Being a pilot is a special job, with a unique culture. It should come as no surprise then that pilots have their own expressions, including their own way to say good luck…
On top of the technical terms they need to learn, there is a whole range of unique phrases that come with the pilot culture. One of the most popular way pilots say good luck is “you’re going to love flying”. Another is simply “have a nice flight”.
Pilot phrases
One of the most popular good luck phrases for pilots is “you’re going to love flying!” It’s a good omen, as many pilots find themselves in high-pressure situations.
Whether you’re preparing for your first flight or your tenth, remember that flying is dangerous and requires superior judgment. While flying may be full of boredom, there are also moments of great concentration, but it is still better than the alternative.
While flying may involve a lot of time and effort, it will always be better than being stuck on the ground. Pilots know how to make the most of it, and having their own culture and phrases is part of it.
Things pilots say to passengers
When you fly on an airplane, you might be wondering what things pilots say to passengers when saying good luck. Many pilots keep cockpit activities confidential.
It’s part of their job to keep their passengers calm and avoid distractions, but this can lead passengers to believe that they are talking while they’re flying the plane. In fact, pilots can’t talk in the cockpit unless they’re below 10,000 feet and the conversation is related to the operation of the airplane.
Fortunately, the National Transportation Safety Board checks pilots’ compliance with this rule. Identifying a non-compliant pilot helps protect the lives of everyone onboard.
Many pilots believe that touching the plane is a good luck omen. Pilots do this to thank their planes for getting them from point A to point B safely. Pilots often like to touch the plane’s nose to wish it luck.
They may also give the plane a nickname or special attention. These phrases are said to make passengers feel more comfortable on the plane, and this is believed to bring good luck.
When it comes to addressing the passengers, there are no specific things that pilots are meant to say. There guidance is simply to be calm, polite and in control – this is what makes people feel safe.
Things pilots say before take off
When flying, you might have wondered what pilots say before taking off. While many passengers want to get up into the air as soon as possible, there are important steps that need to be completed before the plane can depart.
This section will discuss the steps involved. First, a pilot will have to do an external check before takeoff. They will walk around the plane and note the state of all moving surfaces. They will also note the fuel level. They cannot stop the aircraft while in the air, so these checks are done before takeoff.
Pilots also talk in code to the rest of the crew. They use secret codes so passengers won’t panic if they don’t understand what they’re saying. Some of the phrases that pilots use are “air pocket” and “Code Bravo.” These phrases are used to communicate important messages, such as whether the plane is heading toward an airport or a tarmac. Also, “7500” means that there’s a hijacking.
What do pilots say to the control tower?
Pilots should know the proper response when they receive a radio transmission from the control tower. You should know what to say when the center or tower tells you that there is another aircraft in the area.
You should also know what to say when you finally spot other traffic, and you should be able to make the appropriate announcements when ATC wants to hear them. Pilots can use the terms Traffic in Sight and Negative Contact to let the tower know that you are aware of other traffic. You can also request that the controller direct you to a safe approach.
In the United States, pilots speak English when communicating with Air Traffic Control. Although pilots use language that may sound like gibberish to those without flight experience, the pilots’ words have very specific meanings. Pilots use phrases such as “touchdown,” and “approval.”
Fighter pilot phrases
Many aviators use various good luck sayings to ward off bad luck. For example, “Throw a nickel on the grass!” is a traditional phrase aimed at wishing good luck.
The words are derived from an old barroom ballad that typified the Korean War. An unknown author then adapted it for use in military aviation. Whatever the reason, it has become one of the most popular good luck sayings for pilots.
If you want to become a fighter pilot, you have to get your first victory quickly and without fuss. This is very important for your career, since not obtaining it will make you prone to complexes and frustration.
A good luck phrase for a fighter pilot can encourage you to fight harder and win. In fact, a good luck saying for a pilot can help you reach your ultimate goal: to be the top dog.
How do you wish a pilot a good flight?
If you want to wish a pilot a safe and successful flight, you can use the best possible words to express your appreciation.
Pilots have to be able to react quickly form an attitude to the words they hear. A list of congratulatory phrases for pilots is the same as for anyone else, when it come from passengers.
A good old fashioned “good luck” is the best option.
Why do pilots say heavy?
The word “heavy” is a designation given to aircraft flying in the category of heavy wake turbulence. While some countries require pilots to affix “heavy” to their callsign in all radio transmissions, others only require it upon initial contact with new Air Traffic Service sectors. The word heavy is used to indicate the aircraft’s potential to generate wake turbulence from its wingtip vortices.
The word “heavy” is commonly used in aviation to warn other planes of a large aircraft. This type of aircraft is heavier than others, and the larger it is, the larger it will appear on radar. Also, the “heavy” designation is a quick way to recognize an airplane on the radio and understand its proper spacing requirements. This means that the pilot is aware of the extra weight of the airplane in question.
Why do pilots say Roger?
“Roger that,” is a popular phrase that pilots say in the air. The phrase has a long history, dating back to the early 1920s when pilots first began flying airplanes. The Wright brothers’ first flight was in 1903.
Before the invention of the radio, pilots communicated with each other through hand signals, coloured paddles, and even Morse code. As communication in the air became more advanced, pilots began to use ‘roger’ for radio communication.
‘Roger’ became the standard word for pilots in international aviation during the 1930s. It was a way to indicate receipt of messages. As the phonetic alphabet evolved and became standardized, pilots began to use the word to signal the receipt of messages.
During World War II, confusion between pilots and crews caused confusion and misunderstanding, so ‘Roger’ became the accepted word for received.
The use of the letter ‘R’ in early aviation was due to the lack of a standard for communicating with other airplanes. Using the Morse code for the letter R was a common practice, but in later years pilots began using the word “Roger” in place of “received.”
The International Telegraph Union decided in 1927 that ‘Roger’ was an easier command to remember than “received.” Soon, it became standard and became part of aviation terminology.
I have a question I never found a competent answer for.
I recently once again observed upon disembarking as passenger at a small airport: Why do jet engines drip fuel (quite a bit) after having been shut down?
Thank you in advance for your reply!
Hi Joe, thanks for taking the time to comment!
There’s a few different reasons why you might see a jet engine drip fuel. The most likely thing that comes to my mind is that fuel may been sloshed into the overflow tank while the plane was taxiing around after landing. Did the plane go some distance and do a turn or two before coming to a final stop? If so, that would explain it. Fuel could have spilled into the overflow tank, then be vented and just look like it’s leaking out. This would be fairly normal, and nothing to worry about in terrms of safety. Occasionally, a lot of condensation can rapidly form too, especially if it’s cold where the plane has landed. Again this looks like fuel dripping out.
Hope this helps answer your question,
Jeff