ICAO TRAINING🧭

ICAO Training | ATC Listening Practice for Pilots

Welcome to ICAO Training.
I created this page to practice and improve my aviation English for the ICAO test. This is something I’m also learning little by little, and I would like to improve while helping others do the same. I don’t have much experience yet, but everything shared here is based on what I’ve learned from books, real phraseology I’ve heard while flying, videos, and other aviation resources. My goal is to share what I know and build a space where we can learn and improve together through simple ATC-style exercises.

For my first post, I would like to show how to pronounce the aeronautical alphabet.
I learned this from the phraseology manual of the Aerocivil and other aviation resources.
This is also part of my own learning process, and I want to practice my English while helping others improve their ICAO skills too.

In aviation, the pronunciation of numbers is very important to avoid misunderstandings.
Pilots and air traffic controllers use standard ICAO pronunciation to communicate clearly and safely.

Now I’m going to show you how to say altitudes, headings, frequencies, and squawk codes in aviation English. These are essential for clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers.

In aviation, it is important to understand the difference between altitudes and flight levels. Below the transition altitude, altitudes are expressed in feet; for example, 3,500 feet is pronounced as “three thousand five hundred feet,” and 10,000 feet as “ten thousand feet.” Above the transition altitude, altitudes are referred to as flight levels; for example, 18,000 feet becomes “flight level one eight zero,” and 35,000 feet becomes “flight level three five zero.” This distinction is essential for clear and standardized communication between pilots and air traffic controllers.

For example:

In aviation, clear communication is very important. Headings show the direction of the aircraft and are spoken digit by digit, for example, 270 is “two seven zero.” Frequencies are used to talk to air traffic control and are also spoken digit by digit using the word “decimal,” for example, 118.5 is “one one eight decimal fife.” Squawk codes are four-digit numbers used to identify the aircraft, and each number is said separately, for example, 4521 is “four fife two one.

For example:

In aviation, when contacting an aeronautical station, you first say the name of the station, then your callsign, followed by a greeting. For example: “Santa Marta Tower, Caribbean one two three four, good morning.” This helps establish clear and organized communication between pilots and air traffic control.

For this reason, I’m going to show you the names of the air traffic control units we have. In aviation, it is important to know who you are talking to, such as Tower, Ground, Approach, or Center. Each unit has a specific function and helps maintain safe and organized communication.

For example: 

-“Santa Marta Tower, Caribbean one two three four, good morning.

Cloud information is also very important and is often included in ATIS reports. Pilots receive information about the type of clouds and their altitude. For example, you may hear “few clouds at two thousand feet” or “broken clouds at eight thousand feet.” This helps pilots understand weather conditions and plan the flight safely

For example this ATIS information:

Medellín information Bravo… time 2100 Zulu…
Wind 270 degrees at 10 knots…
Visibility 10 kilometers…
Few clouds at 2000 feet… scattered clouds at 5000 feet… broken clouds at 9000 feet…
Temperature 20… dew point 14…
QNH 1016 hectopascals…

ILS approach runway 01 in use…
Departures runway 01…

Advise on initial contact… you have information Bravo…

Essential ICAO Vocabulary

In aviation, clear communication depends on using the correct vocabulary. Pilots and air traffic controllers use specific terms like “approach,” “abort,” and “altitude” to describe flight situations accurately.

During ICAO tests, it is important to use expressions such as “it seems” or “it looks like” when describing images or situations. In emergency cases, words like “assistance” and “alarm” are essential.

Learning and practicing aviation vocabulary helps pilots communicate safely and achieve a higher ICAO level.

For example, here are some of the most commonly used words that are taught in aviation courses and training materials

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Learning aviation English is essential for safe and effective communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. This page is designed to help you master the most commonly used vocabulary, standard ICAO phraseology, and real-life communication examples.

The vocabulary presented above cannot cover every possible situation in aviation communication. Real-life operations are dynamic, and each scenario may require different expressions depending on the context.

However, these words and phrases represent some of the most commonly used terms in everyday pilot–air traffic controller communication. Each one has a precise and standardized meaning, which helps ensure clarity, safety, and efficiency in all phases of flight.

Mastering this core vocabulary is essential for improving your English proficiency and achieving a higher ICAO level, as it allows you to communicate clearly and confidently in routine and non-routine situations.

ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service)

The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is a continuous broadcast that provides essential, up-to-date information about an airport’s operational status. It is primarily intended for pilots to obtain key data before contacting Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Information Included

An ATIS transmission typically provides:

• Time of observation (UTC)
• Weather information (METAR)
• Runway(s) in use
• Runway conditions
• Notices, restrictions, or hazards
• Additional operational instructions

Each update is identified by a phonetic letter (e.g., Alpha, Bravo, Charlie).

Operational Importance

ATIS improves efficiency and safety by reducing radio communication and allowing pilots to prepare in advance for arrival or departure.

Pilots are expected to acknowledge the current ATIS when contacting ATC.

Example:

✈️ ICAO ATIS Training

✈️ How to Practice

1. Listen to the ATIS carefully
2. Identify key information (runway, QNH, wind)
3. Record your response as a pilot
4. Listen and improve your pronunciation

🎧 ATIS Information (Bravo)

Airport: SKRG (Rionegro)

Time: 1800 Zulu

Wind: 180° at 10 knots

Visibility: 10 kilometers

Clouds: Few at 2000 ft

Temperature: 22°C

Dew Point: 18°C

QNH: 1013

Runway in use: 19

⚠️ If audio does not play on your device, click here to listen

📖 ATIS Text

Rionegro information Bravo. Time 1800 Zulu. Wind 180 degrees at 10 knots. Visibility 10 kilometers. Few clouds at 2000 feet. Temperature 22, dew point 18. QNH 1013. Runway in use 19. Advise on initial contact you have information Bravo.

🎙️ Record Your Response

Practice reading back the ATIS information:

"Rionegro information Bravo received, runway 19, QNH 1013"

Status: Not recording

⚠️ Recording may not work on mobile devices. Use your phone voice recorder as an alternative.

🎯 Challenge

Record your ATIS readback using correct ICAO phraseology.

🧠 Questions

• What runway is in use?
• What is the QNH?
• What is the wind?