Aviation Glossary & Abbreviations
Puzzled by strange aviation terms or abbreviations? Are you looking for a dictionary that explain these aviation terms in plain English? Then you are at the right place. Our Glossary lists and explains the most commonly used terms.
Aviation Glossary & Abbreviations
- a
- A-SMGCS
- Ab Initio's
- Above Ground Level
- Absolute Ceiling
- ACARS
- ACAS
- Accelerate Stop Distance Required
- Accelerated Stop Distance Available
- ADF
- ADIZ
- Aerodrome
- Aerodrome Operating Minima
- Aerodrome Traffic Zone
- AFM
- AGL
- Air Defense Identification Zone
- Air Traffic Control
- Air Traffic Control Officer
- Aircraft Flight Manual
- Airfoil
- Airline Transport Pilot License
- AIRMET
- Airport Beacon
- AIRPROX
- Airside
- Airspace Infringement
- Airworthiness
- ALD
- ALS
- Altimeter
- AMSL
- AOM
- Approach Light System
- ARCAL
- ASDA
- ASDR
- ATC
- ATIS
- ATPL
- Attitude indicator
- ATZ
- Automatic Terminal Information Service
- Available Landing Distance
- Aviation Alphabet
- Avionics master switch
- b
- Bleed air
- Braking Action
- c
- CAA
- Cabin Crew
- Camber
- CAVOK
- CB
- CDI
- Center of Gravity
- CFIT
- CG
- Charter
- Check Ride
- Checklist
- Civil Aviation Authority
- Clear Air Turbulence
- Clearance
- Cockpit Voice Recorder
- Coffin Corner
- Commercial Pilot License
- Connecting Flight
- Controlled Flight Into Terrain
- Cost Index
- Course Deviation Indicator
- CPL
- Crew Resource Management
- CRM
- Cross Wind Component
- Crosswind
- Cumulonimbus Cloud
- CVR
- d
- D-ATIS
- DA
- Data link - Automatic Terminal Information Service
- Deadhead
- Decision Altitude
- Decision Height
- Descent
- DH
- Direct Flight
- Dispatcher
- Distance Measuring Equipment
- DME
- Dogfight
- DOW
- Drag
- Dry Operating Weight
- e
- EASA
- EFATO
- EGPWS
- ELT
- Emergency Locator Transmitter
- Empennage
- Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System
- ETA
- ETD
- ETE
- ETOPS
- European Aviation Safety Agency
- f
- F/O
- FAA
- FAF
- FCOM
- Feathering
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FI
- Final Approach Fix
- Firewall
- First Officer
- FL
- Flaps
- Flare
- Flight Crew Operating Manual
- Flight Deck
- Flight Deck Observer Seat
- Flight Instructor
- Flight Level
- Flight Management Computer
- Flight Plan
- FMC
- FOD
- Foreign Object Debris
- Fuselage
- g
- GA
- General Aviation
- Glass Cockpit
- Glideslope
- Global Positioning System
- GPS
- GPWS
- Graveyard Spiral
- Ground Proximity Warning System
- Groundspeed
- GS
- h
- Head Of Training
- High Intensity Runway Lighting
- HIRL
- Hold Over Time
- Horizontal Stabilizer
- HOT
- Hypersonic Flight
- i
- IAF
- IATA
- ICAO
- IFR
- ILS
- IMC
- Initial Approach Fix
- Inner Marker
- Instrument Flight Rules
- Instrument Landing System
- Instrument Meteorological Conditions
- Instrument Rating
- International Air Transport Association
- International Civil Aviation Organization
- IR
- j
- Jet
- Jet Orientation Course
- JOC
- Jump Seat
- k
- KIAS
- Knots
- Knots Indicated Airspeed
- KTS
- l
- Landing Gear
- Licence
- License
- Lift
- Line Check
- Localizer
- Long Range Cruise Speed
- LORAN
- Low Visibility Procedures
- LVP
- m
- Mach
- Magnetic North
- Magneto
- Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System
- Master Minimum Equipment List
- Master Switch
- Maximum Landing Weight
- Maximum Operating Mach Number
- Maximum Take-Off Weight
- MCAS
- MCC
- MDA
- ME/IR
- MEA
- MEL
- MEP
- METAR
- Meteorological Terminal Air Report
- Middle Marker
- Minimum Descent Altitude
- Minimum Equipment List
- Minimum Safe Altitude
- MLW
- MMEL
- MMO
- Mock-up
- Mode A
- Mode C
- Mode S
- MORA
- MPL
- MSA
- MTOW
- Multi Crew Cooperation
- Multi Crew Pilot License
- Multi Engine Instrument Rating
- Multi Engine Piston
- n
- Nautical Mile
- Navaid
- NDB
- Non Directional Beacon
- NOTAM
- Notice To Airmen
- o
- OAT
- OBS
- Obstacle Clearance Altitude
- Obstacle Clearance Height
- OCA
- OCH
- OEI
- OFP
- Omni Bearing Selector
- One Engine Inoperative
- Operating Limitations
- Operational Flight Plan
- Organized Track System
- OTS
- Outer Marker
- Outside Air Temperature
- OVC
- Overcast
- p
- PAPI
- PAX
- Payload
- PFD
- PIC
- Pilot In Command
- Pilot's Operating Handbook
- Pitch
- Pitot Tube
- POH
- PPL
- Precision Approach Path Indicator
- Primary Flight Display
- Private Pilot License
- Propeller
- Pushback
- q
- QDM
- QDR
- QFE
- QNE
- QNH
- QRA
- QRH
- Quick Reference Handbook
- r
- RA
- RADAR
- Radio Altimeter
- Radio Altitude
- Radio Magnetic Indicator
- Ramp
- Reduced Vertical Separation Minima
- Registration Number
- Rejected Takeoff
- Required Navigation Performance
- Resolution Advisory
- RMI
- RNAV
- RNP
- RTO
- Rudder
- Runway Visual Range
- RVR
- RVSM
- s
- S/O
- Second Officer
- Secondary Surveillance Radar
- SEP
- Service Ceiling
- SFI
- Short Field
- Significant Weather Chart
- Simulator
- Single Engine Piston
- Soft Field
- SOP
- Spoilers
- SQ
- Squawk
- SSR
- Stall
- Standard Operating Procedure
- Standby
- Supersonic Flight
- Synthetic Flight Instructor
- t
- TAF
- Take Off Distance Available
- Take Off Distance Required
- Take Off Run Available
- TAS
- Taxiway
- TCAS
- Temporary Segregated Area
- Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
- Terminal Control Area
- Threshold
- Throttle
- Thrust
- TODA
- TODR
- TORA
- Touch and Go
- Tower
- TR
- Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System
- Transponder
- TRE
- TRI
- True Airspeed
- TSA
- TWR
- TWY
- Type Rating
- Type Rating Examiner
- Type Rating Instructor
- u
- U/S
- UAV
- UHF
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
- Unusual Attitude
- UTC
- v
- Vertical Speed Indicator
- VFR
- Visual Flight Rules
- Visual Meteorological Conditions
- VMC
- VOR
- VSI
- w
- Waypoint
- WILCO
- Window Of Circadian Low
- Wing Walker
- WIP
- WOCL
- WPT
- WX
- x
- XPDR
- XWC
- z
- Zero Flight Time
- Zero Fuel Weight
- ZFW
- Zulu Time
Want to study more? We have some great courses for you, check them out below!
Math For Pilots
Math For Pilots selection preparation: Theory lessons, numerous examples, crucial information, multiple downloadable factsheets, tips and over 1000 math and mental math questions to practice with.
English For Pilots
English For Pilots selection preparation: Practice most frequently asked ATC listening tests, vocabulary, grammar, word order and reading comprehension exercises.
WIN A SIGNED AIRPLANE MODEL
Brought to you by DutchPilotGirl
Win a signed airplane model
WIN A BOSE PROFLIGHT SERIES 2
Brought to you by Bose
The ProFlight Series 2 takes audio features Bose is known for – like active noise cancellation and clarity – and fits them into the lightest, most compact aviation headset Bose has ever produced. And even though it’s compact, the ProFlight Series 2 is designed to be durable.
Physics For Pilots
Theory lessons, numerous examples, crucial information about selection processes, downloadable factsheets, tips and over 300 physics questions to practice with. Our Physics For Pilots course will help you succeed!
Coming Soon!
More exciting and interesting courses will be added during the next months.
PASS YOUR AIRLINE ASSESSMENT AND BECOME A PILOT
Pilot Selection Preparation
Our pilot Selection preparation courses
The following pilot selection preparation courses will help you achieve the desired results during your flight school selection or assessment!
Math For Pilots
Theory lessons, numerous examples, crucial information, multiple downloadable factsheets, tips and over 1000 math and mental math questions to practice with.
Physics For Pilots
Theory lessons, numerous examples, crucial information about selection processes, downloadable factsheets, tips and over 300 physics questions to practice with.
Do you have a suggestion?
In case you feel our aviation glossary should be updated, please use our contact form to reach out to us. Your help is greatly appreciated!
I need help with
- Becoming a pilot
- My upcoming flight school selection
- My upcoming airline selection
- The adapt test
- The compass test
Available courses
- Flight School Selection Preparation
- Airline Selection Preparation
- Compass Test Preparation
- Adapt Test Preparation
- Physics For Pilots
- Math For Pilots