Phrases & Expressions

An exercise in which crew or passengers practise an emergency landing on water.

• The flight crew practised a ditching drill in the pool.
• A ditching drill is part of the yearly safety training.

To put on oxygen masks, typically in an emergency.

• In case of depressurization, don oxygen masks immediately.
• The pilot instructed everyone to don oxygen masks.

EU rules determining which member state is responsible for asylum applications.

• The Dublin Regulation aims to streamline asylum procedures.
• His case was rejected under the Dublin Regulation.

A legal term meaning applicable to or binding on all parties.

• This is an erga omnes obligation.
• The court's decision had erga omnes effect.

A formal set of steps for employees to raise and resolve complaints about unfair treatment or workplace issues.

• Please follow the official grievance procedure for your complaint.
• The company has a clear grievance procedure for all staff.

A callout meaning that the glideslope pointer has started to move as the aircraft nears the glideslope.

• Approaching the final approach fix, the first officer called 'glideslope alive'.
• Is the GS alive yet on this approach?

To stop an aircraft before it enters the ILS critical area.

• The controller told us to hold short of the ILS critical area during low visibility.
• Aircraft must hold short of the ILS critical area when another aircraft is on final.

An ILS approach using only the localizer guidance, not the glideslope.

• The glide path is out of service, so it is ILS LOC only today.
• On an ILS LOC only approach, pilots must use the higher minimums.

The ATIS broadcast identified by the letter A, which pilots report on first contact.

• Good morning, Ground, we have information Alpha.
• Confirm you have information Alpha before you call for taxi.

The principle of homeopathy that a substance causing symptoms in a healthy person can cure the same symptoms in a sick person.

• Homeopathy follows the principle of like cures like.
• The idea that like cures like is the basis of homeopathy.