How would a pilot communicate an altitude of 14,700 feet?

To communicate an altitude of 14,700 feet, the correct phrasing is "One four thousand seven hundred." This method of intercom transmission is designed to clearly convey altitude information to ensure accuracy and avoid miscommunication, especially in high-stakes environments like aviation.

Using the phrase "One four thousand seven hundred" effectively identifies the altitude by breaking it down into understandable segments. The use of "one" at the beginning is a standard aviation practice to indicate the altitude in thousands, which helps clarify the exact measurement and distinguishes it from other altitudes or numbers that might be misinterpreted.

In professional aviation communication, clarity and brevity are paramount. Therefore, while other formats might be thought of for altitude reporting, they could lead to confusion or miscommunication. For example, saying "One four seven zero zero" could seem less intuitive to some listeners, due to its numeric fragmentation. "Fourteen seventy" and "Fourteen thousand seven hundred" also can be prone to misunderstandings in a noisy cockpit environment or radio transmission. Thus, the preferred phraseology aligns with industry standards for smooth and secure communication.