Aircraft Dispatch & Aviation Acronyms Practice Flashcards

A complete quick reference guide of essential aviation acronyms and terminology for aircraft dispatch and flight operations as used by ICAO, FAA, and EASA.

ACARS

Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System - Digital datalink system for transmitting short messages, weather updates, OUT/OFF/ON/IN times, and flight plans between aircraft and ground stations.

ASDA

Accelerate-Stop Distance Available - The length of the takeoff run available plus the length of any stopway available for an aircraft to accelerate and then execute a rejected takeoff (RTO).

CDL

Configuration Deviation List - An FAA/EASA approved list identifying external aircraft parts (e.g., fairings, static dischargers) that may be missing, with associated performance penalties.

CPDLC

Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications - A datalink application enabling air traffic controllers and pilots to communicate text-based non-urgent messages, route clearances, and altitude re-routes.

DOW / OEW

Dry Operating Weight / Operational Empty Weight - Total weight of the aircraft including structure, engines, unusable fuel, operating fluids, crew, and catering, but excluding payload and usable fuel.

EOBT

Estimated Off-Block Time - The estimated time at which the aircraft will commence movement associated with departure (pushback or taxi time).

ETD / ETA

Estimated Time of Departure / Estimated Time of Arrival - Planned times for departure from origin and arrival at destination or waypoint.

ETOPS

Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards - Rules permitting twin-engine commercial airliners to fly routes that are more than $60\,\text{minutes}$ flying time from the nearest suitable diversion airport.

FMC / FMS

Flight Management Computer / Flight Management System - Onboard specialized computer system that automates a wide variety of in-flight tasks, calculating navigation, performance, and fuel management.

LDA

Landing Distance Available - The length of runway declared available and suitable for the ground run of an aircraft landing.

MEL

Minimum Equipment List - An operator-specific document derived from MMEL that allows dispatching an aircraft with specific broken or inoperative equipment under clear conditions.

MLW

Maximum Landing Weight - Maximum permissible weight at which an aircraft can structural-wise land safely under normal operational conditions.

MTOW

Maximum Takeoff Weight - Maximum structural weight limit certified for an aircraft to begin its takeoff roll.

MZFW

Maximum Zero Fuel Weight - Maximum permissible weight of the aircraft loaded with payload (passengers + cargo), but without usable fuel in the tanks.

OFP

Operational Flight Plan - The comprehensive dispatch document detailing route, altitudes, fuel calculations, weights, weather, and alternate airports for a specific flight.

TODA / TORA

Takeoff Distance Available / Takeoff Run Available - TORA is the physical runway available for ground roll; TODA includes TORA plus clearway available for initial climbout.

V1

Takeoff Decision Speed - The maximum speed during takeoff at which the pilot can take the first action to stop the aircraft within the accelerate-stop distance, or continue safely.

V2

Takeoff Safety Speed - Minimum speed that must be attained at $35\,\text{feet}$ above the takeoff surface with one engine inoperative.

Vr

Rotation Speed - Speed at which the pilot initiates control inputs to raise the aircraft nose for takeoff climb.

Vref

Reference Approach Speed - Calculated speed for final approach over the threshold (typically $1.3$ times stall speed in landing configuration).

ZFW

Zero Fuel Weight - Actual weight of the aircraft including cargo, passengers, and crew, but excluding usable fuel.

AIRMET

Airmen's Meteorological Information - In-flight weather advisory issued for weather phenomena potentially hazardous to light aircraft or specific operations (e.g., moderate icing/turbulence, IFR).

CAT

Clear Air Turbulence - Severe or sudden turbulence occurring in clear air, often associated with high-altitude jet streams without visible cloud cover.

IMC

Instrument Meteorological Conditions - Weather conditions requiring flight by reference to instruments because visibility and cloud ceiling fall below VMC minima.

ISA

International Standard Atmosphere - Standard atmospheric reference model ($15^{\circ}\text{C}$ temperature, $1013.25\,\text{hPa}$ / $29.92\,\text{inHg}$ pressure at sea level, temperature lapse rate $2^{\circ}\text{C}/1,000\,\text{ft}$).

METAR

Meteorological Aerodrome Report - Routine hourly or half-hourly observation of current weather conditions at an airfield.

NOTAM

Notice to Air Missions - Time-critical operational notice distributed to flight personnel containing essential information regarding changes, hazards, or closures.

PIREP

Pilot Weather Report - Report of actual weather conditions encountered by an aircraft in flight, shared with ATC and weather observers.

QNH

Altimeter Setting (Mean Sea Level) - Barometric altimeter setting adjusted so the altimeter reads airfield elevation when on the ground.

