Definition
A priority framework that orders a pilot's tasks during any flight operation, especially under workload or in an emergency. Aviate first: maintain control of the aircraft and keep it flying safely. Navigate second: know where you are and where the aircraft is going. Communicate third: talk to ATC, passengers, or crew only after the first two are handled.
Plain English
Fly the airplane first, figure out where you're going second, and talk on the radio third. When things get busy or go wrong, do them in that order.
Context Anchor
Used in flight training, especially during high-workload moments such as abnormal situations, traffic pattern work, or busy radio environments.
Derivation
Aviating comes from aviation, rooted in the Latin word avis, meaning bird. Navigating comes from older words connected with guiding a ship. Communicating comes from a Latin word meaning to share. Together, the phrase reminds a pilot to fly the aircraft, guide it, and share information in that order.
Why Pilots Care
Following this order prevents distraction from the primary task of keeping the aircraft flying and reduces the chance of loss of control during high-workload or emergency situations.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as three equal tasks to do all at once. In this phrase, the order matters: control the aircraft first, manage where it is going second, and communicate third.
Example Sentence 1
When the engine ran rough on climb-out, the student remembered aviate, navigate, communicate, and held the best glide attitude before reaching for the radio.
Example Sentence 2
During a busy traffic pattern the student pilot kept aviating, navigating, and communicating by first holding altitude and airspeed, then confirming the runway, and finally making the position report.