Position reports: what to say when ATC asks “say position”
“Say position” can catch a new pilot flat-footed. A position report is just a quick, structured way of saying where you are — once you know the shape of it, it is easy.
The basic shape
Who you are, where you are, your altitude, and what you are doing: “Cessna One Two Three Four Five, ten miles south of the field, four thousand five hundred, inbound to land.” That covers almost every case.
Reporting over a fix
On a route, report relative to a VOR or named fix: “over the Hilo VOR, four thousand five hundred.” A radial and distance works too: “one five DME on the two seven zero radial.”
On flight following
If a controller loses your track or just asks, “say position” wants your location relative to a landmark or fix plus your altitude. Keep it short — they are re-finding you, not reading a story.
At a non-towered field
Your self-announce calls are position reports to other traffic: “[field] traffic, Cessna One Two Three Four Five, left downwind runway two six, [field].” Position, intention, field name as the bookends.
Use landmarks people know
A town, a lake, a VOR, a highway — something on the chart, not “near my house.” The whole point is that the other person can find you from what you said.
Keep it brief
Position, altitude, intention. You are painting a quick picture so the next person knows where to look, not narrating the flight.
Drill it
Practice tight position reports on Clearspar until the shape is automatic. Free, works offline, no mic.
Practice these calls with instant grading — free.
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