Preceding or previos?
 

Hello, respected colleagues!

Some discussion arose concerning the use of words 'previous' and 'preceding' in collocations with 'traffic' (previous traffic reported, preceding traffic avoided etc.). Which of the two is more correct (common) to use in aviation related radio communications? Or they are synonyms in this respect?

In the UK we use ‘previously’ reported to update traffic info which has already been called but is still a threat e.g. “previously reported traffic now 10 o’clock 2 miles converging” or to just update the info e.g. “the previously reported traffic has turned eastbound” or “clear of previously reported traffic, further traffic right 2 o’clock crossing right-left ahead no height information”.
I think ‘preceding’ is less commonly used and perhaps is more non-standard but I have heard it used in an aerodrome environment e.g. “the preceding departure reported moderate turbulence passing 1000ft”

Thank you. 'Previously repored' is another matter and sounds pretty common. The question is about 'previous traffic'.

We also have PRECEDING in standard ICAO phraseology:
... MAINTAIN OWN SEPARATION FROM PRECEDING (aircraft type
and wake turbulence category as appropriate)...
Doc4444, 16th edition 2016, 12.3.3.2

In the same document we have simpler than in your examples phrases like
CLEAR OF TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC 2 O'CLOCK
CROSSING RIGHT TO LEFT
LEVEL UNKNOWN.

"Preceding" means the traffic the aircraft concerned is following. "Previous" is referencing something from the past. Depending on the circumstances they can be interchangeable but not always.