Definition
A pilot's report to ATC indicating that the pilot has already received the current wind, runway, and altimeter information for the destination airport, but has not yet received the full ATIS broadcast.
Plain English
A short way for a pilot to tell the controller, "I already have the wind, runway in use, and altimeter setting — you don't need to read those to me again."
Context Anchor
Used on the radio when checking in with air traffic control near an airport.
Derivation
From everyday English: to "have the numbers" means to already possess the key figures or data. In aviation, the "numbers" specifically refers to the three operational values — wind, runway, and altimeter — that a pilot needs before landing or taking off.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms receipt of essential information while keeping radio transmissions short and reducing congestion on busy frequencies.
Intuition Check
Do not read “numbers” as any numbers at all. In this phrase, it specifically means the airport’s runway, wind, and altimeter setting information.
Example Sentence 1
"Tower, Cessna 5732 Bravo, ten miles south, inbound for landing, have numbers."
Example Sentence 2
Tower, Piper 456CD, have numbers, ready for takeoff.