Aeronautical Terms beginning with A
Absolute accuracy
The ability to determine present position in space independently, and is most often used by pilots.
Absolute altitude
The actual distance between an aircraft and the terrain over which it is flying.
Absolute pressure
Pressure measured from the reference of zero pressure, or a vacuum.
Acceleration
Force involved in overcoming inertia, and which may be defined as a change in velocity per unit of time.
Acceleration error
A magnetic compass error apparent when the aircraft accelerates while flying on an easterly or westerly heading, causing the compass card to rotate toward North.
Accelerate-go distance
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.
Accelerate-stop distance
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).
Accelerometer
A part of an inertial navigation system (INS) that accurately measures the force of acceleration in one direction.
Adiabatic cooling
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.
Adiabatic heating
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.
Adjustable-pitch propeller
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.
Adjustable stabilizer
A stabilizer that can be adjusted in flight to trim the airplane, thereby allowing the airplane to fly hands-off at any given airspeed.
Advection fog
Fog resulting from the movement of warm, humid air over a cold surface.
Adverse yaw
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.
Aerodynamics
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.
Aeronautical chart
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.
Aeronautical decision-making (ADM)
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.
Agonic line
An irregular imaginary line across the surface of the Earth along which the magnetic and geographic poles are in alignment, and along which there is no magnetic variation.
Ailerons
Primary flight control surfaces mounted on the trailing edge of an airplane wing, near the tip. Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis.
Aircraft
A device that is used, or intended to be used, for flight.
Aircraft altitude
The actual height above sea level at which the aircraft is flying.
Aircraft approach category
A performance grouping of aircraft based on a speed of 1.3 times the stall speed in the landing configuration at maximum gross landing weight.
Air data computer (ADC)
An aircraft computer that receives and processes pitot pressure, static pressure, and temperature to calculate very precise altitude, indicated airspeed, true airspeed, and air temperature.
Airfoil
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.
Air mass
An extensive body of air having fairly uniform properties of temperature and moisture.
Airplane
An engine-driven, fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of air against its wings.
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
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.
Airplane Owner/Information Manual
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 FAA approved 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.
Airport diagram
The section of an instrument approach procedure chart that shows a detailed diagram of the airport. This diagram includes surface features and airport configuration information.
Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD)
An FAA publication containing information on all airports, communications, and NAVAIDs. Title changed to Chart Supplement.
Airport surface detection equipment (ASDE)
Radar equipment specifically designed to detect all principal features and traffic on the surface of an airport, presenting the entire image on the control tower console; used to augment visual observation by tower personnel of aircraft and/or vehicular movements on runways and taxiways.
Airport surveillance radar (ASR)
Approach control radar used to detect and display an aircraft’s position in the terminal area.
Airport surveillance radar approach
An instrument approach in which ATC issues instructions for pilot compliance based on aircraft position in relation to the final approach course and the distance from the end of the runway as displayed on the controller’s radar scope.
Air route surveillance radar (ARSR)
Air route traffic control center (ARTCC) radar used primarily to detect and display an aircraft’s position while en route between terminal areas.
Air route traffic control center (ARTCC)
Provides ATC service to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans within controlled airspace and principally during the en route phase of flight.
Airspeed
Rate of the aircraft’s progress through the air.
Airspeed indicator
A differential pressure gauge that measures the dynamic pressure of the air through which the aircraft is flying. Displays the craft’s airspeed, typically in knots, to the pilot.
Air traffic control radar beacon system (ATCRBS)
Sometimes called secondary surveillance radar (SSR), which utilizes a transponder in the aircraft. The ground equipment is an interrogating unit, in which the beacon antenna is mounted so it rotates with the surveillance antenna. The interrogating unit transmits a coded pulse sequence that actuates the aircraft transponder. The transponder answers the coded sequence by transmitting a preselected coded sequence back to the ground equipment, providing a strong return signal and positive aircraft identification, as well as other special data.
Airway
An airway is based on a centerline that extends from one navigation aid or intersection to another navigation aid (or through several navigation aids or intersections); used to establish a known route for en route procedures between terminal areas.
Airworthiness Certificate
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.
Airworthiness Directive
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.
Alert area
An area in which there is a high volume of pilot training or an unusual type of aeronautical activity.
Almanac data
Information the global positioning system (GPS) receiver can obtain from one satellite which describes the approximate orbital positioning of all satellites in the constellation. This information is necessary for the GPS receiver to know what satellites to look for in the sky at a given time.
Alternate airport
An airport designated in an IFR flight plan, providing a suitable destination if a landing at the intended airport becomes inadvisable.
Alternate static source valve
A valve in the instrument static air system that supplies reference air pressure to the altimeter, airspeed indicator, and vertical speed indicator if the normal static pickup should become clogged or iced over.
