Aviation Slang 101: Terms Every New Pilot Should Know
If you spend enough time around an airport, you’ll quickly realize pilots have a language of their own.
Some aviation terms come from official procedures and radio communication. Others are phrases pilots have used for decades.
Either way, learning the lingo can make flight training feel a lot less intimidating. If you’re new to aviation, here are a few terms you’re likely going to hear around the hangar, in the cockpit, and over the radio.
“Roger”
In aviation communication, “Roger” means that a transmission has been received and understood. It doesn’t necessarily mean the pilot agrees with the instruction, only that they heard it.
You may also hear “Wilco,” short for “will comply,” which means the pilot received the message and intends to follow the instruction.
“The Numbers”
When pilots talk about “the numbers,” they are usually referring to the large runway designation numbers painted near the end of a runway.
For example, a runway labeled 21 is aligned approximately with a magnetic heading of 210 degrees.
You may hear an instructor say something like, “Aim for the numbers,” when practicing landings.
“Greased It”
If someone says a pilot “greased” a landing, that’s a compliment.
A greased landing is an especially smooth touchdown where the aircraft transitions from flying to rolling almost seamlessly.
Every student pilot has probably had a landing that felt more like a bounce than a grease, so the smooth ones are definitely worth celebrating.
“Go Around”
A go-around happens when a pilot decides not to complete a landing and instead adds power, climbs, and tries the approach again.
This could happen because the approach isn’t stable, another aircraft is on the runway, wind conditions change, or something doesn’t look right.
Going around isn’t a failure. It’s a normal part of flying and oftentimes it can be a safe decision.
“Pattern Work”
If your instructor says you’re doing pattern work, expect to spend some time practicing takeoffs and landings.
The traffic pattern is the standard rectangular route aircraft follow around an airport. Student pilots spend plenty of time flying the pattern while learning approaches, landings, radio calls, and aircraft control.
It might feel repetitive at first, but pattern work builds some of the most important skills you’ll use as a pilot.
“The FBO”
An FBO, or Fixed Base Operator, is a business located at an airport that provides services to pilots and aircraft.
Depending on the airport, an FBO may offer fuel, parking, flight planning areas, pilot lounges, aircraft maintenance, rental cars, and other services.
Think of it as one of the main stopping points for pilots when arriving at an airport.
“$100 Hamburger”
The “$100 hamburger” is a classic aviation phrase for flying somewhere just to grab a meal.
The joke is that after paying for aircraft rental or fuel, your inexpensive hamburger suddenly becomes a very expensive one.
Of course, the real point isn’t the food. It’s having an excuse to fly somewhere new.
“Squawk”
When air traffic control asks you to “squawk” a number, they are asking you to enter a specific four-digit code into the aircraft’s transponder. That code helps controllers identify your aircraft on radar.
You might also hear pilots refer to certain universal codes, such as squawk 1200 for standard VFR operations in many areas of the United States.
Want to learn more about radio calls and VFR? Read these articles:
- How to Master Radio Communication as a Student Pilot
- IFR vs VFR: What’s the Difference and When Do You Need Each?
“Flight Following”
Flight following is an air traffic control service that VFR pilots can request while traveling. When available, controllers can provide traffic advisories and help pilots stay aware of other aircraft in the area.
It’s a useful service for cross-country flying and also gives student pilots valuable experience communicating with air traffic control.
You’ll Pick Up the Lingo Quickly
Aviation terminology (or slang) can sound like another language when you first begin flight training. After a few lessons, though, many of these phrases start becoming second nature.
The best way to learn aviation slang is the same way you learn to fly: spend time around airplanes, intently listen to other pilots, ask questions, and keep practicing.
At Bravo 6 Flight Academy, you don’t need to know all the terminology before you walk through the hangar. Learning the language is just another part of becoming a pilot.
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