Aeronautical Code signals

From HandWiki
Short description: Brevity codes used for aviation

The Aeronautical Code signals are radio signal codes. They are part of a larger set of Q Codes allocated by the ITU-R. The QAA–QNZ code range includes phrases applicable primarily to the aeronautical service,[2] as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

First defined in ICAO publication "Doc 6100-COM/504/1" in 1948 and in "ICAO Procedures for Air Navigation Services, Abbreviations and Codes (PAN a S-ABC)" [Doc8400-4] (4th edition 1989), the majority of the Q codes have slipped out of common use; for example today reports such as QAU ("I am about to jettison fuel") and QAZ ("I am flying in a storm") would be voice or computerized transmissions. But several remain part of the standard ICAO radiotelephony phraseology in aviation.

Altimeter settings
Code Meaning Sample use
QFE Atmospheric pressure at a specified datum such as airfield runway threshold. When set, the altimeter reads the height above the specified datum. Runway in use 22 Left, QFE 990 hectopascals
QFF Atmospheric pressure at a place, reduced to MSL using the actual temperature at the time of observation as the mean temperature.
QNE Indicated altitude at the landing runway threshold when 1013.25 hPa or 29.92 inHg (atmospheric pressure at sea level in the International Standard Atmosphere) is set as altimeter setting. This would be done at aerodromes at high altitudes where setting of a QFE would not be possible.
QNH Atmospheric pressure at mean sea level (may be either a local, measured pressure or a regional forecast pressure (RPS)). When set on the altimeter it reads altitude. Request Leeds QNH
Radio Navigation
Code Meaning Sample use
QDM Magnetic bearing to a station (callsign) request QDM (callsign)[1]
QDL Series of bearings taken at regular intervals
QDR Magnetic bearing from a station (callsign) request QDR (callsign)[1]
QFU Magnetic bearing of the runway in use Runway 22 in use, QFU 220[2]
QGE Distance
QGH Controlled Descent through Clouds (Royal Air Force use)
QTE True bearing/track from a station (callsign) request QTE (callsign)[1]
QTF Position in relation to a point of reference or in latitude and longitude
QUJ True bearing/track to a station
Radio Procedures
Code Meaning Sample use
QGH controller-interpreted DF let-down procedure, on UHF or VHF[3]

References