Private Pilot Ground School Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core aviation topics from the Private Pilot Study Guide including certification, aircraft systems, weight and balance, medical regulations, weather, navigation, airport operations, and airspace.

Private Pilot Certification Minimum Age

The applicant must be at least $17\text{ years old}$ to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate.

Complex Aircraft

An aircraft that has flaps, retractable landing gear, and a variable pitch propeller.

High Performance Aircraft

An aircraft with an engine that produces greater than $200\text{ horsepower}$.

High Altitude Aircraft

An aircraft with a service ceiling above $25,000\text{ ft}$.

Flight Review Requirement

To act as PIC, a pilot must complete a Flight Review, obtain another certificate/rating, or complete the FAA WINGS program every $24\text{ calendar months}$.

Day Passenger Currency

To carry passengers during the day, the PIC must have performed at least $3\text{ takeoffs and landings}$ within the preceding $90\text{ days}$ in the same category, class, and type (if required).

Night / Tailwheel Passenger Currency

To carry passengers at night or in a tailwheel aircraft, the PIC must have performed at least $3\text{ takeoffs and landings}$ to a full stop within the preceding $90\text{ days}$.

BasicMed (14 CFR Part 68)

A limited medical qualification option issued for specific mental, neurological, or cardiovascular health disorders.

Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA)

A limited medical certificate for individuals unable to pass a Class 3 medical and who do not fall under BasicMed conditions.

Center of Gravity (CG)

The balance point and center of rotation of the aircraft.

Datum

An imaginary point on the longitudinal axis of the airplane (can be in front of or behind the airplane) from which all distance measurements are taken.

Arm

The distance from the datum to the item's position.

Moment Equation

$\text{Weight} \times \text{Arm} = \text{Moment}$ (the force that causes an object to rotate).

Basic Empty Weight

The weight of the aircraft including unusable fuel as well as oil.

Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW)

The weight of the aircraft including all of its contents, but excluding the weight of usable fuel. It serves as a structural limit to prevent excessive stress on the wing roots.

Ramp Weight

The total weight of the aircraft as it sits on the ramp before engine start.

Takeoff Weight

Ramp weight minus taxi fuel.

Landing Weight

Takeoff weight minus fuel used in the air.

Forward CG Effects

Causes higher angle of attack, higher stall speed, longer ground roll, slower cruise speed, easier stall recovery, and increased fuel consumption.

Aft CG Effects

Causes lower angle of attack, lower stall speed, shorter ground roll, faster cruise speed, less drag, better fuel efficiency, and difficult or impossible stall recovery.

Standard Atmosphere

Conditions defined as $15^\text{o}\text{C}$ temperature and $29.92\text{ inHg}$ pressure at sea level.

Pressure Altitude (PA)

Altitude corrected for non-standard pressure, read directly off the altimeter when set to $29.92\text{ inHg}$.

Density Altitude (DA)

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature, representing aircraft performance.

Best Angle of Climb ($V_X$)

The airspeed that yields the greatest height in the shortest horizontal distance, used to clear obstacles.

Best Rate of Climb ($V_Y$)

The airspeed that allows the aircraft to reach a target altitude in the shortest amount of time.

Best Glide Speed ($(L/D)_{\text{max}}$)

The speed at which the airplane can travel the greatest horizontal distance for each vertical foot lost, used during engine failure procedures.

ARROWE

Required documents on board an aircraft: Airworthiness Certificate, Registration, Radio Operators License (international), Owner/Operators manual (POH), Weight and Balance, and Equipment List.

Annual Inspection Requirement

Required every $12\text{ calendar months}$ and must be performed by an A&P mechanic holding an Inspection Authority (IA).

100-Hour Inspection Requirement

Required if flying for compensation or hire; can be completed by an A&P mechanic, but cannot substitute for an annual inspection.

Transponder Inspection Interval

Must be inspected every $24\text{ calendar months}$.

ELT Inspection and Battery Replacement

Inspected every $12\text{ calendar months}$; battery must be replaced or recharged after $1\text{ hour}$ of cumulative use or when $\frac{1}{2}$ of its useful life has expired.

ATOMATOFLAMES

Acronym for required VFR day instruments and equipment under 14 CFR 91.205.

FLAPS

Acronym for required VFR night equipment under 14 CFR 91.205: Fuses/circuit breakers, Landing light (if for hire), Anti-collision light, Position lights, and Source of electricity.

