French Phraseology
Everywhere where you find the signs (XX), please replace those by your own callsign or BGA-Number.
Everywhere, where you find the signs (QFU), please replace them by the QFU of the operating runway. In Blois, those can be only :
03 zéro trois ZERO TROA
21 vingt et une VANT E UN
31 trente et une TRANT E UN
13 Treize TRAISE
First the figures :
One Unité ÜNITE
Two Deux DEU
Three Trois TROA
Four Quatre KATR
Five Cinq SSINK
Six Six SSISS
Seven Sept SET
Eight Huit UIT
Nine Neuf NEUFF
Zero Zéro ZERO
Point Decimal DESSIMAL
Hundred cent SSAN
Thousand mille MIL
Following radio dialogues examples deal with most of situations in everyday's life. However, they do not represent an exhaustive list. Furthermore, we have met the requirement of the local Civil Aviation Authority and included a paragraph dealing shortly with the distress and urgency messages.
1. For airplane and motorglider pilots.
Here the glider pilots do only listen and hopefully understand what is going on. The situation is of course different for airplane and motorglider pilots : They are acting positively in the situation.
1.1 Arrival of a powered airplane.
Airplane : Blois Paramètres, DR 400 G-GLDB en provenance de ... à 2000 pieds QNH 1012 à destination de vos installations, la verticale estimée dans 5 minutes. Circuit consignes
Phonetic : BLOA PARAMETR; DE DE ER KATR SSAN G-GLDB EN PROVENANSS DE ... A DEU MIL PIAI; KÜ EN ASH MIL DUZ; A DESTINASSION DEU VOS INSTALASSION; LA VERTIKAL ESSTIMAI DAN SSINK MINUT: SSIRKUI; KONSEEGN
Translation : Blois, This is DR 400 G-GLDB, coming from ... present altitude 2000 Feet, QNH 1012, your airfield estimated in 5 minutes, request landing instructions.
Tower: G-DB de Blois, la piste en service est la 31, le QNH 1019, le FE 1012, pas de trafic connu (*), rappelez vent arrière
Phonetic : F-DB DEU BLOA; LA PISST EN SERVIS AI LA TRANT E UN; LEU KU EN ASH MIL DIS NEUF; LEU F.E. MIL DUSE, PA DEU TRAFIC KONU; RAPEULE VENT ARRIER
Translation : F-DB this is Blois, we have runway 31, QHH 1019, QFE 1012, no reported traffic (*), report down wind leg.
(*) could also be :
Activité vol à voile AKTIVITEH VOL A VOAL Glider Activity
Un avion dans le circuit UN AVION DAN LEU SSIRKUI An aircraft in the traffic pattern
Or anything else ...
Airplane : G-DB vent arrière 31
Phonetic : G-DB VENT ARRIER TRENT E UN
Translation : G-DB Down wind 31
Tower: G-DB rappelez en étape de base
Phonetic : G-DB RAPELE EN ETAP DEU BASE
Translation : G-DB Report in base leg
Airplane : G-DB étape de base 31
Phonetic : G-DB ETAP DEU BASE TRANT E UN
Translation : G-DB Base leg 31
Tower: G-DB le vent du 320 pour 5 noeuds, rappelez finale
Phonetic : G-DB LEU VEN DU TROA SSAN VIN PUR SSINK NEU; RAPEULAI FINAL
Translation: G-DB The wind 320, 5 knots, report final
Airplane : G-DB finale 31
Phonetic : G-DB FINAL TRANT E UN
Translation : G-DB Final 31
Tower: G-DB le vent est calme, rappelez piste dégagée
Phonetic : G-DB LEU VEN AI KALM; RAPEULAI PISSTE DEGAGE
Translation : G-DB The wind is calm, report runway vacated.
Airplane: G-DB Piste dégagée, je quitte la fréquence
Phonetic : G-DB PISTE DEGAGE; JEU KIT LA FREKANSS
Translation : G-DB Runway vacated, I leave your frequency
1.2 Départure of a powered airplane
Airplane : Blois Paramètres de DR 400 G-GLDB pour un vol VFR à destination de ... , roulage consignes
Phonetic : BLOA PARAMAITR DEU DE AIR KATR SSAN G-GLDB PUR UN VOL VE AIF AIR A DESTINASSION DEU .... RULAGE CONSIGN.
Translation : Blois, This is DR 400 G-GLDB. VFR Flight to ... request departure information.
Tower : G-DB de Blois Bonjour, la piste en service la 31, le QNH 1022, FE 1019, le vent du 330 pour 10 noeuds, rappelez au point d’attente.
