This online exercise on 'aviation English' looks at and explains the vocabulary used between air traffic control and pilots when planes are both approaching and landing at airports. The main focus here is on the instructions which are used in these situations.
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 by some controllers/pilots. 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), while Juan is practicing to fly a plane on a simulator. Peter is explaining to Juan the meaning of the aviation English vocabulary used for instructions when landing a plane.
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 you are approaching the airport. You'll be given instructions by the air traffic control on the simulator what you need to do to successfully land the plane. Ok?'
Juan:'Fine. It says that 'United 2667, turn left heading two eight zero'. So I suppose I have to move the plane left until I reach 280 degrees on the compass/heading indicator?'
Peter:'That's right, 'United 2667' is your plane's call sign (the name of your plane) and heading is used to say what exact compass direction you need to fly in. There's another instruction as well, slow to 200 knots. You know what that means?'
Juan:'Yes, decrease speed to 200 knots. The opposite of this is increase speed to when you are instructed to fly faster.'
Peter:'That's right. Now carry out the instructions.'
20 seconds later
Juan:'Done. Can I change the plane's altitude? We're getting close to the airport.'
Peter:'No. Maintain altitude until you are instructed to do change your altitude by the air traffic control. There may be planes above or below you. Maintain the same speed and heading as well. Don't change anything until instructed to do so.'
Juan:'There's another message from air traffic control (ATC), 'United 2667, descend to 3000, maintain heading two eight zero'. So, I go down to 3000 feet and nothing else, right?'
Peter:'Yes.'
2 minutes later
Juan:'Now, ATC are saying 'cleared for the approach'. What do I have to do?'
Peter:'It just means that you are at the correct altitude, speed and direction (heading) to land at the airport and we should start to follow the landing instructions for this airport. I have them here.'
Juan:'Ok. It also says 'contact Heathrow tower change frequency to 121.45'.'
Peter:'It basically means that you are being switched to another air traffic controller at a different air traffic control centre (at the actual airport). They will guide you to actually land the plane. Change frequency means that you have to change the radio frequency so you can actually talk to them. So, change your radio's frequency to 121.45.'
Juan:'Done.'
2 minutes later
Peter:'I think you are flying too low. You need to climb to 1500 feet.'
Juan:'Will do.'
3 minutes later
Peter:'Now you've got the message 'cleared to land'. You know what that means?'
Juan:'Of course, the ATC has given me permission to land.'
Peter:'When you are in an actual plane, you might tell the ATC first that you are ready to land the plane by saying 'United 2667, ready to land'. Then wait for their permission (by them telling you 'cleared to land').'
3 minutes later
Peter:'Perfect landing Juan. Now apply the brakes and wait for the instructions from ATC on which taxiway you need to take to leave the runway from.'
Juan:'Taxiway is the name for an exit from a runway?'
Peter:'Basically, yes. Now you have the instruction of where to go, 'United 2667, turn left on taxiway 4 left, taxi to runway 2 via Lima and Echo'.'
Juan:'So, taxi means to move the plane on the wheels?'
Peter:'Yes.'
Juan:'So, when I reach taxiway number 4 I turn left on to it. I then go to runway 2 following the markers/signs L and E?'
Peter:'Yes. Also at the end of the instructions it says 'maintain this frequency'. This means that you don't change the frequency of the radio you are communicating on.'
Juan:'That makes sense.'
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 English aviation vocabulary for landing a plane, practise it yourself. 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'.
Apart from the other aviation English exercises on my website, there are some other (but not many) useful free online resources for improving your aviation English vocabulary. Below are links to these web pages:
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