An aircraft without a human pilot onboard, controlled from an operator on the ground.
An aircraft without a human pilot onboard, controlled from an operator on the ground.
A lightweight aircraft with specific limitations on weight, fuel capacity, and speed.
When an aircraft touches down short of the designated landing area.
A localized column of rising air.
The difference between the maximum allowable gross weight and the basic empty weight of an aircraft.
Designated speeds for aircraft operations, such as V1 (takeoff decision speed), V2 (takeoff safety speed), and Vr (rotation speed).
A surveillance technology in which an aircraft determines its position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcasts it, enabling it to be tracked.
A system of lights on the side of an airport runway threshold that provides visual descent guidance information during the approach to a runway.
The altitude of an aircraft as measured from the ground surface rather than from mean sea level.
A set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going.
The largest airline pilot union in the world, representing and advocating for over 60,000 pilots.
A device on an aircraft that provides energy for functions other than propulsion.
A type of short-range radio navigation system for aircraft, enabling aircraft to determine their position and stay on course.
An international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services, including those in aviation.
An instrument that displays the rate of climb or descent of an aircraft.
A service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace.
Turbulence that forms behind an aircraft as it passes through the air, often created by wingtip vortices.
A continuous broadcast of recorded aeronautical information in busier terminal areas.
The actual distance between an aircraft and the ground directly below it.
A specified geographical location used for route definition or progress-reporting purposes.
The runway length required for an aircraft to accelerate to takeoff speed and then brake to a full stop.
Calculation of the weight of an aircraft and the location of the aircraft’s center of gravity.
The tendency of an aircraft to yaw in the opposite direction of a roll.
Flight maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes not used in normal flight.
A sudden change in wind speed or direction, which can be hazardous to aircraft operations, particularly during takeoff and landing.
A defined area on land or water (including any buildings, installations, and equipment) intended to be used either wholly or in part for the arrival, departure, and surface movement of aircraft.
Abbreviation for transponder, a device that emits an identifying signal in response to an interrogating received signal.
An additional component added to some jet engines to provide a temporary increase in thrust, typically for supersonic flight and combat aircraft.
Control surfaces on the trailing edge of the wings that control roll by creating differential lift.
A device used to reduce or eliminate unwanted yaw oscillations in an aircraft.
The shape of a wing or blade (of a propeller, rotor, or turbine) as seen in cross-section.
The rotation of an aircraft about its vertical axis.
The speed of an aircraft relative to the air through which it is moving.
The total weight of an aircraft and all its contents, minus the total weight of the usable fuel on board.
An instrument that measures the height of an aircraft above a given level, usually mean sea level.
The angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the direction of the air flowing past the airfoil.
A term used in aviation to denote Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), which is equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
A downward angle from horizontal of an aircraft’s wing or tailplane.
In aeronautics, the ratio of a wing’s span to its mean chord.
The orientation of an aircraft with respect to the horizon.
A system used to control the trajectory of an aircraft without constant manual control by a human operator.
The electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft.
A parachute system designed to lower an entire aircraft safely to the ground in case of an emergency.
The flight regime in which higher drag requires higher thrust to maintain altitude, typically at low airspeeds.
A space in an aircraft for storing luggage and cargo.
The angle between the lateral axis of the aircraft and the horizon.
Pilots who performed stunts and flew paying passengers in the 1920s.
A flight path at right angles to the landing runway off its approach end. The base leg normally extends from the downwind leg to the intersection of the extended runway centerline.
In fluid dynamics, an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in static pressure or a decrease in the fluid’s potential energy. This principle is fundamental to the concept of lift in aviation.
The angle between the chord of a propeller blade and the plane of rotation.
Compressed air taken from the compressor stage of a gas turbine engine for aircraft services such as pressurization, anti-icing, and hydraulic reservoir pressurization.
In jet engines, the point where fan air and core air mix in the exhaust.
In a turbofan engine, the ratio between the mass flow rate of air drawn through the fan disk but bypassing the engine core to the mass flow rate passing through the engine core.
Turbulence encountered by aircraft when flying through air containing no visible moisture or suspended particles.
The air pressure inside the aircraft’s cabin, typically maintained at a comfortable and safe level for passengers and crew.
The asymmetry between the two acting surfaces of an airfoil.
The height above the ground or water of the base of the lowest layer of cloud below 20,000 feet covering more than half the sky.
The point at which an aircraft would balance if it were possible to suspend it at that point.
An aircraft maneuver where the pilot combines a 180-degree turn with a climb.
An imaginary straight line joining the leading and trailing edges of an airfoil.