Altimeter
A flight instrument that indicates altitude by sensing pressure changes.
Altimeter setting
Station pressure (the barometric pressure at the location the reading is taken) which has been corrected for the height of the station above sea level.
Altitude engine
A reciprocating aircraft engine having a rated takeoff power that is producible from sea level to an established higher altitude.
Ambient pressure
The pressure in the area immediately surrounding the aircraft.
Ambient temperature
The temperature in the area immediately surrounding the aircraft.
Amendment status
The circulation date and revision number of an instrument approach procedure, printed above the procedure identification.
Ammeter
An instrument installed in series with an electrical load used to measure the amount of current flowing through the load.
Aneroid
The sensitive component in an altimeter or barometer that measures the absolute pressure of the air. It is a sealed, flat capsule made of thin disks of corrugated metal soldered together and evacuated by pumping all of the air out of it.
Aneroid barometer
An instrument that measures the absolute pressure of the atmosphere by balancing the weight of the air above it against the spring action of the aneroid.
Angle of attack
The acute angle formed between the chord line of an airfoil and the direction of the air striking the airfoil.
Angle of incidence
The angle formed by the chord line of the wing and a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the airplane.
Anhedral
A downward slant from root to tip of an aircraft’s wing or horizontal tail surface.
Annual inspection
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.
Anti-ice
Preventing the accumulation of ice on an aircraft structure via a system designed for that purpose.
Antiservo tab
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.
Approach lighting system (ALS)
Provides lights that will penetrate the atmosphere far enough from touchdown to give directional, distance, and glidepath information for safe transition from instrument to visual flight.
Area chart
Part of the low-altitude en route chart series, this chart furnishes terminal data at a larger scale for congested areas.
Area forecast (FA)
A report that gives a picture of clouds, general weather conditions, and visual meteorological conditions (VMC) expected over a large area encompassing several states. (Discontinued, replaced by Graphical Forecasts for Aviation)
Area navigation (RNAV)
Allows a pilot to fly a selected course to a predetermined point without the need to overfly ground-based navigation facilities, by using waypoints.
Arm
Moment arm.
Aspect ratio
Span of a wing divided by its average chord.
Asymmetric thrust
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 P-factor would be to the right if the aircraft had a counterclockwise rotating propeller.
Atmospheric propagation delay
A bending of the electromagnetic (EM) wave from the satellite that creates an error in the GPS system.
Attitude
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.
Attitude and heading reference system (AHRS)
A system composed of three-axis sensors that provide heading, attitude, and yaw information for aircraft. AHRS are designed to replace traditional mechanical gyroscopic flight instruments and provide superior reliability and accuracy.
Attitude director indicator (ADI)
An aircraft attitude indicator that incorporates flight command bars to provide pitch and roll commands.
Attitude indicator
The foundation for all instrument flight, this instrument reflects the airplane’s attitude in relation to the horizon.
Attitude instrument flying
Controlling the aircraft by reference to the instruments rather than by outside visual cues.
Attitude management
The ability to recognize hazardous attitudes in oneself and the willingness to modify them as necessary through the application of an appropriate antidote thought.
Autokinesis
Nighttime visual illusion that a stationary light is moving, which becomes apparent after several seconds of staring at the light.
Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS)
Weather reporting system which provides surface observations every minute via digitized voice broadcasts and printed reports.
Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)
Automated weather reporting system consisting of various sensors, a processor, a computer-generated voice subsystem, and a transmitter to broadcast weather data.
Automatic dependent surveillance—broadcast (ADS-B)
A device used in aircraft that repeatedly broadcasts a message that includes position (such as latitude, longitude, and altitude), velocity, and possibly other information.
Automatic direction finder (ADF)
Electronic navigation equipment that operates in the low- and medium-frequency bands. Used in conjunction with the ground-based nondirectional beacon (NDB), the instrument displays the number of degrees clockwise from the nose of the aircraft to the station being received.
Automatic terminal information service (ATIS)
The continuous broadcast of recorded non-control information in selected terminal areas. Its purpose is to improve controller effectiveness and relieve frequency congestion by automating repetitive transmission of essential but routine information.
Autopilot
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.
Aviation medical examiner (AME)
A physician with training in aviation medicine designated by the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI).
Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)
Observation of current surface weather reported in a standard international format.
Axes of an aircraft
Three imaginary lines that pass through an aircraft’s center of gravity. The axes can be considered as imaginary axles around which the aircraft rotates. 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 (pitch), the axis that passes from wingtip to wingtip is the lateral axis (roll), and the axis that passes vertically through the center of gravity is the vertical axis (yaw).
Axial flow compressor
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.
Azimuth card
A card that may be set, gyroscopically controlled, or driven by a remote compass.
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