FAA Publishes New Phonetic Alphabet

For Immediate Release

December 31, 2018

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today published the much anticipated update to the phonetic radio alphabet. With English as the official language of aviation, the updated alphabet is meant to encourage easier global communications.

“This state-of-the-art enhancement will improve flight safety and increase efficiency with regard to radio communications,” said FAA Assistant Administrator Bailey Edwards .

The new alphabet will go into effect on 01 JULY 2019 as follows:

  • A – Aisle
  • B – Bdellium
  • C – Czar
  • D – Django
  • E – Eye
  • F – Foxtrot
  • G – Gnat
  • H – Hour
  • I – Inside
  • J – Jalapeno
  • K – Knight
  • L – Lima
  • M – Mnemonic
  • N – Nancy
  • O – Oedipus
  • P – Pterodactyl
  • Q – Quran
  • R – Romeo
  • S – Sierra
  • T – Tsunami
  • U – Uniform
  • V – Victor
  • W – Wreath
  • X – Xylophone
  • Y – Yankee
  • Z – Zulu

5 Replies to “FAA Publishes New Phonetic Alphabet

  1. It’s a good move, but did you consider the non English speaking nations? And will the previous alphabets be obsolete?

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