Glossary


Glossary
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1

100-hour inspection

An inspection identical in scope to an annual inspection. Conducted every 100 hours of flight on aircraft of under 12,500 pounds that are used to carry passengers for hire.

14 CFR

See Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

A

A.C.

Alternating current.

Absolute accuracy

The ability to determine present position in space independently, and is most often used by pilots.

Absolute altitude

The actual distance between an aircraft and the terrain over which it is flying.

Absolute pressure

Pressure measured from the reference of zero pressure, or a vacuum.

Accelerate-go distance

The distance required to accelerate to V1 with all engines at takeoff power, experience an engine failure at V1, and continue the takeoff on the remaining engine(s). The runway required includes the distance required to climb to 35 feet by which time V2 speed must be attained.

Accelerate-stop distance

The distance required to accelerate to V1 with all engines at takeoff power, experience an engine failure at V1, and abort the takeoff and bring the airplane to a stop using braking action only (use of thrust reversing is not considered).

Acceleration

Force involved in overcoming inertia, and which may be defined as a change in velocity per unit of time.

Acceleration error

A magnetic compass error apparent when the aircraft accelerates while flying on an easterly or westerly heading, causing the compass card to rotate toward North.

Accelerometer

A part of an inertial navigation system (INS) that accurately measures the force of acceleration in one direction.

ADC

See air data computer.

ADF

See automatic direction finder.

ADI

See attitude director indicator.

Adiabatic cooling

A process of cooling the air through expansion. For example, as air moves up slope it expands with the reduction of atmospheric pressure and cools as it expands.

Adiabatic heating

A process of heating dry air through compression. For example, as air moves down a slope it is compressed, which results in an increase in temperature.

Adjustable stabilizer

A stabilizer that can be adjusted in flight to trim the airplane, thereby allowing the airplane to fly hands-off at any given airspeed.

Adjustable-pitch propeller

A propeller with blades whose pitch can be adjusted on the ground with the engine not running, but which cannot be adjusted in flight. Also referred to as a ground adjustable propeller. Sometimes also used to refer to constant-speed propellers that are adjustable in flight.

ADM

See aeronautical decision-making.

ADS-B

See automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast.

Advection fog

Fog resulting from the movement of warm, humid air over a cold surface.

Adverse yaw

A condition of flight in which the nose of an airplane tends to yaw toward the outside of the turn. This is caused by the higher induced drag on the outside wing, which is also producing more lift. Induced drag is a by-product of the lift associated with the outside wing.

Aerodynamics

The science of the action of air on an object, and with the motion of air on other gases. Aerodynamics deals with the production of lift by the aircraft, the relative wind, and the atmosphere.

Aeronautical chart

A map used in air navigation containing all or part of the following: topographic features, hazards and obstructions, navigation aids, navigation routes, designated airspace, and airports.

Aeronautical decision-making (ADM)

A systematic approach to the mental process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances.

Agonic line

An irregular imaginary line across the surface of the Earth along which the magnetic and geographic poles are in alignment, and along which there is no magnetic variation.

Ailerons

Primary flight control surfaces mounted on the trailing edge of an airplane wing, near the tip. Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis.

Air data computer (ADC)

An aircraft computer that receives and processes pitot pressure, static pressure, and temperature to calculate very precise altitude, indicated airspeed, true airspeed, and air temperature.

Air mass

An extensive body of air having fairly uniform properties of temperature and moisture.

Air route surveillance radar (ARSR)

Air route traffic control center (ARTCC) radar used primarily to detect and display an aircraft’s position while en route between terminal areas.

Air route traffic control center (ARTCC)

Provides ATC service to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans within controlled airspace and principally during the en route phase of flight.

Air traffic control radar beacon system (ATCRBS)

Sometimes called secondary surveillance radar (SSR), which utilizes a transponder in the aircraft. The ground equipment is an interrogating unit, in which the beacon antenna is mounted so it rotates with the surveillance antenna. The interrogating unit transmits a coded pulse sequence that actuates the aircraft transponder. The transponder answers the coded sequence by transmitting a preselected coded sequence back to the ground equipment, providing a strong return signal and positive aircraft identification, as well as other special data.

