ATC Say Again? – How To Handle When ATC Asks You To Repeat (Without Panicking)

Air traffic controllers occasionally have to use the term “Say again”.

When a student pilot hears those words, half the time I can hear the blood pressure spike through the radio.

Here’s the truth: “Say again” is never a scolding. It’s almost always one of three things:

I genuinely didn’t hear you (wind noise, weak mic, stuck mic somewhere else).
I heard you but I’m double-checking because it sounded unusual.
The frequency was busy and part of your transmission got stepped on.

That’s it. It is not a grade on your performance.

Below is exactly what to do the next time you hear those dreaded words — so you stay calm, respond perfectly, and the whole thing is over in five seconds.

ATC Say Again:

Step 1 – Take a One-Second Breath

Do not key the mic immediately. Count “one-Mississippi” in your head. This stops the panic readback and keeps you from stepping on me while I’m still talking.

Step 2 – Respond With One of These Four Phrases (Pick the Right One)

Scenario A – ATC Say again (they missed everything) Your response: Repeat your entire last transmission exactly, word-for-word, a little slower and clearer.

Example: You originally said: “Approach, Cessna 123AB, 15 east of ABC VOR at 5500, request VFR flight following.” They say: “Cessna 123AB, say again.” You say: “Cessna 123AB, 15 east of ABC VOR at 5500, request VFR flight following.”

Scenario B – ATC Say again all after [something] Only repeat the part after the word they said.

Example: They say: “Cessna 456EF, say again all after heading.” You: “Heading 270, descending 4,500, Cessna 6EF.”

Scenario C – ATC Say your request or Say intentions They heard everything except what you actually want.

Perfect response: “Request VFR flight following to XYZ airport” or “Intention is VFR to the practice area and return.”

Real Examples From The Past (And How the Pilots Handled It Perfectly)

Example 1 Student (slightly quiet mic): “Tower, Skyhawk 512AB holding short 27.” Me: “Aircraft calling, say again.” Student (calm): “Tower, Skyhawk 512AB holding short runway 27, ready.” Me: “Skyhawk 512AB, runway 27 cleared for takeoff.” → Entire exchange added 8 seconds. Zero drama.

Example 2 Pilot on Approach frequency during a busy push: “Approach, Cherokee 674RW with request.” Me (frequency jammed): “Cherokee 4RW, say request.” Pilot: “Request VFR descent through your airspace to land at [airport].” Done. No panic, no extra words.

The Golden Rule: Never Apologize on Frequency

Do NOT say “Sorry, student pilot” or “My bad” after a say-again. It just adds extra words and tells everyone you’re rattled.

If you feel you must acknowledge you’re new, do it once at the beginning of the flight: “Approach, Cessna 318AB, student pilot, 10 miles west requesting…”

We note it, slow down if needed, and move on.