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.
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

A

Ambient temperature

The temperature in the area immediately surrounding the aircraft.

AME

See aviation medical examiner

Ammeter

An instrument installed in series with an electrical load used to measure the amount of current flowing through the load.

Aneroid

The sensitive component in an altimeter or barometer that measures the absolute pressure of the air. It is a sealed, flat capsule made of thin disks of corrugated metal soldered together and evacuated by pumping all of the air out of it.

Aneroid barometer

An instrument that measures the absolute pressure of the atmosphere by balancing the weight of the air above it against the spring action of the aneroid.

Angle of attack

The acute angle formed between the chord line of an airfoil and the direction of the air striking the airfoil.

Angle of incidence

The angle formed by the chord line of the wing and a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the airplane.

Anhedral

A downward slant from root to tip of an aircraft’s wing or horizontal tail surface.

Annual inspection

A complete inspection of an aircraft and engine, required by the Code of Federal Regulations, to be accomplished every 12 calendar months on all certificated aircraft. Only an A&P technician holding an Inspection Authorization can conduct an annual inspection.

Anti-ice

Preventing the accumulation of ice on an aircraft structure via a system designed for that purpose.

Antiservo tab

An adjustable tab attached to the trailing edge of a stabilator that moves in the same direction as the primary control. It is used to make the stabilator less sensitive.

Area chart

Part of the low-altitude en route chart series, this chart furnishes terminal data at a larger scale for congested areas.

Area forecast (FA)

A report that gives a picture of clouds, general weather conditions, and visual meteorological conditions (VMC) expected over a large area encompassing several states.

Allows a pilot to fly a selected course to a predetermined point without the need to overfly ground-based navigation facilities, by using waypoints.

Arm

See moment arm.