Before landing, captains announce essential information like destination weather, local time, and arrival time, while instructing passengers to prepare for landing by fastening seatbelts, stowing tray tables, securing electronics, and preparing for potential turbulence for a safe, smooth arrival at the gate. They also offer positive remarks about the flight or destination and thank passengers for flying.
Read prior to completing cabin check for landing. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our descent into [city]. Please turn off all portable electronic devices and stow them until we have arrived at the gate. In preparation for landing in [city], be certain your seat back is straight up and your seat belt is fastened.
“Hello, this is your captain speaking. Welcome aboard. We are presently flying at thirty-nine thousand feet on our flight from Atlanta to London. We are expecting a smooth flight and anticipate an on-time arrival in London at 10:05 PM GMT.
During landing, pilots deliver essential announcements to keep passengers informed and reassured. Here are some common phrases they might use: Welcoming and Information: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to [city] with [Airline Name]. The local time is [time]. For your safety and the safety of others, pl…
The captain usually makes the first cabin announcement at the gate before the airplane has pushed back. In this announcement the captain introduces himself and briefs the passengers about the flight. However, it is almost standard for pilots to use common phrases while making cabin announcements.
Arrival Information: "Ladies and gentlemen, we have just landed in [City/Airport]." Disembarkation: "Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened until the captain has turned off the seatbelt sign." Baggage Claim: "Baggage claim will be in [Baggage Area]. Thank you for flying with [Airline Name].
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning / afternoon / evening. Welcome on board (flight reference). This is Captain / Co-pilot (your name) speaking and I have some information about our flight. Our flight time today will be (flight duration) and our estimated time of arrival in (destination) is (ETA)local time.
"If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing." Chuck Yeager.
Landings should be thought of in 5 distinct phases: the approach, the roundout, the flare, the touchdown, and the rollout. In this lesson you will see the whole process before we break it down into each phase.
The High-Flying Language of Pilots
The aviation term “Roger” has been used by pilots for over a century to confirm they have received a message. It does not mean “yes” but rather “received and understood.” The term originated in the early 1900s with the US Army Signal Corps, when radio communication was poor and Morse code was still in use.
In aviation, squawk code 7700 is the universal transponder setting for a general emergency, immediately alerting Air Traffic Control (ATC) that an aircraft needs urgent assistance, similar to a "Mayday" call, used for issues like engine failure, medical emergencies, or onboard fires, making it a high-priority target for controllers. Other emergency codes include 7500 (hijacking) and 7600 (radio failure).
The phonetic alphabet helps limit confusion between the cockpit and the tower. Not only are the letters in the ICAO phonetic alphabet assigned, but so are the numbers. Similar to the letters, the aim is to avoid confusion with other similar numbers.
The phrase "five by five" can be used informally to mean "good signal strength" or "loud and clear".
The 3:1 rule in aviation is a rule of thumb for descent planning: for every 1,000 feet of altitude to lose, you need 3 nautical miles (NM) of horizontal distance, assuming a standard 3-degree glide path, making it easy to calculate when to start descending. For example, to descend 6,000 feet, a pilot starts descending 18 NM out (6 x 3 = 18). It helps maintain a consistent descent rate, critical for passenger comfort in older planes and for fuel efficiency in modern jets, and aligns with standard approach systems like ILS/VASI.
Wilco – Will Do!
“Wilco” is short for “Will Comply.” It means the pilot has received the instruction and confirms they'll follow it without hesitation. This phrase shows both understanding and a promise to act. It's used when quick, clear action is needed.
Five C's
Here are the seven phases of flight in sequence:
The first phase of landing is the approach. During this phase, your goal is to achieve a stable approach by maintaining a constant airspeed and rate of descent. Ideally, you want to fly the approach with minimal power, allowing the aircraft to descend naturally.
10 Aviation pilot phrases you don't expect
Greaser – A super smooth landing.
If you hear your instructor say, “Nice greaser!” after you land, congrats—you nailed it!
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing.
Alpha, Bravo, Charli, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, PaPa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.
In aviation, squawk code 7700 is the universal transponder setting for a general emergency, immediately alerting Air Traffic Control (ATC) that an aircraft needs urgent assistance, similar to a "Mayday" call, used for issues like engine failure, medical emergencies, or onboard fires, making it a high-priority target for controllers. Other emergency codes include 7500 (hijacking) and 7600 (radio failure).
In fighter-pilot parlance, “tally-ho” means that enemy aircraft have been sighted. It is colloquially used in civil aviation to mean that traffic is in sight.