Phonetic : G-DB DEU BLOA BONJUR; LA PIST AN SERVICE LA TRANT E UN; LEU KU EN ASH MIL VINT DEU; LEU FOX ECHO MIL DIS NEUFF; LEU VENT DU TROA SSAN TRANT PUR DI NEU; RAPEULE POIN DATANT:
Translation : G-DB from Blois, good morning, runway 31 is active, QNH 1022, QFE 1019, the wind 330° for 10 knots, report holding point.
Airplane : G-DB au point d’attente 31, prêt au décollage.
Phonetic : G-DB O POIN DATANT TRENT E UN; PRAI O DEKOLAGE
Translation : G-DB on holding point 31, ready for take-off
Tower : G-DB le dernier vent du 305 pour 10 noeuds, rafales à 20 noeuds, rappelez en sortie de circuit
Phonetic : G-DB LEU DAIRNIAI VAN DU TROA SSAN SSINK PUR DI NEU; RAFAL A WIN NEU, RAPEULE EN SORTI DEU SSIRKUI
Translation : G-DB the latest wind 305° 10 Knots, gusts up to 20 Knots, report when leaving the traffic pattern.
Airplane : Blois de G-DB en sortie de circuit, je quitte la fréquence. Au revoir et merci.
Phonetic : BLOA DÖ G-DB EN SORTI DEU SSIRKUI JEU KIT LA FREKANSS, O REVOAR ET MERSSEE.
Translation : Blois, this is G-DB, I leave your traffic pattern and your frequency, thank You and Good-bye.
Here a very important detail : Powered aircraft pilots, please never forget to report loud and clear that you are leaving the local frequency and wait for confirmation from the tower before switching off. Otherwise you can be sure that after maximum five minutes, the lady in the tower will pull the whistle to the air traffic control authorities, with a search and rescue operation triggered as an immediate consequence. First on the waves and by phone, then using all possible means, incl. police vehicles, SAR aircraft and choppers. If instead of finding you crashed and smouldering somewhere in the landscape they trace you in the bar of the next airfield, you can be sure that this will be the most expensive drink you ever had, notwithstanding of the procedurial problems: Enough to jeopardize a holiday !
1.3 An airplane overflies the airfield
Can be useful for gliders in local flight around the airfield. Here also, listen and understand only.
Airplane : Blois paramètres de DR 400 G-GLDB en provenance de ... à destination de ... , nous allons transiter à la verticale de vos installations à 2000 pieds au QNH 1025 dans environ 3 minutes.
Phonetic : BLOA PARAMAITR DEU DE AIR KATR SSAN G-GLDB EN PROVEUNANSS DEU ... A DESTINASSION DEU ... NU SALON TRANSITE A LA VERTIKAL DEU VO SINSSTALASSION A DEU MIL PIAI O KU EN ASH MIL VIN SSINK DAN ENVIRON TROA MINUT
Translation : Blois, This is DR 400 G-GLDB,outbound ... inbound ... we will cross your vertical in approximately 3 minutes at 2000 feet, QNH 1025.
Tower : G-DB de Blois, bonjour. Le QNH 1025, le FE 1018, rappelez à la verticale des installations. Pour information, activité vol à voile.
Phonetic : G-DB DEU BLOA BONJUR. LE KU EN ASH MIL VIN SSINK, LEU FOX ECHO MIL DISS UIT, RAPEULE A LA VERTIKAL DE SINSSTALASSION. PUR INFORMASSION AKTIVITAI VOL A VOAL
Translation : G-DB this is Blois, good morning. QNH 1025, QFE 1018, report overhead the airfield. For your information, we have glider activity.
Airplane : Blois de G-DB à la verticale de vos installations
Phonetic : BLOA DEU G-DB A LA VERTIKAL DEU VO SINSSTALASSION
Translation : Blois this is G-DB reporting overhead your airfield
Tower : G-DB rappelez en sortie de zone
Phonetic : G-DB RAPEULE EN SORTI DEU ZON
Translation : G-DB report when leaving the area
Airplane : G-DB en sortie de zone, je quitte la fréquence, au revoir et merci.
Phonetic : G-DB AN SORTI DEU ZON, GEU KIT LA FREKANSS; O REVOAR E MERSSEE
Translation : G-DB we are leaving your area and your frequency. Thank You and Good-bye.