Aircraft

A device that is used, or intended to be used, for flight.

Aircraft altitude

The actual height above sea level at which the aircraft is flying.

Aircraft approach category

A performance grouping of aircraft based on a speed of 1.3 times the stall speed in the landing configuration at maximum gross landing weight.

Airfoil

Any surface, such as a wing, propeller, rudder, or even a trim tab, which provides aerodynamic force when it interacts with a moving stream of air.

AIRMET

Inflight weather advisory issued as an amendment to the area forecast, concerning weather phenomena of operational interest to all aircraft and that is potentially hazardous to aircraft with limited capability due to lack of equipment, instrumentation, or pilot qualifications.

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

.A document developed by the airplane manufacturer and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is specific to a particular make and model airplane by serial number and it contains operating procedures and limitations.

Airplane Owner/Information Manual

A document developed by the airplane manufacturer containing general information about the make and model of an airplane. The airplane owner’s manual is not FAA approved and is not specific to a particular serial numbered airplane. This manual is not kept current, and therefore cannot be substituted for the AFM/POH.

Airplane. An

engine-driven, fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of air against its wings.

Airport diagram

The section of an instrument approach procedure chart that shows a detailed diagram of the airport. This diagram includes surface features and airport configuration information.

Airport surface detection equipment (ASDE)

Radar equipment specifically designed to detect all principal features and traffic on the surface of an airport, presenting the entire image on the control tower console; used to augment visual observation by tower personnel of aircraft and/or vehicular movements on runways and taxiways.

Airport surveillance radar (ASR)

Approach control radar used to detect and display an aircraft’s position in the terminal area.

Airport surveillance radar approach

An instrument approach in which ATC issues instructions for pilot compliance based on aircraft position in relation to the final approach course and the distance from the end of the runway as displayed on the controller’s radar scope.

Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD)

See Chart Supplement U.S.

Airspeed

Rate of the aircraft’s progress through the air.

Airspeed indicator

A differential pressure gauge that measures the dynamic pressure of the air through which the aircraft is flying. Displays the craft’s airspeed, typically in knots, to the pilot.

Airway

An airway is based on a centerline that extends from one navigation aid or intersection to another navigation aid (or through several navigation aids or intersections); used to establish a known route for en route procedures between terminal areas.

Airworthiness Certificate

A certificate issued by the FAA to all aircraft that have been proven to meet the minimum standards set down by the Code of Federal Regulations.

Airworthiness Directive

A regulatory notice sent out by the FAA to the registered owner of an aircraft informing the owner of a condition that prevents the aircraft from continuing to meet its conditions for airworthiness. Airworthiness Directives (AD notes) are to be complied with within the required time limit, and the fact of compliance, the date of compliance, and the method of compliance are recorded in the aircraft’s maintenance records.

Alert area

An area in which there is a high volume of pilot training or an unusual type of aeronautical activity.

Almanac data

Information the global positioning system (GPS) receiver can obtain from one satellite which describes the approximate orbital positioning of all satellites in the constellation. This information is necessary for the GPS receiver to know what satellites to look for in the sky at a given time.

ALS

See approach lighting system.

Alternate airport

An airport designated in an IFR flight plan, providing a suitable destination if a landing at the intended airport becomes inadvisable.

Alternate static source valve

A valve in the instrument static air system that supplies reference air pressure to the altimeter, airspeed indicator, and vertical speed indicator if the normal static pickup should become clogged or iced over.

Altimeter

A flight instrument that indicates altitude by sensing pressure changes.

Altimeter setting

Station pressure (the barometric pressure at the location the reading is taken) which has been corrected for the height of the station above sea level.

Altitude engine

A reciprocating aircraft engine having a rated takeoff power that is producible from sea level to an established higher altitude.

Ambient pressure

The pressure in the area immediately surrounding the aircraft.

