Another radio broadcast might include the name of a place and the word inbound. For example, at AOPA's home airport in Frederick, Maryland, one frequently hears an aircraft call sign followed by "RICKE inbound" and, perhaps, "ILS Runway 23 approach, Frederick." In this case RICKE is a point on the instrument landing system approach to Frederick's Runway 23 and the pilot, almost done with the approach, is heading for the runway. A conscientious instrument pilot will identify the aircraft and say, "four-mile final, Runway 23, Frederick." Such a description is more understandable to VFR pilots. An airplane at RICKE is 3.8 nautical miles from, and is heading directly toward, the runway - it will not fly a normal traffic pattern with downwind, base, and final legs.
Ask your flight instructor to explain the local instrument approaches - especially the fixes, or waypoint names, that instrument pilots are likely to use in reporting their positions. You will understand radio traffic that previously made no sense, and you will be able to fly more safely in the pattern because of your improved ability to anticipate what other aircraft may do.
