What Pilots Really Do Before Takeoff – Insider Look!

① The Takeoff Process of an Aircraft Pilot

Aircraft pilots are classified into private pilots, commercial pilots, and transport pilots depending on their flight duties. The most important part of a pilot’s career is flight time. Typically, aircraft are operated by a pair of pilots, with the more experienced serving as the captain. The captain assumes responsibility for overseeing all facets of the flight.

The captain’s main duties include reviewing flight-related matters and explaining the flight route, destination, flight time, and weather conditions to the crew members before departure. The captain must review the passenger manifest to confirm the number of passengers and oversee the opening and closing of the doors. They also have to report the destination, route, and airline affiliation to the control tower and receive clearance for takeoff.

The moments of takeoff and landing demand heightened concentration from pilots, constituting the most challenging phases of a flight. Approximately half of all aviation accidents occur during these crucial stages. The potential for danger escalates when various factors, such as altitude issues, converge, creating a precarious situation for the pilot.

The process after takeoff consists of an initial climb, ascent, and flight. Pilots hold just before the runway, awaiting clearance. Airports are busy hubs where numerous aircraft take off and land, so it is essential to follow a precise process to prevent accidents.

After receiving a clearance request, the control tower checks the traffic and finally authorizes clearance for takeoff. Once clearance is granted, the pilots start to speed up. Then, when the aircraft exceeds the takeoff speed, it cannot request to abort the takeoff. An aircraft that has exceeded the takeoff speed must proceed with takeoff.

The takeoff speed is usually between 161 and 186 mph. Once a safe speed is reached, the aircraft can ascend into the sky.

② Communication between Pilots and Control Tower

Junhee, a YouTuber training to be a pilot in the United States, released a video titled “What Pilots Say to Controllers Before Takeoff.” The short video garnered a lot of attention, with 1.69 million views.

The video captures the process of communicating with the control tower. Pilots communicate with the control tower using aviation control terminology. They use specialized terms that may be unfamiliar to the general public.

The control tower is the control center responsible for managing aircraft takeoffs and landings. After the aircraft has completed its ground movement, it must wait on the side by the runway. From this point, communication with the control tower begins. The control tower provides information to the departing aircraft and issues clearances.

The YouTuber showed details of the pre-takeoff process. First, he informs the control tower of his desired travel heading for takeoff. After receiving clearance for takeoff, he confirms that the approved runway matches the runway he is entering. He checks whether the fuel tanks are appropriately selected and all necessary equipment is turned on.

Finally, he enters the runway after checking. Before pushing up to maximum output, he puts in power to check the engine for any abnormalities one last time before takeoff. He confirms the regular operation of the speedometer, checks the external speed-measuring device’s status, and makes sure the speedometers on both sides of the cockpit match. After sufficiently accelerating to takeoff speed, he takes off at that speed.

③ The Most Common Air Traffic Control Terminology

Air traffic control terminology is for the smooth and safe flight of aircraft. They follow standard English by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). English proficiency is an essential part of being a pilot. Moving from the aircraft’s parking position to the runway is called “taxing.”

The pilot says to the control tower, “Request taxi instruction.” This means asking for the route to the takeoff runway from the current location. Waiting just by the runway before receiving takeoff clearance is called “holding.”

The pilot asks the control tower for clearance for takeoff by saying, “Ready for departure.” Once all processes are complete, the control tower says, “Cleared for takeoff.” These are some standard air traffic control terms used during the takeoff process.