Ambient temperature

The temperature in the area immediately surrounding the aircraft.

AME

See aviation medical examiner.

Amendment status

The circulation date and revision number of an instrument approach procedure, printed above the procedure identification.

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 angle of attack is the angle at which relative wind meets an airfoil. It is the angle that is formed by the chord of the airfoil and the direction of the relative wind or between the chord line and the flight path. The angle of attack changes during a flight as the pilot changes the direction of the aircraft and is related to the amount of lift being produced.

Angle of incidence

The acute angle formed between the chord line of an airfoil and the longitudinal axis of the aircraft on which it is mounted.

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.

Approach lighting system (ALS)

Provides lights that will penetrate the atmosphere far enough from touchdown to give directional, distance, and glidepath information for safe transition from instrument to visual flight.

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.

Area navigation (RNAV)

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.

ARSR

See air route surveillance radar.

ARTCC

See air route traffic control center.

ASDE

See airport surface detection equipment.

ASOS

See Automated Surface Observing System.

Aspect ratio

Span of a wing divided by its average chord.

ASR

See airport surveillance radar.

Asymmetric thrust

Also known as P-factor. A tendency for an aircraft to yaw to the left due to the descending propeller blade on the right producing more thrust than the ascending blade on the left. This occurs when the aircraft’s longitudinal axis is in a climbing attitude in relation to the relative wind. The P-factor would be to the right if the aircraft had a counterclockwise rotating propeller.

ATC

Air Traffic Control.

ATCRBS

See air traffic control radar beacon system.

ATIS

See automatic terminal information service.

Atmospheric propagation delay

A bending of the electromagnetic (EM) wave from the satellite that creates an error in the GPS system.

Attitude

A personal motivational predisposition to respond to persons, situations, or events in a given manner that can, nevertheless, be changed or modified through training as sort of a mental shortcut to decision-making.

Attitude and heading reference system (AHRS)

A system composed of three-axis sensors that provide heading, attitude, and yaw information for aircraft. AHRS are designed to replace traditional mechanical gyroscopic flight instruments and provide superior reliability and accuracy.

Attitude director indicator (ADI)

An aircraft attitude indicator that incorporates flight command bars to provide pitch and roll commands.

Attitude indicator

The foundation for all instrument flight, this instrument reflects the airplane’s attitude in relation to the horizon.

Attitude instrument flying

Controlling the aircraft by reference to the instruments rather than by outside visual cues.

Attitude management

The ability to recognize hazardous attitudes in oneself and the willingness to modify them as necessary through the application of an appropriate antidote thought.

Autokinesis

Nighttime visual illusion that a stationary light is moving, which becomes apparent after several seconds of staring at the light.

Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS)

Weather reporting system which provides surface observations every minute via digitized voice broadcasts and printed reports.

Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)

Automated weather reporting system consisting of various sensors, a processor, a computer-generated voice subsystem, and a transmitter to broadcast weather data.

Automatic dependent surveillance—broadcast (ADS–B)

A function on an aircraft or vehicle that periodically broadcasts its state vector (i.e., horizontal and vertical position, horizontal and vertical velocity) and other information.

Automatic direction finder (ADF)

Electronic navigation equipment that operates in the low- and medium-frequency bands. Used in conjunction with the ground-based nondirectional beacon (NDB), the instrument displays the number of degrees clockwise from the nose of the aircraft to the station being received.

Automatic terminal information service (ATIS)

The continuous broadcast of recorded non-control information in selected terminal areas. Its purpose is to improve controller effectiveness and relieve frequency congestion by automating repetitive transmission of essential but routine information.

Autopilot

An automatic flight control system which keeps an aircraft in level flight or on a set course. Automatic pilots can be directed by the pilot, or they may be coupled to a radio navigation signal.

Aviation medical examiner (AME)

A physician with training in aviation medicine designated by the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI).

Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)

Observation of current surface weather reported in a standard international format.

AWOS

See Automated Weather Observing System.

