Phrases & Expressions

To travel with very little luggage.

• I always try to travel light when I go on holiday.
• We travelled light, with just one small bag each.

To return to a place you have left.

• It started raining, so we turned back.
• The pilot decided to turn back because of bad weather.

To officially ask for a visa by completing forms and providing documents.

• I need to apply for a visa to visit Japan.
• She will apply for a visa next week.

The phase of flight operations before the engines are started.

• Perform the before start checklist items carefully.
• All systems are checked before start.

Used about the checks and actions done just before an aircraft takes off.

• The crew ran through the before takeoff checklist.
• Ensure all switches are set before takeoff.

Said to report that the aircraft's parking brake has been released, for example before pushback.

• The ground crew waited for the captain to say "brakes off" before starting the pushback.
• "Brakes off, ready for pushback," the pilot told the ground engineer.

Said by air traffic control to give an aircraft permission to start its take-off.

• Runway one zero left, cleared for takeoff.
• The plane is cleared for takeoff.

Official permission given for an aircraft to land.

• Runway two five, cleared to land.
• The tower told us we were cleared to land on runway two five.

A request for a medical professional on an aircraft.

• Is there a doctor on board?
• We need a doctor on board immediately.

Used by air traffic control to tell a pilot or driver to stop before a runway or other point and wait.

• Hold short of runway one eight.
• The controller told us to hold short of the active runway.