SERA.14090 Specific communication procedures

(a)     Movement of vehicles

Phraseologies for the movement of vehicles, other than tow-tractors, on the manoeuvring area shall be the same as those used for the movement of aircraft, with the exception of taxi instructions, in which case the word ‘PROCEED’ shall be substituted for the word ‘TAXI’ when communicating with vehicles.

(b)     Air traffic advisory service

Air traffic advisory service does not deliver ‘clearances’ but only ‘advisory information’ and it shall use the word ‘advise’ or ‘suggest’ when a course of action is proposed to an aircraft.

(c)      Indication of heavy wake turbulence category

(1)     For aircraft in the heavy wake turbulence category, the word ‘Heavy’ shall be included immediately after the aircraft call sign in the initial radiotelephony contact between such aircraft and ATS units.

(2)     For specific aircraft in the heavy wake turbulence category, as identified by the competent authority, the word ‘Super’ shall be included immediately after the aircraft call sign in the initial radiotelephony contact between such aircraft and ATS units.

(d)     Procedures related to weather deviation

When the pilot initiates communications with ATC, a rapid response may be obtained by stating ‘WEATHER DEVIATION REQUIRED’ to indicate that priority is desired on the frequency and for ATC response. When necessary, the pilot shall initiate communications using the urgency call ‘PAN PAN’ (preferably spoken three times).

[applicable until 30 April 2025 – Regulation (EU) 2016/1185]

(a)     Movement of vehicles

Phraseologies for the movement of vehicles on the manoeuvring area shall be the same as those used for the movement of aircraft, with the exception of taxi instructions, in which case the word “PROCEED” shall be substituted for the word “TAXI” when communicating with vehicles.

(b)     Air traffic advisory service

Air traffic advisory service does not deliver “clearances” but only “advisory information” and it shall use the word “advise” or “suggest” when a course of action is proposed to an aircraft.

(c)      Indication of heavy and super wake turbulence categories

In the initial radiotelephony contact between such aircraft and ATS units the word “heavy” or “super” corresponding, as appropriate, to the wake turbulence category of the aircraft, shall be included immediately after the aircraft call sign.

(d)     Procedures related to weather deviation

(1)     When weather deviation is required, the pilot shall initiate communications with ATC via voice or CPDLC. A rapid response may be obtained by either:

(i)      stating “WEATHER DEVIATION REQUIRED” to indicate that priority is desired on the frequency and for ATC response; or

(ii)     requesting a weather deviation using a CPDLC lateral downlink message.

(2)     When necessary, the pilot shall initiate communications using the urgency call “PAN PAN” (preferably spoken three times) or by using a CPDLC urgency downlink message.

(3)     The pilot shall notify the air traffic controller and request clearance to deviate from track or ATS route, advising, when possible, the extent of the deviation requested. The flight crew will use whatever means are appropriate (i.e. voice and/or CPDLC) to communicate during a weather deviation.

(4)     The pilot shall inform the air traffic controller when weather deviation is no longer required, or when a weather deviation has been completed and the aircraft has returned to its cleared route.

(e)     Clearances on standard instrument departure and standard instrument arrival

Clearances on SID and/or STAR shall unambiguously indicate the constraints, where applicable.

[applicable from 1 May 2025 – Regulation (EU) 2024/404]