An A-Z of aviation terms and definitions

Term Definition

Absolute altitude The vertical distance of the aircraft above the ground.
Adverse yaw When the nose of an aircraft turns away from the direction of turn.
A publication by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that
instructs pilots how to operate correctly in the US National Airspace
Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
USA and Canada. The AIM is the official guide to flight information,
Air Traffic Control (ATC) procedures and aviation safety.
A service operated by the authorities to ensure the safety of air
traffic. Air traffic controllers in a ground-based ATC facility direct
Air Traffic Control (ATC)
aircraft in their area during take-off, landing and while flying in the
airspace.
The shape of a surface such as a wing, blade, turbine or rotor that
Airfoil
generates lift from air passing over it.
A cockpit instrument that measures the aircraft’s altitude. The
Altimeter altimeter consists of an aneroid barometer which calculates altitude
based on the current air pressure.
Altitude indicator An instrument that details the relation of the aircraft to the horizon.
The angle made from the chord line of an airfoil and the direction of
Angle of attack
the air that strikes it.
The downward angle or inclination of an airplane’s wing in relation
Anhedral
to a horizontal cross-section line.
A nose-to-tail inspection of an aircraft that is required every 12
Annual inspection
months.
An aircraft that is often wingless, similar to a helicopter. However,
Autogiro or autogyro an autogiro has unpowered rotary blades that rotate due to air speed
and slipstream to get air powered-lift. Also known as a gyroplane.
The switch that controls electrical power to all electronic navigation
Avionics master switch
and communications equipment in the aircraft.
A descending flight path that runs in the direction of landing along
Base leg
the runway.
Often referred to as "L over D max," this is the highest value of the
Best lift over drag ratio
ratios of lift to drag for any airfoil.
The angle between the chord of a propeller blade and a plane of
Blade angle
rotation.
Compressed hot air that is produced by the operation of the engine.
Bleed air
This is then used at high pressure for de-icing and heating the jet.
Camber The degree of curve in an airfoil.
Cargo Goods carried on an airplane.
Stands for Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited, which indicates the
CAVU ideal flying conditions, with a visibility of at least 10 miles and a
ceiling of at least 10,000 feet.
Charter Hiring an airplane. Business and high-profile clients may often charte
 An imaginary line on an airfoil from the leading edge to the trailing
Chord line
edge.
Authorization given by air traffic control aimed to prevent collision
Clearance
between aircraft.
Climb A maneuver that increases the altitude of the aircraft.
A defined area of the sky that is controlled by ATC services.
Controllers direct planes through the airspace, plotting the safest
and most efficient route for each aircraft. All airplanes flying in
Controlled airspace
controlled airspace must get clearance to enter the zone and be
equipped to national regulations. The pilot must have the correct
qualifications.
Also known as "CDI", this is the needle on the VOR indicator that
Course deviation indicator
shows whether the aircraft is to the right or left of the desired radial.
Crosswind Wind that blows in a direction not parallel to the course.
A term for a forced landing, which takes place when the plane loses
Deadstick
all propulsive power because the engine and propeller have stopped.
A triangle-shaped wing that looks similar to the shape of the
Delta wing uppercase Greek letter, delta. This type of wing is often used on
fighter planes because of its superb aerodynamics.
Descent A flight maneuver that causes a downward inclination.
A condition on the aircraft that signals danger and requires
Distress
immediate action.
In aeronautics, the term describes air that is deflected downwards
Downwash by the aircraft wing or a rotor blade on a helicopter, usually when
the plane is taking off.
A flight path that runs parallel to the landing runway in the opposite
Downwind leg
direction of landing.
A force on the aircraft as it moves through the air. The force runs
Drag
parallel and opposite to the airplane's direction.
A surface before the take-off area on the runway that is kept clear.
Emergency overrun This portion is designed to minimize damage to an aircraft if it is
unable to stop.
A term for the aircraft’s tail, which is made up of a rudder, a fin
Empennage and a stabilizer. This is also known as the tail or tail assembly and
provides stability for the jet during flight.
An aircraft engine is a machine that converts energy to power the
Engine
plane.
Commonly referred to as "ETE"; the estimated flight time a journey w
Estimated time en route
destination or checkpoint.
Commonly referred to as "ETA"; the time an aircraft is predicted to
Estimated time of arrival
arrive in its destination or checkpoint.
A national authority in the United States that regulates all aspects
Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)
of civil aviation.
Final approach A flight path that leads towards the landing runway.
A business or organization that operates at an airport. An FBO
Fixed Base Operator (FBO) provides aircraft operating services like maintenance, fueling,
flight training, charter services, hangaring and parking.
 A control surface that uses aspects of both flaps and ailerons, such
Flaperon
as on the wing, to direct the roll or bank of a plane.
Flat surfaces added to the edges of the wing. These change the
Flaps curve of the wing and allow the pilot to adjust lift and drag so the
plane can safely fly at a lower speed.
Another name for the cockpit, which is located at the front of the
Flight deck
aircraft and holds the pilot and instrument panels.
Information filed with the relevant ATC authority about a flight,
Flight plan
including its duration, route and destination.
Fuselage The central body portion of an aircraft.
The personnel and equipment in a control tower who are responsible
Ground control
aircraft on the ground.
Groundspeed The horizontal speed that an aircraft travels over the ground.
A small lifting surface on the tail of an aircraft, also known as the
Horizontal stabilizer
tailplane, that provides stability.
The rules that govern flying under instrument meteorological
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions. Pilots follow these rules and create IFR flight plans for
various weather conditions.
A radar-based system which allows ILS-equipped aircraft to find a
Instrument landing system (ILS)
runway and land safely, even when clouds are as low as 200 feet.
