5-2-16

Altitude Confirmation- Mode C

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

Request a pilot to confirm assigned altitude on initial contact unless:

The pilot states the assigned altitude, or
You assign a new altitude to a climbing or a descending aircraft, or
The Mode C readout is valid and indicates that the aircraft is established at the assigned altitude, or
TERMINAL. The aircraft was transferred to you from another sector/position within your facility (intrafacility).
Phraseology

(In level flight situations),VERIFY AT (altitude/flight level).
(In climbing/descending situations),
(if aircraft has been assigned an altitude below the lowest useable flight level),VERIFY ASSIGNED ALTITUDE (altitude).
or
(If aircraft has been assigned a flight level at or above the lowest useable flight level),
VERIFY ASSIGNED FLIGHT LEVEL (flight level).

Reference

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-3-3, Beacon/ADS-B Identification Methods.