When using "override and send" or "/OK," what must precede action?

• A. Document the action after the fact
• B. Wait for pilot confirmation
• C. Begin action immediately
• D. Verbal coordination before action is taken

Answer: (D)

The important practice here is verbal coordination before you take any action when using an override and send or a /OK. This ensures both sides—the controller and the pilot—clearly understand what change is being requested, why it’s needed, and which aircraft or situation is affected. By confirming the plan aloud and obtaining explicit acknowledgment before proceeding, you prevent miscommunication, ensure everyone is aligned, and reduce the risk of applying a command to the wrong target or at the wrong time.

Documenting after the fact isn’t enough because the action has already occurred without mutual awareness. Waiting for pilot confirmation can still leave you without the necessary pre-action clarity, and starting the action immediately without coordination is unsafe because it could disrupt traffic flow or aircraft states that the other party depends on. Verbal coordination before action is the safeguard that keeps operations safe and coordinated.