Aeronautical Terms beginning with T
Tactical air navigation (TACAN)
An electronic navigation system used by military aircraft, providing both distance and direction information.
Takeoff decision speed (V1)
Per 14 CFR section 23.51: “the calibrated airspeed on the ground at which, as a result of engine failure or other reasons, the pilot assumed to have made a decision to continue or discontinue the takeoff.”.
Takeoff distance
The distance required to complete an all-engines operative takeoff to the 35-foot height. It must be at least 15 percent less than the distance required for a one-engine inoperative engine takeoff. This distance is not normally a limiting factor as it is usually less than the one-engine inoperative takeoff distance.
Takeoff safety speed (V2)
Per 14 CFR part 1: “A referenced airspeed obtained after lift-off at which the required one-engine-inoperative climb performance can be achieved.”.
Taxiway lights
Omnidirectional lights that outline the edges of the taxiway and are blue in color.
Taxiway turnoff lights
Lights that are flush with the runway which emit a steady green color.
Technique
The manner in which procedures are executed.
Telephone information briefing service (TIBS)
Telephone recording of area and/or route meteorological briefings, airspace procedures, and special aviation-oriented announcements. Discontinued in the CONUS in September 2018 and in Alaska on Jan 1, 2020.
Temporary flight restriction (TFR)
Restriction to flight imposed in order to:
1. Protect persons and property in the air or on the surface from an existing or imminent flight associated hazard;
2. Provide a safe environment for the operation of disaster relief aircraft;
3. Prevent an unsafe congestion of sightseeing aircraft above an incident;
4. Protect the President, Vice President, or other public figures; and,
5. Provide a safe environment for space agency operations.
Pilots are expected to check appropriate NOTAMs during flight planning when conducting flight in an area where a temporary flight restriction is in effect.
Tension
Maintaining an excessively strong grip on the control column, usually resulting in an overcontrolled situation.
Terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF)
A report established for the 5 statute mile radius around an airport. Utilizes the same descriptors and abbreviations as the METAR report.
Terminal arrival area (TAA)
A procedure to provide a new transition method for arriving aircraft equipped with FMS and/or GPS navigational equipment. The TAA contains a “T” structure that normally provides a NoPT for aircraft using the approach.
Terminal instrument approach procedure (TERP)
Prescribes standardized methods for use in designing instrument flight procedures.
Terminal radar service areas (TRSA)
Areas where participating pilots can receive additional radar services. The purpose of the service is to provide separation between all IFR operations and participating VFR aircraft.
Terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS)
A timed-based system that provides information concerning potential hazards with fixed objects by using GPS positioning and a database of terrain and obstructions to provide true predictability of the upcoming terrain and obstacles.
Thermosphere
The last layer of the atmosphere that begins above the mesosphere and gradually fades away into space.
Threshold crossing height (TCH)
The theoretical height above the runway threshold at which the aircraft’s glideslope antenna would be if the aircraft maintained the trajectory established by the mean ILS glideslope or MLS glidepath.
Thrust
The force which imparts a change in the velocity of a mass. This force is measured in pounds but has no element of time or rate. The term “thrust required” is generally associated with jet engines. A forward force which propels the airplane through the air.
Thrust (aerodynamic force)
The forward aerodynamic force produced by a propeller, fan, or turbojet engine as it forces a mass of air to the rear, behind the aircraft.
Thrust line
An imaginary line passing through the center of the propeller hub, perpendicular to the plane of the propeller rotation.
Time and speed table
A table depicted on an instrument approach procedure chart that identifies the distance from the FAF to the MAP, and provides the time required to transit that distance based on various groundspeeds.
Timed turn
A turn in which the clock and the turn coordinator are used to change heading a definite number of degrees in a given time.
Torque
(1) A resistance to turning or twisting.
(2) Forces that produce a twisting or rotating motion.
(3) In an airplane, the tendency of the aircraft to turn (roll) in the opposite direction of rotation of the engine and propeller.
(4) In helicopters with a single, main rotor system, the tendency of the helicopter to turn in the opposite direction of the main rotor rotation.
Torquemeter
An instrument used with some of the larger reciprocating engines and turboprop or turboshaft engines to measure the reaction between the propeller reduction gears and the engine case.
Total drag
The sum of the parasite drag and induced drag.
