Appendix A Clearance Shorthand The following shorthand system is recommended by the  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Applicants for the  instrument rating may use any shorthand system, in any  language, which ensures accurate compliance with air traffic  control (ATC) instructions. No shorthand system is required  by regulation and no knowledge of shorthand is required for  the FAA Knowledge Test; however, because of the vital need  for reliable communication between the pilot and controller,  clearance information should be unmistakably clear. The following symbols and contractions represent words  and phrases frequently used in clearances. Most are used  regularly by ATC personnel. By practicing this shorthand,  omitting the parenthetical words, you will be able to copy  long clearances as fast as they are read. Example: CAF   RH RV V18 40 SQ 0700 DPC 120.4 Cleared as filed, maintain runway heading for radar vector  to Victor 18, climb to 4,000, squawk 0700, departure control  frequency is 120.4. Words and Phrases Shorthand Above  .......................................................................... ABV Above (Altitude, Hundreds of Feet)  ............................... 70 Adjust speed to 250 knots  ......................................... 250 K Advise  ......................................................................... ADZ After (Passing)  .................................................................. < Airway (Designation)  ................................................... V26 Airport  .............................................................................. A Alternate Instructions  ...................................................... ( ) Altitude 6,000–17,000  ............................................. 60-170 And  ................................................................................... & Approach  ........................................................................ AP Approach Control  ........................................................ APC Area Navigation  ....................................................... RNAV Arriving  .............................................................................. At ..................................................................................... @ At or Above  .................................................................... At or Below  .................................................................... (ATC) Advises  ............................................................... CA (ATC) Clears or Cleared  .................................................. C (ATC) Requests  ............................................................. CR Back Course  ................................................................... BC Bearing  ........................................................................... BR Before (Reaching, Passing)  ............................................... > Below  .......................................................................... BLO Below (Altitude, Hundreds of Feet)  ................................ 70 Center  .......................................................................... CTR Clearance Void if Not Off By (Time)  ............................. v< Cleared as Filed  ........................................................... CAF Cleared to Airport  ............................................................ A Cleared to Climb/Descend at Pilot’s Discretion  ............ PD Cleared to Cross  ............................................................... X Cleared to Depart From the Fix  ....................................... D Cleared to the Fix  .............................................................. F Cleared to Hold and Instructions Issued  .......................... H Cleared to Land  ................................................................. L Cleared to the Outer Marker  ............................................ O Climb to (Altitude, Hundreds of Feet)  ........................... 70 Contact Approach  .......................................................... CT Contact (Denver) Approach Control  ............................ (den Contact (Denver) Center  ............................................ (DEN Course  .......................................................................... CRS Cross  ................................................................................ X Cruise  ............................................................................. Delay Indefinite  ............................................................ DLI Depart (Direction, if Specified)  ................................ T ( ) Departure Control  ....................................................... DPC Descend To (Altitude, Hundreds of Feet)  ...................... 70 Direct  .............................................................................. DR Direction (Bound) Eastbound  ................................................................... EB  Westbound................................................................. WB Northbound................................................................. NB Southbound  ................................................................. SB Inbound........................................................................ IB Outbound  .................................................................... OB DME Fix (Mile)  ............................................................ Each  ................................................................................ EA Enter Control Area  ....................................................... Estimated Time of Arrival  .......................................... ETA Expect  ............................................................................ EX Expect-Further-Clearance  ............................................ EFC A-1