Definition
In the communication process, the source is the originator of a message — the person (such as an instructor) who decides what idea to convey, encodes it into words, gestures, or visual aids, and transmits it to a receiver. The effectiveness of the source depends on their knowledge of the subject, their ability to organize and deliver the message, and their credibility in the eyes of the receiver.
Plain English
The source is the person sending the message. In a classroom or briefing, that's usually the instructor — the one doing the explaining.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation instruction when explaining how information moves between an instructor, a learner, air traffic control, or aircraft equipment.
Derivation
From the Latin 'surgere', meaning 'to rise' or 'spring up'. A source is where something originates — in this case, where the message rises from before it travels to the listener.
Why Pilots Care
Instructors are sources every time they teach. Knowing the subject deeply isn't enough — the source must also organize the material clearly and be seen as credible, or the message won't land. This same principle applies to pilots briefing passengers, crew, or controllers.
Intuition Check
Do not read “source” here as only a place where facts are found, like a book or website. In communication, the source is the sender that starts the message.
Example Sentence 1
As the source of the lesson, the instructor must clearly organize the material before presenting it to the student.
Example Sentence 2
During the radio call, the tower controller became the source of the clearance instruction.