Preventive Maintenance (14 CFR Part 43 Appendix A)

Maintenance that can be performed by the owner of the aircraft who holds a pilot certificate (e.g., private pilot certificate) for that aircraft.

Special Flight Permit

A permit issued for an aircraft that is NOT airworthy but still safe for a specific flight.

Hypoxia

A state of oxygen deficiency in the body causing symptoms like euphoria, cyanosis, headache, dizziness, slowed reaction time, and impaired judgment.

Hypoxic Hypoxia

Hypoxia caused by insufficient oxygen available in the lungs at high altitudes.

Hypemic Hypoxia

Hypoxia caused by the inability of the blood to transport oxygen (e.g., carbon monoxide poisoning).

Stagnant Hypoxia

Hypoxia caused by blood not moving or circulating to transport oxygen.

Histotoxic Hypoxia

Hypoxia occurring when cells are unable to use oxygen because the blood transports a toxic substance.

Supplemental Oxygen Requirements (Non-pressurized Aircraft)

Required flight crew must use oxygen above $12,500\text{ ft}$ if exceeding $30\text{ minutes}$; flight crew must use oxygen continuously above $14,000\text{ ft}$; all occupants must be provided oxygen above $15,000\text{ ft}$.

Hyperventilation

A condition caused by an increased breathing rate due to stress or anxiety, lowering blood $CO_2$ levels and constricting blood vessels in the brain.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning

Poisoning caused by colorless, odorless exhaust gas attaching to blood cells better than oxygen; corrected by turning off the heater, opening vents, and using oxygen.

Valsalva Technique

A procedure used to equalize pressure in the middle ear and sinuses during altitude changes.

Spatial Disorientation Systems

The three body systems used to maintain balance and orientation: Vestibular system (inner ear), Somatosensory system (nerves/joints/skin), and Visual system (eyes).

The Leans

An illusion where a pilot returning to straight and level flight after a long, unnoticed turn feels as if the aircraft is banking in the opposite direction.

Graveyard Spiral

An illusion occurring during a long, constant-rate turn where the pilot fails to sense the turn, observes altitude loss, and pulls back on the stick, tightening the spiral.

Inversion Illusion

An illusion caused by an abrupt change from climb to straight-and-level flight, creating a sensation of tumbling backward.

Coriolis Illusion

An illusion caused by moving the head in a different axis during a constant-rate turn, creating a false sensation of turning or accelerating on a different plane.

Auto Kinesthesis

A visual illusion in the dark where a stationary light appears to move after being stared at for a long period.

Somatogravic Illusion

An illusion caused by rapid acceleration or deceleration that creates the false sensation of being in a nose-up or nose-down pitch attitude.

Alcohol Regulations for Pilots

Must observe $8\text{ hours}$ 'bottle to throttle', maintain a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) below $0.04\text{\%}$, and not fly while under the influence or effects of alcohol.

Scuba Diving Wait Times for Flight

For flights up to $8,000\text{ ft MSL}$, wait $12\text{ hours}$ after non-decompression dives and $24\text{ hours}$ after decompression stop dives.

Rods and Cones

Cones are located in the center of the eye and detect color in bright light; Rods detect black and white for night and peripheral vision, requiring $30\text{ minutes}$ to adapt to darkness.

Black-hole Approach

A night visual illusion during landing that occurs when the runway lights are the only source of visual orientation over featureless terrain or water.

Warm Front Weather

Typically characterized by stratiform clouds and poor visibility.

Cold Front Weather

Typically characterized by towering cumulus clouds, thunderstorms, and good visibility.

Radiation Fog (Ground Fog)

Fog that forms when the ground cools rapidly at night and surrounding air reaches its dew point.

Advection Fog

Fog created when a layer of warm, moist air moves horizontally over a cold surface (e.g., coastlines).

Upslope Fog

Fog formed when a moist air mass is forced up sloping terrain or mountains.

Steam Fog

Fog created when cool, dry air moves over warm water, associated with low-level turbulence and icing.

Stages of a Thunderstorm

1. Cumulus Stage (lifting action), 2. Mature Stage (precipitation begins at the surface), 3. Dissipating Stage (vertical motion replaced by downdrafts).

VFR Weather Classification

Ceiling greater than $3,000\text{ ft AGL}$ and visibility greater than $5\text{ statute miles}$.

