Glossary

This glossary contains information on terms, phrases and abbreviations used by the Aviation industry. 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 full list of aviation terminology can be found here.
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M

Maximum takeoff weight

The maximum allowable weight for takeoff.

Maximum weight

The maximum authorized weight of the aircraft and all of its equipment as specified in the Type Certificate Data Sheets (TCDS) for the aircraft.

Maximum zero fuel weight (GAMA)

The maximum weight, exclusive of usable fuel.

MB.

See magnetic bearing.

Mean aerodynamic chord (MAC)

The average distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing.

Mean sea level

The average height of the surface of the sea at a particular location for all stages of the tide over a 19-year period.

MEL

See minimum equipment list.

Meridians

Lines of longitude.

Mesosphere

A layer of the atmosphere directly above the stratosphere.

METAR

See Aviation Routine Weather Report.

MFD

See multi-function display.

MH

See magnetic heading.

MHz

Megahertz.

Microburst

A strong downdraft which normally occurs over horizontal distances of 1 NM or less and vertical distances of less than 1,000 feet. In spite of its small horizontal scale, an intense microburst could induce windspeeds greater than 100 knots and downdrafts as strong as 6,000 feet per minute.

Military operations area (MOA)

Airspace established for the purpose of separating certain military training activities from IFR traffic.