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Important Tips

Tips for Controllers

Termination of Radar Service

When there is no adjacent unit available to hand off the traffic to, or when the adjacent unit provides ATC service procedurally (non-radar), say:

GOL UNO QUATRO UNO NOVE, serviço radar terminado aos XX. Autorizada a troca de frequência, próxima frequência.

GOL ONE FOUR ONE NINE, radar service terminated at XX. Frequency change approved, next frequency.

GOL UNO CUATRO UNO NUEVE, servicio radar terminado a las XX. Autorizado el cambio de frecuencia, próxima frecuencia.

Important!

  1. In the text above, replace XX with the minute at which radar service was terminated, read out digit by digit (example: 15 = ONE FIVE).
  2. Replace next frequency with the correct frequency to be given to the aircraft, which will be the frequency of the procedural (non-radar) control unit or the CTAF/UNICOM 1 frequency if no controller is online.

Pronunciation of the Word Via

The word "VIA", both in Portuguese and in American English, is pronounced "VIA", just as it is written. In British English, it is pronounced "VAIA". Both forms are correct for use.

Complete Readbacks

Readbacks of any instructions issued by the ATC unit must always be made in full. Merely using the term "ROGER" as a readback is not sufficient and must not be used.

Terms to Avoid

Never use informal terms or terms not standardised by MCA 100-16, such as:

  • "Na caixa" ("in the box")
  • "Almas a bordo" ("souls on board")
  • "Câmbio" ("over")

Or any other terms not provided for in the official phraseology, even if they have an equivalent meaning.

WARNING

Avoid picking up phraseology bad habits from other pilots when listening to real-world ATC, as they may use terms that are not standardised by MCA 100-16. If in doubt, always refer to the regulations.

Important Notes

Do not request unnecessary reports

There is no need to make requests or give information that is meaningless or not provided for, such as:

  • "Solicita corte e desembarque" ("Request shutdown and disembarkation")
  • "Para o corte e desembarque" ("For shutdown and disembarkation")

Important

The chocks status at an aerodrome is requested when the tower has no visual contact due to weather conditions (mist, fog and rain).

  1. The CTAF frequency is the tower or local area frequency. The UNICOM frequency is 122.800 MHz. ↩