How do you ask ATC to repeat?

When a pilot needs to ask ATC to repeat something, the proper way is to use the phrase “say again.” That obligates ATC to reply. This, however, does not necessarily clarify information that the pilot may not have understood or may not recognize.



In aviation, the standard phrase to ask Air Traffic Control (ATC) to repeat a transmission is "Say again." You should avoid using the word "repeat" because, in military and some radio protocols, "repeat" is a specific command for artillery to fire again on the same coordinates, which can lead to dangerous confusion. If you only missed a specific part of the instruction, you can be more precise by saying, "Say again all after [last word heard]" or "Say again altimeter." If the controller is speaking too quickly for you to keep up, you can add "Speak slower" to your request. For student pilots or those in high-stress situations, using plain English like "Can you give me that one more time?" is acceptable and better than guessing, but "Say again" remains the professional, concise industry standard for maintaining clear and efficient communication.

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