I first met 'Key' terminology at my first civilian FC, at a RCAF base in Canada with instructors who were mostly military-trained. This was in an era when RCAF used RAF jargon and methods in almost all things; perhaps they still do. CFI was a Sqn Ldr RCAF, who chose to retire before being restyled a Major CF (Air) (for that reason, he claimed, when I met him again a bit later
). I had previously flown a fair bit in the back of AEF Chippies in UK, but that did not involve PFLs even though in that era ('60s) I was allowed to do all the handling for T&Gs without any view forwards ..
Anyway, 'Key' jargon at this RCAF base but civ FC was used only in context of (P)FLs. On my return to UK it took me a while to get to my GFT with 2 different FCs, with some FIs certainly being ex-mil, but 'Key' jargon was not used for PFLs, nor were oval circuits for them. I first re-encountered them later at a different civ FC in UK during new member checkout, when I had the throttle pulled on me and I asked FI if I could use 'Key' method; very relaxed FI (ex-mil) replied that I could use any method I wanted providing I got to short final safely ..
I have used it ever since. It surprised the FI, DoD employee but possibly not US mil aircrew, during my checkout at a FC at a US Army Airfield; I had to talk through the PFL to him as I did it, and then explain it on the ground afterwards.
However, I first met 'Key' jargon in a non-PFL context when, decades later, I had got permission to take shareoplane to a RAF base for an Air Cadet Camp week. On arrival on a Saturday with no military (nor, as it happened, civ from resident FC) aircraft flying, on first contact with TWR, I was given runway in use and QFE, and told to report 'High Key' rather than, eg, Overhead or Downwind, although I had not reported nor had a need nor desire for a (P)FL. Fortunately, I knew what ATCO meant, but other visiting civ pilots might well not have. I guess most civ pilots there would have been members of that or another RAFFCA FC and probably taught 'Key'.
Anyway, all was OK, but it illustrates a potential danger of using 'non-standard' jargon.
(mere guide at) Jet Age Museum, Gloucestershire Airport
http://www.jetagemuseum.org/TripAdvisor Excellence Award 2015
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