Definition
In ATC communications, the pilot's stated requests, intentions, or preferences regarding the conduct of the flight — such as desired routing, altitude, approach type, holding instructions, or handling of an emergency. Controllers are expected to accommodate the pilot's desires when workload, traffic, and regulations permit, and to ask for them when the situation requires pilot input.
Plain English
What the pilot wants to do — the route, altitude, approach, or handling they are asking for. Controllers consider these requests and work them in when they reasonably can.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying and air traffic control situations when the controller needs to know what the pilot wants to do next, especially after a change in weather, routing, approach status, or airport availability.
Derivation
Desire comes from a Latin word meaning to long for or wish for. That helps here because the phrase points to the pilot's wish or request, not to an approved action by itself.
Why Pilots Care
Allows ATC to align information and clearances with the pilot's intended plan, reducing miscommunication and workload.
Intuition Check
Do not read “pilot's desires” as “the pilot is cleared to do it.” It means what the pilot wants or requests; it becomes authorized only when ATC gives the proper clearance or instruction.
Example Sentence 1
After declaring the emergency, the controller asked for the pilot's desires, and the pilot requested vectors to the nearest suitable airport.
Example Sentence 2
ATC adjusted the advisory based on the pilot's desires for a lower altitude.