Squawk [code] "coming down!"
 

It appears some of my colleagues, including those who fly the same modern airliner as me, still have in their cockpits, transponders with great big levers that they have to pull down and then announce "coming down!" (poor buggers, must take some effort).

Seriously, what is the origin of the phrase "coming down"? Am I the only one who has never seen a transponder more archaic than this one?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...nsponder04.jpg

Most of the big machines have the transponder on the center pedestal. So they put the code down. What's the problem with that?

I always thought this sounded quite amateurish to be quite honest, along with the "flash" when asked to IDENT.

just like "[code] in the box"

By zerozero:

As of you guys and girls in the USofA sound "professional" on te radio..:ugh:

It can be countered by ATC telling you to "strangle your parrot" when changing to your en-route frequency.

Seriously, what is the origin of the phrase "coming down"?

To, seriously, answer the question with what IMHO has some merit of belief:

ATC asks you, in the air way above mother earth, to send them a signal telling them where and who you are. It is sent from on hi to down below. I've not heard any better explanation.

It's just poor RT. A sign of the times.

I prefer the correct terminology: "5422 - Comin' atch ya - Cleopatra!"

Flash is controller jargon, I believe. Along with "snap" for direct, etc.

Never to be confused with "choke you chicken"!

It was used in the air force many moons ago, probably before zerozero was One...

Folks,
"Coming down" was an affectation of British European Airways (BEA) starting back in the 1960s, and was, unfortunately, emulated by the impressionable, in the mistaken belief, in the UK, that the British "Corporations" were the height of professionalism.
On would have thought that the heaps of scrap aluminium they (BEA and BOAC) left around the landscape in those days, might have given pause for thought on that score.
Mercifully, it is only occasionally heard in this day and age.
Tootle pip!!

A bit like "Xx center, Acorn three too won comin' down too too oh passing three won oh smooth" (spoken rapidly as if speaker's hair is on fire)

Probably only sounds cool to the person speaking it. Why not simply say "squawk xxxx"?

Saying "coming down" might give the controller a heart attack!

Talking of annoying r/t isms, why do certain airline pilots prefix their call sign with "The"? Obviously, it makes them sound stupid to everyone else but do they think it give them extra kudos or priority?

Or ATC clearance "Climb to Angels 330 - buster to Angels 120":ok: Or heard at Guam in the 1950's as a formation of F86 Sabres commenced their initial approach "Six out with six swords clearance to buzz and break the hot strip. And on final "On final, boots on and laced"

what is the origin of the phrase "coming down".

Probably the US

As a non American flying domestic in the US, every day I chuckle at the rubbish spoken on the radio.

"comin down" is common for a transponder code.

"Like to go on request for FLxxx" when simply "request FLxxx" would be much quicker.

"best forward speed" cracks me up every time.

"climb to and maintain" is my fave, like we are going to climb to 7000' and then just keep on climbing????

Checked CAP413, can't find any reference to it!

Regards,

GBD

Drives me mad hearing this crap nowadays. must be getting old.....

They could all talk a little slower on the radio in the US if they just got to the point instead of all the froth and bubble crap thats not needed.