Touchdown zone elevation (TDZE)
The highest elevation in the first 3,000 feet of the landing surface, TDZE is indicated on the instrument approach procedure chart when straight-in landing minimums are authorized.
Touchdown zone lights
Two rows of transverse light bars disposed symmetrically about the runway centerline in the runway touchdown zone.
Tower En Route Control (TEC)
The control of IFR en route traffic within delegated airspace between two or more adjacent approach control facilities, designed to expedite traffic and reduce control and pilot communication requirements.
Track
The actual path made over the ground in flight.
Tracking
Flying a heading that will maintain the desired track to or from the station regardless of crosswind conditions.
Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
An airborne system developed by the FAA that operates independently from the ground-based Air Traffic Control system. Designed to increase flight deck awareness of proximate aircraft and to serve as a “last line of defense” for the prevention of midair collisions.
Traffic information service (TIS)
A ground-based service providing information to the flight deck via data link using the S-mode transponder and altitude encoder to improve the safety and efficiency of “see and avoid” flight through an automatic display that informs the pilot of nearby traffic.
Trailing edge
The portion of the airfoil where the airflow over the upper surface rejoins the lower surface airflow.
Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB)
Meteorological and aeronautical data recorded on tapes and broadcast over selected NAVAIDs. Generally, the broadcast contains route-oriented data with specially prepared NWS forecasts, inflight advisories, and winds aloft. It also includes selected current information such as weather reports (METAR/SPECI), NOTAMs, and special notices. Discontinued in the CONUS in September 2018 and in Alaska on Jan 1, 2020.
Transponder
The airborne portion of the ATC radar beacon system.
Transponder code
One of 4,096 four-digit discrete codes ATC assigns to distinguish between aircraft.
Trend
Immediate indication of the direction of aircraft movement, as shown on instruments.
Tricycle gear
Landing gear employing a third wheel located on the nose of the aircraft.
Trim
To adjust the aerodynamic forces on the control surfaces so that the aircraft maintains the set attitude without any control input.
Trim tab
A small auxiliary hinged portion of a movable control surface that can be adjusted during flight to a position resulting in a balance of control forces.
Tropopause
The boundary layer between the troposphere and the mesosphere which acts as a lid to confine most of the water vapor, and the associated weather, to the troposphere.
Troposphere
The layer of the atmosphere extending from the surface to a height of 20,000 to 60,000 feet, depending on latitude.
True airspeed
Actual airspeed, determined by applying a correction for pressure altitude and temperature to the CAS.
True altitude
The vertical distance of the airplane above sea level—the actual altitude. It is often expressed as feet above mean sea level (MSL). Airport, terrain, and obstacle elevations on aeronautical charts are true altitudes.
Truss
A fuselage design made up of supporting structural members that resist deformation by applied loads. The truss-type fuselage is constructed of steel or aluminum tubing. Strength and rigidity is achieved by welding the tubing together into a series of triangular shapes, called trusses.
T-tail
An aircraft with the horizontal stabilizer mounted on the top of the vertical stabilizer, forming a T.
Turbine discharge pressure
The total pressure at the discharge of the low-pressure turbine in a dual-turbine axial-flow engine.
Turbine engine
An aircraft engine which consists of an air compressor, a combustion section, and a turbine. Thrust is produced by increasing the velocity of the air flowing through the engine.
Turbocharger
An air compressor driven by exhaust gases, which increases the pressure of the air going into the engine through the carburetor or fuel injection system.
Turbofan engine
A fanlike turbojet engine designed to create additional thrust by diverting a secondary airflow around the combustion chamber.
Turbojet engine
A turbine engine which produces its thrust entirely by accelerating the air through the engine.
Turboprop engine
A turbine engine which drives a propeller through a reduction gearing arrangement. Most of the energy in the exhaust gases is converted into torque, rather than using its acceleration to drive the aircraft.
Turboshaft engine
A gas turbine engine that delivers power through a shaft to operate something other than a propeller.
Turn-and-slip indicator
A flight instrument consisting of a rate gyro to indicate the rate of yaw and a curved glass inclinometer to indicate the relationship between gravity and centrifugal force. The turn-and-slip indicator indicates the relationship between angle of bank and rate of yaw. Also called a turn-and-bank indicator.
Turn coordinator
A rate gyro that senses both roll and yaw due to the gimbal being canted. Has largely replaced the turn-and-slip indicator in modern aircraft.
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