Phrases & Expressions

Said by the ground crew to tell the pilots that the area is clear and an engine may be started.

• The ground engineer said, "Clear to start engine two."
• The captain waited for "clear to start" before turning the start switch.

Permission granted by air traffic control to begin an approach to land.

• You are cleared for approach runway 27.
• Cleared for approach, report final.

An ATC clearance to fly an ILS approach to a runway.

• Approach said 'cleared ILS approach runway 09' and we turned onto the localizer.
• Once we were cleared ILS approach, the captain armed the approach mode.

ATC permission to fly an approach to a runway using visual references.

• Cleared visual approach runway 27, report final.
• As soon as we saw the runway, the controller cleared us visual.

The difficulty of traveling the final part of a journey to or from a public transport stop.

• Solving the first last mile is key.
• The first last mile remains a challenge.

In air traffic control, to fly on the compass heading that the controller gives.

• The controller told us to fly heading two seven zero after takeoff.
• After the missed approach, fly heading one eight zero and climb to 3000 feet.

Paid for by taxes or other means, so the user pays nothing when using the service.

• Healthcare in this country is free at the point of use.
• The service is free at the point of use.

The right of ships to pass through the territorial waters of another country without being challenged, provided they cause no harm.

• All ships enjoy the right of innocent passage.
• The vessel was exercising innocent passage.

A slogan meaning that no decision about a group should be made without that group taking part.

• The disability rights movement's motto is 'Nothing about us without us'.
• The new policy follows the principle of 'nothing about us without us'.

Of an aircraft, having started to move away from its parking position for departure.

• We were off blocks at ten past nine and airborne twenty minutes later.
• The flight was off blocks five minutes late because of a missing passenger.