Oddity Of The Week: NASA Fixes The Alphabet
Created | Updated Mar 3, 2013
One of the many things about NASA we are grateful for.
NASA Fixes the Alphabet: 1956
What's that up there? Oh, just another NASA airplane. That one, the X-4, flew in 1957. Neil Armstrong was a test pilot, once. Astronauts have to start somewhere.
Among the many things NASA has given us – really cool pictures of the Earth, moon rocks, important weather data, Tang – we really have to be grateful for their phonetic alphabet, which was issued in March of 1956. Not only does the phonetic alphabet make airports safer, because pilots can understand clearly the designation of the runway, etc, but having a good phonetic alphabet will help you with your daily commute.
Suppose the missus is giving you instructions over the mobile. 'What, dear? Did you want a new can of ham, or a new brand of jam?' The phonetic alphabet below can protect your domestic bliss and your dinner. Study it. Once you've memorised it, take NASA's handy quiz. You'll be ready for a career in aviation – or the 5.04 from Victoria.
| A – Alpha | J – Juliet | S – Sierra |
| B – Bravo | K – Kilo | T – Tango |
| C – Charlie | L – Lima | U – Uniform |
| D – Delta | M – Mike | V – Victor |
| E – Echo | N – November | W – Whiskey |
| F – Foxtrot | O – Oscar | X – X-Ray |
| G – Golf | P – Papa | Y – Yankee |
| H – Hotel | Q – Quebec | Z – Zulu |
| I – India | R – Romeo |
Want to know more about the history of this alphabet? Read The NATO phonetic alphabet. In the Edited Guide, of course.
