Glossary


Glossary
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D

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.


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