AIM Text
The three digits of bearing, course, heading, or wind direction should always be magnetic. The word “true” must be added when it applies.
Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 4-2-10.
Research Notes
AIM 4-2-10 covers phonetic alphabet pronunciation — the standardized phonetic alphabet used in all international and U.S. aviation comms.
The ICAO phonetic alphabet:
| A — Alpha | J — Juliett | S — Sierra |
| B — Bravo | K — Kilo | T — Tango |
| C — Charlie | L — Lima | U — Uniform |
| D — Delta | M — Mike | V — Victor |
| E — Echo | N — November | W — Whiskey |
| F — Foxtrot | O — Oscar | X — X-ray |
| G — Golf | P — Papa | Y — Yankee |
| H — Hotel | Q — Quebec | Z — Zulu |
| I — India | R — Romeo |
Digits: Zero ("zero"), one, two, three, four, five (sometimes "fife" internationally), six, seven, eight, niner. The "niner" is critical — it distinguishes from "five" on noisy channels and from the German "nein" in international ops.
Common errors:
- "Jul-Ee-Et" vs "Joo-Lee-Et" — both heard, ICAO standard is "Joo-Lee-Et"
- "Ex-Ray" not "X-Ray" pronounced
- Pilots forget the phonetic and just say the letter — fine in casual conversation, problematic over noisy channels
Reference: AIM 4-2-10; ICAO Annex 10 Volume II (Radiotelephony Procedures).