Phrases & Expressions

Facing or moving in the direction from which the wind is blowing.

• The aircraft must take off into wind.
• Perform the engine run up into wind.

To look at or try something quickly before deciding whether to buy or use it.

• We are just kicking the tires on a few laptops before we decide.
• Many visitors came to kick the tires, but few bought anything.

An air traffic control instruction to enter the runway and wait there before take-off.

• Line up and wait runway two seven left.
• The pilot was told to line up and wait.

An instruction for a pilot to keep another aircraft in sight.

• Maintain visual with the blue aircraft.
• Please maintain visual until instructed otherwise.

To land an aircraft suddenly because of a problem.

• The plane had to make an emergency landing due to bad weather.
• The pilot managed to make an emergency landing safely.

Far from busy or well-known places; not a typical tourist destination.

• We found a lovely little cafe off the beaten track.
• The hotel was a bit off the beaten track, but peaceful.

A route or journey where you travel to a destination and return by the same way.

• The hike was an out and back trip to the waterfall.
• It's an out and back trail, so the distance is doubled.

To perform a go-around maneuver during an aircraft's approach.

• We were too high on final, so I said, "Let's take it around."
• The approach was unstable, so the captain decided to take it around.

To move an aircraft off the active runway after landing or before takeoff.

• After landing, the pilot must vacate the runway as quickly as possible.
• The plane will vacate the runway quickly.

A place famous for its excellent food, which attracts many food lovers.

• Paris is a culinary mecca.
• We visited the culinary mecca of Italy.