Flight Attendant Terminology – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key airline terminology and definitions from the notes.

A/C

Abbreviation for aircraft.

A/CL

Aircraft Left—the left-hand side of the aircraft, facing the flight deck.

A/C R

Aircraft Right—the right-hand side of the aircraft, facing the flight deck.

AFT

The rear of the aircraft.

Airborne

The aircraft has left the ground and is in the air.

Air Cargo

Includes airfreight and air mail.

Air Maintenance Log

A record book kept in the flight deck with a complete history of the aircraft (flight time, reports, inspections, repairs, and alterations).

Airline Certificate

License rating issued by the FAA to operators of scheduled, supplemental, or authorized carriers.

Airspeed

Speed at which the airplane travels through the air (may differ from ground speed).

Air Traffic

Aircraft operating in the air or on an airport surface exclusive of loading ramps and parking areas.

ATC

Air Traffic Control—the FAA division that controls airways, navigational aids, and traffic.

APU

Auxiliary Power Unit.

Autopilot

System that automatically controls the aircraft’s flight path.

Bank

To turn or tilt the airplane left or right to change direction.

Block-to-Block

The period from when the aircraft begins taxiing away from the gate until it stops at the next gate.

Bulkhead

A wall that divides sections of the aircraft cabin.

CA

Captain; Pilot in Command.

CFR

Code of Federal Regulations—the FAA rules designed to protect passengers and crewmembers.

Charter Flight

A plane rented by a group for its exclusive use.

Check Flight Attendant

A specially trained and certified Flight Attendant responsible for IOE and line proficiency checks.

Chief Pilot

Supervisory pilot who liaises between line pilots and management.

Commute

Travel to and from work when living in a city or state other than where you work.

Aircraft

The airplane; the vehicle.

Connection

Jetway—a covered walkway from the terminal to the aircraft entrance.

Cockpit/Flight Deck

Pilot compartment of the aircraft where flight controls are located.

Control Tower

Located at airports; government personnel control aircraft on runways and near the airport.

CRM

Crew Resource Management—the effective use of all resources to achieve safe and efficient flight operations.

Crew Base

Airport assigned as crew base.

Crewmember

A person assigned to perform duty in an aircraft during flight time.

Crash Pad

Shared temporary housing for crewmembers in domicile.

Deadheading

Flight personnel flying on assignment as a non-paying passenger and not performing flight duties.

Decompression

Occurs when there is a loss of cabin air pressure.

Destination City

City to which you are flying.

Direct Flight

Flight with one or more intermediate stops but no change of planes.

Ditching

A water landing.

Domicile

Airport assigned as crew base.

DOT

Department of Transportation—ensures safe travel for passengers.

DRS

Direct Reference System—computer program used to communicate company correspondence to line crewmembers.

ETA/ETD

Estimated Time of Arrival; Estimated Time of Departure.

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration—responsible for the safety of civil aviation.

FAR

Federal Aviation Regulation.

FA

Flight Attendant—the person responsible for safe and efficient cabin activities during flight.

Ferry Flight

A flight without passengers to reposition or deliver an aircraft.

FO

First Officer; Second in Command.

Forward

Front of aircraft.

Fuselage

Body of aircraft.

Galley

Kitchen of the airplane.

Gray Water

Non-consumable water.

HAZMAT

Hazardous materials.

IOE

Initial Operating Experience—a trainee performing duties under supervision of a Check Flight Attendant before revenue flying.

Jetway

Jet bridge—a covered walkway from terminal to aircraft entrance.

Jumpseat

A seat, either in the cabin or cockpit, designated for use by a working crewmember only.

LAV

Lavatory—the restroom of the airplane.

Layover

The time spent on the ground between legs.

Leg

The flight segment between stops.

Line Check

An observation by a Check Flight Attendant during which a Flight Attendant demonstrates proficiency.

Logbook

A book used to keep records of flight assignments, times, and crew information.

MEL

Minimal Equipment List—the list of items that must be repaired immediately or can be deferred.

No Show

A revenue passenger who does not appear or a crewmember who does not report.

Non-Stop Flight

Flight with no stops between origin and destination.

Nose

The forward-most tip of the aircraft.

IOC

Initial Operating Capability (phase where systems or crews begin operating under supervision).

Out and Back

Assignment where crewmembers depart from and return to their base on the same day.

Originating City

Point of origin—the city from which you started.

PAX

Passenger.

Pairing

Originating city to arrival city indicated on a crewmember’s schedule.

PIC

Pilot in Command—the captain responsible for operation and safety.

Potable Water

Water that has been purified and certified safe for drinking.

Pressurization

Mechanical process to keep cabin pressure near sea-level density.

PSU

Passenger Service Unit—the panel with lighting, air vents, and call buttons in the cabin.

QIK

Software system containing information pertinent to passenger service and flight operations.

Ramp

Ground area outside the terminal where airplanes park.

REPO

Reposition flight.

RON

Remain Overnight.

Runway

Paved surface for takeoff and landing.

SIDA

Security Identification Display Area.

Sterile Cockpit

Critical phases of flight when crewmembers may not engage in nonessential tasks.

Taxi

Aircraft movement on the ground.

Tail

The AFT-most section of the airplane.

Takeoff

The process by which an aircraft leaves the ground.

Through Flight

A flight with enroute stops on the same aircraft; passengers may remain aboard.

Trip

A series of flights assigned to a crewmember; typically 1–4 days and starts/ends at the domicile.