Business Jet Pilot Lingo
By Ed Morrow
You can own this for about $5 million.
1. Why I’m doing this topic.
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I work as a pilot and I’m lazy.
Because it is relevant to some of the general
characteristics of American English.
To see how much pilots know about the
background of aviation phraseology.
To see how it influences our linguistic
behavior.
Most of the terms come from
maritime terminology.
Cockpit comes from coxswain.
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Etymology:
Early 14th century officer in charge of the boat and
crew.
Cock > ship’s boat > Fr. Coque > canoe
Swain > “boy” > O.N. sveinn “boy, servant.”
It became the compartment where the ship’s pilot or
helmsman steer the boat.
One pilot, who was familiar with the etymology
mentioned that it was a pit so the pilot was protected
from flying projectiles across the bow.
Modern business jet cockpit.
Meet the brain, the box.
Meet George, my autopilot.
Meet the real George.
We use charted procedures.
When you are too high, too fast, and really
close to your airport in a mountain valley,
you can expect a ________ approach.
Slam dunk!
Pilot / Controller Glossary
http://www.faa.gov/
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PILOT/CONTROLLER
GLOSSARY
PURPOSE
a. This Glossary was compiled to promote a common understanding of the terms used in the Air Traffic
Control system. It includes those terms which are intended for pilot/controller communications. Those
terms
most frequently used in pilot/controller communications are printed in bold italics. The definitions are
primarily
defined in an operational sense applicable to both users and operators of the National Airspace System.
Use of
the Glossary will preclude any misunderstandings concerning the system’s design, function, and
purpose.
b. Because of the international nature of flying, terms used in the Lexicon, published by the International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), are included when they differ from FAA definitions. These terms are
followed by “[ICAO].” For the reader’s convenience, there are also cross references to related terms in
other parts
of the Glossary and to other documents, such as the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the
Aeronautical
Information Manual (AIM).
c. This Glossary will be revised, as necessary, to maintain a common understanding of the system.
Examples of aviation lingo.
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IMG_0873.MOV
ATIS
(Automatic Terminal Information Service)
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Boeing field information Tango 1953 Zulu,
Wind 220 at 7, wind variable between 150 and 240,
Visibility 10, sky’s clear
Temperature 13, dew point 6, altimeters 3018
ILS 13 right approach in use,
Landing and departing runway 13 right and 13 left,
Aircraft landing 13 left are reminded to fly the PAPI,
Simultaneous approaches in use to SEATAC and
Boeing airports, expect traffic above you on final…
Whenever some pilots hear a
woman’s voice, they say:
“There’s another empty kitchen”
It is traditionally and historically a male
dominated industry.
Example of aviation lingo.
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IMG_0838.MOV
Aviation Phonetic Letters
Letter
1913
1927
1938
WWII
1957 - Present
A
ABLE
AFFIRMATIVE
AFIRM
AFIRM (ABLE)
ALFA
B
BAKER
BAKER
BAKER
BAKER
BRAVO
C
CAST
CAST
CAST
CHARLIE
CHARLIE
DELTA
D
DOG
DOG
DOG
DOG
E
EASY
EASY
EASY
EASY
ECHO
F
FOX
FOX
FOX
FOX
FOXTROT
G
GEORGE
GEORGE
GEORGE
GEORGE
GOLF
H
HAVE
HYPO
HYPO
HOW
HOTEL
I
ITEM
INTERROGATORY
INT
INT (ITEM)
INDIA
J
JIG
JIG
JIG
JIG
JULIETT
K
KING
KING
KING
KING
KILO
L
LOVE
LOVE
LOVE
LOVE
LIMA
M
MIKE
MIKE
MIKE
MIKE
MIKE
N
NAN
NEGATIVE
NEGAT
NEGAT (NAN)
NOVEMBER
O
OBOE
OPTION
OPTION
OP TION (OB OE)
OSCAR
P
PUP
PREPARATORY
PREP
PREP (PETER)
PAPA
Q
QUACK
QUACK
QUEEN
QUEEN
QUEBEC
R
RUSH
ROGER
ROGER
ROGER
ROMEO
S
SAIL
SAIL
SAIL
SUGAR
SIERRA
T
TARE
TARE
TARE
TARE
TANGO
U
UNIT
UNIT
UNIT
UNCLE
UNIFORM
V
VICE
VICE
VICTOR
VICTOR
VICTOR
W
WATCH
WILLIAM
WILLIAM
WILLIAM
WHISKY
X
X-RAY
X-RAY
X-RAY
X-RAY
X-RAY
Y
YOKE
YOKE
YOKE
YOKE
YANKEE
Z
ZED
ZED
ZED
ZEBRA
ZULU
You see the rabbits?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQxD-Qe11ow&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_bO52VJHU8
FBO Hangar: Whachu doin?
Puttin in some airport appreciation time.
Gotta do the walk of shame
LAV
There’s some build up over
there.
What I learned:
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Most pilots don’t know where their jargon
came from.
Most jargon reflects general features of AE
including some of the creative and
productive processes.
Although it is important for some language
to be clear and direct for efficiency, it is also
important for some industry jargon to be
creative and at times humorous.
Let’s put some covers on and put it to
bed. GOOD NIGHT!