Also known as the control column, the joystick is the main device
Joystick in the cockpit for controlling the aircraft. The joystick is usually
floor- or roof-mounted.
A measurement or unit of speed that equals one nautical mile and
Knot
about 1.15 statute miles.
The undercarriage of an aircraft. This structure supports the plane
Landing gear
when it’s not flying and is used during taxi, lift-off and landing.
A flight maneuver that causes the aircraft to stay at the same
Level flight
altitude.
The aerodynamic force acting on an airplane that runs perpendicular
Lift to the relative wind. Lift causes the upward force that allows the
aircraft to oppose gravity.
Lighter-than-air craft (LTA craft) Refers to things like blimps, dirigibles and free balloons that float.
A direction of orientation; an imaginary line that passes horizontally
Longitudinal axis
through the center of gravity, from the head to tail of an aircraft.
A liquid-type compass and essential navigation instrument that
Magnetic compass
displays an aircraft’s orientation in relation to the magnetic poles.
A speed calculated by the aircraft manufacturer that keeps the user
Maneuvering speed
from exceeding the maximum load factor for the airplane.
Master switch The switch that controls power to all electrical circuits in an aircraft.
The average height of the surface of the sea. MSL is used in aviation
Mean sea level (MSL)
to measure altitude.
The registration number on a US-registered plane. The letter N is
N number
the letter internationally used to identify a US plane.
Stands for Navigational Aid, a device in an aircraft used to help
Navaid
with navigation.
An instrument in the aircraft that shows the pressure of the
Oil pressure gauge
lubricating oil in the engine.
 Indicates limits for a specific aircraft’s speed, weight, pressure, and
Operating limitations passenger and crew size. The limits are determined by the aircraft
manufacturer.
The pilot responsible for the safety and operation of the plane for
Pilot in command (PIC)
the duration of the flight.
A motion on an aircraft's lateral axis (which runs from wing to wing) that
Pitch causes the forward end to rise or fall.
Ignition that takes place in an internal combustion engine before
Preignition
the usual ignition occurs.
Also called "PDF", this is the electronic display screen that indicates
Primary flight display the horizon, altitude, airspeed, vertical speed, rate of turn, trend and
more.
A rotating piece powered by the engine that produces thrust to
Propeller
propel the airplane through the air.
A type of aircraft that has four or more wings of similar spans, also
Quadraplane
known as quadruplanes.
A facility based in an airport terminal that uses both non-radar and
radar to provide services for planes that are moving through a
Radar Approach Control Facility (RAPCON) controlled airspace, landing, or taking off. RAPCONs commonly
operate near civil and military airports and may be controlled by
the FAA, military or both.
The number assigned to an aircraft by the government for purposes
Registration number of identification. The number must be displayed on the exterior of
the aircraft so it is visible.
Roll Motion on an aircraft along its nose-to-tail axis.
A vertical control surface in the tail of an airplane, which controls
Rudder
the side-to-side movement (YAW) of an aircraft.
A rectangular area of the ground set aside for aircraft to land and
Runway
take-off.
A short runway length at the airport that requires a pilot to take off
Short field
or land an aircraft within the shortest possible distance.
An aircraft with just one engine. Single-engined jets include light
Single engine
aircraft such as Cessnas.
Soft field An unpaved airport runway typically comprised of grass or dirt.
A four-digit number assigned to an aircraft. The pilot can use this
SQUAWK
number to identify his or her plane when contacting ATC.
An aircraft condition when the angle of attack is so great that the
Stall
air no longer flows easily over the airfoil.
The flight maneuver that causes the aircraft to maintain the same
Straight flight
direction.
Tail The aerodynamic surfaces located at the rear of an aircraft.
Threshold The portion of a runway that is available for landing.
A valve in the carburetor that controls the amount of fuel that can
Throttle
enter the engine.
An aerodynamic force produced by a propeller or engine that pushes
Thrust
an aircraft forward.
Torque A force that aims to produce rotation.
Tower A radio call sign used to reach the local controller.
The device carried in an airplane that produces a coded pattern
Transponder
which is recognized on an air traffic control radar screen.
Also called "TAS"; the speed of an aircraft as it moves through the
True airspeed
air. The number is corrected to account for temperature and altitude.
The distance of an aircraft above sea level. This is represented in
True altitude
Mean Sea Level.
A turbine-driven forced induction device, also known as a
Turbosuperchargers turbocharger. It increases the power and efficiency of a combustion
engine and is used in aviation and ground vehicles.
A flight path that runs parallel to the landing runway in the same
Upwind leg
direction as landing.
A potential distress scenario that requires assistance, though not
Urgent condition
necessarily immediate.
A panel instrument that measures the rate of climb or descent in
Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) feet-per-minute, by sensing the change in atmospheric pressure.
The VSI is also known as a variometer.
Also called "VOR", this is a short-range radio navigation system
Very high frequency omnidirectional range that allows aircraft to determine their position and receive radio
signals from beacons on the ground.
A method of steering an aircraft such as a hand glider or paraglider.
Weight-shift-control The pilot uses their weight to steer the craft, pushing against a
triangular control bar that’s attached to the wing structure.
Wind Shear A quick change in wind speed or wind direction at any angle.
The piece of a heavier-than-air aircraft that creates aerodynamic lift.
Wing
An employee on the ground who assists the aircraft by walking on
Wing walker
the wings to ensure there is ample space for clearance.
YAW The side-to-side movement of an aircraft on its vertical axis.
Yoke The control wheel of an aircraft, similar to a car steering wheel.
A term for Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), also known as
Zulu Time
Greenwich Mean Time. All flight plans use Zulu Time