Easily Talk to Air Traffic Control on Your First Solo – Proper Phraseology From a 20+ Year Controller

I’ve been an air traffic controller for over 20 years. I’ve worked with lots student pilots and I often advise them on how to make their first solo radio calls to air traffic control utilizing proper phraseology.

The moment you key the mic alone for the first time is the moment most students are more scared than at any other point in their training including the check ride.

Here’s the truth from the other end of the radio: We know it’s your first solo. We’re rooting for you. And 99% of the time, if you just keep it short and use the phraseology below, everything goes perfectly smooth. I highly recommend becoming familiar with Chapter 4, Section 2 of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) as it provides a great outline of basic standard phraseology.

Understanding how to make your first solo radio calls to ATC can greatly ease your stress.

Below are transmissions a controller wants to hear at each phase of a typical VFR solo in a tower controlled field. Use them on your first few solos and you’ll sound like you’ve done it a hundred times.

Before Your First Solo Radio Calls – The Mindset

  • We can hear nerves, but we don’t judge them.
  • We ONLY get annoyed when pilots over-talk or read back wrong.
  • If you mess up, just say “sorry” and try again. We do it too.

1. Initial Call to Ground (still at the ramp/FBO)

Perfect first call (90% of good students say something like this): “[Airport] Ground, Cessna 123AB at the north ramp, VFR south departure with [ATIS letter].”

Why this works:

  • Who you are
  • Where you are
  • What you want
  • ATIS

Common mistake I hear daily: Long rambling: “Uhhh Ground this is Cessna 123AB I’m over at the flight school and I’m a student on my first solo and I have information Bravo and I’d like to taxi out for a south departure if that’s okay…”

Just keep it to one short sentence.

2. Taxi Instructions

Controller: “Cessna 123AB, taxi to runway 27 via Alpha, hold short of taxiway Charlie.”

Your readback (exact): “Taxi to 27 via Alpha, hold short Charlie, Cessna 3AB.”

If it’s complex: Write it down. If you’re not sure, ASK: “Confirm taxi via Alpha then Bravo?” We would rather you ask than guess. Safety first always.

3. Switching to Tower (when Ground tells you)

You say nothing unless Tower calls you first. Just monitor the frequency.

4. At the Hold-Short Line – Ready for Takeoff

You call (only if they haven’t called you yet): “[Airport] Tower, Cessna 123AB holding short runway 27, ready.”

Controller will say one of these:

  • “Cessna 123AB, runway 27, cleared for takeoff, left/right turn approved.”
  • “Cessna 123AB, line up and wait.”
  • “Cessna 123AB, hold short, traffic on 3-mile final.”

Your readback:

  • Cleared for takeoff → “Runway 27 cleared for takeoff, Cessna 3AB.”
  • Line up and wait → “Line up and wait runway 27, Cessna 3AB.”
  • Hold short → “Holding short, Cessna 3AB.”

That’s it. No need to say “thank you” here — it blocks the frequency.

5. After Takeoff – Departure Calls (if they assign one)

Controller: “Cessna 123AB, radar contact, resume own navigation, frequency change approved.”

You: “Resume own navigation, frequency change approved, good day, Cessna 3AB.”

Or if staying in the pattern: Just fly the pattern and follow Tower’s instructions.

6. Returning to Land – Initial Call Prior to Entering the Delta

You: “[Airport] Tower, Cessna 123AB 8 miles north, inbound for full-stop with [ATIS letter].”

Controller will usually: “Report 3-mile left base runway 27” or “Enter left downwind runway 27, report midfield.”

Your readback: “Will report 3-mile left base runway 27, Cessna 3AB.”

7. Landing Clearance

Controller: “Cessna 123AB, runway 27 cleared to land.”

You: “Runway 27 cleared to land, Cessna 3AB.”

8. After Landing – Clearing the Runway

As soon as you’re clear, without prompting (most towers expect this): “[Airport] Ground, Cessna 123AB clear of runway 27 at Bravo.”

They’ll give taxi instructions back to parking.

Bonus: What To Do If You Screw Up

  • If you miss a call: “Cessna 3AB standing by for instructions.”
  • If you read back wrong: We’ll correct you — just acknowledge “Copy [new instruction], Cessna 3AB.”
  • If you’re completely lost: “Cessna 123AB is a student pilot, request progressive.” We will slow everything down and baby-step you.

Final Word From the Tower

Your first solo radio calls will probably be the worst you’ll ever sound — and that’s okay. Every airline captain you hear sounded exactly like you on their first solo.

Clear skies and Safe Flight !

You Might Also Like

Once you’ve nailed your first solo radio calls, here’s why so many new pilots are terrified of ATC (and how to fix it in one week):
Why New Pilots Are Terrified of ATC (And How to Fix It in One Week)

When ATC inevitably says “say again,” here’s how to handle it without panicking:
“Say Again?” – How to Handle When ATC Asks You to Repeat (Without Panicking)

Ready for flight following? This 15-second script works every time:
Flight Following Made Easy: The 15-Second Phraseology That Always Works

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