Pilots Can Expect Another ATC Phraseology Change
Posted by Jeffrey on September 17th, 2010
As a pilot, 
I’ve been flying into Canada for a long time now on the CRJ and I am use to their Air Traffic Control (ATC) phraseology both in the terminal area and while flying.
For instance, in the United States, ATC may say for a frequency change, “Contact Minneapolis Center on 1-2-2 point 0-5.” In Canada the controller will say, “Contact Minneapolis Center on 1-2-2 decimal 0-5.”
Another difference is that when taxing around the terminal area, in the United States we call the controlled area by the gates the “ramp” area and in Canada, they call it an “apron.”
The one clearance that always got me though was when Canada would clear us to “Line Up and Wait,” which meant for use to taxi into position on the runway, line-up with the runway centerline, and wait for our takeoff clearance.
It just didn’t seem right.
In the United States, ATC would instruct pilots to “Position and Hold.” I guess that it was awkward for me because I was so use to the radio phraseology in the United States.
Well things are going to change again in the United States as far as pilot radio phraseology goes. If you remember, the FAA recently changed how taxi clearances are given to pilots when they taxi from a gate or ramp to a runway and vice versa.
Now, on September 30, 2010, the FAA is going to make another change and start using the same phraseology that the Canadians and the rest of the world use. ATC is going to start instructing pilots to “Line Up and Wait” instead of “Position and Hold.”
This is how it will work.
When you are the next airplane in position to depart, ATC will:
- State your callsign
- State the departure runway
- State “Line Up and Wait“
Your responsibility will be to read back the clearance to the controller, visually confirm the runway you are entering, visually confirm that runway and that the approach final are clear, turn on your lights, line-up on the runway centerline and wait.
Kind makes more sense now, doesn’t it?
The FAA didn’t come about this change lightly though. They never do. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) realized that there were some significant differences between FAA phraseology and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The NTSB felt that there were some changes that could be made that may help reduce the number of runway incursions. The FAA then did a safety analysis and concluded that in fact this change may have a positive impact on reducing runway incursions.
So, on September 30th, 2010, if you are out flying, expect to hear the new clearance, “Line Up and Wait” when taking the active runway.
As a reminder, remember when entering a runway there are a few things you should never do:
- Never cross a hold short line unless instructed by ATC
- Never taxi onto a runway unless you are cleared to cross or taxi onto that runway
- Never taxi onto a runway unless you are cleared for takeoff on that runway
- Never taxi onto a runway unless you are cleared to “Line Up and Wait.”
And as always, if in doubt, ASK!
To Your Flying Success,
Jeffrey