Axes of an aircraft

Three imaginary lines that pass through an aircraft’s center of gravity. The axes can be considered as imaginary axles around which the aircraft rotates. The three axes pass through the center of gravity at 90° angles to each other. The axis from nose to tail is the longitudinal axis (pitch), the axis that passes from wingtip to wingtip is the lateral axis (roll), and the axis that passes vertically through the center of gravity is the vertical axis (yaw).

Axial flow compressor

A type of compressor used in a turbine engine in which the airflow through the compressor is essentially linear. An axial-flow compressor is made up of several stages of alternate rotors and stators. The compressor ratio is determined by the decrease in area of the succeeding stages.

Azimuth card

A card that may be set, gyroscopically controlled, or driven by a remote compass.

B

Back course (BC)

The reciprocal of the localizer course for an ILS. When flying a back-course approach, an aircraft approaches the instrument runway from the end at which the localizer antennas are installed.

Balance tab

An auxiliary control mounted on a primary control surface, which automatically moves in the direction opposite the primary control to provide an aerodynamic assist in the movement of the control.

Baro-aiding

A method of augmenting the GPS integrity solution by using a nonsatellite input source. To ensure that baro-aiding is available, the current altimeter setting must be entered as described in the operating manual.

Barometric scale

A scale on the dial of an altimeter to which the pilot sets the barometric pressure level from which the altitude shown by the pointers is measured.

Basic empty weight (GAMA)

Basic empty weight includes the standard empty weight plus optional and special equipment that has been installed.

BC

See back course.

Bernoulli’s Principle

A principle that explains how the pressure of a moving fluid varies with its speed of motion. An increase in the speed of movement causes a decrease in the fluid’s pressure.

Biplanes

Airplanes with two sets of wings.

Block altitude

A block of altitudes assigned by ATC to allow altitude deviations; for example, “Maintain block altitude 9 to 11 thousand.”

Bypass ratio

The ratio of the mass airflow in pounds per second through the fan section of a turbofan engine to the mass airflow that passes through the gas generator portion of the engine.

C

Cabin altitude

Cabin pressure in terms of equivalent altitude above sea level.

Cage

The black markings on the ball instrument indicating its neutral position.

Calibrated

The instrument indication compared with a standard value to determine the accuracy of the instrument.

Calibrated airspeed

The speed at which the aircraft is moving through the air, found by correcting IAS for instrument and position errors.

Calibrated orifice

A hole of specific diameter used to delay the pressure change in the case of a vertical speed indicator.

Camber

The camber of an airfoil is the characteristic curve of its upper and lower surfaces. The upper camber is more pronounced, while the lower camber is comparatively flat. This causes the velocity of the airflow immediately above the wing to be much higher than that below the wing.

Canard

A horizontal surface mounted ahead of the main wing to provide longitudinal stability and control. It may be a fixed, movable, or variable geometry surface, with or without control surfaces.

Canard configuration

A configuration in which the span of the forward wings is substantially less than that of the main wing.

Cantilever

A wing designed to carry loads without external struts.

CAS

Calibrated airspeed.

CDI

Course deviation indicator.

Ceiling

The height above the earth’s surface of the lowest layer of clouds, which is reported as broken or overcast, or the vertical visibility into an obscuration.

Center of gravity (CG)

The point at which an airplane would balance if it were possible to suspend it at that point. It is the mass center of the airplane, or the theoretical point at which the entire weight of the airplane is assumed to be concentrated. It may be expressed in inches from the reference datum, or in percentage of mean aerodynamic chord (MAC). The location depends on the distribution of weight in the airplane.

Center of gravity limits

The specified forward and aft points within which the CG must be located during flight. These limits are indicated on pertinent airplane specifications.

Center of gravity range

The distance between the forward and aft CG limits indicated on pertinent airplane specifications.

Center of pressure

A point along the wing chord line where lift is considered to be concentrated. For this reason, the center of pressure is commonly referred to as the center of lift.

