✈️Aviation English

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✈️Aviation English

For pilots and ATCs who strive to enhance or maintain their level of Aviation English with certified ICAO rater-examiners. For ICAO exam preparation contact us : Telegram contacts: https://t.me/YaroslavBondar https://t.me/MarySirichenko

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✈️Aviation English

Apr 23, 2026, 11:44 PM

📷 Photo

There are 2 phrases in English which are close in meaning- It is up to you  and It is down to you.
What is the difference?

It is up to you -   this phrase is about choice. Imagine that you are in a restaurant and you have a menu and you decide what to eat.

We can divert to Berlin or to Paris. Both are available. It is up to you.

It is down to you- this phrase is about responsibility.
Imagine that you need to score a final penalty kick in a football game. If you miss, the team will lose.

Both engines have failed. It is down to you to land this plane safely.

It is up to you- Решай сам. На твое усмотрение.

It is down to you.-Все завсит от тебя. Ответственность лежит на тебе.

1,760

✈️Aviation English

Apr 23, 2026, 11:44 PM

📷 Photo

A verb to malfunction refers to the failure of a system, a component, or an instrument to operate. It may be a technical glitch, a mechanical breakdown or an electronic error.

to malfunction - быть неисправным или работать с перебоями
​
But! Keep in mind that unlike a total "failure," a malfunction often suggests that the part or the system is still present but performing incorrectly. It can provide false readings or can behave erratically.
​

E.g.

​
The pilot noticed the airspeed indicator was malfunctioning and was providing inconsistent readings during the climb.

​The landing gear malfunctioned and failed to lock into place. It forced the crew to perform a manual extension.

1,860

✈️Aviation English

Apr 23, 2026, 11:44 PM

📷 Photo

To show off your English skills for that ICAO Level 5, here is an interesting phrase.

to be on the safe side (чтобы перестраховаться)

​Meaning

​"To be on the safe side" means to take an extra precaution  to avoid any possible danger or mistake .

Synonyms:
to play it safe
to take precautions

E.g.

We are running the checklist twice just to be on the safe side.

​We opted for extra fuel, just to be on the safe side with the weather.

​
​I am studying even the rarest aviation terms to be on the safe side for my Level 5.

The flight plan is tight  but I requested an extra 500 kg of fuel just to be on the safe side in case of holding patterns

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✈️Aviation English

Apr 23, 2026, 11:44 PM

🎥 Video

Who knows the name of this procedure?

2,430

✈️Aviation English

Apr 23, 2026, 11:44 PM

📷 Photo

When something is buckled, it means that the structural integrity  is compromised by compressive stress.   It can be caused by a hard landing, a severe bird strike or ground equipment impact. In any case a buckled panel is a "no-go" item because it disrupts the aerodynamic flow.

to be buckled- смяться, деформироваться
E.g.
We had a hard landing in strong winds. I found a buckled panel near the wing, so we need a mechanic to check it.

The mechanics looked over the plane. They found buckled metal underneath because the landing was too heavy.

Ground, a loader hit the cargo door. The metal is buckled, and we can’t close the door safely.

2,360

✈️Aviation English

Apr 23, 2026, 11:44 PM

📷 Photo

Why we DON’T use “observe” when describing a picture


The verb "observe" means: to watch carefully, often for a longer time (наблюдать, изучать)

It is usually usеd for scientific, professional purposes.

But when we describe a picture, we see it once. We describe what is visible, we do not study it over time.

Do you agree that "I observe a plane on the apron" sounds weird?
(Я наблюдаю самолет на перроне.)


🔹 What to use instead

✅ I can see…
✅ There is / There are…
✅ The picture shows…
✅ The picture depicts..
✅ In the picture we can see…

E.g.
In the picture we can see an aircraft on final approach.

There is ground personnel near the aircraft.

The image shows poor visibility conditions.

But “observe” IS correct when we mean a process👇👇👇

✔️ The controller observed(наблюдал) abnormal aircraft movement on the radar.
✔️ We observed (наблюдали как) smoke coming from the engine

2,810

✈️Aviation English

Apr 23, 2026, 11:44 PM

📷 Photo

Every aviator is aware of the term "touch and go procedure".  But in General English it is used as an idiom. So, "touch and go" describes a situation  as something uncertain, dangerous or with an unpredictable outcome. It’s used when you are "on the edge," and the result could be either life or death.
​
​
​📌 Where did it come from?
​The phrase likely comes from old sailing days. If a ship's hull "touched" the bottom of the sea but was able to "go" (keep moving) instead of getting stuck, it was a very close call. It was touch and go whether the ship would sink or sail on!

