Phrases & Expressions

The legal principle of following previous court decisions (precedents) when ruling on similar cases.

• The court must follow stare decisis.
• This case is a clear example of stare decisis.

An ATC instruction to turn right until the aircraft is flying on the given heading.

• The controller told us to turn right heading zero nine zero.
• Turn right heading two seven zero and expect vectors for the approach.

The TCAS message, repeated by pilots to ATC, saying that a traffic conflict is over.

• When TCAS announced clear of conflict, the crew returned to their altitude.
• Clear of conflict, returning to flight level three five zero.

A cabin crew command in an emergency evacuation telling passengers not to take any belongings.

• The cabin crew shouted, "Leave everything! Get out!"
• In an emergency, leave everything and evacuate.

A cockpit warning showing that a cargo door is not fully closed and locked.

• The "cargo door open" warning came on just before pushback.
• The crew returned to the gate after a cargo door open message.

A warning shouted before starting an aircraft engine with a propeller.

• Clear prop! The engine is about to start.
• Before turning the key, he shouted, 'Clear prop!'

A memory aid for twin-engine pilots: the foot not pressing a rudder pedal is on the side of the failed engine.

• Remember "dead foot, dead engine" when an engine fails after takeoff.
• The instructor taught us "dead foot, dead engine" to find the failed engine.

The maximum flap setting, or a pilot's callout asking for it, usually before landing.

• The captain called for flaps full on short final.
• We usually land with flaps full on this short runway.

An MVP that seems automated but is run manually behind the scenes.

• The wizard of oz MVP simulates automation.
• It was a wizard of oz MVP, not truly automated.

In aviation, being above the correct flight path or glideslope during an approach.

• The aircraft was slightly above path on approach.
• Being above path means you are too high for landing.