Centrifugal flow compressor

An impeller-shaped device that receives air at its center and slings the air outward at high velocity into a diffuser for increased pressure. Also referred to as a radial outflow compressor.

Centrifugal force

An outward force that opposes centripetal force, resulting from the effect of inertia during a turn.

Centripetal force

A center-seeking force directed inward toward the center of rotation created by the horizontal component of lift in turning flight.

CG

See center of gravity.

Changeover point (COP)

A point along the route or airway segment between two adjacent navigation facilities or waypoints where changeover in navigation guidance should occur.

Chart Supplement U.S. (formerly Airport/Facility Directory)

An FAA publication containing information on all airports, communications, and NAVAIDs.

Checklist

A tool that is used as a human factors aid in aviation safety. It is a systematic and sequential list of all operations that must be performed to properly accomplish a task.

Chord line

An imaginary straight line drawn through an airfoil from the leading edge to the trailing edge.

Circling approach

A maneuver initiated by the pilot to align the aircraft with a runway for landing when a straight-in landing from an instrument approach is not possible or is not desirable.

Class A airspace

Airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 NM of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska; and designated international airspace beyond 12 NM of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska within areas of domestic radio navigational signal or ATC radar coverage, and within which domestic procedures are applied.

Class B airspace

Airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nation’s busiest airports in terms of IFR operations or passenger numbers. The configuration of each Class B airspace is individually tailored and consists of a surface area and two or more layers, and is designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an aircraft enters the airspace. For all aircraft, an ATC clearance is required to operate in the area, and aircraft so cleared receive separation services within the airspace.

Class C airspace

Airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports having an operational control tower, serviced by radar approach control, and having a certain number of IFR operations or passenger numbers. Although the configuration of each Class C airspace area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a 5 NM radius core surface area that extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, and a 10 NM radius shelf area that extends from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation.

Class D airspace

Airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower. The configuration of each Class D airspace area is individually tailored, and when instrument procedures are published, the airspace is normally designed to contain the procedures.

Class E airspace

Airspace that is not Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D, and is controlled airspace.

Class G airspace

Airspace that is uncontrolled, except when associated with a temporary control tower, and has not been designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace.

Clean configuration

A configuration in which all flight control surfaces have been placed to create minimum drag. In most aircraft this means flaps and gear retracted.

Clear ice

Glossy, clear, or translucent ice formed by the relatively slow freezing of large, supercooled water droplets.

Clearance

ATC permission for an aircraft to proceed under specified traffic conditions within controlled airspace, for the purpose of providing separation between known aircraft.

Clearance delivery

Control tower position responsible for transmitting departure clearances to IFR flights.

Clearance limit

The fix, point, or location to which an aircraft is cleared when issued an air traffic clearance.

Clearance on request

An IFR clearance not yet received after filing a flight plan.

Clearance void time

Used by ATC, the time at which the departure clearance is automatically canceled if takeoff has not been made. The pilot must obtain a new clearance or cancel the IFR flight plan if not off by the specified time.

Coefficient of lift (CL)

The ratio between lift pressure and dynamic pressure.

Cold front

The boundary between two air masses where cold air is replacing warm air.

Compass course

A true course corrected for variation and deviation errors.

Compass locator

A low-power, low- or medium-frequency (L/MF) radio beacon installed at the site of the outer or middle marker of an ILS.

Compass rose

A small circle graduated in 360° increments, to show direction expressed in degrees.

Complex aircraft

An aircraft with retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller.

Compressor pressure ratio

The ratio of compressor discharge pressure to compressor inlet pressure.

Compressor stall

In gas turbine engines, a condition in an axial-flow compressor in which one or more stages of rotor blades fail to pass air smoothly to the succeeding stages. A stall condition is caused by a pressure ratio that is incompatible with the engine rpm. Compressor stall will be indicated by a rise in exhaust temperature or rpm fluctuation, and if allowed to continue, may result in flameout and physical damage to the engine.

Computer navigation fix.

A point used to define a navigation track for an airborne computer system such as GPS or FMS.

