4-2-7. Phonetic Alphabet
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) phonetic alphabet is used by FAA personnel when
communications conditions are such that the information cannot be readily received without their use. ATC
facilities may also request pilots to use phonetic letter equivalents when aircraft with similar sounding
identifications are receiving communications on the same frequency. Pilots should use the phonetic alphabet
when identifying their aircraft during initial contact with air traffic control facilities. Additionally, use the
phonetic equivalents for single letters and to spell out groups of letters or difficult words during adverse
communications conditions. (See TBL 4-2-2.)
TBL 4-2-2

Phonetic Alphabet/Morse Code

4-2-6

Phonic
(Pronunciation)

Morse Code

Telephony

Alfa

(AL-FAH)

Bravo

(BRAH-VOH)

yy

Charlie

(CHAR-LEE) or
(SHAR-LEE)

Delta

(DELL-TAH)

Echo

(ECK-OH)

Foxtrot

(FOKS-TROT)

yy

Golf

(GOLF)

Hotel

(HOH-TEL)

India

(IN-DEE-AH)

yyy

Juliett

(JEW-LEE-ETT)

yy

Kilo

(KEY-LOH)

Lima

(LEE-MAH)

yy

Mike

(MIKE)

November

(NO-VEM-BER)

yyy

Oscar

(OSS-CAH)

Character

yy

Papa

(PAH-PAH)

yyy

Quebec

(KEH-BECK)

Romeo

(ROW-ME-OH)

Sierra

(SEE-AIR-RAH)

Tango

(TANG-GO)

Uniform

(YOU-NEE-FORM) or
(OO-NEE-FORM)

Victor

(VIK-TAH)

y y

Whiskey

(WISS-KEY)

yy

Xray

(ECKS-RAY)

yyy

Yankee

(YANG-KEY)

yy

Zulu

(ZOO-LOO)

yyyy

One

(WUN)

yyy

Two

(TOO)

yy

Three

(TREE)

Four

(FOW-ER)

Five

(FIFE)

Six

(SIX)

yy

Seven

(SEV-EN)

yyy

Eight

(AIT)

yyyy

Nine

(NIN-ER)

y y y y y Zero

(ZEE-RO)

Radio Communications Phraseology