COMMON SENTENCES PILOTS SAY DURING A FLIGHT AND THEIR MEANINGS

You might find it difficult to understand what your flight crew is discussing with the controllers, or you want to monitor your flight's progress by connecting to your airline's audio channel, only to get even more confused. 

Every exchange between a pilot and a controller is meticulously spoken using a set of words. Since pilots come from different continents, and air flights go worldwide, it is significant for pilots and controllers to communicate with a unified language to facilitate communication.

This post lists some of the "pilot lingo" you might come across on an airplane. It's not that difficult; you just have to put your mind to it.

"We're finishing some last-minute paperwork and should be underway shortly."

If the pilot says this, it means the plane is almost ready for take-off, but they are making adjustments to the flight plan or the weight and balance record.

"At this time, please ensure your seatbelts are fastened and all electronic devices turned off."

The phrase "at this time" is used to create emphasis on the time and the need to carry out some routine checks. 

"We're flying through an air pocket."

Instead of telling passengers that the aircraft is experiencing turbulence, pilots use "air pocket" to refer to turbulence caused by the winds to prevent passengers from being anxious or afraid. 

"We've now reached our cruising altitude of flight level three-three-zero."

This is the pilot reporting what height (usually thousands of feet) above sea level the plane is currently flying. Three-three-zero means 33 000 feet.

"George is flying the plane now."

As required by FAA rules, pilots flying a plane for more than 10 hours must get some rest. Doing so, they give control of the aircraft to George. "George" is the nickname given to an airplane's autopilot system, which follows a set of programmed points to the flight's destination while considering changes in turbulence and altitude. 

"Due to an Area of weather, we will be turning southbound into London."

This means the area has a high level of precipitation or experiencing thunderstorms, hence the need to turn.

"Sorry folks, unfortunately, there'd be a ground stop for all flights heading east from here."

It's a method used by air traffic controllers to slow or stop the arrival of planes at a specific airport. When aircraft are en route to a specific airport or region, they make a "ground stop."

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are on our final approach into Dubai."

When the plane has reached the last straight-in segment of the landing pattern that does not require any further turns or maneuvering, the pilot will declare that the aircraft is on final approach.

"Pan-Pan"

Most passengers might never hear their pilot use this term because it is only used to communicate with air traffic controllers (who give the pilot the right help to prevent an accident) in times of emergency, like the breakdown of engines on a multi-engine plane.

When pilots use this signal, other pilots on the same radio frequency will usually keep quiet to let the pilot communicate effectively.

Can you relate to these sentences spoken by the pilots during a flight? Is there more not included? List them in the comment section below, don't forget to share too.