
OK, picture some far-in-the-future archaeologist exploring an area that ancient maps call North America and stumbling on an odd-looking site—long strips of concrete radiating out from a once-paved, open area. Combing through the ruins of a nearby structure, he unearths a barely discernible, crumbling document covered with peculiar characters. If only there were accompanying hieroglyphics, this could be a Rosetta stone—the key to deciphering the language of a long-extinct, strange culture.
CIGARS-LCA-BLITTS-FLARE- GUMPS-CLIFF-MPG-CCCC- FACTS-FLARE-MIDGET-TTTT- WIRETAP-APTATEN-HAMSACC- AAAAA-PARE-CRAGS-PAVE- DECIDE-OODA-IMAIR-PAST- SMACFM-ALARMS-TOMATO- FLAMES-NDRUMS-TITS-AVEF- MSHITTT-CEFLAGGS-GAARF- CIA-CRAFT-CAAAMRF-DVA- BUMPFH-FMUBPS-ABCDE- FMOST-FIST-DNSCRAM-TEST- BOAT-TSAFE-AWARE-ROVA- DROVV-ONCAL-TTMPPFFISCH- PUFF-PRWAMCN-IREX-FMQDC- MARRRTHA-FMUTBSL- CLEAR OFF-FMQD-MAX SAYS WINTER FLYING GIVES ME A BACKACHE-PARK OFF PIGS- 30-FOOT DUCKS-TRUE VIRGINS MAKE DULL COMPANIONS-CAN DEAD MEN VOTE TWICE-EAST IS LEAST, WEST IS BEST.
Any of these sound familiar? Well, if you’re having trouble reading them, try researching and collecting 57 (and counting) mnemonics that pilots have devised as memory aids to replace or augment printed (and electronic) checklists.
Mnemonics are devices or patterns of letters we use to assist in remembering something, such as “CIGARS,” “WIRETAP” and “PAVE,” which cleverly form a kind of phony word that’s easily remembered. “GUMP- SCLIFF,” “FMUBS” or “BUMPFH” aren’t words; you can’t say them—at least, I can’t without slobbering all over myself—but they’re still mnemonics, with each letter representing another word or phrase.
This story is from the September 2020 edition of Flying.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign in
This story is from the September 2020 edition of Flying.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign in

The Temple of Speed
Reno entices even this altitude-oriented pilot.

Flat Sixes
Fanatical artisans

Blue over Green, Tent in Between
I’m old , I’m cranky. Why do I keep air-camping?

Gulfstream Reveals G400, G800
The product lineup gains large-cabin and ultralong-range mounts.

Every Airplane Requires a Checkout
Embrace the challenge of mastering a new machine.

Fuhggedaboutit
Fifty-plus years of f lying forgetfulness

THE MAULE FAMILY APPROACHABLE AIRCRAFT
Choose your mount —the Maules do it all.

Sisters
“ Women certainly have the courage and tenacity required for long flights.” —Mildred Doran

INSIDE OUT OR OUTSIDE IN?
What kind of pilot should you be?

WE FLY: CESSNA CITATION CJ4 GEN2
THE FLAGSHIP CJ JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT BETTER.

New Vision in the Desert
THE MUKAAB IS SAUDI ARABIA'S LATEST BID TO CHANGE ITS IMAGE

CAN HEARING LOSS BE REVERSED?
The answer sounds like yes

FAA SAYS TECHNOLOGY WILL HELP AVOID SOME DANGEROUS LANDINGS
Federal officials said they have completed outfitting 43 major U.S. airports with technology to warn when incoming planes are aimed at a taxiway instead of a runway.

LAWSUIT SEEKS TO REVOKE FAA LICENSE FOR GEORGIA SPACEPORT
Opponents of a proposed launchpad for commercial rockets on the Georgia coast are asking a court to throw out the project’s government license, saying the Federal Aviation Administration failed to correctly assess the risks of firing rockets over homes and a barrier island popular with tourists.

Bone Conductors Going Mainstream
Bone conduction technology that sends vibrations directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrums, is seeing increasing use-evolving from its origins in medical hearing devices to mainstream consumer and strategic communication applications. The advantages in open-ear wireless applications have great appeal and the audio industry is responding.

FDA CHANGE USHERS IN CHEAPER, EASIER-TO-GET HEARING AIDS
It's now a lot easier and cheaper - for many hard-of-hearing Americans to get help.

The Hidden Risks of Chartered Planes
○ Seekers of the jet-set life at a discount price potentially face fatal consequences using illicit operators

FROM SPACE REGULATOR TO ASTRONAUT
George Nield spent his government career thinking about space. Then he got to fly.

FAA CLEARS BOEING TO RESUME DELIVERY OF 787 DREAMLINERS
Boeing has cleared a key hurdle with federal regulators and could soon resume deliveries of its large 787 airliner, which has been plagued by a series of production issues since late 2020, a person familiar with the matter said.

Traffic Jam at 400 Feet
NASA and the FAA are preparing to revolutionize air traffic control for the drone era