Jay Maynard wrote:
On 2008-03-28, Mike Gilmour wrote:
Listening to Boston ATC at various times the Tower controller asks a
flight if they 'have got their numbers" (?) or a flight will say
they're not ready to proceed because they "don't have their numbers".
What does this mean as it doesnt translate here in the UK?

This refers to the flight performance data (primarily, weight and
balance) that the flight crew needs to enter into the flight
management system. The crew usually has that before they push back
from the gate, but occasionally the airline doesn't get it to them
until later. They can't take off without it, because they can't verify
that the aircraft is within its center of gravity range or that the
accelerate-stop distance is shorter than the available runway length.

The poster said these were ATC transmissions, not internal company
communications. Since ATC doesn't concern itself with weight, balance,
or any other flight performance factors, your explanation is almost
certainly wrong.

ATC does, however, need to know if the pilot has the current ATIS
(Automated Terminal Information Service) information: ceiling,
visibility, wind, altimeter setting, runway in use, and any special
airport information.

The use of "have numbers" is mentioned in AIM section 4-1-13:

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraff...4/aim0401.html

"While it is a good operating practice for pilots to make use of the
ATIS broadcast where it is available, some pilots use the phrase "have
numbers" in communications with the control tower. Use of this phrase
means that the pilot has received wind, runway, and altimeter
information ONLY and the tower does not have to repeat this information.
It does not indicate receipt of the ATIS broadcast and should never be
used for this purpose."