Hack
 

I have sat through and delivered more met briefs than I've had b0ll0ckings but I am still confused as to why we say 5...4...3...2...1...hack at the start of the brief.TK :confused:

I am happy with why we say 5...4...etc before anyone tries to be funny! ;)

Hack is a word used for it's clarity and shortness to define a point in time. It's most commonly used in flight, when you are monitoring something and somebody else is wielding the stopwatch.

In a briefing, it's done at the timecheck, the "Hack" is said at a particular point in time - usually exactly a given minute ("the time now is "0832 Zulu, 5,4,3,2,1 Hack"). So that everybody can check that their watches are set correctly and the same.

G

Aaaah...all is clear.

Just wondered why the word hack was used but now I know.

Thanks

TK :)

Actually it's a token of the RAF's exaggerated respect for the media, and a reminder that everyone should consider the PR implications of even the smallest action.......

Or perhaps it isn't?

I don't know if it still is (not having a copy to hand) but the definition of the brevity codeword 'hack' used to be in the ATP65.

Brevity codeword?

How about "now" or is that too simple?

Suit

Far too simple. Any anyway, it's a nice word.

If it really is in AvP, will somebody post the wording, I'd love to know the official definition.

G

Correction to my last, that's ACP165 not ATP. And believe it or not, the definition is restricted. I kid u not.

Still can't beat a sarcastic "5...4...3...2...1...Hack; it's Monday morning"

So why does the RN use "Mark" ? Was Mark a journo?

Being of a truly "joint" persona, perhaps we should use
"3,2,1..Hark!" :D

[ 10 December 2001: Message edited by: AllTrimDoubt ]

You could try the SAR way, stagger in and go 2,1 er Tuesday no sorry Thursday, anyway er the weather. :D :D :D

Nahhhhh..... I `erd it woz because the word Chop isn't very politically correct these days...... ;) ;) ;)

How about this for a new idea ... 5..4..3..2..1..Time!!!

Or will all the old farts like me race for the bar instead of ALSE?

:) :) :D

You guys are way behind!

We use "standby to hack........hack.....now" to avoid confusion over when you should hack. Clever eh?

I'll get my coat............ :(

Other options:

1. Digital wall display slaved to the international time broadcast.

2. Use p-code GPS from the aircraft FMS display.

3. Put the speaking clock on through a loudspeaker - it'll embarrass anyone late for the brief!!

4. What is a 'morning brief' anyway? Something for Learning Command or the 8-to-5ers, but hardly appropriate for the 24/7 world? (BEagle writes this knowing that he has to be in at 0640 in case the fog miraculously clears...the best the TAF is giving is 'becoming broken at 200ft, tempo scattered at 600 ft, becoming 13-20 broken at 100ft....oh good!!)

[ 11 December 2001: Message edited by: BEagle ]

But at which point during the statement "Hack" do you actually Hack? Is it at the "H" or the "K", or indeed for "Hack Now", even more complicated on a monday morning. This could be an A2 question on your next Staneval you know.

I believe that you mentally confirm the action on the H, carry through on the a, and complete on the ck. Makes perfect sense to me.

G

No, no, `cos there's a built in time for the lead's hand to travel off the clock and then to hit the stopwatch, so it's "Standby to hack......hack now", pause...... hack!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Olly, are you sure.....I didn't read that in the SOPs.

"SOPs, what SOPs?"

Yep, fair cop gov'.

I'll get my Muckluks..... ;)