#separator:tab #html:false #tags column:4 Lift Upward force from air moving over the wings tp-aviation-terms Weight Downward force from gravity tp-aviation-terms Thrust Forward force from the engine or propeller tp-aviation-terms Drag Backward force from air resistance tp-aviation-terms Four forces of flight Lift, weight, thrust and drag tp-aviation-terms Bernoulli's principle Faster air has lower pressure, contributing to lift tp-aviation-terms Angle of attack Angle between the wing and the oncoming air tp-aviation-terms Stall Wing loses lift when the angle of attack is too high tp-aviation-terms Airfoil Shape of a wing designed to produce lift tp-aviation-terms Fuselage Main body of the airplane tp-aviation-terms Wing Surface that produces lift tp-aviation-terms Empennage The tail section tp-aviation-terms Vertical stabilizer Fin that keeps the airplane straight tp-aviation-terms Horizontal stabilizer Tail surface that keeps the nose from pitching tp-aviation-terms Rudder Control surface that yaws the nose left or right tp-aviation-terms Elevator Control surface that pitches the nose up or down tp-aviation-terms Aileron Control surface on the wings that rolls the airplane tp-aviation-terms Flaps Wing surfaces that increase lift and drag for slow flight tp-aviation-terms Slats Leading-edge devices that help lift at low speeds tp-aviation-terms Spoiler Surface that disrupts lift and slows the aircraft tp-aviation-terms Trim tab Small surface that reduces control pressure tp-aviation-terms Landing gear Wheels and supports for takeoff and landing tp-aviation-terms Tricycle gear Landing gear with a nose wheel and two main wheels tp-aviation-terms Propeller Rotating blades that pull the aircraft through the air tp-aviation-terms Turbine engine Engine using compressed air and burning fuel to create thrust tp-aviation-terms Jet engine Engine producing thrust by expelling exhaust tp-aviation-terms Cockpit Area where the pilots sit tp-aviation-terms Yoke Control wheel used to steer the airplane tp-aviation-terms Control stick Control lever that serves the same role as a yoke tp-aviation-terms Rudder pedals Foot controls for the rudder tp-aviation-terms Throttle Control for engine power tp-aviation-terms Pitch Nose up or nose down movement tp-aviation-terms Roll Tilting the wings side to side tp-aviation-terms Yaw Nose moving left or right tp-aviation-terms Altitude Height above sea level or ground tp-aviation-terms Altimeter Instrument showing altitude tp-aviation-terms Airspeed indicator Instrument showing speed through the air tp-aviation-terms Attitude indicator Instrument showing the aircraft's orientation relative to the horizon tp-aviation-terms Heading indicator Instrument showing the direction the aircraft points tp-aviation-terms Vertical speed indicator Shows climb or descent rate tp-aviation-terms Turn coordinator Instrument showing rate of turn and coordination tp-aviation-terms Compass Magnetic direction instrument tp-aviation-terms Six-pack The classic six flight instruments tp-aviation-terms Transponder Device that identifies the aircraft to radar tp-aviation-terms GPS Satellite navigation system tp-aviation-terms Autopilot System that flies the aircraft automatically tp-aviation-terms VFR Visual flight rules tp-aviation-terms IFR Instrument flight rules tp-aviation-terms Visibility How far a pilot can see tp-aviation-terms Ceiling Height of the lowest broken or overcast cloud layer tp-aviation-terms Turbulence Irregular air movement causing bumps tp-aviation-terms Crosswind Wind blowing across the runway tp-aviation-terms Headwind Wind blowing against the direction of flight tp-aviation-terms Tailwind Wind blowing from behind tp-aviation-terms Windsock Cone showing wind direction and strength tp-aviation-terms Density altitude Altitude adjusted for temperature and pressure; affects performance tp-aviation-terms Runway Strip for takeoff and landing tp-aviation-terms Taxiway Path for aircraft moving between runways and parking tp-aviation-terms Apron (ramp) Parking area for aircraft tp-aviation-terms Hangar Building for storing aircraft tp-aviation-terms Control tower Facility directing aircraft at an airport tp-aviation-terms ATC Air traffic control tp-aviation-terms Takeoff Leaving the ground tp-aviation-terms Climb Gaining altitude tp-aviation-terms Cruise Level flight at a steady altitude tp-aviation-terms Descent Losing altitude tp-aviation-terms Approach Flight path toward a runway tp-aviation-terms Landing Returning the aircraft to the ground tp-aviation-terms Go-around Aborting a landing to try again tp-aviation-terms Rotate Raise the nose at takeoff speed tp-aviation-terms Flare Raising the nose just before touchdown tp-aviation-terms Touch-and-go Landing and taking off again without stopping tp-aviation-terms Traffic pattern Standard path flown around an airport tp-aviation-terms Preflight inspection Checking the aircraft before flying tp-aviation-terms Checklist List of required steps to follow tp-aviation-terms Flight plan Details of a planned flight filed with authorities tp-aviation-terms NOTAM Notice to air missions about hazards or changes tp-aviation-terms METAR Coded weather report for an airport tp-aviation-terms Phonetic alphabet Alpha, Bravo, Charlie... used to spell on the radio tp-aviation-terms Mayday Radio call for a life-threatening emergency tp-aviation-terms Pan-pan Radio call for urgent but not immediately life-threatening trouble tp-aviation-terms Roger Message received tp-aviation-terms Wilco Will comply tp-aviation-terms Squawk Setting a transponder code tp-aviation-terms Knot One nautical mile per hour tp-aviation-terms Nautical mile About 1.15 statute miles tp-aviation-terms Mach Speed relative to the speed of sound tp-aviation-terms Pilot certificate License authorizing someone to fly tp-aviation-terms Private pilot Certificate for flying for personal purposes tp-aviation-terms Commercial pilot Certificate allowing flying for pay tp-aviation-terms Co-pilot (first officer) Second pilot in command structure tp-aviation-terms Captain Pilot in command of a large aircraft tp-aviation-terms Flight attendant Crew member responsible for passenger safety tp-aviation-terms Black box Flight recorders storing data and cockpit audio; actually bright orange tp-aviation-terms FAA Federal Aviation Administration tp-aviation-terms Glider Aircraft without an engine that soars on rising air tp-aviation-terms Helicopter Aircraft lifted by rotating blades tp-aviation-terms Rotor Spinning blade assembly on a helicopter tp-aviation-terms Drone (UAS) Unmanned aircraft system tp-aviation-terms