Aviation Terms: A Refresher Glossary

Aeronautical Decision-Making

Training and planning to make the best and safest decisions to mitigate risk.

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

A publication by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that instructs pilots how to operate correctly in the US National Airspace System. There are separate guides for the USA and Canada. The AIM is the official guide to flight information, Air Traffic Control (ATC) procedures and aviation safety.

Airspace Classes

The different types of airspace defined by ICAO and adopted around the world. They include controlled, uncontrolled, and special use airspace.

Air Taxi Operator

An aircraft company that operates under FAR Part 135. The aircraft must be originally designed to have no more than 60 passenger seats or a cargo payload of 18,000 lbs and carries cargo or mail on either a scheduled or charter basis, and/or carries passengers on an on-demand basis or limited scheduled basis.

Annual inspection

A nose-to-tail inspection of an aircraft that is required every 12 months.

Apron

The paved area at an airport where aircraft park, fuel, load, and unload.

AWIS

Aviation Weather Information Service

Base leg

A descending flight path that runs in the direction of landing along the runway.

CAVU

Stands for Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited, which indicates the 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 charter a private jet.

Clearance

Authorization given by air traffic control aimed to prevent collision between aircraft.

Commuter

An aircraft category outlined by the FAA as “limited to propeller-driven, multi-engine airplanes that have a seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of 19 or less, and a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 19,000 pound or less. The commuter category operation is limited to any maneuver incident to normal flying, stalls (except whip stalls), and steep turns, in which the angle of bank is not more than 60 degrees.”

Controlled airspace

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 must get clearance to enter the zone and be equipped to national regulations. The pilot must have the correct qualifications.

Distress

A condition on the aircraft that signals danger and requires immediate action

Emergency overrun

A surface before the take-off area on the runway that is kept clear. This portion is designed to minimize damage to an aircraft if it is unable to stop.

Final Approach

A flight path running in the direction of the runway intended for landing that ends with a landing.

Fixed Base Operator (FBO)

A business or organization that operates at an airport. An FBO provides aircraft operating services like maintenance, fueling, flight training, charter services, hangaring and parking

Flight plan

Information filed with the relevant ATC authority about a flight, including its duration, route and destination.

F/O – First Officer

Second in command of the aircraft

FSDO – Flight Standards District Office

Local authority overseen by the FAA

FSS – Flight Service Station

An air traffic facility that provides information and services to pilots.

General Aviation

The division of civil aviation aircraft operations that includes all but commercial air transport and aerial work.

Ground control

The personnel and equipment in a control tower who are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of aircraft on the ground.

Hangar 

A building made to hold aircraft for storing, maintenance, assembly, etc.

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

The rules that govern flying under instrument meteorological conditions. Pilots follow these rules and create IFR flight plans for various weather conditions.

Instrument landing system (ILS)

A radar-based system which allows ILS-equipped aircraft to find a runway and land safely, even when clouds are as low as 200 feet.

Knot

A measurement or unit of speed that equals one nautical mile and about 1.15 statute miles.

N number

The registration number on a US-registered plane. The letter N is the letter internationally used to identify a US plane.

NOTAMs

Abbreviation for “Notices to airmen.” which are written notices provided to pilots prior to flights advising them of relevant circumstances.

Oil pressure gauge

An instrument in the aircraft that shows the pressure of the lubricating oil in the engine.

Operating limitations

Indicates limits for a specific aircraft’s speed, weight, pressure, and passenger and crew size. The limits are determined by the aircraft manufacturer.

PIREP – Pilot Report

Report made by a pilot during flight to ATC describing actual weather conditions.

Primary flight display

Also called "PDF", this is the electronic display screen that indicates the horizon, altitude, airspeed, vertical speed, rate of turn, trend and more.

Radar Approach Control Facility        

(RAPCON)

A facility based in an airport terminal that uses both non-radar and radar to provide services for planes that are moving through a controlled airspace, landing, or taking off. RAPCONs commonly operate near civil and military airports and may be controlled by the FAA, military or both.

Registration number

The number assigned to an aircraft by the government for purposes of identification. The number must be displayed on the exterior of the aircraft so it is visible.

Runway

A rectangular area of the ground set aside for aircraft to land and take-off.

Short field

A short runway length at the airport that requires a pilot to take off or land an aircraft within the shortest possible distance.

Single engine

An aircraft with just one engine. Single-engined jets include light aircraft such as Cessnas.

Soft field

An unpaved airport runway typically comprised of grass or dirt

SQUAWK

A four-digit number assigned to an aircraft. The pilot can use this number to identify his or her plane when contacting ATC.

Threshold

The portion of a runway that is available for landing.

Tower

A radio call sign used to reach the local controller

Transponder

The device carried in an airplane that produces a coded pattern which is recognized on an air traffic control radar screen.

Urgent condition

A potential distress scenario that requires assistance, though not necessarily immediate.

Wing walker

An employee on the ground who assists the aircraft by walking on the wings to ensure there is ample space for clearance.

Wx

Weather

Zulu Time

A term for Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time. All flight plans use Zulu Time.