Aeronautical Terms beginning with O

Obstacle departure procedures (ODP)

A preplanned instrument flight rule (IFR) departure procedure printed for pilot use in textual or graphic form to provide obstruction clearance via the least onerous route from the terminal area to the appropriate en route structure. ODPs are recommended for obstruction clearance and may be flown without ATC clearance unless an alternate departure procedure (SID or radar vector) has been specifically assigned by ATC.

Obstruction lights

Lights that can be found both on and off an airport to identify obstructions.

Occluded front

A frontal occlusion occurs when a fast-moving cold front catches up with a slow moving warm front. The difference in temperature within each frontal system is a major factor in determining whether a cold or warm front occlusion occurs.

Omission error

The failure to anticipate significant instrument indications following attitude changes; for example, concentrating on pitch control while forgetting about heading or roll information, resulting in erratic control of heading and bank.

Optical illusion

A misleading visual image. For the purpose of this handbook, the term refers to the brain’s misinterpretation of features on the ground associated with landing, which causes a pilot to misread the spatial relationships between the aircraft and the runway.

Orientation

Awareness of the position of the aircraft and of oneself in relation to a specific reference point.

Otolith organ

An inner ear organ that detects linear acceleration and gravity orientation.

Outer marker

A marker beacon at or near the glideslope intercept altitude of an ILS approach. It is normally located four to seven miles from the runway threshold on the extended centerline of the runway.

Outside air temperature (OAT)

The measured or indicated air temperature (IAT) corrected for compression and friction heating. Also referred to as true air temperature.

Overcontrolling

Using more movement in the control column than is necessary to achieve the desired pitch-and-bank condition.

Overboost

A condition in which a reciprocating engine has exceeded the maximum manifold pressure allowed by the manufacturer. Can cause damage to engine components.