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T-tail.

GLOSSARY

While this list does not include all aviation terminology, it is the purpose of this glossary to aid the general viewer in better understanding aviation terms as it pertains to content on this website.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

An aircraft with the horizontal stabilizer mounted on the top of the vertical stabilizer, forming a T.
See tactical air navigation.
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.”
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.
Per 14 CFR part 1: “A referenced airspeed obtained after lift-off at which the required one-engine-inoperative climb performance can be achieved.”
See terrain awareness and warning system.
Omnidirectional lights that outline the edges of the taxiway and are blue in color.
See traffic alert collision avoidance system.
See Tower En Route Control.
The manner in which procedures are executed.
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.
Maintaining an excessively strong grip on the control column, usually resulting in an overcontrolled situation.
A report established for the 5 statute mile radius around an airport. Utilizes the same descriptors and abbreviations as the METAR report.
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.
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.
See temporary flight restriction.
The last layer of the atmosphere that begins above the mesosphere and gradually fades away into space.
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.
An imaginary line passing through the center of the propeller hub, perpendicular to the plane of the propeller rotation.
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.
See traffic information service.
(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.
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.
The sum of the parasite drag and induced drag.
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.
See United States Terminal Procedures Publication.
The actual path made over the ground in flight.
Flying a heading that will maintain the desired track to or from the station regardless of crosswind conditions.
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.
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.
The portion of the airfoil where the airflow over the upper surface rejoins the lower surface airflow.
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.
One of 4,096 four-digit discrete codes ATC assigns to distinguish between aircraft.
The airborne portion of the ATC radar beacon system.
Immediate indication of the direction of aircraft movement, as shown on instruments.
Landing gear employing a third wheel located on the nose of the aircraft.
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.
To adjust the aerodynamic forces on the control surfaces so that the aircraft maintains the set attitude without any control input.
. 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.
The layer of the atmosphere extending from the surface to a height of 20,000 to 60,000 feet, depending on latitude.
Actual airspeed, determined by applying a correction for pressure altitude and temperature to the CAS.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A turbine engine which produces its thrust entirely by accelerating the air through the 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.
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.
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.
See Transcribed Weather Broadcast.