Developing corpus-based technical word lists for pilots

This study aimed to investigate the technical words commonly found in pilot textbooks and create categorized lists of these words for each topic covered in the theoretical examination for obtaining a pilot license. The topics encompassed Air law, Aircraft general knowledge, Flight performance, planning and loading, Human performance, Meteorology, Navigation, Operational Procedures, Principles of flight, and Radiotelephony. Additionally, a separate sub-list was compiled to include words that appeared across these subjects. To identify the frequently used technical words, a corpus-based approach was employed, which involved utilizing lexical profiling and frequency criteria. The words that met both criteria were then evaluated by three experts using a 3-level rating scale. Through this evaluation process, a total of 526 technical words were identified as commonly found in pilot textbooks. In order to develop a comprehensive technical word list for pilots, all frequently found words, along with additional words recommended by the experts, were initially categorized based on their percentage of occurrence within each topic. The experts' judgments were crucial in ensuring the practicality and relevance of each sub-list. Their feedback played a significant role in refining and adjusting each sub-list according to their suggestions, thus enhancing the overall quality and usability of the technical word lists for pilots, pilot cadets, flight instructors, and ESP teachers.