​E.g.

With the hydraulic system failing and the landing gear stuck, it was touch-and-go for the crew until they finally touched down safely.
​
The crosswind was ferocious and it was touch-and-go during the final approach until the wheels were firmly on the runway.

2,630

✈️Aviation English

Apr 23, 2026, 11:44 PM

📷 Photo

✈️🐇 “to take a rabbit’s foot" means to carry something for good luck ( брать что-то как амулет)

Traditionally, a rabbit’s foot is believed to bring luck and protect from bad events.

E.g.

Before his first solo flight he joked that he needed to take a rabbit’s foot.

A lot of pilots have  their own rabbit’s foot before maiden flights.

2,440

✈️Aviation English

Apr 23, 2026, 11:44 PM

This week   one of my students asked me how to turn "takeoff" into plural. It prompted me to write this post for you.

Correct: take-offs ✅

Incorrect: takes-off ❌

Takeoff / take-off — is a noun. So, in plural form we just add -s.

one takeoff → two takeoffs

one take-off → two take-offs (it may be written hyphenated ant that is also correct)

E.g.

There were several takeoffs and landings this morning.

❗️Plural forms are formed in the same  way for

go-arounds

fly-pasts

walk-arounds

turnarounds

2,560

✈️Aviation English

Apr 23, 2026, 11:44 PM

Yesterday while I was reading an aviation-related article, I came across a captivating word.
"The passenger was acting in a boorish manner, shouting at the flight attendants and ignoring the seatbelt sign."

BOORISH is someone who is rude, insensitive, and completely lacking in manners.

TO ACT IN A BOORISH MANNER -вести себя некультурно/по-хамски

Have you encountered people who act in a boorish manner?
Share in the comments.👇👇👇

2,700

✈️Aviation English

Apr 15, 2026, 01:41 AM

42 per cent for "takes-off".
Let's clarify the situation.

1,930

✈️Aviation English

Mar 28, 2026, 09:52 PM

I am eager to share a captivating word with you. Have you ever heard about "barely"?
Let's see how it is used in aviation context.

1)сan + barely (почти не могу / еле мог)

The pilots could barely execute safe landing. ( еле cмогли )
The air traffic controller can barely saw the aircraft on the RWY due to thick fog. (почти не видит)
We can barely communicate with the ATC due to the static interference. ( почти не можем)

The mechanic found the tiny crack in the fuselage. You could barely see it with the naked eye.( едва можно было заметить)

2)barely + any (почти нет чего-то)

The small regional airport has barely any ground staff during the night shift. ( почти нет )

The captain stated they had barely any fuel. ( почти не осталось)

After the bird strike, the engine still functioned but there was barely any positive thrust coming from the damaged turbine.(почти нет)

2,390

✈️Aviation English

Mar 28, 2026, 09:52 PM

[poll]

2,170

✈️Aviation English

Mar 24, 2026, 09:48 PM

📷 Photo

A phrase "to be engulfed in a severe fire" is used to describe catastrophic situations where some part of the aircraft is covered in heavy flames.
(быть охваченным сильным огнем)

E.g.
The fuselage was engulfed in fire after the crash.

The right engine failed and was instantly engulfed in fire.

After the crash the main landing gear wheels were engulfed in fire due to brake overheating

2,140

✈️Aviation English

Mar 22, 2026, 08:38 PM

What is the difference between the nearest available airport and the nearest suitable airport?

🔵Nearest available airport is the closest airport you can physically reach from your point.
It means
✔️ it is open
✔️ it is accepting traffic
✔️ runway is usable

Pilots use it in time-critical emergencies: engine failure, decompression, fire, medical issues.

E.g.
Due to smoke in the cockpit, we are diverting to the nearest available airport.

🔵 Nearest suitable airport is the closest airport that is not only available, but also meets the aircraft and operational requirements. It means

✔️ the runway is long enough for this type of the plane
✔️ they provide appropriate approach procedures
✔️ handling services are provided


Nearest available airports are used when safety allows more than one option and you need the best operational choice, not just the closest.

