In this third of four online exercises on aviation English vocabulary, I'll show you and explain more vocabulary/phrases used by controllers and pilots when planes are actually moving along the ground on taxiways around an airport.
Click here to do the next part of this exercise on instructions when taking off from a runway.
Although the vocabulary used in this exercise is standard for instructions and communication between pilots and controllers, it may differ from what is sometimes used in some airports. But even if it does, once you the know the vocabulary here, you should have no problem understanding what a pilot or controller is saying.
Click here to see our other exercises on 'Aviation English vocabulary'.
Read the following conversation between Juan (a Spanish trainee pilot) and Peter (a professional pilot). In this part, Juan has just crossed a runway and continues to move his plane on taxiways to the departure runway on a simulator. Peter is explaining to Juan the meaning of the aviation English vocabulary used to do this.
From the context, try to guess what the meaning of the words/phrases in bold are. Then do the quiz at the end to check if you are right.
Peter:'So now that you've crossed the runway, you have to tell the controller (as he asked you to do) that you've crossed the runway by saying, we're clear of runway 14.'
Juan:'Will do.'
20 seconds after giving the controller the message
Juan:'The controller has just told me to 'turn left on T'. Do I have to stop at the holding position when taxiway T crosses the taxiway we are on?'
Peter:'No, he didn't give you a 'hold short' instruction. So when you reach the intersection with the taxiway, go left (not right) and continue on taxiway T.'
1 minute later, when taxiing on taxiway T
Juan:'The controller has responded saying 'continue on taxiway T'. Which I suppose means continue taxiing on the taxiway we are currently on.'
Peter:'It does.'
Juan:'Now, the controller has just told me to 'join T2'. I suppose that means I have to take taxiway T2 when it crosses the taxiway we are on, doesn't it?'
Peter:'Yes. When you are instructed to join a taxiway, it means you have to taxi on it when you see it. But controllers don't use 'join' at intersections where one taxiway crosses another, only when one taxiway joins another taxiway on one side.'
1 minute later, when approaching the intersection with taxiway T2
Juan:'Peter, I can't join taxiway T2, there's a plane already on the taxiway. If I join it, I'll crash in to it.'
Peter:'Stop at the holding position and contact the controller and tell them a plane is blocking the taxiway.'
Juan:'What should I say?'
Peter:'Tell him 'T2 blocked by an Air France jet'. Tell him before where you are. So say, 'United 231, short of T2 on T'. Ok?'
Juan:'Fine.'
10 seconds after giving the controller the message
Juan:'The controller has just replied and said 'hold your position'. Which I suppose means that I have to wait where I am?'
Peter:'That's right.'
2 minutes later, when the Air France plane has left taxiway T2
Juan:'Now that the Air France plane has left the taxiway, the controller has given me permission to join the taxiway. He has also told me to hold short on T2 of the taxiway it joins.'
Peter:'So read back the message to the controller (because you've got a 'hold short' instruction) and go to where he's told you.'
1 minutes later, when holding short on taxiway T2
Juan:'I've just received this message from the controller, 'give way to the Iberia jet off your left at Q'.'
Peter:'When you are instructed to 'give way'. It means you have let it pass in front of you.'
Juan:'He has also instructed me to follow the Iberia jet after it passes in front of me. Which means I have to follow it obviously.'
Peter:'Yes, but at a safe distance.'
2 minutes later, when following the Iberia plane
Juan:'Just received a message from the controller to 'monitor tower 113.4'. What does it mean?'
Peter:'Because you are getting close to the departure runway, you have to start listening on the radio to the frequency of the controller at tower control who looks after takeoffs and the runway for information and instructions. That's why the controller at ground control (who's instructing you to get there) is instructing you to monitor tower 113.4.'
Juan:'So, I stop listening to the controller at ground control?'
Peter:'No, you listen to both until you are instructed to do so.'
Match the words/phrases in bold from the above text to each of the definitions/descriptions below. Click on the "Check" button at the bottom of the quiz to check your answers.
When the answer is correct, two icons will appear below the answer. The "" icon contains extra information on the word/phrase. In the "" icon, you can listen to the pronunciation of the word/phrase.
Now that you understand the vocabulary, practise it. Click on the "" icon under each correct answer and listen to the words/phrases and then test your own pronunciation in the 'prounciation speaking test'. Then create your own sentences with the new words/phrases.
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