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) ............................... 70
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
Appendix A
Back Course ...................................................................BC
Bearing ...........................................................................BR
Before (Reaching, Passing) ...............................................>
Below .......................................................................... BLO
Below (Altitude, Hundreds of Feet) ................................ 70
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) ........................... 70
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) ...................... 70
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
Clearance Shorthand
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 ............................. VFR
Middle Compass Locator .............................................. ML
Middle Marker .............................................................MM
Missed Approach ..........................................................MA
Nondirectional Beacon Approach ...............................NDB
Out of (Leave) Control Area ........................................
Outer Marker .................................................................OM
Over (Station) ..............................................................OKC
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 ..................................................