Phrases & Expressions

A ground proximity warning that the aircraft is too low with the landing gear not down.

• The warning "too low, gear" sounded because the crew forgot to lower the wheels.
• On final approach the "too low gear" alert made the crew go around.

Sleeping or living in a tent, especially while camping.

• The explorers lived under canvas for weeks.
• It was a true adventure, sleeping under canvas.

Entering Instrument Meteorological Conditions while flying under Visual Flight Rules.

• VFR into IMC is extremely dangerous.
• The pilot realized he was flying VFR into IMC.

In US procedures, an IFR clearance that lets a pilot fly at a chosen VFR altitude above a cloud layer.

• The pilot requested to fly VFR on top due to the cloud cover.
• VFR on top offers a clear view above the clouds.

An opinion that people think is right or clever, especially online.

• That's a huge W take on the new policy.
• He always has a W take on current events.

A request to repeat each word twice for better clarity, especially in radio communication.

• Send words twice please.
• Visibility is poor, say words twice.

At the moment when something begins.

• At the onset of the illness, symptoms were mild.
• At the onset of winter, the weather changed.

The process of moving scientific discoveries from the lab to clinical use for patients.

• The goal is bench to bedside translation of new therapies.
• This initiative supports bench to bedside research.

The command given just before an emergency landing, telling passengers to take the brace position.

• The pilot announced, 'Brace brace brace!'
• Passengers heard 'Brace brace brace' over the intercom.

An aviation warning about dangerous air turbulence caused by a preceding aircraft.

• The controller said 'caution wake turbulence' because a heavy jet had just departed.
• The tower warned the small aircraft with 'caution wake turbulence' before it landed.