2015-08-21
417
Pax: I have always wanted to see what a cockpit looked like on a DC-8. I have a private pilot licence and fly a Cessna 172.
Pilot: Welcome aboard. This cockpit looks more complicated than it actually is.
It is probably easier to fly than the Cessna 172. We are just about to make a, procedure turn (11) in the holding pattern. (12) We shall keep turning until we intercept (13) the inbound (14) radial to the fix. (15)
Pax: What navaids are you homing on? (16)
Pilot: VOR. We shall continue to fly the holding pattern until given further clearance by the controller. We have already been given an expected approach time – about three minutes from now in fact.
Pax: In that case I had better get back to my seat. Thank you for letting me visit you.
VOCABULARY
| 1. ETA | ─ Estimated time of arrival. |
| 2. Full load | ─ Filled to utmost capacity. |
| 3. Knots | ─ A measurement of speed. |
| 4. Barometer | ─ An instrument measuring atmospheric pressure. |
| 5. The spread between | ─ The difference between. |
| 6. Dew point | ─ The temperature at which dew forms. |
| 7. Hectic | ─ Extremely busy. |
| 8. To vector | ─ To guide a pilot in flight. |
| 9. Wake turbulence | ─ Turbulent air behind a large aircraft which can turn over a small aircraft following too closely. |
| 10. Local flights | ─ Flights that take off and land at the same aerodrome. |
| 11. Procedure turn | ─ A manoeuvre in which a turn is made e.g. a turn made in a holding pattern. |
| 12. Holding pattern | ─ A predetermined circuit which keeps an aircraft within a specified airspace. |
| 13. To intercept | ─ To reach/arrive at an airway or radial. |
| 14. Inbound | ─ Towards an airport, a navaid etc. (the opposite is outbound). |
| 15. Fix | ─ Any navaid from which an aircraft can determine its exact position. |
| 16. To home-on | ─ Heading towards a radio station or navaids. |