2. Aerotow and gliding activity
2.1 Aerotow
In tow, radio communication is the tow pilot's business. The only thing the glider pilot really has to say is :
Glider: (XX) Prêt au décollage
Phonetic(XX) : PRAI O DEKOLAGE
Translation : (XX) ready for take-off
In case of interruption of the take-off procedure for any reason, please use the word "STOP" which is very international indeed and which every tow pilot will understand. In case several tow aircraft are operating, it may be wise to add the callsign of your tow aircraft to this word, in order to avoid any confusion.
All other useful details are mentionned in paragraph 2.3.2.2 of the brochure.
If at this stage you want to communicate with the tow pilot, here are some useful locutions :
Glider : Tendu
Phonetic : TANDU
Translation : Line taut
Glider : J’ai de l’eau
Phonetic : GE DEU LO
Translation : I carry water ballast
Glider : C’est un lâcher
Phonetic : SE TUN LASHAI
Translation : This is a first solo flight
The tow pilot will confirm with a short "OK" or by depressing his PTT-key twice.
As a matter of fact, during the tow, you can only say following :
Glider : Plus à gauche
Phonetic : PLUSS A GOSH
Translation : more to the left
Glider : Plus à droite
Phonetic : PLUSS A DROAT
Translation : More to the right
Glider : C'est bien comme ça !
Phonetique : SE BIEN KOM SSA
Übersetzung : That's just right !
Glider : largué, merci.
Phonetic : LARGGE, MERSSEE
Translation : Released, Thank-You !
If the tow pilot thinks that your tow position is not correct, he will tell you following :
Tow Aircraft : (XX) monte !
Phonetic : (XX) MONTE !
Translation : (XX) Take a higher position behind me !
Tow Aircraft : (XX) Descend !
Phonetic : (XX) DESSENDE !
Translation : (XX) Take a lower position behind me !
Tow Aircraft : C'est bien comme ça !
Phonetique : SE BIEN KOM SSA
Übersetzung : That's just fine !
If he wants to get rid of you, either because you reached 500 Meter or because he has a problem or because he cannot take anymore, he will vigorously rock his wings and eventually say :
Tow Aircraft : (XX) Larguez !
Phonetic : (XX) LARGGAI !
Translation : (XX) Please release immediately !
Then pull the yellow handle and do not reappear before it's time for the evening gin and tonic!
If for any reason you cannot release, then the descent-in-tow procedure described in paragraph 2.3.2.1 will apply. This procedure does not require any radio-communication between Yourself and the tow-pilot. However, you can say following :
Glider : (XX) Je ne peux pas larguer
Phonetic : JE NE PEU PA LARGGAI
Translation : I cannot release
Tow Aircraft : (XX) bien compris, nous faisons un retour au sol
Phonetic : (XX) BIEN KOMPRI; NU FESON UN RETOOR O SSOL
Translation : (XX) Roger, we will go down in tow
2.2 For the tow pilots
If you decide to bring your gliding club's Chipmunk to Blois (always welcome!), you will have to insert its operation into the existing local aerotow operation (see also paragaph 2.1 of the brochure). The minimum necessary phraseology is following :
Once the glider has declared himself ready for take-off :
Tow Aircraft: G-DB au décollage sur la 13 avec un planeur.
Phonetic : G-DB O DEKOLAGE SUR LA TRAIZ AVEK UN PLANEUR
Translation : G-DB, Taking-off on runway 13 with a glider in tow.
Tower: G-DB le vent du 140 pour 17 noeuds
Phonetic : G-DB LEU VANT DU SSAN KARANT PUR DISS SAIT NEU
Translation : G-DB, the wind 140° 17 Knots
After release of the glider :
Tow Aircraft: G-DB en descente (avec le câble)
Phonetic : G-DB EN DESSENT (AVEK LEU KABL)
Translation : G-DB descending (with the tow line)
If you have an internal winch for the tow line, omit "with the tow line"!
Then insert yourself into the glider traffic pattern and proceed with the radio traffic exactly as if you were a glider (see paragraph 2.3 hereunder). For more details on aerotow operation on the site, please see also paragraph 2.3.2.2 of the Internet site.
