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Definition
An inspection, identical in scope to an annual inspection. Conducted every 100 hours of flight on aircraft of under 12,500 pounds that are used to carry passengers for hire. |
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Definition
The vertical distance of an airplane above the terrain, or above ground level (AGL). |
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Force involved in overcoming inertia, and which may be defined as a change in velocity per unit of time. |
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Definition
Fluctuation of the magnetic compass during acceleration. In the Northern Hemisphere, the compass swings toward the north during acceleration. |
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The distance required to accelerate to V1 with all engines at takeoff power, experience an engine failure at V1 and continue the takeoff on the remaining engine(s). The runway required includes the distance required to climb to 35 feet by which time V2 speed must be attained. |
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Definition
The distance required to accelerate to V1 with all engines at takeoff power, experience an engine failure at V1, and abort the takeoff and bring the airplane to a stop using braking action only (use of thrust reversing is not considered). |
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Term
AUTOMATIC DIRECTION FINDER (ADF) |
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Definition
An aircraft radio navigation system which senses and indicates the direction to an L/MF nondirectional radio beacon (NDB) ground transmitter. Direction is indicated to the pilot as a magnetic bearing or as a relative bearing to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft depending on the type of indicator installed in the aircraft. In certain applications, such as military, ADF operations may be based on airborne and ground transmitters in the VHF/UHF frequency spectrum. |
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Definition
A process of cooling the air through expansion. For example, as air moves up slope it expands with the reduction of atmospheric pressure and cools as it expands. |
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A process of heating dry air through compression. For example, as air moves down a slope it is compressed, which results in an increase in temperature. |
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ADJUSTABLE-PITCH PROPELLER |
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Definition
A propeller with blades whose pitch can be adjusted on the ground with the engine not running,but which cannot be adjusted in flight. Also referred to as a ground adjustable propeller. Sometimes also used to refer to constant-speed propellers that are adjustable in flight. |
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Definition
A stabilizer that can be adjusted in flight to trim the airplane, thereby allowing the airplane to fly hands-off at any given airspeed. |
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Definition
A condition of flight in which the nose of an airplane tends to yaw toward the outside of the turn. This is caused by the higher induced drag on the outside wing, which is also producing more lift. Induced drag is a by-product of the lift associated with the outside wing. |
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Definition
The science of the action of air on an object, and with the motion of air on other gases. Aerodynamics deals with the production of lift by the aircraft, the relative wind, and the atmosphere. |
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Definition
A map used in air navigation containing all or part of the following: topographic features, hazards and obstructions, navigation aids, navigation routes, designated airspace, and airports. |
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AERONAUTICAL DECISION-MAKING (ADM) |
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Definition
A systematic approach to the mental process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances. |
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Definition
Line along which the variation between true and magnetic values is zero. |
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Definition
Primary flight control surfaces mounted on the trailing edge of an airplane wing, near the tip. Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis. |
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Definition
A device that is used, or intended to be used, for flight. |
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Definition
The actual height above sea level at which the aircraft is flying. |
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Definition
Any surface, such as a wing, propeller, rudder, or even a trim tab, which provides aerodynamic force when it interacts with a moving stream of air. |
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Definition
An extensive body of air having fairly uniform properties of temperature and moisture. |
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Definition
In-flight weather advisory concerning moderate icing, moderate turbulence, sustained winds of 30 knots or more at the surface, and widespread areas of ceilings less than 1,000 feet and/or visibility less than 3 miles. |
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Definition
An engine-driven, fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of air against its wings. |
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Term
AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL (AFM) |
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Definition
A document developed by the airplane manufacturer and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is specific to a particular make and model airplane by serial number and it contains operating procedures and limitations. |
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Term
AIRPLANE OWNER/ INFORMATION MANUAL |
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Definition
A document developed by the airplane manufacturer containing general information about the make and model of an airplane. The airplane owner’s manual is not FAAapproved and is not specific to a particular serial numbered airplane. This manual is not kept current, and therefore cannot be substituted for the AFM/POH. |
