A-88-029
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: RECOMMEND THAT PILOTS, ON INITIAL CONTACT, ADVISE CONTROLLERS OF THEIR ALTITUDE PRECEDED BY THE WORD "LEVEL," "CLIMBING," OR "DESCENDING" AND PROVIDE THE PRESENT VACATING ALTITUDE, IF APPLICABLE, AND FINAL ALTITUDE. ALSO, WHEN ON OTHER THAN PUBLISHED ROUTES, PILOTS SHOULD INCLUDE THEIR PRESENT NAVIGATIONAL POSITION ON INITIAL CONTACT WITH EACH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER (E.G., DIRECT VOR, HEADING 240, TURNING RIGHT TO HEADING 330, ETC.).
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The Federal Aviation Administration is asked to recommend that pilots, upon first contacting an air traffic controller, report their altitude using the words "level," "climbing," or "descending," along with the altitude they are leaving (if applicable) and their final altitude. When flying off published routes, pilots should also provide their current navigational position, such as direct to a VOR, a heading, or a turn to a new heading.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Jan 4, 1990 |
| NTSB number | DCA87MA029AB |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).