Aviation Metaphors

Note: We can also use an Air Force Pilot metaphor.

General Ideas of metaphors Terminology

ETA – elapsed time of arrival ATC – air traffic control
ATIS – automated terminal information system – recording with info about weather and more
VFR – flight that follows visual flight rules
IFR – flight that follows instrument flight rules
Flight level – specific altitudes assigned to aircraft
Squawk – specific 4-digit code assigned by ATC to each aircraft to identify it
rotate – the action by the pilot that makes the plane lift off the ground
Mayday – used over radio to declare emergency
Wilco – short for "will cooperate" used over radio to express compliance
Checklist – used all the time during every phase of a flight to make sure the pilot doesn't overlook important steps
Waypoint – point a long the flight path that a plane passes

Information in flight plan

departure / arrival points alternate airports estimated time en route pilot's information information about aircraft type of flight (VFR/IFR)

Phases of a flight

pre-flight check
engine start-up / taxiing take-off clearance
take-off initial climb
climb to cruise altitude cruise
descent approach landing
taxiing to terminal post-flight

My suggestion would be to consider everything in phase 2 up to the creating of the action plan (or "flight plan") part of "flight training" that's when knowledge is gained that will later be used during the actual "flight"

Creating the plan itself can be seen as "pre-flight check" when you have all the knowledge or "obtained your license" and are getting ready to put it to practice

Taking action could be seen as "engine start-up" that's when things get serious and are set in motion. The "flight plan" has been filed and activated and the plane starts moving.

After that, anything before post-program maintenance can be seen as "initial climb" and "climb to cruise altitude" the flight is well on its way but there is a lot of work to be done, check-lists and procedures to follow, and so on.

Post-program maintenance can be seen as "cruise flight" there is still work to be done, but it's more making sure the plane stays on course and follows the proper path

Normal things a pilot does during flight go through checklists

check instruments
make sure he's on course adjust heading / altitude
talk to ATC (check in, give position, update about flight, get clearance) – talk to a coach / mentor listen to ATIS
listen to communication between ATC and other pilots
(it's very rare for pilots of different planes to talk directly to each other, unless radio problems or Mayday-relay)
chat with co-pilot
check weather / identify clouds enjoy the view

Things that can distract a pilot weather

birds
other planes co-pilot
flight attendants passengers ATC
his own thoughts

Problems that can occur

Depending on what steps or measures are taught during "flight training" different metaphors can be used depending on what causes a setback and which "emergency procedure" needs to be applied to resolve the situation

Outside influence:

whatever stimuli can put the person at risk to experience a setback bad weather / turbulence / lightning strike / hail
birdstrike
uncooperative passengers hijackers
ATC makes mistakes mid-air collision

Internal issues:

whatever internal urges or thoughts can put the person at risk to experience setback technical problems (engine failures, computer errors, depressurisation, and many more)
human error (wrong calculations for fuel / flight path, wrong use of equipment)

Actions taken by pilot in emergency situations (emergency procedures)

follow emergency checklists – there's a checklist for everything change of altitude / flight level (to reach more favourable conditions)
divert to alternate airport (in case of bad weather, or when reaching original destination is impossible)
dump fuel (to reduce weight before landing) emergency descent (in case of depressurisation) get assistance from ATC
declare an emergency (Mayday)
attempt engine restart (in case of engine failure)
attempt emergency landing / forced landing / crash landing

Instruments used for navigation Altimeter

VOR/DME GPS
Pilot humour

"A good landing is one you can walk away from, a great landing is one after which you can use the plane again."