Clearance Shorthand

The following shorthand system is recommended by the

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Applicants for the instrument rating may use any shorthand system, in any language, which ensures accurate compliance with air traffic control (ATC) instructions. No shorthand system is required by regulation and no knowledge of shorthand is required for the FAA Knowledge Test; however, because of the vital need for reliable communication between the pilot and controller, clearance information should be unmistakably clear.

The following symbols and contractions represent words and phrases frequently used in clearances. Most are used regularly by ATC personnel. By practicing this shorthand, omitting the parenthetical words, you will be able to copy long clearances as fast as they are read.

Example: CAF RH RV V18 40 SQ 0700 DPC 120.4

Cleared as filed, maintain runway heading for radar vector to Victor 18, climb to 4,000, squawk 0700, departure control frequency is 120.4.

Words and Phrases Shorthand

Above ..........................................................................ABV

Above (Altitude, Hundreds of Feet) ...............................

Adjust speed to 250 knots ......................................... 250 K

Advise .........................................................................ADZ

After (Passing) ..................................................................<

Airway (Designation)................................................... V26

Airport .............................................................................. A

Alternate Instructions ...................................................... ( )

Altitude 6,000–17,000 .............................................60-170

And................................................................................... &

Approach ........................................................................ AP

Approach Control........................................................ APC

Area Navigation .......................................................RNAV

Arriving ..............................................................................

At..................................................................................... @

At or Above....................................................................

At or Below ....................................................................

(ATC) Advises ...............................................................CA

(ATC) Clears or Cleared .................................................. C

(ATC) Requests .............................................................CR

Back Course ...................................................................BC

Bearing ...........................................................................BR

Before (Reaching, Passing) ...............................................>

Below .......................................................................... BLO

Below (Altitude, Hundreds of Feet)................................

Center .......................................................................... CTR

Clearance Void if Not Off By (Time) .............................v<

Cleared as Filed........................................................... CAF

Cleared to Airport ............................................................ A

Cleared to Climb/Descend at Pilot’s Discretion ............ PD

Cleared to Cross ............................................................... X

Cleared to Depart From the Fix ....................................... D

Cleared to the Fix ..............................................................F

Cleared to Hold and Instructions Issued .......................... H

Cleared to Land .................................................................L

Cleared to the Outer Marker ............................................ O

Climb to (Altitude, Hundreds of Feet) ...........................

Contact Approach .......................................................... CT

Contact (Denver) Approach Control ............................ (den

Contact (Denver) Center ............................................(DEN

Course ..........................................................................CRS

Cross ................................................................................ X

Cruise .............................................................................

Delay Indefinite............................................................ DLI

Depart (Direction, if Specified)................................ T ( )

Departure Control ....................................................... DPC

Descend To (Altitude, Hundreds of Feet) ......................

Direct..............................................................................DR

Direction (Bound)

Eastbound ................................................................... EB

Westbound .................................................................WB

Northbound.................................................................NB

Southbound................................................................. SB

Inbound........................................................................ IB

Outbound ....................................................................OB

DME Fix (Mile) ............................................................

Each................................................................................EA

Enter Control Area .......................................................

Estimated Time of Arrival .......................................... ETA

Expect ............................................................................EX

Expect-Further-Clearance ............................................EFC

Fan Marker .................................................................... FM

Final ..................................................................................F

Final Approach............................................................... FA

Flight Level .................................................................... FL

Flight Planned Route.................................................... FPR

For Further Clearance .................................................. FFC

For Further Headings ...................................................FFH

From .............................................................................. FM

Ground ....................................................................... GND

GPS Approach .............................................................GPS

Heading ...................................................................... HDG

Hold (Direction) .......................................................... H-W

Holding Pattern ............................................................

ILS Approach ................................................................ ILS

Increase Speed 30 Knots ........................................... +30 K

Initial Approach .................................................................I

Instrument Departure Procedure .................................... DP

Intersection.................................................................... XN

Join or Intercept Airway/Jet Route/Track or Course ........

Left Turn After Takeoff ...................................................

Locator Outer Marker ................................................ LOM

Magnetic ..........................................................................M

Maintain ........................................................................

Maintain VFR Conditions On Top .............................

Middle Compass Locator .............................................. ML

Middle Marker ............................................................. MM

Missed Approach ..........................................................MA

Nondirectional Beacon Approach ...............................NDB

Out of (Leave) Control Area ........................................

Outer Marker .................................................................OM

Over (Station)..............................................................

On Course ......................................................................OC

Precision Approach Radar .......................................... PAR

Procedure Turn............................................................... PT

Radar Vector ..................................................................RV

Radial (080° Radial) .................................................. 080R

Reduce Speed 20 Knots .............................................-20 K

Remain This Frequency ...............................................RTF

Remain Well to Left Side .............................................. LS

Remain Well to Right Side ............................................ RS

Report Crossing .............................................................RX

Report Departing............................................................RD

Report Leaving............................................................... RL

Report on Course .....................................................R-CRS

Report Over....................................................................RO

Report Passing ............................................................... RP

Report Reaching.............................................................RR

Report Starting Procedure Turn .................................RSPT

Reverse Course ..............................................................RC

Right Turn After Takeoff .................................................

Runway Heading............................................................RH

Runway (Number) .....................................................RY18

Squawk........................................................................... SQ

Standby .....................................................................STBY

Straight-in Approach........................................................SI

Surveillance Radar Approach ..................................... ASR

Takeoff (Direction) ................................................... T N

Tower ................................................................................Z

Turn Left ........................................................................ TL

Turn Right ...................................................................... TR

Until ................................................................................... /

Until Advised (By)........................................................ UA

Until Further Advised ................................................. UFA

VFR Conditions On Top ..............................................OTP

Via ................................................................................ VIA

Victor (Airway Number).............................................. V14

Visual Approach ........................................................... VA

VOR ..............................................................................

VOR Approach ..............................................................VR

VORTAC ......................................................................

While in Control Area..................................................