4. Departure, climbing, and cruising

Word

Example

departure

We are ready for departure.

takeoff clearance

We received takeoff clearance from ATC.

rotate

Rotate at 140 knots.

initial climb

Maintain speed during initial climb.

climb out

Climb out to 5000 feet.

climb to FL

Climb to FL350.

rate of climb

Reduce rate of climb.

cruising altitude

Level off at cruising altitude.

autopilot

Engage autopilot at 10,000 feet.

flight level (FL)

We are now at flight level 310.

standard instrument departure (SID)

We are following SID Bravo Two.

transition altitude

Set standard pressure above transition altitude.

vertical speed

Maintain vertical speed 1500 feet per minute.

V2 speed

Positive rate, gear up at V2 speed.

positive rate

Positive rate, gear up.

gear up

Gear up after takeoff.

flaps retraction

Begin flap retraction at 1000 feet.

noise abatement procedure

Apply noise abatement procedure after takeoff.

climb performance

Monitor climb performance.

step climb

We will perform a step climb to FL390.

maintain heading

Maintain heading 270 after departure.

departure frequency

Contact departure on 121.2 frequency.

handoff to center

Handoff to center complete.

level off

Level off at 12,000 feet.

top of climb

Reaching top of climb in 5 minutes.

step descent

Expect step descent after cruising.

standard pressure

Set standard pressure above transition.

airspeed

Maintain airspeed 290 knots.

cruise speed

Set cruise speed Mach 0.78.

Mach number

We are cruising at Mach 0.80.

ATC clearance

We received ATC clearance to FL370.

VFR-on-top

Request VFR-on-top.

turbulence

Light turbulence reported at FL330.

smooth ride

It's a smooth ride at this altitude.

seat belt sign

Turn off the seat belt sign.

pressurization system

The pressurization system is functioning normally.

cruise checklist

Complete the cruise checklist.

enroute

We are enroute to Frankfurt.

navigation display

Check heading on the navigation display.

altimeter setting

Reset altimeter to standard setting.

FMC (Flight Management Computer)

Enter cruise altitude into FMC.

TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System)

TCAS shows no nearby traffic.

cruise mode

Autopilot is in cruise mode.

clear skies

We're enjoying clear skies at FL340.

flight envelope

Stay within the aircraft's flight envelope.

waypoint

Approaching waypoint LULUL.

direct-to waypoint

Flying direct-to waypoint MIKIN.

long-range cruise

Engage long-range cruise mode.

in-trail spacing

Maintain in-trail spacing with preceding aircraft.

cockpit monitoring

Continue cockpit monitoring during cruise.