To or Two?

[alwayzinit]

I would be interested about what others think about the use of the word TO, when ATC issue clearances or crews read back.

Such as "reduce speed To two fife zero" or "climb to two two zero"

This morning a Teutonic sounding gent was prefixing speed and alt changes with TO that seemed to be causing numerous reconfirmation of clearances by red eyed pilots.

I know that in SA "To" is used a lot but this was the first instance I have experienced in DXB.

Thoughts ?

[ironbutt57]

started noticing it around 5 years back in the region, had been previously advised not to use "to" when reading back heading or altitude/level clearances, but apparently it is the norm these days for ATC to use it...not sure if it has just crept in, or if it's official change to their standard phraseology

[Talparc]

alwayzinit:

25 years ago I was tought during my Flight training not to use to
e.g. "reduce speed two five zero" or " climb two two zero"

[Instant Hooligan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Pi8EuTcAc

Skip to 5:55 and understand the possible confusion that these guys descended (to) 400ft instead of (2)400ft

[FuelFlow]

ICAO PANS-ATM
Lido Gen Com pg 120

Refer to CRAR for country specific RT phraseology. U.A.E. operates to ICAO standards, therefor "TO and FOR" are perfectly acceptable in their airspace.

[Chesty Morgan]

The only thing you climb or descend to is an altitude.

[Plank Cap]

Yes all a bit disappointing having spent a while deprogramming my little brain to avoid using the word 'to'.

Having recently had an FCI regarding RT phraseology here at Jennifer's preferred airline, one can see that the standard ICAO source refers to the word 'to' for use by radio operators. That's ATC and pilots then. Mind you, it also talks about prefixing relevant callsigns with 'heavy' and you don't hear much of that round here.... Often 'super', rarely 'heavy'....

Oh dear, may have to ASR myself. :ugh:

[10 DME ARC]

The UK got rid of 'to' late 80's, GCAA used to do the same however they have decided to go back to ICAO standard! I have filed ROSI's and a VORSY due to mis-understanding by pilots responding to my trainee's who are being forced to use 'to' again!

[BANANASBANANAS]

As a technique I always separate the to and two with an appropriate descriptor.

Eg: ATC say 'EK123 Descend to 5000 feet.'

My response. 'EK123 Descend to Altitude 5000 feet.'

[Wizofoz]

Had a good one over Tehran the other day- controllers repeatedly calling what sounded like "Emirates 341".

Turns out they were calling EK 111 (correct phraseology "Emirates wun wun wun"), but were using "Emirates TRIPLE one" (say it with a thick accent and imagine a ****ty radio, and you'll see what I mean!!)

[sluggums]

Haha, very good...

[sleeve of wizard]

https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP413v21_6.pdf

To be annunciated only in the Queens English!! :E

[Mgggpilot]

What about levels? "Descend level four zero" or "Descend level zero four zero"

[ironbutt57]

"descend and maintain xxx" is my usual response..keeps it clear for me..

[fatbus]

I'm the same IB57

[QCM]

Fuel Flow, ICAO PAN OPS etc etc references don't prevent you two use common sense four your safety!

[duststorm]

UK Cap 413 - cut and paste...

The word ‘to’ is to be omitted from messages relating to FLIGHT LEVELS.
i.e. Climb FL70 - Descend FL50

All messages relating to an aircraft’s climb or descent to an ALTITUDE employ the word ‘to’ followed immediately by the word ALTITUDE.
i.e. Descend to altitude 2000 - Climb to altitude 4000

I believe the following are also good disciplines to practice - Once again Cap 413.

The phrase ‘re-cleared’ should not be employed

When transmitting messages containing flight levels each digit shall be transmitted separately. However, in an endeavour to reduce ‘level busts’ caused by the confusion between some levels (100/110, 200/220 etc.), levels which are whole hundreds
e.g. FL100, 200, 300 shall be spoken as “Flight level (number) HUN DRED”.

The word hundred must not be used for headings
-----------------------
it's a jungle out there - keep the non standard RT on the ground ( not from Cap413 )

[Sciolistes]

I would be interested about what others think about the use of the word TO, when ATC issue clearances or crews read back.

Such as "reduce speed To two fife zero" or "climb to two two zero"

This morning a Teutonic sounding gent was prefixing speed and alt changes with TO that seemed to be causing numerous reconfirmation of clearances by red eyed pilots.

I know that in SA "To" is used a lot but this was the first instance I have experienced in DXB.

Thoughts ?
I have notice from time to time how the clearance with the word "TO" can be misleading. In such cases I feel I have to make slow and accentuated read back to make sure I understood the clearance. It would seem to be open to misinterpretation. However, saying that I don't believe either myself nor the other crew member have ever misunderstood such a clearance.