Italian term
Canada
Academic and Literary Translations
Native in: English 
, Italian
Works in: English to Italian, Italian to English, English
Contatto
I am translating an historical novel about avion history and the experiemental flights.
This is the context: they are ready to start the engine and in the dialogue they use the word: "Contatto!". Considering that at the time there wasn't an "aviation terminology", would you translated with "Start the engine!"?
Thank you for your help.
| 4 | Contact |
Fiona Grace Peterson
|
| 4 +1 | Contact |
Cedric Randolph
|
| 4 | Take off! |
Lisa Jane
|
Non-PRO (1): Ivana UK
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Proposed translations
Italy
Just what the doctor ordered
Native in: English (Variant: UK)
Works in: Italian to English
Contact
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Note added at 27 mins (2018-07-13 13:18:19 GMT)
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"You started the engine by having someone crank, or spin, the propeller. The pilot turned the switch to the "On" position, and then called out, "Contact!" when he..."
https://books.google.it/books?id=6Fy9YxOp8FEC&pg=PA214&lpg=P...
Italy
Reliable, punctual and accurate
Native in: English (Variants: UK, US) 
, Italian
Works in: Italian to English
Contact
Take off!
If this is just before they lift from the ground it could be Take off! or possibly "Ready for take-off!"
A WW2 pilot may have said "chocks away!"
If it is a command, your translation of Start the engine! would work or if it is the pilot speaking and confirming his operations then "Engine started!" or "ignition!" is plausible too. More context could clarify this.
Discussion
Here is an extract from the dialogue:
Contatto! CONTATTO, PERDIO!»
«Ok…CONTATTO!»
Al grido dei fratelli, gli aiutanti si erano posti a tergo delle ali del Flyer. In sincrono, fecero ruotare le eliche di mezzo giro, in modo speculare, dall’esterno verso il centro.