Aviation Terminology Vocabulary Flashcards (Lecture Notes)

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering major aviation terms and concepts from the lecture notes.

ASDA

Accelerate-Stop Distance Available: The length of the takeoff run available plus the length of the stopway if provided.

TODA

Takeoff Distance Available: The length of the take-off run available plus the length of the clearway (if provided); TODA must not exceed 1.5 times the TORA.

TORA

Takeoff Run Available: The length of the runway declared available and suitable for the ground run of an aircraft taking off.

LDA

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

ADVISORY ROUTE

A designatory route along which air traffic advisory is available.

ADVISORY SERVICE

Advice and information provided by a facility to assist pilots in the safe conduct of flights and aircraft movement.

AAC

Aircraft Approach Category: A grouping based on ground speed (1.3 × stall speed in landing configuration); categories A–E with defined speed ranges.

ADIZ

Air Defence Identification Zone: Area over land/water where ready identification, location and control of aircraft is required for national security.

ARP

Airport Reference Point: A point designated as the official airport location.

ATC CLEARANCE

Clearance given by air traffic control to proceed under specified traffic conditions within controlled airspace.

AIRWAY

A control area or portion thereof established as a corridor equipped with radio navigation aids.

ALTERNATE AERODROME

An aerodrome to which an aircraft may proceed when landing at the intended aerodrome becomes impossible or inadvisable; includes take-off, enroute and destination alternates.

RNAV

Area Navigation: Navigation method allowing operation on any desired flight path within station-referenced navigation aids or self-contained aids.

ATS ROUTE

A specified route designated for channelling the flow of traffic for air traffic services.

ATIS

Automatic Terminal Information Service: Current routine information broadcast to arriving/departing aircraft.

CABOTAGE

Domestic air services refused by aircraft registered in another contracting state.

CEILING

Height above ground or water of the lowest cloud layer below 20,000 ft covering more than half the sky.

CIRCLING APPROACH

An approach where the aircraft maneuvers outside the 30-degree arc of the active runway to achieve a position for a visual approach.

CLEARWAY

Defined rectangular ground/water area under authority control, prepared for the initial climb to a specified height.

CONTROL AREA

Controlled airspace extending upwards from a specified limit above the earth.

CONTROLLED AIRSPACE

Airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC provides services.

CONTROL ZONE (CTR)

Controlled airspace extending from the surface to a specified upper limit; typically with lateral extents of at least 9.3 km (5 NM) from the aerodrome.

CURRENT FLIGHT PLAN

The flight plan including changes due to subsequent clearances.

DA / DH

Decision Altitude (DA) / Decision Height (DH): Altitude/height at which a Missed Approach must be initiated on a precision approach if required visual references are not established.

DISTRESS PHASE

A phase when there is grave and imminent danger or immediate need for assistance.

DISPLACED THRESHOLD

Threshold located at a point on the runway other than the designated beginning of the runway.

FINAL APPROACH

That part of an instrument approach procedure commencing at the final approach fix (or equivalent) and leading to landing.

FLIGHT INFORMATION CENTRE

Unit established to provide flight information service or alerting service.

FIR

Flight Information Region: Airspace defined for provision of flight information and alerting services.

FLIGHT INFORMATION SERVICE (FIS)

Service providing advice and information useful for safe and efficient conduct of flights.

FLIGHT PLAN

Specified information provided to ATS units related to the intended flight or portion of the flight.

GRID MINIMUM OFF ROUTE ALTITUDE

An altitude derived by Jeppesen or authorities that provides terrain/obstacle clearance off the route; does not provide NAV AID signal or communication coverage.

MORA

Minimum Off Route Altitude: Provides known obstacle clearance 10 NM either side of the route centerline; does not provide NAV AID or communication coverage.

MOCA

Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude: The lowest published altitude between radio fixes that meets obstacle clearance for the route.

MAA

Maximum Authorized Altitude: Published maximum usable altitude/flight level for a segment.

MSA

Minimum Safe Altitude: The lowest altitude providing at least 1000 ft obstacle clearance within a 25 NM sector.

MISSED APPROACH POINT

Point in an instrument approach at or before which the prescribed missed approach procedure must be initiated.

NON-PRECISION APPROACH

Instrument approach that does not use electronic glideslope information (e.g., VOR, TACAN, NDB).

PRECISION APPROACH

Instrument approach using an azimuth perception and electronic glideslope information (e.g., ILS).

INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE

Predetermined maneuvers by reference to flight instruments with obstacle protection from the initial approach to a landing.

