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