What pilots say and what they really mean from ‘last minute paperwork’ to ‘changing the equipment’
A PILOT has shared some of the secrets phrases used between crew and what they mean.
However, some of them are not good news - with "ground stop" likely to mean a delay.
Pilot Patrick Smith, who wrote the book Cockpit Confidential, has revealed some of the technical jargon used by crew on his website .
While some might be obvious, such as "final approach" meaning the plane is about to land, others may not make much sense at all.
For example, passengers may not be happy to hear the phrase "ground stop" if they're on a flight.
We reveal some of the common terms, and what they could mean for your flight.
Last minute paperwork
A pilot may say that they are "finishing up last minute paperwork" before a flight takes off."
While this can mean checking flight plans and passenger numbers, it can also mean a delay.
According to Patrick, this can take up to half an hour, so it isn't something you want to hear if you're already delayed.
Wheels-up time
The time heard when talking about "wheels-up" is then the plan is expected to be fully airborne.
Crew must make sure that everything is ready to go near this time, or the plane will take off later than planned.
Ground stop
Hearing the pilot say the phrase "ground stop"? You're in for a delay.
Patrick says this means that departures are going to be backlogged due to an issue such as air traffic control, meaning the plane might not be able to land in their designated slot.
Air pocket
An air pocket is another phrase a sudden jolt of turbulence.
These can be particularly dangerous for passengers and crew who are not belted in - ten people including a member of crew was sent to hospital after a plane dropped suddenly due to an air pocket.
Crosscheck
Crosscheck is used between flight attendants and pilots to make sure they have each done their tasks.
Patrick explained: "In the cabin, flight attendants crosscheck one another’s stations to make sure the doors are armed or disarmed as necessary."
Holding pattern
A holding pattern could be bad news for passengers wanting to land on time, as the plane could be forced to fly overheard due to an external issue.
Patrick revealed: "A racetrack-shaped course flown during weather or traffic delays.
"Published holding patterns are depicted on aeronautical charts, but one can be improvised almost anywhere."
Doors to arrival
An instruction often heard issued to the flight attendants as the plane is landing, which means that the emergency escape slides are disarmed.
Patrick explained: "When armed, a slide will automatically deploy the instant its door is opened."
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Equipment change
If you hear the word equipment change, you have nothing to worry about.
This is just another word for the plane.
Final approach
Hearing the phrase "final approach" means you aren't far from landing at the airport.
He explained: "For pilots, a plane is on final approach when it has reached the last, straight-in segment of the landing pattern — that is, aligned with the extended centreline of the runway, requiring no additional turns or manoeuvring."
Deadhead
A deadheading crew member is someone who isn't working or on a personal holiday - but is trying to change locations for another job.
Patrick explained: "A deadheading pilot or flight attendant is one re-positioning as part of an on-duty assignment.
"This is not the same as commuting to work or engaging in personal travel.";
Other pilot phrases
Affirm - Contrary to popular belief, pilots do not say "affirmative" when they mean yes - the correct term is affirm, pronounced "AY-firm".
Approach - Coming into land.
Deadhead - This refers to a member of the airline crew who is travelling in a passenger seat.
Mayday - This is one you don't want to hear. The distress call for life-threatening emergencies, such as complete engine failure. It comes from the French ‘m’aidez’ (‘help me’). Pilots must stay it three times at the start of a radio call.
MEL - Minimum Equipment List - this means a particular aircraft appliance is broken but is not needed for safe flight - such as the coffee maker.
Pan-pan - The next level of emergency down from a Mayday; used for situations that are serious but not life-threatening. Originating from the French word ‘panne’, meaning a breakdown. You say it three times: "pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan".
Squawk - To squawk is to set your transponder (a device for receiving a radio signal) so that your location can be identified on a radar. Pilots might be asked to ‘squawk Mode Charlie’ or ‘squawk ident’, which are unique settings to help air traffic control to see where you are.
Standby - This means "Please wait" and this is usually said when the air traffic controller or pilot is too busy to take a message.
Wilco - An abbreviation of "will comply", meaning received the message and will comply.
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There are also code words on tube trains and cruise ships which you may hear from time to time.
If you hear Code Red on a cruise ship, you are best to stay in your cabin.
Sun Online Travel previously revealed why pilots say ‘Roger that’ to each other when flying planes.