NATO Alphabet (ICAO)

Definition

The ICAO Alphabet (also known as the NATO phonetic alphabet) is a standardized set of code words assigned to the letters of the Roman alphabet. It is used in aviation, military, and other fields to ensure clarity and avoid misunderstandings during voice communication, especially over radio.

Purpose

Using the ICAO alphabet ensures that letters and words are clearly understood regardless of accent, language, or transmission quality. This is critical in aviation, where a misunderstanding could have serious consequences.

The Alphabet

AAlfa
BBravo
CCharlie
DDelta
EEcho
FFoxtrot
GGolf
HHotel
IIndia
JJuliett
KKilo
LLima
MMike
NNovember
OOscar
PPapa
QQuebec
RRomeo
SSierra
TTango
UUniform
VVictor
WWhiskey
XXray
YYankee
ZZulu

Pronunciation

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Usage Tips

  • Always pronounce the full code word (e.g., "Tango" instead of "T").
  • In German ATC training, syllables may be marked for stress, e.g., HOtel, PApa.
  • This alphabet is used not only for aircraft call signs but also for spelling out names, codes, or other critical identifiers.

Example

The aircraft registration "OE-CMV" would be read over the radio as:
"Oscar Echo Charlie Mike Victor"