Learning and using the language of Aviation

By aviationdev

Date: 18.09.2023

Language becomes more powerful when understood by a wider community, and confidence grows when you effectively communicate. Learning a new language pushes you to train your brain to respond correctly without conscious thought and make new connections between instructions, actions, and contextual situations.

The correct usage of the language of Aviation ensures that you can communicate so that others easily understand you and, just as important, you understand them.

Concise yet brief transmissions are the goal when speaking. Hand in hand with being brief, know what you will say before you key the microphone. Don’t think on the radio. When your transmit button is active, the frequency is blocked from other pilots and the Controller, leading to dangerous situations. Likewise, when changing frequencies, a good rule of thumb is to wait 3 seconds before keying the mic to reduce “stepping” on another transmission.

A hundred years ago, for my initial transmission, I was taught to talk with a Controller using this adage:

Hey you, it’s me, where I am, what I want, and any additional information. It is easy to remember, and I’m comfortable with it. There are other memory aids available that may be easier for you. When you find the one that suits you, use it consistently.

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