Okuzeka
Aviation vocabulary · Air Traffic Control & Radiotelephony

Readback

Meaning in aviation, with examples

/ˈriːdbæk/nounCore term

In aviation, readback means: Repeating an ATC clearance or instruction back to the controller, so that the controller can confirm it was heard and understood correctly.

In Turkish: geri okuma, tekrar okuma

How it is used

Safety-critical items must be read back: runway, heading, altitude or level, speed, frequency, squawk code and 'hold short'. Pilots end the readback with their call sign. A controller corrects a wrong readback with 'negative, I say again'.

Example sentences

  1. Fastair 345, negative, your readback was incorrect: climb to flight level 240, not 220.

  2. The controller did not notice the error in the pilot's readback.

Common collocations

  • correct readback
  • incorrect readback
  • read back the clearance
  • readback error
  • full readback
  • clearancePermission from air traffic control for an aircraft to do something specific, such as follow a route, take off, enter airspace, climb or land.
  • rogerA radio word meaning 'I have received all of your last message'. It confirms that you heard something; it does not mean yes, and it does not mean you will do it.
  • call signThe name and number that identify an aircraft on the radio, such as the airline's radio name plus a flight number. It is used in every transmission.
  • hold shortAn ATC instruction to stop before a runway or another point and not go past it until you receive a clearance.

More terms: Air Traffic Control & Radiotelephony

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: