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Aviation Terms
Parts of an airplane, forces of flight, instruments and radio words.
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- LiftTermUpward force from air moving over the wings
- WeightTermDownward force from gravity
- ThrustTermForward force from the engine or propeller
- DragTermBackward force from air resistance
- Four forces of flightTermLift, weight, thrust and drag
- Bernoulli's principleTermFaster air has lower pressure, contributing to lift
- Angle of attackTermAngle between the wing and the oncoming air
- StallTermWing loses lift when the angle of attack is too high
- AirfoilTermShape of a wing designed to produce lift
- FuselageTermMain body of the airplane
- WingTermSurface that produces lift
- EmpennageTermThe tail section
- Vertical stabilizerTermFin that keeps the airplane straight
- Horizontal stabilizerTermTail surface that keeps the nose from pitching
- RudderTermControl surface that yaws the nose left or right
- ElevatorTermControl surface that pitches the nose up or down
- AileronTermControl surface on the wings that rolls the airplane
- FlapsTermWing surfaces that increase lift and drag for slow flight
- SlatsTermLeading-edge devices that help lift at low speeds
- SpoilerTermSurface that disrupts lift and slows the aircraft
- Trim tabTermSmall surface that reduces control pressure
- Landing gearTermWheels and supports for takeoff and landing
- Tricycle gearTermLanding gear with a nose wheel and two main wheels
- PropellerTermRotating blades that pull the aircraft through the air
- Turbine engineTermEngine using compressed air and burning fuel to create thrust
- Jet engineTermEngine producing thrust by expelling exhaust
- CockpitTermArea where the pilots sit
- YokeTermControl wheel used to steer the airplane
- Control stickTermControl lever that serves the same role as a yoke
- Rudder pedalsTermFoot controls for the rudder
- ThrottleTermControl for engine power
- PitchTermNose up or nose down movement
- RollTermTilting the wings side to side
- YawTermNose moving left or right
- AltitudeTermHeight above sea level or ground
- AltimeterTermInstrument showing altitude
- Airspeed indicatorTermInstrument showing speed through the air
- Attitude indicatorTermInstrument showing the aircraft's orientation relative to the horizon
- Heading indicatorTermInstrument showing the direction the aircraft points
- Vertical speed indicatorTermShows climb or descent rate
- Turn coordinatorTermInstrument showing rate of turn and coordination
- CompassTermMagnetic direction instrument
- Six-packTermThe classic six flight instruments
- TransponderTermDevice that identifies the aircraft to radar
- GPSTermSatellite navigation system
- AutopilotTermSystem that flies the aircraft automatically
- VFRTermVisual flight rules
- IFRTermInstrument flight rules
- VisibilityTermHow far a pilot can see
- CeilingTermHeight of the lowest broken or overcast cloud layer
- TurbulenceTermIrregular air movement causing bumps
- CrosswindTermWind blowing across the runway
- HeadwindTermWind blowing against the direction of flight
- TailwindTermWind blowing from behind
- WindsockTermCone showing wind direction and strength
- Density altitudeTermAltitude adjusted for temperature and pressure; affects performance
- RunwayTermStrip for takeoff and landing
- TaxiwayTermPath for aircraft moving between runways and parking
- Apron (ramp)TermParking area for aircraft
- HangarTermBuilding for storing aircraft
- Control towerTermFacility directing aircraft at an airport
- ATCTermAir traffic control
- TakeoffTermLeaving the ground
- ClimbTermGaining altitude
- CruiseTermLevel flight at a steady altitude
- DescentTermLosing altitude
- ApproachTermFlight path toward a runway
- LandingTermReturning the aircraft to the ground
- Go-aroundTermAborting a landing to try again
- RotateTermRaise the nose at takeoff speed
- FlareTermRaising the nose just before touchdown
- Touch-and-goTermLanding and taking off again without stopping
- Traffic patternTermStandard path flown around an airport
- Preflight inspectionTermChecking the aircraft before flying
- ChecklistTermList of required steps to follow
- Flight planTermDetails of a planned flight filed with authorities
- NOTAMTermNotice to air missions about hazards or changes
- METARTermCoded weather report for an airport
- Phonetic alphabetTermAlpha, Bravo, Charlie... used to spell on the radio
- MaydayTermRadio call for a life-threatening emergency
- Pan-panTermRadio call for urgent but not immediately life-threatening trouble
- RogerTermMessage received
- WilcoTermWill comply
- SquawkTermSetting a transponder code
- KnotTermOne nautical mile per hour
- Nautical mileTermAbout 1.15 statute miles
- MachTermSpeed relative to the speed of sound
- Pilot certificateTermLicense authorizing someone to fly
- Private pilotTermCertificate for flying for personal purposes
- Commercial pilotTermCertificate allowing flying for pay
- Co-pilot (first officer)TermSecond pilot in command structure
- CaptainTermPilot in command of a large aircraft
- Flight attendantTermCrew member responsible for passenger safety
- Black boxTermFlight recorders storing data and cockpit audio; actually bright orange
- FAATermFederal Aviation Administration
- GliderTermAircraft without an engine that soars on rising air
- HelicopterTermAircraft lifted by rotating blades
- RotorTermSpinning blade assembly on a helicopter
- Drone (UAS)TermUnmanned aircraft system
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