Concentric rings

Dashed-line circles depicted in the plan view of IAP charts, outside of the reference circle, that show en route and feeder facilities.

Condensation

A change of state of water from a gas (water vapor) to a liquid.

Condensation nuclei

Small particles of solid matter in the air on which water vapor condenses.

Cone of confusion

A cone-shaped volume of airspace directly above a VOR station where no signal is received, causing the CDI to fluctuate.

Configuration

This is a general term, which normally refers to the position of the landing gear and flaps.

Constant-speed propeller

A controllable-pitch propeller whose pitch is automatically varied in flight by a governor to maintain a constant rpm in spite of varying air loads.

Continuous flow oxygen system

System that supplies a constant supply of pure oxygen to a rebreather bag that dilutes the pure oxygen with exhaled gases and thus supplies a healthy mix of oxygen and ambient air to the mask. Primarily used in passenger cabins of commercial airliners.

Control and performance

A method of attitude instrument flying in which one instrument is used for making attitude changes, and the other instruments are used to monitor the progress of the change.

Control display unit

A display interfaced with the master computer, providing the pilot with a single control point for all navigations systems, thereby reducing the number of required flight deck panels.

Control pressures

The amount of physical exertion on the control column necessary to achieve the desired attitude.

Controllability

A measure of the response of an aircraft relative to the pilot’s flight control inputs.

Controllable-pitch propeller (CPP)

A type of propeller with blades that can be rotated around their long axis to change their pitch. If the pitch can be set to negative values, the reversible propeller can also create reverse thrust for braking or reversing without the need of changing the direction of shaft revolutions.

Controlled airspace

An airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC service is provided to IFR and VFR flights in accordance with the airspace classification. It includes Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E airspace.

Convective SIGMET

Weather advisory concerning convective weather significant to the safety of all aircraft, including thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes.

Convective weather

Unstable, rising air found in cumiliform clouds.

Conventional landing gear

Landing gear employing a third rear-mounted wheel. These airplanes are also sometimes referred to as tailwheel airplanes.

Coordinated flight

Flight with a minimum disturbance of the forces maintaining equilibrium, established via effective control use.

COP

See changeover point.

Coriolis illusion

The illusion of rotation or movement in an entirely different axis, caused by an abrupt head movement, while in a prolonged constant-rate turn that has ceased to stimulate the brain’s motion sensing system.

Coupled ailerons and rudder

Rudder and ailerons are connected with interconnected springs in order to counteract adverse yaw. Can be overridden if it becomes necessary to slip the aircraft.

Course

The intended direction of flight in the horizontal plane measured in degrees from north.

Cowl flaps

Shutter-like devices arranged around certain air-cooled engine cowlings, which may be opened or closed to regulate the flow of air around the engine.

Crew resource management (CRM)

The application of team management concepts in the flight deck environment. It was initially known as cockpit resource management, but as CRM programs evolved to include cabin crews, maintenance personnel, and others, the phrase “crew resource management” was adopted. This includes single pilots, as in most general aviation aircraft. Pilots of small aircraft, as well as crews of larger aircraft, must make effective use of all available resources; human resources, hardware, and information. A current definition includes all groups routinely working with the flight crew who are involved in decisions required to operate a flight safely. These groups include, but are not limited to pilots, dispatchers, cabin crewmembers, maintenance personnel, and air traffic controllers. CRM is one way of addressing the challenge of optimizing the human/machine interface and accompanying interpersonal activities.

Critical altitude

The maximum altitude under standard atmospheric conditions at which a turbocharged engine can produce its rated horsepower.

Critical angle of attack

The angle of attack at which a wing stalls regardless of airspeed, flight attitude, or weight.

Critical areas

Areas where disturbances to the ILS localizer and glideslope courses may occur when surface vehicles or aircraft operate near the localizer or glideslope antennas.

CRM

See crew resource management.

Cross-check

The first fundamental skill of instrument flight, also known as “scan,” the continuous and logical observation of instruments for attitude and performance information.

