Phrases & Expressions

A simple substitution cipher where each letter is replaced by a letter a fixed number of positions down the alphabet.

• They used a Caesar cipher to send messages.
• The Caesar cipher is easy to break.

An instruction from air traffic control to a pilot, meaning the permission to take off is no longer valid.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

A spoken and written alert from the ground proximity warning system that the aircraft is too close to high ground.

• The pilot climbed at once when he heard "caution terrain" in the cockpit.
• A "caution terrain" alert means there is high ground close ahead.

To make excessive corrections to stay on the glide slope (GS) during an instrument landing.

• Stop chasing the dot and fly the aircraft smoothly.
• Chasing the dot indicates unstable flying.

Small chocolates placed on a guest's pillow, often as a nightly turndown service amenity.

• We were delighted to find chocolates on pillow.
• The chocolates on pillow are a nice touch.

To remove a gap or break in the programmed flight path on an FMS.

• Clear the discontinuity in the FMS before reaching the next waypoint.
• The first officer cleared the discontinuity after loading the new route.

To receive permission from Air Traffic Control to leave a holding pattern and continue on the flight path.

• We were finally cleared out of hold after a long delay.
• The aircraft was cleared out of hold and given a new heading.

Permission granted to cross an active runway.

• You are cleared to cross runway 09.
• The pilot read back that he was cleared to cross runway 27.

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.

To finish something completely, such as a project, a season or an account.

• We need to close out the project before the end of the month.
• The team closed out the season with a win.