Phrases & Expressions

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.

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.

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.

Of an aircraft: stopped at its parking position after a flight, with chocks in place.

• We were on blocks at gate B5 ten minutes ahead of schedule.
• Block time ends when the aircraft is on blocks at its stand.

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.

Used in aviation to specify a minimum altitude or flight level that an aircraft must maintain.

• Maintain at or above 5,000 feet until further notice.
• The aircraft was cleared to fly at or above Flight Level 200.

An instruction for an aircraft to taxi to the end of a runway, turn around, and then align itself for takeoff.

• The controller instructed the small plane to backtrack and line up.
• We saw the jet backtrack and line up for departure.

An instruction from air traffic control to a pilot, meaning the permission to take off is no longer valid.

• The tower had to cancel takeoff clearance due to sudden fog.
• Did they cancel takeoff clearance for our flight?

An ATC instruction to climb to a stated level and stay at that level.

• The controller told us to climb and maintain flight level 280.
• After takeoff we were told to climb and maintain five thousand feet.