Q codes & reporting

090 CommunicationsChapter 5

Q codes — altimetry

Code	Meaning	Used for
QFE	Airfield pressure	Height above aerodrome
QNH	Airfield pressure adjusted to MSL using ISA	Altitude above mean sea level

Exam trap

QFE = height. QNH = altitude. QFE is the pressure at the airfield datum; QNH is corrected to sea level using the ISA lapse rate.

Q codes — direction finding

Code	Meaning
QDM	Magnetic track TO the station
QDR	Magnetic bearing FROM the station
QTE	True bearing FROM the station
QUJ	True track TO the station

Key fact

Memory aid: Magnetic codes use M (QDM/QDR); True codes use no M (QTE/QUJ). TO the station = D/Q ending in direction toward (QDM, QUJ); FROM = QDR, QTE.

Position report content

Key fact

Standard position report order: (1) aircraft identification, (2) position, (3) time, (4) level, (5) next position and ETA, (6) ensuing significant point.

Report categories

Position information

Callsign, position, time, altitude, next position.

Operational information

ETA, endurance.

Meteorological information

Temperature, wind, turbulence, icing, and supplementary information.

Key fact

PIREPs are exempt if the aircraft is not datalink equipped (unless requested). Include callsign, position, time, altitude, and the observed conditions.

Key fact

PIREPs are required in: severe turbulence, icing, mountain waves, embedded CBs, thunderstorms, heavy sand/dust storms, volcanic ash or eruption.

Message priority (recap)

Priority	Type
1	Distress — MAYDAY
2	Urgency — PAN PAN
3	Direction finding
4	Flight safety
5	Meteorological
6	Flight regularity