contained in the PANS-ATM (Doc 4444) does
not provide for specific circumstances, the appropriate ATS authority may determine
that it is acceptable to use free text message elements. In such cases, the appropriate
ATS authority, in consultation with operators and other ATS authorities that may be
concerned, shall define display format, intended use and attributes for each free text
message element and publish them with relevant procedures in the AIPs.
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8.2.11.3 PANS.— Free text message elements should be stored for selection within
the aircraft or ground system to facilitate their use.
8.2.12 Emergencies, hazards and equipment failure procedures
8.2.12.1 PANS: When a CPDLC emergency message is received, the controller
shall acknowledge receipt of the message by the most efficient means available.
8.2.12.2 PANS: When responding via CPDLC to all other emergency or urgency
messages, uplink message ROGER shall be used.
8.2.12.3 When a CPDLC message requires a logical acknowledgement and/or an
operational response, and such a response is not received, the pilot or controller, as
appropriate, shall be alerted.
8.2.12.4 Failure of CPDLC
Note 1.—Action to be taken in the event of a data link initiation failure is covered in
8.1.1.4
Note 2 – Action to be taken in the event of the failure of single CPDLC message is
covered in 8.2.12.6
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8.2.12.4.1 A CPDLC failure should be detected in a timely manner.
8.2.12.4.2 The controller and pilot shall be alerted to a failure of CPDLC as soon as
a failure has been detected.
8.2.12.4.3 PANS: When a controller or pilot is alerted that CPDLC has failed, and
the controller or pilot needs to communicate prior to CPDLC being restored, the
controller or pilot should revert to voice, if possible, and prefaced information with the
phrase:
CPDLC FAILURE
8.2.12.4.4 PANS: Controllers having requirement to transmit information
concerning a complete CPDLC ground system failure to all stations likely to intercept
should preface such a transmission by the general call ALL STATIONS CPDLC
FAILURE,followed by the identification of the calling station.
8.2.12.4.5 PANS: When CPDLC fails and communications revert to voice, all
CPDLC messages outstanding should be considered not delivered and the entire
dialogue involving the messages outstanding should be recommenced by voice.
8.2.12.4.6 PANS: When CPDLC fails but is restored prior to a need to revert to
voice communications, al messages outstanding should be considered not delivered
and the entire dialogue involving the messages outstanding should be recommenced
via CPDLC.
8.2.12.5 INTENTIONAL SHUTDOWN OF CPDLC
8.2.12.5.1 When a system shutdown of the communications network or the CPDLC ground system is planned, a
NOTAM shall be published to inform all affected parties of the shutdown period and if necessary, the details of the
voice communication frequencies to be used.
8.2.12.5.2 Aircraft currently in communication with the ATC unit shall be informed by voice or CPDLC of any
imminent loss of CPDLC service.
8.2.12.5.3 The controller and pilot shall be provided with the capability to abort CPDLC.
8.2.12.6 FAILURE OF A SINGLE CPDLC MESSAGE
PANS.— When a controller or pilot is alerted that a single CPDLC message has failed, the controller or pilot
shall take one of the following actions, as appropriate:
a) via voice, confirm the actions that will be undertaken with respect to the related dialogue,
prefacing the information with the phrase:
CPDLC MESSAGE FAILURE;
b) via CPDLC, reissue the CPDLC message that failed.
8.2.12.7 DISCONTINUATION OF THE USE OF CPDLC PILOT REQUESTS
8.2.12.7.1 PANS.— When a controller requires all stations or a specific flight to avoid sending CPDLC requests
for a limited period of time, the following phrase shall be used:
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((call sign) or ALL STATIONS) STOP SENDING CPDLC REQUESTS [UNTIL ADVISED] [(reason)]
Note.— Under these circumstances, CPDLC remains available for the pilot to, if necessary, respond to
messages, report information, and declare and cancel an emergency.
8.2.12.7.2 PANS.— The resumption of the normal use of CPDLC shall be advised by using the following phrase:
((call sign) or ALL STATIONS) RESUME NORMAL CPDLC OPERATIONS
8.2.13 Where the testing of CPDLC with an aircraft could affect the air traffic
services being provided to the aircraft, coordination shall be effected prior to such
testing.
8.2.14 Downstream clearance delivery service
8.2.14.1 The appropriate ATS authority shall determine whether an ATC unit
supports downstream clearance delivery service.
8.2.14.2 Establishment of downstream clearance delivery service
8.2.14.2.1 Downstream clearance delivery service shall only be initiated by the
airborne system. The initiation shall indicate that this communication is only to receive
a downstream clearance.
8.2.14.2.2 When an ATC unit rejects a request for downstream clearance delivery
service, it shall provide the pilot with the reason for the rejection using the CPDLC
message SERVICE UNAVAILABLE.
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8.2.14.3 Operation of downstream clearance delivery service
8.2.14.3.1 The controller and pilot shall be informed when downstream clearance
delivery service is available for operational communication.
8.2.14.3.2 The controller and pilot shall be informed of the failure of downstream
clearance delivery service.
8.2.14.3.3 The CPDLC message elements that are permitted for downstream
clearance delivery service shall be established by regional air navigation agreement.
8.2.14.3.4 A clearance request issued as a downstream clearance request shall be
clearly identifiable as such to the controller.
8.2.14.3.5 A clearance issued as a downstream clearance shall be clearly
identifiable as such to the pilot.
8.2.14.4 Termination of downstream clearance delivery service
8.2.14.4.1 Termination of downstream clearance delivery service shall only be
initiated by the airborne system.
8.2.14.4.2 Downstream clearance delivery service with an ATC unit shall be
terminated whenever the downstream data authority becomes the current data
authority.
(Arun Kumar)
Director General of Civil Aviation
100