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Phraseology (PT/EN) — Traffic Circuit (TWR)

Below is a practical set of common circuit calls, in "catalogue" format for quick use.

Complete reference

This page is a quick reference card, designed for the controller to have at hand during the session.

The complete VFR phraseology, with an end-to-end flight in Portuguese, English and Spanish, covering Ground, Tower, Control, Information and Radio, is in the VFR Phraseology Manual.

Example convention

  • Callsign: PT-ABC (piston), PR-JET (jet), PR-HLX (helicopter)
  • Aerodrome: "TORRE"
  • Runway: RWY 16
  • Adjust to your situation (unit name, runway, QNH, etc.)

How this becomes real radiotelephony

The calls below are written in abbreviated form, for quick reading. On frequency:

  • the unit's callsign is always TORRE followed by the location name (Art. 37, MCA 100-16), never "TORRE" on its own;
  • the registration is read letter by letter, without a hyphen: PT-ABC becomes PAPA TANGO ALFA BRAVO CHARLIE;
  • numbers are read digit by digit: in Portuguese, pista 16 becomes pista UNO MEIA.

Pronunciation details are in VFR Concepts.

1) Passing runway/circuit information and joining the Downwind leg

Situation Phraseology (TWR) Note
Joining the circuit on the downwind leg "PT-ABC, autorizado para o circuito de tráfego, pista 16, circuito à direita, vento 160 graus 08 nós, QNH 1013, reporte perna do vento." If there is traffic, include information
Traffic in sight and follow "PT-ABC, tráfego à sua frente na perna do vento, confirme visual com o tráfego e siga o mesmo." If negative, sequence again
Situation Phraseology (TWR) Observation
Circuit entry via downwind leg "PT-ABC, cleared to traffic pattern, runway 16, right-hand circuit, wind 160 degrees 08 knots, QNH 1013, report downwind leg." If traffic present, include information
Traffic in sight and follow "PT-ABC, traffic ahead on downwind leg, report in sight and follow." If negative, sequence again

2) Extend downwind leg / orbit / remain

Situation Phraseology (TWR) Note
Extend downwind leg "PT-ABC, alongue perna do vento, aguarde instruções para girar base." Helps spacing
Orbit "PT-ABC, efetue órbita na perna do vento, reporte completada." If necessary, specify the side
Remain outside the circuit "PT-ABC, mantenha fora do circuito a oeste do aeródromo, 1500 pés AAL, reporte pronto para ingressar." Defines area + altitude
Situation Phraseology (TWR) Observation
Extend downwind leg "PT-ABC, extend downwind leg, standby for further instructions for turning base." Helps spacing
Orbit "PT-ABC, make one orbit on downwind leg, report completed." If necessary, specify side
Remain outside circuit "PT-ABC, remain outside the circuit west of the aerodrome, 1500 feet AAL, report ready to join." Defines area + altitude

3) Landing / touch-and-go / low approach clearances

Situation Phraseology (TWR) Note
Clearing to land "PT-ABC, pista 16, pouso autorizado, vento …" Always include the wind
Touch-and-go "PT-ABC, pista 16, autorizado toque e arremetida." Occupancy control
Low approach "PT-ABC, pista 16, autorizada passagem baixa, não toque, reporte passando a cabeceira." Useful for training
Situation Phraseology (TWR) Observation
Landing clearance "PT-ABC, runway 16, cleared to land, wind …" Always include wind
Touch and go "PT-ABC, runway 16, cleared for touch and go." Runway occupancy control
Low approach "PT-ABC, runway 16, cleared low approach, no touchdown, report passing threshold." Useful for training

4) Go-around

Situation Phraseology (TWR) Note
Go-around instruction "PT-ABC, arremeta, mantenha proa da pista, suba para 1000 pés AAL, ingresse na perna do vento." Standardise heading + altitude
Traffic on the runway "PT-ABC, arremeta, pista ocupada." Clarity and priority
Situation Phraseology (TWR) Observation
Go-around instruction "PT-ABC, go around, maintain runway heading, climb to 1000 feet AAL, join downwind leg." Standardize heading + altitude
Traffic on runway "PT-ABC, go around, runway occupied." Clarity and priority

5) Helicopters (low profile)

Situation Phraseology (TWR) Note
Low circuit/dedicated route "PR-HLX, autorizado circuito baixo, mantenha 500 pés AAL ao sul do aeródromo, reporte perna base." Avoid crossing the fixed-wing final
Crossing final (when safe) "PR-HLX, cruze a final após o pouso do tráfego, reporte cruzando." Only with final clear/safe
Situation Phraseology (TWR) Observation
Low circuit/dedicated route "PR-HLX, cleared for low circuit, maintain 500 feet AAL south of the aerodrome, report base leg." Avoid crossing fixed-wing final
Cross final (when safe) "PR-HLX, cross final after the landing traffic, report crossing." Only with final clear/safe

6) Jets / high performance (separation)

Situation Phraseology (TWR) Note
High circuit "PR-JET, circuito 1500 pés AAL, ingresse na perna do vento." Reduces conflict with slow traffic
Extend for spacing "PR-JET, alongue a perna do vento para espaçamento, aguarde instruções para girar base." Avoids closing up on piston traffic
Situation Phraseology (TWR) Observation
High circuit "PR-JET, circuit 1500 feet AAL, join downwind leg." Reduces conflict with slow traffic
Extend for spacing "PR-JET, extend downwind leg for spacing, standby for further instructions for turning base." Avoids closing on piston traffic