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?

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.

QUESTION 1

Peter: ‘So now you are approaching the airport. You’ll be given ________________by the air traffic control on the simulator what you need to do to successfully land the plane. Ok?’

QUESTION 2

Juan: ‘Fine. It says that ‘United 2667, turn left _________ two eight zero’. So I suppose I have to move the plane left until I reach 280 degrees on the compass/heading indicator?’

QUESTION 3

Peter: ‘That’s right, ‘United 2667′ is your plane’s __________ (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, ____________ to 200 knots. You know what that means?’

QUESTION 4

Juan: ‘Yes, decrease speed to 200 knots. The opposite of this is ________________ 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.’

QUESTION 5

Peter: ‘No. ________________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.’

QUESTION 6

Juan: ‘There’s another message from air traffic control (ATC), ‘United 2667, ___________ to 3000, maintain heading two eight zero’. So, I go down to 3000 feet and nothing else, right?’

Peter: ‘Yes.’