Radio Procedures – Understanding Aviation Radio

Australia uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) for all civil aviation operations (AIP GEN 2.1).

The term ‘Zulu’ is used when ATC procedures require a reference to UTC, for example: 0920 UTC is said as ‘zero nine two zero zulu’ 

The 24-hour clock system is used in radiotelephone transmissions. Time may be stated in minutes only (two figures) in radiotelephone communications when no misunderstanding is likely to occur. 

Date and time are indicated in a combination of the date and time in a single six- figure group. However, a 10-figure group comprising the year, month, date, hours and minutes is used for NOTAMs and SUPs.

Try to match the correct word for the following examples:

ATC: Foxtrot India November, Required to hold at Boree, set course 0721 zulu

• Zero seven too one zulu
• Seven twenty one zulu
• Seven hundred twenty one zulu
• Zero seven two oner zulu