E.g.
For landing with the flaps stuck, the nearest suitable airport is the one with the longest runway and good weather.

2,420

✈️Aviation English

Mar 22, 2026, 08:38 PM

📷 Photo

Great answers, you're all very sharp!
Special thanks for those who answered in the comments on the previous post.

Frankly speaking, I came to know about this collocation yesterday from my student.

1,950

✈️Aviation English

Mar 20, 2026, 04:07 AM

📷 Photo

Yesterday I came across the collocation "electrical gremlins".

Any ideas what it means?

1,790

✈️Aviation English

Mar 16, 2026, 12:34 AM

📷 Photo

How would you describe the malfunction of the wing?
What must have happened?

1,870

✈️Aviation English

Mar 11, 2026, 10:17 AM

Since we encountered the phrase BE LIKELY TO in our class today, I suggest we discuss it.
Moreover, there are 2 phrases BE LIKELY TO and BE UNLIKELY TO..

🔹  BE LIKELY TO- smth is expected to happen   (вероятнее всего,что...,    есть вероятность, что...)
🔹   BE UNLIKELY TO- smth is expected not to happen.  (маловероятно,что...)

➡️ The flight is likely to depart on time.
➡️We are likely to be late for a check-in.
➡️The fog is unlikely to lift before sunrise.
➡️The airport is unlikely to reopen before the new weather forecast is issued.
➡️ The weather is likely to improve in the afternoon, so we expect only a short delay.

Use them to sound more professional and natural. They are the  signals a higher level of language proficiency (ICAO Level 5+).
Keep using them!

2,250

✈️Aviation English

Mar 10, 2026, 05:51 AM

One more time!

show up- just arrive (neutral) (появиться,прийти)

turn up-arrive (surprise!) or be found (неожиданно появиться , найтись)

pop up- appear suddenly (alert, warning,object, not people) (неожиданно появиться,возникнуть)

2,190

✈️Aviation English

Mar 1, 2026, 09:54 AM

[poll]

2,150

✈️Aviation English

Feb 22, 2026, 06:45 AM

[poll]

1,790

✈️Aviation English

Feb 10, 2026, 09:07 AM

[poll]

1,540

✈️Aviation English

Dec 6, 2025, 04:23 PM

876

✈️Aviation English

Dec 6, 2025, 04:23 PM

865

✈️Aviation English

Dec 6, 2025, 04:23 PM

842

✈️Aviation English

Dec 6, 2025, 04:23 PM

"The grass is always greener on the other side."

Meaning:other people's lives or situations always seem better than your own

I do like this idiom.
Let's squeeze it in the aviation context.

I sometimes think I would be happier working as an ATC in the United Arab Emirates. Well, the grass is always greener on the other side!

Sometimes a Boeing pilot thinks the grass is always greener on the Airbus side because they use more computerized systems. Captains executing short-range flights dream of flying long-range international routes. They sometimes believe the grass is greener on the other side. He is always looking for a new job. For him the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

У соседа всегда лучше.
Хорошо там,где нас нет.

1,800

✈️Aviation English

Dec 6, 2025, 04:23 PM

✈️ Добрый день!
У меня освободился вечерний час по пятницам, и я набираю мини-группу (3–4 человека) для студентов-пилотов и авиадиспетчеров, которые готовятся к экзамену ICAO.

📘 Формат мини-группы — это:

-занятия дешевле индивидуальных,

-живое общение на авиационные темы,

-возможность дискуссий и обмена опытом с другими студентами.

Если хотите подтянуть Aviation English и подготовиться к экзамену —✉️ пишите в директ.

P. S. освободилось пока только это время- 15.00 UTC.

1,510

✈️Aviation English

Dec 6, 2025, 04:23 PM

In yesterday's class with the pilot, we worked out on replacing the verb "appear" with phrasal verbs.

🟢 SHOW UP = physically appear somewhere       (появиться,прийти куда-то)

He didn’t show up for the preshift- briefing.  She finally showed up 10 minutes late.

🟡 TURN UP = appear unexpectedly / be found (появиться- часто неожиданно, случайно,найтись)

A helicopter turned up next to the RWY. The missing logbook finally turned up.( нашелся)
🟢POP UP — неожиданно возникнуть, появиться

A warning message popped up on the ECAM. New weather updates keep popping up every few minutes.

1,450

✈️Aviation English

Dec 6, 2025, 04:23 PM

967

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