General/Air Traffic Communication
From SOURCE DCS WIKI
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14th VSFS Top Hatters — Airfield Communications Guide
Covers: IFR/VFR Procedures · Airfield Communication Flow · Brevity & Terminology
Information is based on real-world procedures but modified to cater to DCS limitations
Topdown Principle
A higher station covers the area of responsibility of a lower position if the lower position is offline. For example, if Approach is unmanned, Radar assumes approach responsibilities; if Tower is offline, Radar assumes tower duties. Controllers should always be aware of what positions are active and what they are responsible for covering.
IFR / VFR Overview
Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
VFR requires the pilot to navigate primarily by visual reference — using landmarks, the horizon, and outside visibility to remain oriented and avoid terrain and other aircraft. VFR flight is only possible under adequate weather conditions with sufficient visibility. In DCS, most beginner pilots will fly under VFR by default, relying on what they can see out of the cockpit to navigate and execute missions.
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
IFR applies when visual references are unavailable or unreliable — such as in low visibility, heavy cloud cover, or night conditions. Under IFR, the pilot relies entirely on cockpit instruments such as the altimeter, airspeed indicator, artificial horizon, and heading indicator to maintain control and navigate. In DCS, IFR operations involve following structured procedures such as instrument departures, airways navigation, and instrument approaches, and require a thorough understanding of the aircraft's avionics suite.
Glossary
- ABEAM
- Approximately 90 degrees to the right or left of the aircraft track; a general position, not a precise point
- ATIS
- Automatic Terminal Information Service — a continuous broadcast of recorded aeronautical information including weather, active runway, and NOTAMs
- DME
- Distance Measuring Equipment — indicates distance in nautical miles from a navaid such as a TACAN or VOR
- FAF
- Final Approach Fix — the fix at which the final approach segment of an instrument approach begins
- GCA
- Ground Controlled Approach — a radar-guided approach to landing
- IAF
- Initial Approach Fix — the fix at which an instrument approach procedure begins
- IFR
- Instrument Flight Rules — flight conducted primarily by reference to cockpit instruments
- MAP
- Missed Approach Point — the point at which a missed approach must be initiated if required visual reference is not established
- MARSA
- Military Assumes Responsibility for Separating Aircraft — the point at which the military takes over separation duties from civil ATC
- PAR
- Precision Approach Radar — a ground-based radar system that provides azimuth and glidepath guidance to landing aircraft
- VFR
- Visual Flight Rules — flight conducted primarily by visual reference outside the cockpit
Airfield Terminology & Standard Phrases
| Phrase | Definition |
|---|---|
| ACKNOWLEDGE | Confirm receipt of my message. |
| AFFIRMATIVE | Yes. |
| BLOCKED | Radio transmission distorted or interrupted by simultaneous transmissions. |
| CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF | Authorization to depart. |
| CLEARED FOR THE OPTION | Authorization for various landing approaches at the pilot's discretion, often for training. |
| CLEARED TO LAND | Authorization to land based on traffic and airport conditions. |
| CLOSED TRAFFIC | Repeated takeoffs and landings within the traffic pattern. |
| CONFIRM | Confirm specified information. |
| EXPEDITE | Prompt action required to avoid imminent issues. |
| FLY HEADING (Degrees) | Fly or turn to a specified compass direction. |
| FUEL REMAINING | Report approximate remaining flight time in minutes, including reserves. |
| GO AROUND | Abort landing; follow additional ATC instructions as needed. |
| HAVE NUMBERS | Runway, wind, and altimeter information received. |
| IDENT | Activate transponder identification feature. |
| IMMEDIATELY | Urgent action required to avoid danger. |
| LINE UP AND WAIT | Taxi onto the runway and hold. This is not a takeoff clearance. |
| MAINTAIN | Stay at specified altitude/flight level or follow literal instructions. |
| MAKE SHORT APPROACH | Alter traffic pattern for a shorter final approach. |
| MAYDAY | Emergency distress call indicating grave and imminent danger. Repeated three times on initial call. |
