FirstFlight® PILOT COURSE TOOLS BLOG ABOUT START HERE Glossary Abbreviated briefing A briefing used to update information previously received from an earlier briefing or from other sources. Abeam A position where an aircraft, object or fix is approximately 90 degrees to the left or right of an aircraft's track. AGL Above Ground Level. The altitude of the airplane above the terrain. Airport Facility Directory A publication listing information of operational importance about airports including communications data, navigation aids and special notices and procedures. Available in separate regional volumes. AIM Aeronautical Information Manual AIRMET Airmen's Meteorological Information Angle of Attack The angle between the relative wind and the chord line of the wing. ATA Actual Time of Arrival ATE Actual Time en Route ATIS Automatic terminal information service. A recording of current weather conditions at an airport. AWOS Automated Weather Observation System Base Leg Flight path at right angle to the landing runway off its approach end. Usually between thedownwind leg and the intersection of the extended runway center line. Best Angle of Climb Speed (Vx) Airspeed that results in maximum gain in altitude in a given time. This is the airspeed that will gain the maximum altitude in the minimum time. Best Glide Speed Airspeed that results in maximum glide distance. Best rate of climb (Vy) The airspeed that provides maximum increase in altitude with respect to time. Carburetor heat Provides a source of heated air to the carburetor intake to prevent or remove accumulation of carburetor ice. CDI course deviation indicator. CFI Certificated Flight Instructor Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) The frequency designated for the purposes of airport advisory procedures when operating at an airport without an operating control tower. Pilots use the CTAF frequency to advise other pilots of their position and intentions when operating at airports with operating control towers. Control Wheel The device the pilot uses to move the ailerons and elevator. Sometimes known as the yoke. Critical Angle of Attack The angle of attack at which a stall will occur. Crosswind Flight path at right angle to the runway at departure end. Dead reckoning A navigation technique based on plotting courses and making calculations based on aircraft performance data and forecast winds aloft. Density Altitude Pressure altitude corrected for temperature. It is a measure of air density. Designated Examiner An individual designated by the FAA to conduct pilot certification practical tests. Downwind Leg Flight path parallel to the landing runway in opposite direction to landing. Wind is behind the airplane when flying downwind. DUATS Direct user access system that enables pilots to access weather data and file flight plans using a personal computer. EFAS En route flight advisory service is a service provided by flight service stations that provides current en route weather information and pilot reports. Also known as Flight Watch. Elevator The horizontal control surface on the tail of the airplane that controls pitch. By moving the control wheel forward or aft the pilot moves the elevator and hence lowers or raises the nose. ETA Estimated Time of Arrival. ETE Estimated Time Enroute. FAR Federal Aviation Regulations. Final Approach Flight path in the direction of landing along the extended runway centerline. Flare The gradual raising of the nose to bleed off airspeed and attain the touch down attitude just prior to touch down. Flight Following Consists of radar traffic advisories provided to VFR aircraft by air traffic control on a workload permitting basis. Although advice regarding proximity to other aircraft may be provided it is still the VFR pilot's responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft. Flight Service Station A facility which provides various services to pilots including weather briefings, flight plan administration and assistance in emergency situations. Flight Watch A service provided by flight service stations that provides current en route weather information and pilot reports. Also known as En route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) Go Around An abandoned approach to land. Usually involves over flying the runway while initiating a climb to pattern altitude. GPH Gallons Per Hour. Ground Effect A phenomena experienced when very close to the ground that produces a cushioning effect that allows the airplane to remain airborne at lower than normal speeds when at an altitude which is equivalent to less than the wing span of the airplane. Ground effect occurs as a result of the ground interfering with wingtip vortices and reducing downwash and induced drag. Ground Speed The speed of the airplane in relation to it's movement over the ground. Distance traveled divided by time. Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) An instrument which combines a directional gyro providing heading information and a VOR/ILS indicator. ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization. IFR Instrument Flight Rules ILS A precision instrument approach system consisting of various electronic and visual aids including a localizer and glideslope. Isogonic Line A line on a chart connecting points of equal magnetic variation. KIAS Knots indicated airspeed. KIAS Knots Indicated Airspeed. Leeward region opposite the side from which the wind blows. Magnetic Variation the angle between true north and magnetic north as indicated on charts by isogonic lines. Maximum glide speed The airspeed that allows for the longest distance to be covered in a power off glide. Mode C Altitude reporting mode for aircraft transponder. MOA Military Operations Area Mode C Altitude reporting mode for aircraft transponder. MSL Mean Sea Level. The average height of the surface of the sea from which elevations are referenced. Nautical Mile Distance of 6080 feet. Normally Aspirated Refers to piston engines that are not turbo charged. NOTAM Notice to airmen.. A notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations. NTSB National Transportation Safety Board. OBS Omnibearing selector. Also known as course selector. Option A clearance which authorizes a pilot to perform their choice of a full stop landing, touch and go, stop and go, low approach or go around/missed approach. PAPI Precision approach path indicator. A light system that provides visual glideslope indication using a single row of two or four light units. Pilotage A navigation technique that involves identifying outside visual reference points and comparing them with features described on charts. PIREP Pilot Weather Report Pitot Tube A tube mounted on the outside of the airplane that is exposed to the relative wind and provides ram air pressure to the airspeed indicator. Practical Test Standards FAA publication that defines the tasks in which pilot competency must be demonstrated to pass a practical test. Precession Movement of a gyro in response to applied forces. Can be the cause of gyroscopic instrument errors. Pressure Altitude Is the indicated altitude on the altimeter with 29.92 inches of mercury set in the barometric scale window. Progressive Taxi Detailed taxi instructions provided in stages to a pilot who is unfamiliar with an airport. PTS Practical Test Standards are published by the FAA to define the tasks in which pilot competency must be demonstrated to pass a practical test. Radar Vectors A heading provided by air traffic control to provide navigational guidance by radar. REIL Runway end identifier lights. Two synchronized flashing lights, one on each side of threshold which identify the approach end of a particular runway. RPM Revolutions per minute. SIGMET Significant Meteorological Information Squawk Select a code or function using aircraft transponder. Standard briefing A pilot weather briefing containing the most complete available information regarding a proposed flight in a specific format. TAS True Airspeed is the speed of the airplane relative to the airmass through which it is moving. Touch and Go A landing immediately followed by a takeoff. Traffic Pattern The traffic flow prescribed for aircraft operations at an airport. Components of traffic pattern typically include upwind, crosswind, downwind and base legs plus final approach. Tricycle Gear Landing gear consisting of a nose wheel and two main wheels aft of the nosewheel. UNICOM Non-government communication facility which provides airport information at certain airports. May be used to request services such as refueling. In some cases the UNICOM frequency may also be designated as a common traffic advisory frequency. Upwind Leg Flight path in the direction of takeoff along the extended centerline. When upwind you are flying into the wind. VASI Visual approach slope indicator. A light system that provides visual glideslope indication using high intensity red and white light beams. Vector A heading provided by air traffic control to provide navigational guidance by radar. VFR Visual Flight Rules Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) An instrument that indicates the airplane's rate of climb or descent. Victor Airways Airways based on VOR navigation aids. Depicted by blue lines on aeronautical charts and identified by a V (Victor) followed by the airway number. Vr Rotation speed at which nose is lifted during takeoff roll. VOR A ground based navigation aid that transmits very high frequency signals, 360 degrees in azimuth, oriented with respect to magnetic north. Wind Correction Angle The angle between the heading of the airplane and the course. Wind correction angle is used to offset tendency to drift off course due to effect of wind. Windward Region on the side from which the wind blows. Yaw Rotation of the airplane about the vertical axis. Zulu Time Coordinated universal time. The internationally used standard time for aviation purposes based on the time at 0 degrees longitude. Search START LEARNING TO FLY TODAY! Take your first step towards becoming a private pilot and get full access to the FirstFlight online private pilot course. 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