I think this has been discussed before but maybe not in much detail.
What do you say to ATC after you switch from one frequency to another, IFR, in the following scenarios:
While climbing/descending?
While on SID/STAR?
While on vectors?
During cruise?
I have heard a few different things out there. I do this (parentheses depending on situation):
SWEDEN CONTROL, SE-ABC, HEADING 320 (PASSING 4000FT CLIMBING/DESCENDING FL90/2000FT) OR (ON BLAH1K DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL) OR (ON VECTORS)
Do you also mention any significant point you are heading towards?
First the station being called, then the station calling.
For the rest, generally keep it short. In my experience, ATC does not generally need the SID you are on, or the direct that you are on. Only callsign and altitude.
Yes sorry my mistake, typo, I will fix it.
I think that if you are on a radar heading you must definitely report that, and I think it’s helpful to recite your clearance if it different from your flight plan.
So, if you are on a planned route:
Paris G-CD FL180
If on a heading:
Paris G-CD FL180 radar heading 350
If on a clearance from the previous sector:
Paris G-CD FL180 Cleared Direct CAN ETRAT
ICAO doc 4444:
“4.11.3 Radiotelephony procedures for air-ground
voice communication channel changeover
When so prescribed by the appropriate ATS authority, the initial call to an ATC unit after a change of air-ground voice
communication channel shall contain the following elements:
a) designation of the station being called;
b) call sign and, for aircraft in the heavy wake turbulence category, the word “Heavy”;
c) level, including passing and cleared levels if not maintaining the cleared level;
d) speed, if assigned by ATC; and
e) additional elements, as required by the appropriate ATS authority.”
That confirms my point. No SIDs and no directs, as long as the ATS involved hasn’t published they wish otherwise.
Thanks, I was definitely mistaken thinking that heading is what they want.
My experience is that if you don’t, they usually ask, which is time consuming.
I’ve been taught:
While climbing/descending?
Foo radar, my callsign, climbing/descending ${cleared level}, passing ${current level}
While on SID/STAR?
Foo approach, my callsign, ${SID name}, climbing/descending ${cleared initial altitude}, passing ${current altitude}
While on vectors?
Foo radar, my callsign, ${level}, heading ${my heading}
During cruise?
I’m usually on a DCT to somewhere, so
Foo radar, my callsign, ${level}, to ${DCT waypoint}
If I’m on an airway segment or I got “after W1, W2”, then
Foo radar, my callsign, ${level}, from W1 to W2
or
Foo radar, my callsign, ${level}, to W1 then W2
respectively
There is too often a big gap between four things:
