What Do Pilots Say Before Flying?
As a lifelong aviation buff and gamer, I get asked a lot—what‘s with all that weird verbiage pilots use? All those numbers, codes, and abbreviations may sound like another language, but they‘re absolutely vital for safe operations.
So for all you curious gamers out there, I‘m gonna be your wingman and decode everything pilots say during those critical moments before flight.
Plotting the Flight Plan
Long before you arrive at the airport, your pilots are already preparing with air traffic control to map out the flight plan. Think of it as assembling your party before tackling a challenging raid.
Pilots consider weather, airport traffic, fuel requirements, and equipment capabilities to determine the optimal route and cruise altitude. One tiny miscalculation can snowball into major delays, so rock-solid planning is key.
Once the route is set, pilots make one last equipment check, testing controls, electronics, hydraulics—everything critical for managing a 20-ton aircraft at 500 mph, 35,000 feet in the air.
Let‘s "Kick The Tires And Light The Fires"
This may sound straight out of Top Gun, but it‘s actually referring to a final walkaround inspection of the plane. Pilots literally kick the tires to check pressure and scout for wear. Then it‘s into the cockpit to "light the fires"—turning on the engines to power up avionics and flight systems.
Every dial, meter, and indicator lights up—it‘s game on!
This is Your Captain Speaking
As boarding wraps up, the captain keys the mic to welcome you aboard with an intro detailing the flight number, destination, altitude, weather—and maybe a lame dad joke.
But there’s meaning behind those friendly words. The captain is focused on passenger safety, explaining:
- Seat belts = BUCKLE UP because stuff‘s about to get real!
- Electronics off = Don‘t get distracted and listen up!
- Exit row duties = Hope you speed ran tutorial mode.
Aviation Geekout
Over years of flights, I‘ve picked up on little cues in airline terminology. For instance, when flight attendants are instructed to "disarm exits and cross check doors"—that means we‘re about to push back from the gate!
Or if I hear about possible "holding patterns," better settle in because we may have to circle before landing. Fun for plane-spotting though!
At The Ready: Pilots Requesting Clearance for Takeoff
Your aircraft taxis to the runway turn-on point where the tower grants clearance for takeoff. Things are getting REAL now. As your pilots advance to the runway:
"Ground, Gamers One holding short of Runway 31L, request clearance for takeoff."
"Gamers One, winds 270 at 5 knots, cleared for takeoff Runway 31L."
"Cleared for takeoff 31L, Gamers One."
In your headset, you may hear airline pilots using the phonetic alphabet. This avoids confusion between similar sounding letters and numbers.
| A – Alpha | N – November |
| B – Bravo | O – Oscar |
| C – Charlie | P – Papa |
NERD ALERT!
Here‘s a crazy stat: 17% of annual flights suffer radio miscues between controllers and pilots [1]. So legit danger of miscommunication! Using standardized vocabulary and phrases reduces that risk so your flight stays on track.
[1] Journal of Air Transportation World Wide, Alfred M. Paglione, 1999ROTATE! Liftoff!
Engine power rapidly increasing, fueled by thousands of pounds of kerosene, your jet lunges down the runway. Almost at takeoff speed, the pilot monitoring calls out "V1…ROTATE"—the cue for the flying pilot to pull back, rotating the nose skyward.
Wheels lift off the pavement and you CLIMB UP as the ground falls away below! Absolute takeoff thrill = success!👍🏻
Of course, pilots remain vigilant scanning gauges, adjusting controls to ensure all systems perform properly at max power. They‘ll maintain steady contact with ATC all the while guiding over 100 tons of metal plus hundreds of passengers to cruise altitude.
Descending Heroic Adventurers
After hours aboard this magical D&D teleportation machine at 35,000 feet, the descent begins signalling the impending conclusion. Approaching the destination airport, aircraft slow and pilots reach out to ATC:
"Center, Gamers One passing Flight Level 330, commencing descent to 16,000 feet."
"Gamers One leaving 330 cleared to 16,000 feet, expect vectors ILS runway 27R approach."
"Leaving 330, cleared to 16,000 expect vectors ILS 27R approach, Gamers One."
That exchange aligns the aircraft‘s profile and speed for integrating into airport arrival traffic. As the plane nears the runway, clearance for landing is provided:
"Five miles from RARKK. Gear down, flaps 30 degrees."
"Gamers One cleared to land runway 27R."
"Cleared to land, Gamers One."
Touchdown! Taxi to gate. Flight complete.
Level up accomplished! Until your next aviation adventure…👋🛩️
Bonus Round?
Check out my twitch stream where I do flight sims and detailing everythingactual pilots say!
