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Radio and Interphone Communications — Interphone Message Format Last updated: 2021-08-16

Interphone Message Format



When communicating with another controller via interphone, begin the call by stating who you are calling and who you are. After the receiving controller acknowledges, then go ahead with your request. At the end of the communication, each controller should state his/her initials. Here are some examples:



  • Caller: “L.A. Center, Burbank Tower”
  • Receiver: “L.A. Center”
  • Caller: “request release of november one two niner papa”
  • Receiver: “November one two niner papa, released, IE.”
  • Caller: “ES”  

  • Caller:  "Socal Feeder, ZLA 37, information"
  • Receiver: "Socal Feeder"
  • Caller: "United five eighty-four is direct ANJLL, descending via arrival"
  • Receiver: "DE"
  • Caller: "TR"

  • Caller: "ZLA 4, Socal Woodland, APREQ"
  • Receiver: "ZLA 4"
  • Caller: "Southwest seventeen sixty-six climb to flight level two-three-zero"
  • Receiver: "Southwest seventeen sixty-six climb to flight level two-three-zero approved, EB"
  • Caller: "SR"

  • Caller: "ZLA 33, ZLA 6"
  • Receiver: "ZLA 33"
  • Caller: "Request direct St. George airport november eight three zero zulu juliet"
  • Receiver: "November eight three zero zulu juliet direct St. George airport approved, NC"
  • Caller: "SX"



{Reference: FAAO 7110.65 2-4-12}



Use of text interphone versus voice interphone on VATSIM



Text interphone (via chat box between the two controllers) is often used on vatsim. This is mainly due to the difficulty in gauging how busy another controller is. In the RW, busy positions are staffed by two controllers, so one may communicate with aircraft on the radio the other may communicate with other controllers via interphone. We don't have the luxury of staffing a position with multiple controllers, so normally text is used for interphone communication.