Know Your Dashes
In the world of aviation, precision is key—whether it's flight planning or communication. Our last blog, The Comma Crusader, reviewed how commas separate parts of a sentence. Today, we'll explore how mastering the use of dashes can elevate your writing, much like how understanding flight instruments can elevate your piloting skills.
There are three different types of dash: the hyphen (-), the en dash (–), and the em dash (—). The en dash is the length of a capital letter "N," and the em dash is—you guessed it—the length of a capital letter "M." Let's explore each type and its application in aviation writing.
The Hyphen (-)
Basic Usage
Hyphens are used to connect certain compound terms (basically a descriptor made of more than one word, such as "high-flying" or "tenth-row seats"). Where the compound is in the sentence and what category it is (age terms, foreign phrases, number and noun, etc.) will dictate whether you should hyphenate or not. Hyphens eliminate ambiguity and help with sentence clarity.
Aviation-Specific Tips
Always hyphenate compound adjectives before nouns: "well-maintained aircraft," "high-altitude flight"
Use hyphens in spelled-out numbers: "twenty-five passengers"
Hyphenate phrasal adjectives: "up-to-date maintenance log"
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't hyphenate an adverb ending in "ly": "newly installed avionics" (not "newly-installed")
Avoid over-hyphenation: "fuel efficient engine" (not "fuel-efficient-engine")
As always, refer to your organization’s style guide for specific usage.
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Incorrect: "The aircraft maintenance required three inch wide bolts."
Correct: "The aircraft maintenance required three-inch-wide bolts."
The En Dash (–)
Basic Usage
En dashes are used with figures and capital letters and to indicate a time span.
Aviation-Specific Tips
Use for flight numbers: "XZ–1234"
Indicate ranges: "200–300 nautical miles"
Show connections: "New York–London flight"
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't use hyphens where en dashes are required: "Boeing 737-800" should be "Boeing 737–800"
Avoid spaces around en dashes: "9 a.m.–5 p.m." (not "9 a.m. – 5 p.m.")
Do not use if “from” or “between” introduces the time span; instead use “to” or “and”
“from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.”
“between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.”
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"The pilot's duty time is 6 a.m.–2 p.m., during which she'll fly the Boeing 747–400 on the LAX–NRT route."
The Em Dash (—)
Basic Usage
Em dashes are the longest of the dash family and used to mark sudden breaks or abrupt changes in thought within a sentence.
Aviation-Specific Tips
Use to emphasize important information: "The preflight checklist—essential for flight safety—must be completed thoroughly."
Add clarity to complex sentences: "The new regulations—which affect all commercial pilots—will be implemented next month."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't overuse em dashes; they can make text look cluttered
Avoid using spaces around em dashes (unless your style guide specifies otherwise)
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"The air traffic controller—monitoring multiple aircraft simultaneously—quickly redirected the incoming flight to avoid potential conflict."
Real-World Applications
Proper dash usage significantly improves clarity in aviation documentation:
Flight Manuals: "The emergency procedures—outlined in Section 3—should be memorized by all crew members."
Maintenance Logs: "Removed and replaced all brake linings P/N: 456–78910."
Air Traffic Control Communications: "Expect holding at ALPHA—duration unknown—due to runway closure."
Mastering the use of dashes in aviation writing enhances clarity, professionalism, and safety in communication. Whether you're drafting flight plans, updating manuals, or preparing reports, proper dash usage is a small but significant way to elevate your aviation documentation.
Evolution of Dashes in Aviation Communication
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