Generally, airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL600.
Authorization from air traffic control for an aircraft to proceed under specified conditions.
A device used to record the audio environment in the flight deck for accidents and incident investigation.
The area where pilots control the aircraft, also known as the flight deck.
The region of flight where the margin between high speed buffet and low speed stall converges.
The angle of attack which produces the maximum lift coefficient. This is also called the stall angle of attack.
The component of wind velocity perpendicular to the runway or the flight path.
Wind blowing across the line of travel of an aircraft.
An aviation navigation aid that measures the slant range distance from the aircraft to a ground station.
Ingenious or intricate, often referring to complex aviation systems or maneuvers.
A method of navigation using time, speed, distance, and direction to estimate position without external references.
Landing an aircraft after a complete engine failure.
Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature variations.
The upward angle from horizontal of an aircraft’s wings or tailplane.
The downward deflection of air behind a wing generating lift.
The force that opposes an aircraft’s motion through the air.
A type of aircraft motion consisting of an out-of-phase combination of yaw and roll.
The temperature of the exhaust gases as they leave the cylinders of a piston engine or the turbine section of a turbine engine.
A device carried on most general aviation aircraft that aids in search and rescue in the event of a crash.
Applies to multi-engine aircraft on routes with flight time more than 60 minutes from an adequate airport.
A small, adjustable hinged surface on the trailing edge of the elevator control surface.
The control surface on the horizontal stabilizer that controls the aircraft’s pitch.
A directive requiring immediate action to correct an unsafe condition in an aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance.
The tail section of an aircraft, including the vertical and horizontal stabilizers.
One complete sequence of using the starter to start the engine, regardless of whether the engine starts or not.
The national aviation authority of the United States.
A system consisting of a digital computer and ancillary components that control an aircraft engine.
Rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration governing all aviation activities in the United States.
A commercial business granted the right by an airport to operate on the airport and provide aeronautical services.
A voluntary program designed to enhance general aviation safety through scenario-based training.
A voluntary safety program designed to improve aviation safety through the proactive use of flight recorded data.
Movable surfaces on the wings that increase lift and drag, typically used during takeoff and landing.
The final portion of the landing approach, when the pilot reduces power and raises the nose of the aircraft, gradually decreasing the rate of descent before touchdown.
A device used to record specific aircraft performance parameters for accidents and incident investigation.
The capabilities of an aircraft in terms of airspeed and load factor.
A surface of constant atmospheric pressure which is related to a specific pressure datum, 1013.2 hectopascals (hPa), and is separated from other such surfaces by specific pressure intervals.
The line or course along which an aircraft is flying or intends to fly.
A dynamic instability of an elastic body in an airstream, caused by the aerodynamic forces coupling with the structure’s natural modes of vibration.
A method of defining periodic waveforms in terms of trigonometric functions, often used in analyzing aircraft vibrations.
The main body of an aircraft.
A measurement of acceleration felt as weight, with 1G being equivalent to normal earth gravity.
A global system of satellites providing autonomous geo-spatial positioning and timing information.
A satellite-based navigation system used in aviation for precise positioning and navigation.
An aircraft cockpit that features electronic (digital) flight instrument displays rather than the traditional analog dials and gauges.
The ratio of forward movement to vertical descent when an aircraft is unpowered.
An aborted landing of an aircraft that is on final approach or has already touched down.
The increased lift and decreased aerodynamic drag that an aircraft’s wings generate when they are close to a fixed surface.
The horizontal speed of an aircraft relative to the ground.
A closed building structure to hold aircraft or spacecraft in protective storage.
A movable marker on the heading indicator that can be rotated to a desired heading as a reference.
The direction in which an aircraft’s nose is pointing.
The line at which the earth’s surface and the sky appear to meet.
A condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level.
The airspeed read directly from the airspeed indicator on an aircraft, uncorrected for variations in atmospheric density, installation error, or instrument error.
A UN specialized agency that manages the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
A set of regulations governing flight under conditions in which flight by outside visual reference is not safe.
A ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway.
The part of an engine that supplies the fuel/air mixture to the cylinders in a piston engine.
An enclosed, movable connector which extends from an airport terminal gate to an airplane, allowing passengers to board and disembark without going outside.
A physiological condition caused by disruption to the body’s circadian rhythms due to rapid long-distance trans-meridian travel.
A narrow band of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere.
A registered trademark for a type of jet bridge.
A control device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling.
The tendency of an aircraft to weathervane into the wind when taxiing.
A line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Beechcraft, known for its use in corporate and private aviation.
