Wow, I never thought I'd ever be in a position to contradict Genghis, however I am about to.
In the example that you mention, what you're hearing is the first call on a frequency by an aircraft. It is accepted practice under IFR on handover to a new frequency to make the first call with the current level and details of the last clearance. It is even possible that the ATC unit handing over asked them to do this:
"UK2MD report radar heading to London Control on xxx.xx"
it simply means that the aircraft was under radar vectors before handover, and so should report the last vector to the next frequency. Note that on very busy frequencies they ask not to do this for reasons of RT congestion:
"UK2MD contact Heathrow Director on 119.72 with callsign only"
Now, a radar heading is not a true track, it is the magnetic heading that ATC wants you to fly. ATC will apply correction for variation and wind if necessary.
cheers!
foggy
Last edited by foghorn; 4th Apr 2003 at 20:14.