Skip to content

Phraseology

How to use this page

The MCA 100-16 has no section of its own for helicopters2. The helicopter-specific phraseology is in chapter 7 of the ICA 100-41, and most of the examples come from it. Pilot transmissions appear in the green bubbles, on the left; controller transmissions in the blue bubbles, on the right. Replace the callsigns and names with those of your position.

Three words change the kind of movement, and the pilot needs to hear the right one (ICA 100-4, item 7.1)1:

Word When to use it
Taxi Movement on the ground, along the taxiways. Preferred for wheeled helicopters
Air-taxi Movement in the air, below 20 kt and in ground effect
Air-transit Movement in the air, along an air-transit route, above 20 kt and below 100 ft

Taxiing in the air

PT HAL, solicito taxiamento aéreo do hangar principal para o pátio número 5.
PT HAL, autorizado taxiamento aéreo via taxiway B para o pátio número 5. Cautela devido aos homens trabalhando próximo à taxiway B.

PT HAL, request air-taxiing from main hangar to apron number 5.
PT HAL, air-taxi cleared via taxiway B to apron number 5. Caution, personnel working near taxiway B.

Source: ICA 100-4, item 7.2.1. Position: GND.

Air transit

PT HAX, solicito deslocamento aéreo para o pátio da Petrobras.
PT HAX, autorizado deslocamento aéreo via rota R para o pátio da Petrobras.

PT HAX, request air-transiting to Petrobras apron.
PT HAX, air-transit cleared via route R to Petrobras apron.

Source: ICA 100-4, item 7.2.2. Position: GND.

Take-off away from the runway

PT YOZ, autorizada decolagem da presente posição.

PT YOZ, cleared for take-off from present position.

Source: ICA 100-4, item 7.2.3. Position: TWR.

Point outside the manoeuvring area, in sight of the tower

PT YDP, pátio 5, pronto para decolagem, solicito instruções.
PT YDP, prossiga a seu critério, observe veículos à sua direita, reporte para o cruzamento da pista 17R.
PT HAX, solicito pouso no heliponto Velox.
PT HAX, prossiga conforme solicitado, informe no solo.

PT YDP, apron 5, ready for departure, request instructions.
PT YDP, proceed at your discretion, observe vehicles on your right, report for crossing runway 17R.
PT HAX, request landing at Velox helipad.
PT HAX, proceed as requested, report on the ground.

Source: ICA 100-4, item 7.2.4. Position: TWR.

Point out of sight of the tower

PT HLL, pátio 2, solicito decolagem da presente posição.
PT HLL, decolagem por sua conta e risco da presente posição.
PT YOL, solicito pouso no pátio militar.
PT YOL, pouso por sua conta e risco no pátio militar, informe no solo.

PT HLL, apron 2, request taking off from present position.
PT HLL, take-off will be at your own risk from present position.
PT YOL, request landing at military apron.
PT YOL, landing will be at your own risk at military apron, report on the ground.

Source: ICA 100-4, item 7.2.5. Position: TWR.

Report on a helicopter route

Controle, PR HEL, REH ALFA, vertical da PONTE, 1.500 pés, para o norte, para cruzamento da CTR.
PR HEL, autorizado cruzamento da CTR via REH ALFA, mantenha 1.500 pés, reporte vertical do ESTÁDIO.
PR HEL, autorizado cruzamento via REH ALFA, mantém 1.500 pés, reportará vertical do ESTÁDIO.

Control, PR HEL, helicopter route ALFA, overhead the BRIDGE, 1,500 feet, northbound, to cross the control zone.
PR HEL, cleared to cross the control zone via helicopter route ALFA, maintain 1,500 feet, report overhead the STADIUM.
PR HEL, cleared to cross via helicopter route ALFA, maintaining 1,500 feet, will report overhead the STADIUM.

Source: model from this manual, based on the radio format in the VFR circulation AICs. Position: APP.

The route and point names are fictitious. Use those in the area's AIC.

Priority traffic

PT KLN, Rádio Altamira, tráfego do PT MLO iniciou táxi realizando aeromédico, com prioridade para decolagem.
PT KLN, ciente, cederá passagem ao aeromédico.
PT OLC, Rádio Altamira, tráfego é o helicóptero Guardião 08, a 500 pés, setor ECHO, realizando operação policial.
PT OLC, ciente, atento ao tráfego.

PT KLN, Altamira Radio, PT MLO traffic started taxiing for aeromedical service, with priority for take-off.
PT KLN, roger, will give way to the aeromedical service.
PT OLC, Altamira Radio, traffic is the helicopter Guardião 08, at 500 feet, sector ECHO, performing police operation.
PT OLC, roger and alert to traffic.

Source: MCA 100-16, Art. 158, III, situações 1 e 3. Position: AFIS.

The MCA examples are for the RADIO, but the idea holds for the tower and the approach: say what the operation is and what priority it has, and the other pilot gives way.

Phrases to avoid

Avoid Why Use
"Cleared to land" at a point the tower cannot see The tower cannot vouch for the site "Landing will be at your own risk [site], report on the ground"
"Taxi" to a skid-equipped helicopter It cannot roll on the ground "Air-taxi cleared via..."
"Cleared for take-off" without saying from where The helicopter can depart from several points "Cleared for take-off from present position" (or from the point)
"Contact..." while the helicopter is hovering The single pilot has both hands busy Transfer before it lifts, or relay

  1. ICA 100-4, Special Air Traffic Rules and Procedures for Helicopters: chapter 7 (phraseology). Portaria DECEA nº 109/DGCEA, of 21/07/2021. In the item 7.2.4 examples, the helicopter callsign was made consistent. ↩↩

  2. MCA 100-16, Air Traffic Phraseology: Art. 158, III (priority traffic, in the AFIS section). Edition amended by Portaria DECEA/DNOR1 nº 2.193, of 11/08/2026, in force on 26/11/2026. ↩