A unit of speed equal to one nautical mile (1.852 km) per hour, approximately 1.151 mph.
The component of an ILS that provides lateral guidance with respect to the runway centerline.
A type of pilot training that emphasizes the practice of line-operational (real-world) scenarios.
A high-precision GPS aviation instrument approach procedure.
Smooth, uninterrupted flow of air over the contour of the wings, fuselage, or other parts of an aircraft.
The amount of lift generated by a wing or vehicle, divided by the aerodynamic drag it creates by moving through the air.
The force that directly opposes the weight of an aircraft and holds it in the air.
The ratio of the lift of an aircraft to its weight.
A list which provides for the operation of aircraft with inoperative equipment, subject to specific conditions.
A format for reporting weather information, typically used by pilots in preflight weather briefings.
The maximum allowable weight for an aircraft at the start of the takeoff run.
The ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium.
A phenomenon whereby the nose of an aircraft tends to pitch downward as the aircraft approaches the speed of sound.
An engine-driven electrical generator that provides power for the engine’s ignition system and operates independently of the aircraft’s main electrical system.
A network of high-resolution Doppler weather radars operated by the National Weather Service.
A notice filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the safety of the flight.
An independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation.
An optical instrument that allows images to be produced in levels of light approaching total darkness.
The temperature of the air outside of an aircraft, usually measured in degrees Celsius.
A condition where one engine of a multi-engine aircraft has stopped functioning.
A major service operation in which an aircraft engine is disassembled, inspected, repaired as necessary, reassembled, tested, and approved for return to service within the fits and limits specified by the manufacturer’s overhaul data.
When an aircraft passes beyond the normal landing point on a runway.
The altitude in the standard atmosphere corresponding to a particular value of air pressure.
A system allowing pilots to control airport lighting systems from their aircraft through the use of the aircraft’s radio transmitter.
An automated clearance delivery system that provides clearance information to subscribers at selected airports.
An aircraft instrument display that provides the pilot with the primary flight instruments in an integrated form.
The pilot responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft during flight time.
A document developed by the aircraft manufacturer and approved by the FAA, containing information on safe and effective operation of the aircraft.
The person aboard the aircraft who is ultimately responsible for its operation and safety during flight.
The degree of rotation of an aircraft about its lateral axis.
A pressure measurement instrument used to measure fluid flow velocity.
A type of fan that transmits power by converting rotational motion into thrust.
The atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation (or at runway threshold).
The barometric altimeter setting that causes the altimeter to read altitude above mean sea level.
A technology developed to assess the integrity of GPS signals in a GPS receiver system.
The increase in air pressure inside the engine’s intake due to the aircraft’s forward motion, which improves engine performance.
A method of navigation which permits aircraft operation on any desired flight path within the coverage of ground- or space-based navigation aids.
A measure of the frequency of rotation, typically of an engine or propeller.
The range over which the pilot of an aircraft on the centerline of a runway can see the runway surface markings or the lights delineating the runway or identifying its centerline.
A heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support in flight on the lift generated by one or more rotors.
The control surface attached to the vertical stabilizer that controls yaw.
A defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and takeoff of aircraft.
A pre-planned instrument flight rule (IFR) air traffic control departure procedure.
A weather advisory that contains information concerning the formation of weather phenomena that may affect the safety of all aircraft.
A pre-planned instrument flight rule (IFR) air traffic control arrival procedure.
Aerodynamic surfaces on the leading edge of the wings of fixed-wing aircraft which, when deployed, allow the wing to operate at a higher angle of attack.
Devices used to increase drag or reduce lift of an aircraft.
A four-digit transponder code used to identify an aircraft on air traffic control radar.
A condition in aerodynamics and aviation where the angle of attack increases beyond a certain point such that lift begins to decrease.
A mechanical device that vibrates the control stick or yoke of an aircraft to warn the pilot of an imminent stall.
A concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions at an airport during a specified period.
The speed of an aircraft relative to the air mass in which it is flying.
An aircraft collision avoidance system designed to reduce the incidence of mid-air collisions.
A type of NOTAM that defines an area restricted to air travel due to a hazardous condition, a special event, or a general warning for the entire FAA airspace.
A minimum performance standard for specified materials, parts, and appliances used on civil aircraft.
Wind blowing in the same direction as the aircraft is moving.
A device fitted to an aircraft engine to help slow the aircraft down on landing by reversing the flow of the engine exhaust.
The force which moves an aircraft through the air.
An electronic device that produces a response when it receives a radio-frequency interrogation.
