The Glossary of Aviation Terms is a comprehensive resource providing definitions for the technical jargon, abbreviations, and acronyms used in aviation. It covers a wide range of topics including aircraft types, air traffic management, meteorology, navigation, safety procedures, and regulatory standards. It is designed to facilitate clear and precise communication among aviation professionals and is an essential reference tool for pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers, students, and enthusiasts alike. Understanding these terms is critical for safety, efficiency, and effective operations within the global aviation industry.
Glossary of Aviation Terms
Abeam:
A term in navigation used to describe the position of one object in relation to another, where the objects are at right angles to each other.
Aileron:
A hinged flight control surface usually attached to the trailing edge of each wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. Ailerons are used in pairs to control the aircraft in roll.
Air Traffic Control (ATC):
A service operated by ground-based personnel who manage the traffic of aircraft on the ground and in the air, providing information and other support to pilots.
Airspeed:
The speed of an aircraft relative to the air through which it is flying.
Airway:
A designated route in the sky, defined for the navigation of airplanes, especially along busy flight paths.
Altimeter:
An instrument used in an aircraft to measure altitude, usually in relation to sea level.
Apron:
The area of an airport where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled, or boarded.
Aspect Ratio:
The ratio of the length of a wing to its width. A high aspect ratio indicates long, narrow wings, while a low aspect ratio indicates short, wide wings.
- Autopilot: A system used to guide a vehicle without human intervention.
- Avionics: The electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft. Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and hundreds of other systems.
- Aft: Towards, at, or near the tail or the rear of an aircraft.
- Airfoil: The shape of a wing, blade (of a propeller, rotor, or turbine), or sail as seen in cross-section.
- Aircraft: A vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, typically one powered by propellers or jet engines.
- Airframe: The main body structure of an aircraft, including the wings, fuselage, and tail structure, and excluding the engines.
- Airship: An aircraft that flies due to being filled with a gas lighter than air. It also has engines and steering systems.
- Airspeed Indicator: An instrument that measures the speed of an aircraft relative to the surrounding air.
- Air Taxi: An aircraft providing a service similar to a taxi service but in the sky. Usually operates on demand and with short haul destinations.
- Air Traffic Services (ATS): Services aimed to improve the efficiency and maintain the safety of aircraft in flight by providing assistance and information to pilots.
- Aircraft Classifications: Classifying aircraft by factors such as their size, their intended use, their propulsion systems, etc.
- Altitude: The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.
- Approach Control Service: A service provided by air traffic control to guide an aircraft on its approach to landing at an airport.
- Apron or Ramp: The part of an airport where aircraft are parked, loaded, unloaded, refueled, or boarded.
- Attitude: The orientation of an aircraft’s axes relative to a reference point, typically the horizon.
- Attitude Indicator: An instrument used in an aircraft to inform the pilot of the orientation of the airplane relative to Earth’s horizon.
- Airsickness: A sensation similar to motion sickness, induced by the perception of motion, especially during turbulence, in the enclosed space of an aircraft.
- Alternate Airport: An airport designated in the flight plan where an aircraft can land if it becomes inadvisable to land at the intended airport.
- Anti-Icing: The prevention of the formation of ice on the aircraft’s structure and components.
- ADF (Automatic Direction Finder): A navigational aid that uses the automatic direction finder in the aircraft to find the direction of a radio beacon on the ground.
- ASL (Above Sea Level): Refers to the altitude of an object, such as an airplane, above the average sea level.
- ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service): A continuous broadcast of recorded non-control information in busier terminal areas.
- Aerodynamics: The study of how gases interact with moving bodies, particularly aircraft and spacecraft in flight.
- Aeroengine: A propulsion system for an aircraft that develops thrust by ejecting burned gases backward at high velocity.
- Aileron Drag: An adverse yawing moment produced by the use of ailerons to roll an aircraft.
- Alpha (α): Used in aerodynamics to represent the angle of attack of an aircraft wing.
- Airline Transport Pilot (ATP): The highest level of aircraft pilot certificate. Those certified as ATP, through training and experience, are judged to be able to operate the largest and most complex aircraft.
- Aeronautics: The science or art involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of air flight–capable machines, and the techniques of operating aircraft and rockets within the atmosphere.
- Aeronautical Chart: A map designed to assist in navigation of aircraft, much as nautical charts do for watercraft, or a roadmap for drivers.
- Adverse Yaw: An unwanted yawing moment that is produced due to the differential drag and lift caused by the ailerons when they are deflected to induce a roll.
- Aircraft Carrier: A warship that serves as a seagoing airbase, equipped with a full-length flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft.
- Airworthiness: The measure of an aircraft’s suitability for safe flight.
- Airbus: A major aircraft manufacturer, known for producing models such as the A320 and the double-decker A380.
- Aircrew: The personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. The composition of an aircrew depends on the type of aircraft and the flight purpose.
- Air Mass: In meteorology, a significant body of air that shares similar properties of temperature and humidity.
- Aileron Trim: The adjustment of an aircraft’s aileron settings to decrease or counteract a constant roll movement.
- Above Ground Level (AGL): The height of an aircraft above the terrain over which it is flying.
- Absolute Ceiling: The highest altitude at which an aircraft can sustain level flight.
- Aviation: The activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry.
- Ascent: The climb that an aircraft makes, increasing its altitude.
- Aspect Ratio (Wings): The ratio of a wing’s span to its chord.
- Azimuth: A horizontal angle measured clockwise from a north base line or meridian.
See more:
- Aviation Industry Subjects
- GOLN Aviation Career Book : Table of Contents
- GOLN Principles of Flight Book: Table of Contents
- GOLN Flight Mechanics Book: Table of Contents
- GOLN Flight Management System Book
- GOLN Avionics System Book: Table of Contents
- GOLN Airport Strategic Planning Book : Table of Contents
- GOLN Airline Operations Book: Table of Contents
- GOLN Airline & Airport Marketing Management Book: Table of Contents
- GOLN Airframe and Systems Book : Table of Contents
- GOLN Aircraft and Engines Book : Table of Contents
- GOLN Aeronautical Information Service Book : Table of Contents
- Glossary of Aviation Terms