Minimum(s)

[ahramin]

A Frenchman asked me this the other day and I was completely unable to come up with a competent answer :O. Not sure if this is a tech log question but here goes.

Every SOP I have seen and every aircraft with autocallouts that I have flown say MINIMUMS when you get to DA or DH.

Why is it plural? It's one number.

[esreverlluf]

Furthermore, "Minimums" is not even the correct plural of minimum . . . . :ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:

It's up there with "Finals" as one of the sillier things that people say.

[Wizofoz]

"Minima" are the required ceiling PLUS the required Visual reference.

The rad alt doesn't know what the RVR is, it alerts you to the fact that you are at the point (DH) where both minima must be present to continue.

The fact that it does so in mangled English can be explained by the fact that most call-out have an American accent.....

[pattern_is_full]

[cross-posting alert!]

Sometimes stuff just creeps into a language (and especially the jargon of a particular speciality) and becomes habit. Sometimes the habit is even gramatically incorrect (technically, the plural of "minimum" is "minima").

I expect realistically it just dates back to what human PMs called out in the era before an automated voice.

On approach plates, weather "MINIMUMS" are listed.

http://cdn.klaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/approach-minima-e1380998251912.jpg

Of course, in that case, it does refer to plural numbers:

a. altitude and visual range/visiblilty (two separate restrictive minimums), and/or
b. multiple numbers for different aircraft categories, and/or
c. multiple numbers for straight-in or circling approaches

- but the word drilled into every pilot's mind throughout their career is the big one written in all-CAPS - "MINIMUMS".

Additionally - "minimum" can be either a noun or an adjective. Pluralizing it emphasizes one is talking about a thing - a noun - the MDA.

Call out "Minimum!" Minimum what?
Call out "Minimums!" It is more easily recognizable as a thing - the minimum descent altitude.
Call out "Minima!" - you'll likely just get a "hunh??" in response. ;)

Short two-word response for your French acquaintance - "Historical contigency."

Short one-word (polite!) response - "Psychology!"

[pattern_is_full]

The fact that it does so in mangled English can be explained by the fact that most call-out have an American accent.....


Cruel - but true.... ;)

[Wizofoz]

Indeed- think about the fact that the industry standard word for the wheelie-bits is "Gear", a contraction of "Landin' Gear".

Hardly an elegant term if you think about it.