2.3 The glider traffic pattern
The procedure is very simple :
At the beginning of the down wind leg :
Glider : (XX) Vent arrière 03 planeur
Phonetic : (XX) VANT ARRIER ZERO TROA PLANEUR
Translation : (XX) Down wind leg 03 in the glider traffic pattern
Tower : (XX) poursuivez et rappelez en étape de base
Phonetic : (XX) PURSUIVAI EY RAPEULE AN ETAP DEU BASE
Translation : (XX) Proceed and report base leg
Once in base leg :
Glider : (XX) étape de base 03 planeur
Phonetic : (XX) ETAP DEU BASE Zero troa
Translation : (XX) Base leg 03
Tower : (XX) le vent du 060 pour 12 noeuds, Rappelez en finale
Phonetic : (XX) LEU VANT DU ZERO SOISSANT PUR DUZ NEU, RAPEULE AN FINAL
Translation (XX) The wind 060, 12 Knots, report final
In final :
Glider : (XX) en finale 03
Phonetic : (XX) AN FINAL ZERO TROA
Translation : (XX) final 03
Tower : (XX) le dernier vent du 040 pour 15 noeuds
Phonetic : (XX) LEU DERNIAI VANT DU ZERO KARANT PUR KINS NEU
Translation : (XX)The latest wind 040, 15 knots.
Then you land !
Hereunder some safety messages which are used quite often in the traffic pattern :
Tower : (XX) Je vous signale un avion en finale (ou en étape de base)
Phonetic : (XX) JEU VU SIGNAL UN AVION AN FINAL (or AN ETAP DEU BASE)
Translation : (XX) for your information, traffic in final (or in base leg)
Glider : (XX) Visuel sur l’avion en finale (ou en étape de base)
Phonetic : (XX) VISUEL SUR LAVION AN FINAL (or AN ETAP DEU BASE)
Translation : (XX) Traffic in final (or in base leg) in sight
If you fail to see this aircraft, then look harder, because it's here for sure ! If you don't see it nevertheless, then fly your traffic pattern as accurately as possible, be predictable, watch for trouble, especially in final close to the ground and land clearly on the glider side of the runway. In that case, report on radio :
Glider : (XX) Je n’ai pas visuel sur l’avion
Phonetic : (XX) JEU NAI PA VISUEL SUR LAVION
Translation : (XX) Traffic not in sight
The tower is not occupied during lunch breaks, from 12.00 et 13.30, and as from 17.30. If you take-off or land during that time, you radio messages will not be answered. However, you must transmit in self-information in order to inform other aircraft of your position and intentions. Other aircraft in the area will use the same procedure to keep you informed of their evolutions as well.
3. IFR Approach and distress and urgency calls.
3.1 The IFR approach.
Please refer to paragraph 2.5 of the Internet presentation as well as to the associated map. This procedure is not used very often, especially not when the weather is fair enough to allow gliders to sniff around. However, if you listen to and understand these messages, they will help you in locating the calling aircraft inside the procedure pattern, thus increasing safety both for him and Yourself.
Here a list of the messages :
Aircraft : G-DB en éloignement dans l'attente
Phonetic : G_DB EN ELOAGNEMAN DAN LATANT
Translation : G-DB Outbound in hold
Aircraft : G-DB en rapprochement dans l'attente
Phonetic : G-DB EN RAPROCHEMAN DAN LATANT
Translation : G-DB Inbound in hold
Aircraft : G-DB verticale la balise
Phonetic : G-DB VERTIKAL LA BALEES
Translation : G-DB, over BLB
Aircraft : G-DB en éloignement dans la procédure
Phonetic : G-DB EN ELOAGNEMAN DAN LA PROSSEDUR
Translation : G-DB Outbound on radial 125°
Aircraft : G-DB en virage de procédure
Phonetic : G-DB AN VIRAJ DE PROSSEDUR
Translation : G-DB Turning on final
Aircraft : G-DB en approche finale
Phonetic : G-DB AN APPROCH FEENAL
Translation : G-DB in final approach
Aircraft : G-DB en remise de gaz
Phonetic : G-DB EN REMIS DE GAS
Translation : G-DB pulling-up
3.2 Emergency and urgency reports
You probably all know already how emergency and urgency reports are built-up. An emergency message always begins with the word "Mayday", repeated twice or three times. A urgency message begins with the word "Pan", also repeated twice or three times. Apart from that, no standard phraseology is defined, since the situations which can be described in such messages are by the essence not standard ones !
In any case, if you hear such signals, most of time you are not directly involved. Otherwise you would have transmitted the report yourself. Then stay on the frequency and follow the evolution of the situation without involving yourself or disturbing the exchange of messages. If you were intending to land at this moment, try to postpone, get yourself a thermal and keep out of the way until the situation is back to normal. If you cannot avoid landing in the middle of it, then be predictable in your decisions and actions. Follow accurately your traffic pattern, whereby extreme care and attention to the developing situation and no interference are the highest precept. And of course : Silence on the waves : The frequency belongs entirely to the guy who is fighting with his problem and to those who can really help him.