ABBREVIATIONS IN COMMON USE IN THE ATC
This document provides a list of the more common abbreviations ATC personnel are
likely to use. If you consider that all recipients will understand an abbreviation, it need not be explained. However, if not then the first time you use it (including the heading) explain in full, followed by the abbreviation in brackets i.e. Defence Writing (DW). Thereafter, the abbreviation should be used consistently.
Absent Without Leave AWOL
Adjutant Adjt
Administration admin
Air Cadet Adventure Training Instructions ACATI
Air Cadet Field Training Instructions ACFTI
Air Cadet Physical Education Training Instructions ACPEDTI
Air Cadet Publication ACP
Air Cadet Training Instruction ACTI
Air Cadet Training Orders ACTO
Air Experience Flight AEF
Air Experience Gliding AEG
Air Publication AP
Air Traffic Control ATC
Air Training Corps ATC
Cadet Cdt
Cadet Warrant Officer CWO
Civilian Instructor CI
Combined Cadet Force CCF
Commanding Officer CO
Corporal Cpl
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award D of E
Exercise ex
Flight Flt
Flight Lieutenant Flt Lt
Flight Sergeant FS
Flying Officer Fg Off
Group Captain Gp Capt
Headquarters Air Cadets HQAC
In accordance with iaw
In charge of IC
Joining Instructions JIs
Joint Service Publication JSP
Junior Non Commissioned Officer JNCO
Mechanical Transport MT
Medical evacuation MEDEVAC
Ministry of Defence MOD
Non Commissioned Officer NCO
Officer Commanding OC
Officer in Charge OIC
Physical Education PEd
Physical Education Officer PEdO
Pilot Officer Plt Off
Public Relations PR
Radio telecommunications RT
Range Conducting Officer RCO
Royal Air Force RAF
Royal Air Force Regiment RAF Regt
Royal Air Forces Association RAFA
Senior Non Commissioned Officer SNCO
Sergeant Sgt
Squadron Sqn
Squadron Leader Sqn Ldr
University Air Squadron UAS
Volunteer Gliding School VGS
Warrant Officer WO
Wing Commander Wg Cdr
Wing Headquarters WHQ
With effect from Wef