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Definition
An area within 10 statute miles (SM) of an airport where a control tower is not operating, but where a flight service station (FSS) is located. At these locations, the FSS provides advisory service to arriving and departing aircraft. |
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AIRPORT/FACILITY DIRECTORY |
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Definition
A publication designed primarily as a pilot’s operational manual containing all airports, seaplane bases, and heliports open to the public including communications data, navigational facilities, and certain special notices and procedures. This publication is issued in seven volumes according to geographical area. |
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Definition
Rate of the aircraft’s progress through the air. |
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Definition
An instrument that is a sensitive, differential pressure gauge which measures and shows promptly the difference between pitot or impact pressure, and static pressure, the undisturbed atmospheric pressure at level flight. |
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AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE |
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Definition
A certificate issued by the FAA to all aircraft that have been proven to meet the minimum standards set down by the Code of Federal Regulations. |
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Term
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Definition
A regulatory notice sent out by the FAA to the registered owner of an aircraft informing the owner of a condition that prevents the aircraft from continuing to meet its conditions for airworthiness. Airworthiness Directives (AD notes) are to be complied with within the required time limit, and the fact of compliance, the date of compliance, and the method of compliance are recorded in the aircraft’s maintenance records. |
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Definition
Areas depicted on aeronautical charts to advise pilots that a high volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity is taking place. |
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Definition
A flight instrument that indicates altitude by sensing pressure changes. |
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Definition
A reciprocating aircraft engine having a rated takeoff power that is producible from sea level to an established higher altitude. |
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Definition
The pressure in the area immediately surrounding the aircraft. |
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Definition
The temperature in the area immediately surrounding the aircraft. |
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Definition
A sealed flexible container that expands or contracts in relation to the surrounding air pressure. It is used in an altimeter or a barometer to measure the pressure of the air. |
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Definition
The acute angle between the chord line of the airfoil and the direction of the relative wind. It is important in the production of lift. |
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Definition
The angle formed by the chord line of the wing and a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the airplane. |
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Definition
A downward slant from root to tip of an aircraft’s wing or horizontal tail surface. |
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Definition
A complete inspection of an aircraft and engine, required by the Code of Federal Regulations, to be accomplished every 12 calendar months on all certificated aircraft. Only an A&P technician holding an Inspection Authorization can conduct an annual inspection. |
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Definition
An adjustable tab attached to the trailing edge of a stabilator that moves in the same direction as the primary control. It is used to make the stabilator less sensitive. |
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Definition
A report that gives a picture of clouds, general weather conditions, and visual meteorological conditions (VMC) expected over a large area encompassing several states. |
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Definition
A system that provides enhanced navigational capability to the pilot. RNAV equipment can compute the airplane position, actual track and groundspeed and then provide meaningful information relative to a route of flight selected by the pilot. Typical equipment will provide the pilot with distance, time, bearing and crosstrack error relative to the selected “TO” or “active” waypoint and the selected route. Several distinctly different navigational systems with different navigational performance characteristics are capable of providing area navigational functions. Present day RNAV includes INS, LORAN, VOR/DME, and GPS systems. |
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Definition
The horizontal distance in inches from the reference datum line to the center of gravity of an item. The algebraic sign is plus (+) if measured aft of the datum, and minus (-) if measured forward of the datum. |
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Definition
Span of a wing divided by its average chord. |
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Term
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Definition
Also known as P-factor. A tendency for an aircraft to yaw to the left due to the descending propeller blade on the right producing more thrust than the ascending blade on the left. This occurs when the aircraft’s longitudinal axis is in a climbing attitude in relation to the relative wind. The Pfactor would be to the right if the aircraft had a counterclockwise rotating propeller. |
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Definition
A personal motivational predisposition to respond to persons, situations, or events in a given manner that can, nevertheless, be changed or modified through training as sort of a mental shortcut to decision making. |
