Definition
A designation indicating that a chart, procedure, or piece of information is intended for shared reference by both pilots and air traffic controllers, so that each party is working from the same data when communicating clearances, instructions, or routing.
Plain English
It means the item is meant to be used by both the pilot and the controller, so they are looking at the same thing when they talk to each other.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument departure discussions and on published departure procedures, where a procedure may be designed so ATC and the pilot can refer to it by name.
Why Pilots Care
Standardized phrasing prevents miscommunication that could lead to incorrect departure routing or altitude assignments.
Intuition Check
Do not read “use” as casual or optional here. In this context, it means the information is a shared operating reference that both the pilot and controller may rely on.
Example Sentence 1
The departure procedure was published for pilot/controller use, so the captain knew the tower would be reading from the same chart when issuing the clearance.
Example Sentence 2
Controllers expect pilots to read back altitude restrictions using the exact pilot/controller use wording provided in the SID.