MVFR Weather Classification

Ceiling $1,000\text{ to }3,000\text{ ft AGL}$ and/or visibility $3\text{ to }5\text{ statute miles}$.

IFR Weather Classification

Ceiling $500\text{ to below }1,000\text{ ft AGL}$ and/or visibility $1\text{ to less than }3\text{ statute miles}$.

LIFR Weather Classification

Ceiling below $500\text{ ft AGL}$ and/or visibility less than $1\text{ statute mile}$.

Winds Aloft Coding Modification

If the wind direction appears greater than $360^\text{o}$, subtract $50$ from the wind direction and add $100$ to the wind speed (e.g., code $751245$ means wind from $250^\text{o}$ at $112\text{ knots}$, temperature $-45^\text{o}\text{C}$).

AIRMET Sierra

An advisory for widespread IFR conditions and mountain obscuration.

AIRMET Tango

An advisory for moderate turbulence, surface winds of $30\text{ knots}$ or greater, and non-convective low-level wind shear.

AIRMET Zulu

An advisory for moderate icing and freezing level heights.

SIGMET

Informs of significant non-convective hazardous weather such as severe turbulence, severe icing, dust/sandstorms, or volcanic ash.

Convective SIGMET

Issued for hazardous convective weather conditions related to severe thunderstorms.

Chart Supplement

A directory of all public airports, seaplane bases, heliports, communication data, navigation facilities, and special notices.

NOTAM (D)

Distant NOTAMs containing information regarding navigational facilities and public airports.

FDC NOTAMs

Flight Data Center NOTAMs containing regulatory changes such as chart revisions or TFRs.

Traffic Pattern Base Leg Entry

Initiated when the aircraft is at a $45^\text{o}$ angle past the end of the runway on downwind.

Mandatory Instruction Signs

Red background with white writing; indicates entrance to a runway, critical area, or prohibited zone.

Location Signs

Black background with yellow writing and border; identifies the specific taxiway or runway the aircraft is currently on.

Direction Signs

Yellow background with black writing and black arrows; indicates direction of turns for taxiing.

Runway Distance Remaining Signs

Black background with white numbers indicating remaining runway distance in thousands of feet.

Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)

A pair of synchronized white flashing lights located on each side of the runway threshold.

Land And Hold Short (LAHSO) Lights

Flashing white lights placed across a runway at the hold short position.

Transponder Code 7500

Squawk code indicating aircraft hijacking ('75-taken alive').

Transponder Code 7600

Squawk code indicating radio communications failure ('76-technical glitch').

Transponder Code 7700

Squawk code indicating an emergency ('77-going to heaven').

Aviation Emergency Guard Frequency

$$121.5\text{ MHz}$$

Steady Green Light Gun Signal

Ground: Cleared for Takeoff; In-Flight: Cleared to Land.

Flashing Red Light Gun Signal

Ground: Taxi Clear of Runway; In-Flight: Airport Unsafe - Do Not Land.

Alternating Red/Green Light Gun Signal

General caution signal applying to both ground and in-flight operations.

Class A Airspace Boundaries

Extends from $18,000\text{ ft MSL}$ up to $60,000\text{ ft MSL}$.

Class B VFR Minimums

$3\text{ statute miles}$ visibility and clear of clouds.

Class C and D VFR Minimums

$3\text{ statute miles}$ visibility with cloud clearance of $500\text{ ft}$ below, $1,000\text{ ft}$ above, and $2,000\text{ ft}$ horizontal.

General Speed Limit Below 10,000 Feet MSL

$250\text{ knots}$ IAS maximum.

Prohibited Area

Special use airspace where aircraft flight is completely prohibited for security or national welfare reasons.

Restricted Area

Airspace containing unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft (e.g., artillery firing); unauthorized entry is illegal.

Military Operations Area (MOA)

Airspace designated to separate high-speed military traffic from IFR operations; VFR flight is permitted but requires extreme caution.

Mode C Veil

Airspace within $30\text{ NM}$ of Class B primary airports requiring an altitude-encoding transponder from surface up to $10,000\text{ ft MSL}$.

VFR Corridor

A airspace passage through Class B airspace where VFR aircraft can fly without ATC clearance or radio communication.

Pilotage

Navigation by visual reference to landmark features on the ground.

Dead Reckoning

Navigation based on mathematical calculations of heading, time, speed, fuel, and distance.