QFE

Altimeter Setting (Field Elevation) - Barometric pressure setting that causes the altimeter read zero when on the airfield datum.

QNE

Standard Pressure Setting ($1013.25\,\text{hPa}$ / $29.92\,\text{inHg}$) - Standard altimeter setting used above the Transition Altitude/Level for Flight Level (FL) flying.

RVR

Runway Visual Range - The distance over which a pilot on the centerline of a runway can see the runway surface markings or lights.

SIGMET

Significant Meteorological Information - Weather advisory issued for severe meteorological phenomena hazardous to all aircraft (e.g., severe icing, severe turbulence, volcanic ash, severe squall lines).

SPECI

Special Meteorological Report - Unscheduled aviation weather report issued when significant updates occur between regular METARs.

TAF

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast - Concise forecast of meteorological conditions expected within a $5\,\text{statute mile}$ radius of an airport over a $24$ or $30\text{-hour}$ period.

VMC

Visual Meteorological Conditions - Meteorological conditions expressed in terms of visibility, distance from cloud, and ceiling equal to or better than specified minima.

ADS-B

Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast - Surveillance technology where aircraft determine position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcast it to ground stations and other aircraft.

ARTCC

Air Route Traffic Control Center (Center) - Facility responsible for controlling en-route IFR aircraft along airways and within designated airspace sectors.

ATIS

Automatic Terminal Information Service - Continuous broadcast of recorded aeronautical information (weather, active runways, approaches) in high-density airport terminal areas.

EDCT

Expect Departure Clearance Time - A departure release time assigned to an aircraft by ATC Traffic Management to manage en-route or destination demand (slot time).

FIR

Flight Information Region - A defined dimension of airspace within which flight information services and alerting services are provided.

GS

Ground Stop - ATC tactical traffic management initiative requiring aircraft destined for a constrained airport to remain grounded at their origin airport.

IFR / VFR

Instrument Flight Rules / Visual Flight Rules - Rules governing flight under instrument atmospheric conditions versus flight by visual reference to terrain.

NAT-HLA

North Atlantic High Level Airspace - Designated airspace in the North Atlantic region between $FL285$ and $FL420$ requiring specific navigation accuracy and equipment approval.

PBN / RNAV

Performance-Based Navigation / Area Navigation - Method of navigation allowing aircraft to fly on any desired flight path within coverage of station-referenced or self-contained navigation aids.

RAIM

Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring - Technology embedded in GPS receivers to assess the integrity of GPS signals received for aviation safety.

RNP

Required Navigation Performance - A type of performance-based navigation (PBN) that requires onboard navigation performance monitoring and alerting capabilities.

RVSM

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum - Reduction of standard vertical separation from $2,000\,\text{ft}$ to $1,000\,\text{ft}$ between $FL290$ and $FL410$, requiring special aircraft altimetry equipment.

SID

Standard Instrument Departure - Preplanned IFR air traffic control departure procedure printed for pilot use to bridge transition from runway to en-route structure.

STAR

Standard Terminal Arrival Route - Preplanned IFR ATC arrival procedure providing transition from en-route airway structure to the outer fix of an approach point.

TCAS

Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System - Airborne system monitoring surrounding transponder-equipped aircraft to alert pilots of potential collision threats (TA/RA).

TRACON

Terminal Radar Approach Control - ATC facility that manages aircraft operating within approximately $30$ to $50\,\text{miles}$ of an airport, typically between surface and $10,000$-$17,000\,\text{ft}$.

AOC

Air Operator Certificate - Approval granted by an aviation authority (e.g., FAA/EASA) permitting an operator to perform commercial air transport operations.

CFR / FAR

Code of Federal Regulations / Federal Aviation Regulations - Rules prescribed by the FAA governing all aviation activities in the United States (e.g., $14\,\text{CFR}$ Part $121$ for scheduled airlines).

EASA

European Union Aviation Safety Agency - Agency of the European Union with regulatory authority for civil aviation safety across European member states.

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration - National aviation authority of the United States regulating civil aviation and air traffic operations.

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization - Specialized agency of the United Nations that sets international standards and recommended practices (SARPs) for civil aviation.

OpSpecs

Operations Specifications - Legally binding authorization document issued by the FAA to a specific air carrier, defining authorized routes, equipment, and weather minima.

PIC / SIC

Pilot in Command / Second in Command - The designated Captain holding final responsibility and authority for flight safety, and the First Officer acting as second in command.

SMS

Safety Management System - Systematic approach to managing safety, including necessary organizational structures, accountabilities, policies, and procedures.