Cruise clearance

An ATC clearance issued to allow a pilot to conduct flight at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including the altitude specified in the clearance. Also authorizes a pilot to proceed to and make an approach at the destination airport.

Current induction

An electrical current being induced into, or generated in, any conductor that is crossed by lines of flux from any magnet.

D

D.C.

Direct current.

DA

See decision altitude.

Dark adaptation

Physical and chemical adjustments of the eye that make vision possible in relative darkness.

Datum (Reference Datum)

An imaginary vertical plane or line from which all measurements of arm are taken. The datum is established by the manufacturer. Once the datum has been selected, all moment arms and the location of CG range are measured from this point.

Dead reckoning

Navigation of an airplane solely by means of computations based on airspeed, course, heading, wind direction and speed, groundspeed, and elapsed time.

Deceleration error

A magnetic compass error that occurs when the aircraft decelerates while flying on an easterly or westerly heading, causing the compass card to rotate toward South.

Decision altitude (DA)

A specified altitude in the precision approach, charted in feet MSL, at which a missed approach must be initiated if the required visual reference to continue the approach has not been established.

Decision height (DH)

A specified altitude in the precision approach, charted in height above threshold elevation, at which a decision must be made either to continue the approach or to execute a missed approach.

Deice

The act of removing ice accumulation from an aircraft structure.

Delta

A Greek letter expressed by the symbol Δ to indicate a change of values. As an example, ∆CG indicates a change (or movement) of the CG.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature. Density altitude is used in computing the performance of an aircraft and its engines.

Departure procedure (DP)

Preplanned IFR ATC departure, published for pilot use, in textual and graphic format.

Deposition

The direct transformation of a gas to a solid state, in which the liquid state is bypassed. Some sources use sublimation to describe this process instead of deposition.

Detonation

The sudden release of heat energy from fuel in an aircraft engine caused by the fuel-air mixture reaching its critical pressure and temperature. Detonation occurs as a violent explosion rather than a smooth burning process.

Deviation

A magnetic compass error caused by local magnetic fields within the aircraft. Deviation error is different on each heading.

Dew

Moisture that has condensed from water vapor. Usually found on cooler objects near the ground, such as grass, as the near-surface layer of air cools faster than the layers of air above it.

Dewpoint

The temperature at which air reaches a state where it can hold no more water.

DGPS

Differential global positioning system.

DH

See decision height.

Differential ailerons

Control surface rigged such that the aileron moving up moves a greater distance than the aileron moving down. The up aileron produces extra parasite drag to compensate for the additional induced drag caused by the down aileron. This balancing of the drag forces helps minimize adverse yaw.

Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)

A system that improves the accuracy of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) by measuring changes in variables to provide satellite positioning corrections.

Differential pressure

A difference between two pressures. The measurement of airspeed is an example of the use of differential pressure.

Dihedral

The positive acute angle between the lateral axis of an airplane and a line through the center of a wing or horizontal stabilizer. Dihedral contributes to the lateral stability of an airplane.

Diluter-demand oxygen system

An oxygen system that delivers oxygen mixed or diluted with air in order to maintain a constant oxygen partial pressure as the altitude changes.

Direct indication

The true and instantaneous reflection of aircraft pitch-and-bank attitude by the miniature aircraft, relative to the horizon bar of the attitude indicator.

Direct User Access Terminal System (DUATS)

A system that provides current FAA weather and flight plan filing services to certified civil pilots, via personal computer, modem, or telephone access to the system. Pilots can request specific types of weather briefings and other pertinent data for planned flights.

Directional stability

Stability about the vertical axis of an aircraft, whereby an aircraft tends to return, on its own, to flight aligned with the relative wind when disturbed from that equilibrium state. The vertical tail is the primary contributor to directional stability, causing an airplane in flight to align with the relative wind.

Distance circle

See reference circle.

Distance measuring equipment (DME)

A pulse-type electronic navigation system that shows the pilot, by an instrument-panel indication, the number of nautical miles between the aircraft and a ground station or waypoint.


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