Pilots have their own way of speaking, which can be confusing for those new to general aviation community. The folks at US Sport Aircraft/Thrust Flight recently posted a video on YouTube, “Your Guide to Speaking Pilot,” which helps those new to our community figure out what everyone’s talking about. Check it out below:
Non-pilot husband to non-pilot wife: “Are you having an affair with a pilot?”
Non-pilot wife: “Negative, negative!”
The way I heard it was:
Non-pilot husband to non-pilot wife: “Are you having an affair with a pilot?”
Non-pilot wife: “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you niner-thousand times, negative!”
Several times “ATC” is mentioned instead of Air Traffic Control, yet it is not explained. A newbie may not know ATC in the context, especially from a rural area or non-towered field.
Also, in referring to “stand by”, a pilot may also ask ATC to stand by, as in readiness to copy a clearance, among other things.
Encouraging slang such as “a-firm” may make a student think it is ok to use slang on the radio…not good in establishing a solid foundation.
My understanding is that “affirm” is certainly not slang; it is in fact the correct phrase, and was introduced to eliminate the “ative” bit because of some confusions between “affirmative” and “negative” in conditions of bad reception or stress. I also have a recollection that this was introduced after a runway incursion event that had serious consequences.
Also – in my neck of the woods, anyway (and with 40yrs experience) – I’ve never actually heard a pilot use “roger wilco” and he would be laughed to scorn if he did. Maybe the military use it, I don’t know.