Phrases & Expressions

Permission granted by air traffic control to begin an approach to land.

• You are cleared for approach runway 27.
• Cleared for approach, report final.

An ATC clearance to fly an ILS approach to a runway.

• Approach said 'cleared ILS approach runway 09' and we turned onto the localizer.
• Once we were cleared ILS approach, the captain armed the approach mode.

ATC permission to fly an approach to a runway using visual references.

• Cleared visual approach runway 27, report final.
• As soon as we saw the runway, the controller cleared us visual.

To harm oneself in an attempt to punish or annoy someone else.

• He quit his job to spite his boss, cutting his nose to spite his face.
• Refusing the offer is cutting your nose to spite your face.

To move downwards from a higher place, especially in an aircraft.

• The plane began to descend to the runway.
• The pilot was told to descend to five thousand feet.

To put on protective breathing equipment (PBE), a smoke hood used by crew.

• In case of smoke, don PBE immediately.
• The crew member quickly donned the PBE.

To force someone to leave an organisation, often in a way that involves shame.

• He was drummed out of the army for his actions.
• Members can be drummed out of the club for breaking the rules.

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.

Used on the radio to say that a signal is received loud and perfectly clear.

• Your transmission is five by five.
• Read you loud and clear, five by five.

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.