| MINIMUM FUEL | Fuel is low; delays cannot be tolerated but it is not yet an emergency. |
| NEGATIVE | No, not granted, or incorrect. |
| NEGATIVE CONTACT | Traffic not in sight, or unable to contact ATC. |
| RADAR CONTACT | ATC confirms radar identification and tracking. |
| RADAR SERVICE TERMINATED | Radar services ended; may occur automatically in specific situations. |
| RADIO CHECK | Request for transmission quality check. |
| READ BACK | Repeat my message back to confirm receipt. |
| REPORT | Advise ATC of specific information. |
| ROGER | Received and understood. Does not indicate compliance. |
| SAY AGAIN | Request repeat of the last transmission. |
| SAY ALTITUDE | State current altitude rounded to the nearest 100 feet. |
| SAY HEADING | Report current heading. |
| SPEAK SLOWER | Request slower speech. |
| SQUAWK (Mode, Code, Function) | Set transponder mode/code as instructed. |
| STAND BY | Wait or pause; not a denial or approval. |
| THAT IS CORRECT | Your understanding is accurate. |
| TRAFFIC | One or more aircraft; may be followed by position information. |
| TRAFFIC IN SIGHT | Traffic visually acquired. |
| UNABLE | Cannot comply with instruction. Should be followed by a reason when possible. |
| WILCO | Will comply. (Must NOT replace a readback!) |
Communication Flow
IFR Departure
Tower (Incirlik / LTAG-TWR)
| Station | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Flight Check | |
| Flight Lead | Incirlik Tower, {CS}, {#}-Ship, with Information {ATIS Letter}, request taxi |
| LTAG-TWR | {CS} Incirlik Tower, taxi last chance {West / East}, Altimeter {A}, Runway {RWY} |
| Flight Lead | {CS} taxiing last chance {West / East}, Altimeter {A}, Runway {RWY} |
| Jets taxi to last chance. Upon arrival, pilots request their IFR clearance | |
| Flight Lead | {CS}, ready to copy IFR |
| LTAG-TWR | {CS}, cleared to {Clearance Limit} as fragged, {possible additional instructions}, level later, squawk {X}, trailing element squawk {Y}, prepare {Airport} Departure {BTN / FREQ} |
| Flight Lead | {CS} {Readback} |
| LTAG-TWR | {CS} {Readback correct / Corrections} |
| Once all jets are ready for departure | |
| Flight Lead | {CS}, ready for departure |
| LTAG-TWR | {CS}, line-up and wait runway {RWY}, wind {Winds} |
| Flight Lead | {CS} line-up and wait runway {RWY} |
| LTAG-TWR | {CS} climb {Level}, wind {Winds}, runway {RWY}, cleared for takeoff, contact Radar {BTN / FREQ} |
| Flight Lead | {CS} cleared for takeoff runway {RWY}, push departure {BTN / FREQ} |
| While still on the ground, all jets switch frequency and perform the Flight Check. Only after completing the Flight Check do they take off. | |
Incirlik Radar (LTAA-Radar)
| Station | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Flight Lead | Incirlik Radar {CS}, passing {Current Altitude} |
| LTAA-Radar | Incirlik Radar {CS}, Identified {Additional Instructions} |
| Flight Lead | {CS} {Readback of Additional Instructions} |
| When closing in on the MARSA zone / leaving radar's airspace | |
| LTAA-Radar | {CS} contact {Tactical Radar CS} {BTN / FREQ} |
| Flight Lead | {CS} push {BTN / FREQ} |
From here the military assumes responsibility for separating aircraft.
IFR Arrival
Incirlik Radar (LTAA-Radar)
| Station | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Assuming jets have just been handed over from tactical to Incirlik Radar | |
| Flight Lead | Incirlik Radar {CS}, Level {Current Level}, with Information {ATIS Letter}, request {Approach Type} approach |
| LTAA-Radar | Incirlik Radar {CS}, Identified {Additional Instructions} |
| Flight Lead | {CS} {Readback of Additional Instructions} |
| Further instructions may follow | |
| LTAA-Radar | {Flight Name} contact Tower {BTN / FREQ} |
| Flight Lead | {CS} push {BTN / FREQ} |
Tower — Overhead Break (LTAG-TWR)
| Station | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Flight Lead | Incirlik Tower, {Flight Name} |
| LTAG-TWR | {CS} report initial |
| Flight Lead | {CS}, wilco |
| Once over the initial | |
| Flight Lead | {CS} initial |
| LTAG-TWR | {CS} IFR cancelled, minute {Current Time}, {Left / Right} hand break, wind {Winds}, altimeter {Altimeter}, report on the break |
| Flight Lead | {CS} IFR cancelled, {Left / Right} hand break |
| LTAG-TWR | {CS}, check gear down, wind {Winds}, runway {RWY}, cleared to land |
| Flight Lead | {CS} cleared to land runway {RWY}, gear down and locked |
| All wingmen (in order) | Gear down and locked |
| Assuming number 4 breaks first | |
| Flight Number 4 | {CS} 4, on the break |
| Repeated in parallel for each flight member | |