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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/drone-radio-niner-for-nine

How do pilots say the number 9 on the radio?

'Niner', so it can't be confused with other words.

  1. Nine
  2. Nein
  3. Niner ✔

Why: Aviation radio uses special pronunciations for clarity over static. Nine becomes NIN-ER, and you'll hear it in headings, times and altitudes.

Huh, didn't know that: Three is said as 'TREE' and five as 'FIFE' in the official phonetic table.

The dad joke
I only know 25 letters of the alphabet. I don't know y.
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Sources

  1. Aeronautical Information Manual 4-2-7 Phonetic Alphabet https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap4_section_2.html

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