Traffic information

Traffic information is needed whenever air traffic control wants or needs to inform a pilot about other traffic. Traffic information should contain precise information to make it as easy as possible for the pilot to identify the mentioned traffic.

Structure of a traffic information

Traffic information is always structured according to the same principle.

[Unknown] Traffic, [type of traffic], [aircraft type], [position of traffic], [distance to traffic], [direction of movement of traffic], [level of traffic], [any other information].

Type of Traffic

In this component, you can state the flight rule of the traffic. If you have no precise knowledge about the traffic, i.e., only a primary radar target on the radar screen, "Unknown traffic" is used. If you have knowledge of the aircraft type of the traffic, [Type of traffic] is usually omitted.

IFR traffic / VFR traffic

Aircraft type

In this part, you provide information about the aircraft type of the traffic. The common abbreviation (e.g., EM DI ELEVEN for an MD11, AIRBUS THREE-TWENTY for an A320) should be used, alternatively, the ICAO code (PAPA ALPHA THREE FOUR for a PA34) can be used. For helicopters, the term "Helicopter" suffices.

Airbus A320 / Boeing 777 / Cessna 172 / ...

Position of Traffic

In this part, you provide information about the position of the traffic relative to the addressed pilot using clock positions. If the traffic is currently in a turn, it is recommended to state the position using a cardinal direction or its location (e.g., east, on final approach).

12 o'clock / 3 o'clock / 6 o'clock / North-west of your position / ...

Distance to Traffic

In this part, you provide information about the distance of the traffic relative to the addressed pilot in nautical miles.

3 miles / x miles / ...

Direction of movement of Traffic

In this part, you optionally provide information about the direction of movement of the traffic relative to the addressed pilot.

Same direction / opposite / crossing XXX to XXX / ...

Level of Traffic

In this component, you optionally provide information about the vertical level of the traffic. To prevent IFR traffic from interpreting this information as a clearance, it is recommended to state the altitude relative to the addressed pilot instead of the true altitude. If the Mode C readout is not confirmed, the addition "indicating" or "not confirmed" is used.

(indicating) 1000ft below / 2000ft above / same level/altitude / ...

Any other Information

In this part, you optionally provide other information about the traffic, for example, if the traffic is descending/climbing or is in a traffic circuit. In principle, anything that could be helpful to the addressed pilot can be mentioned here, but it should be limited to relevant information.

Examples