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Definition
An instrument that uses an artificial horizon and miniature airplane to depict the position of the airplane in relation to the true horizon. The attitude indicator senses roll as well as pitch, which is the up and down movement of the airplane’s nose. |
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Definition
The ability to recognize hazardous attitudes in oneself and the willingness to modify them as necessary through the application of an appropriate antidote thought. |
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Definition
This is caused by staring at a single point of light against a dark background for more than a few seconds. After a few moments, the light appears to move on its own. |
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Term
AUTOMATED SURFACE OBSERVATION SYSTEM (ASOS) |
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Definition
Weather reporting system which provides surface observations every minute via digitized voice broadcasts and printed reports. |
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Term
AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEM (AWOS) |
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Definition
Automated weather reporting system consisting of various sensors, a processor, a computergenerated voice subsystem, and a transmitter to broadcast weather data. |
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Term
AUTOMATIC DIRECTION FINDER (ADF) |
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Definition
An aircraft radio navigation system which senses and indicates the direction to an L/MF nondirectional radio beacon (NDB) ground transmitter. Direction is indicated to the pilot as a magnetic bearing or as a relative bearing to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft depending on the type of indicator installed in the aircraft. In certain applications, such as military, ADF operations may be based on airborne and ground transmitters in the VHF/UHF frequency spectrum. |
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Term
AUTOMATIC TERMINAL INFORMATION SERVICE (ATIS) |
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Definition
The continuous broadcast of recorded noncontrol information in selected terminal areas. Its purpose is to improve controller effectiveness and to relieve frequency congestion by automating the repetitive transmission of essential but routine information. |
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Definition
An automatic flight control system which keeps an aircraft in level flight or on a set course. Automatic pilots can be directed by the pilot, or they may be coupled to a radio navigation signal. |
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Term
AVIATION ROUTINE WEATHER REPORT (METAR) |
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Definition
Observation of current surface weather reported in a standard international format. |
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Term
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Definition
Three imaginary lines that pass through an aircraft’s center of gravity. The axes can be considered as imaginary axles around which the aircraft turns. The three axes pass through the center of gravity at 90° angles to each other. The axis from nose to tail is the longitudinal axis, the axis that passes from wingtip to wingtip is the lateral axis and the axis that passes vertically through the center of gravity is the vertical axis. |
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Definition
A type of compressor used in a turbine engine in which the airflow through the compressor is essentially linear. An axial-flow compressor is made up of several stages of alternate rotors and stators. The compressor ratio is determined by the decrease in area of the succeeding stages. |
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Definition
An auxiliary control mounted on a primary control surface, which automatically moves in the direction opposite the primary control to provide an aerodynamic assist in the movement of the control. Sometimes referred to as a servo tab. |
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Term
BASIC EMPTY WEIGHT (GAMA) |
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Definition
Basic empty weight includes the standard empty weight plus optional and special equipment that has been installed. |
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Term
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Definition
A principle that explains how the pressure of a moving fluid varies with its speed of motion. An increase in the speed of movement causes a decrease in the fluid’s pressure. |
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Definition
Airplanes with two sets of wings. |
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Definition
The ratio of the mass airflow in pounds per second through the fan section of a turbofan engine to the mass airflow that passes through the gas generator portion of the engine. |
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Definition
Cabin pressure in terms of equivalent altitude above sea level. |
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Term
CALIBRATED AIRSPEED (CAS) |
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Definition
Indicated airspeed corrected for installation error and instrument error. Although manufacturers attempt to keep airspeed errors to a minimum, it is not possible to eliminate all errors throughout the airspeed operating range. At certain airspeeds and with certain flap settings, the installation and instrument errors may total several knots. This error is generally greatest at low airspeeds. In the cruising and higher airspeed ranges, indicated airspeed and calibrated airspeed are approximately the same. Refer to the airspeed calibration chart to correct for possible airspeed errors. |
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Term
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Definition
The camber of an airfoil is the characteristic curve of its upper and lower surfaces. The upper camber is more pronounced, while the lower camber is comparatively flat. This causes the velocity of the airflow immediately above the wing to be much higher than that below the wing. |
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