OCA/H

Obstacle Clearance Altitude/Height: Lowest altitude/height to meet obstacle clearance criteria for the relevant area.

FAF

Final Approach Fix: Point where final approach segment begins on a non-precision approach.

FAP

Final Approach Point: Point on a precision approach glide path where the final segment begins.

MAPt

Missed Approach Point: Point where the missed approach begins on a non-precision approach.

MDA/H

Minimum Descent Altitude/Height: Altitude/height below which descent may not proceed without proper visual reference on non-precision approaches.

DA/H

Decision Altitude/Height: Altitude/height at which missed approach must be initiated on precision approaches.

SID

Standard Instrument Departure: IFR departure route linking the aerodrome/runway to ATS routes.

STAR

Standard Instrument Arrival: IFR arrival route linking a significant point to a published approach.

SVFR

Special VFR: Controlled VFR flight within a control zone under meteorological conditions below VMC.

NOTAM

Notice to Airmen: Notice about establishment/change of aeronautical facilities or hazards; series A, B, C, D, G; SnowTAM, ASHTAM, AIRAC.

AIP

Aeronautical Information Publication: The basic source of permanent and long-term aeronautical information; parts GEN, ENR, AD.

AIC

Aeronautical Information Circular: Notices not qualifying for NOTAM or AIP amendments but related to safety/operations.

PIB

Pre-flight Information Bulletin: Recapitulation of current NOTAMs and other support information.

CPDLC

Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications: Two-way data link for non-urgent messages between controller and aircraft.

AOC

Air Operator’s Certificate/Permit: Certification allowing an operator to conduct specified commercial air transport operations.

MEL

Master Minimum Equipment List: List of aircraft equipment that must be operative for dispatch.

AFM

Airplane Flight Manual: Manual approved by the state of design, governing operations.

SSR

Secondary Surveillance Radar/transponder-based surveillance used for ATC separation.

NDB

Non-Directional Beacon: A ground-based radio beacon used for navigation.

VOR

VHF Omnidirectional Range: Ground-based navigation aid providing azimuth information.

ILS

Instrument Landing System: Precision approach system providing azimuth and glide slope.

FAF/FAF

Final Approach Fix: See above; FAF marks start of final approach for non-precision approaches.

QNH / QNE / QFE / QFF

Altimeter setting terminology: QNH (altitude above mean sea level), QNE (pressure setting 1013.25 hPa for flight levels), QFE (pressure at aerodrome height), QFF (sea-level pressure adjusted to MSL).

TA / TL

Transition Altitude: Altitude at which vertical position is controlled to QNH vs QNE; Transition Layer lies between TA and TL.

Transition Layer

Layer of airspace between Transition Altitude and Transition Level.

Transition Level

Lowest flight level above the Transition Altitude; varies with QNH/QNE relationship.

FIR India (examples)

Major Flight Information Regions in India include Delhi FIR (North), Calcutta FIR (East), Bombay FIR (West), Madras FIR (South), and Guwahati Sub-FIR.

AERODROME LIGHTS

Lights used at aerodromes: runway edge, threshold, centreline, touchdown zone, wing bars, PAPI/APAPI, and related navigation lighting.

PAPI / APAPI

Precision approach path indicator: Visual glide-path indication lights located on the left side of the runway.

AERODROME BEACON

Beacon light providing night navigation aid at aerodromes with specific conditions.

NOTAM SERIES A/B/C/D/G

NOTAM series: A = long-lasting changes, B = short-term changes, C = domestic flights, D = defence-related changes, G = general notices.

AIRAC

Aeronautical Information Regulation And Control: Regulated cycle for distributing changes on common effective dates.

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES (AIS)

Organisation responsible for AIS data and NOTAM dissemination; AIP maintained by DGCA/AAI.

ELT

Automatic Emergency Locator Transmitter: Transmits distress signals in emergency.

FDR / CVR

Flight Data Recorder / Cockpit Voice Recorder: Recorders for accident investigation; retention requirements vary by aircraft weight.

MEL / MMEL

Minimum Equipment List / Master Minimum Equipment List: Dispatch requirements for equipment operability.

AOC / AOP

Air Operator’s Certificate / Air Operator’s Permit: Authorization to operate air transport services.

PIREP / METAR / TAF

Pilot weather reports (PIREPs), METARs (routine weather), SPECI (special), and TAF (forecasts) for aeronautical weather information.

RNP / RNAV

Required Navigation Performance / Area Navigation: performance-based navigation specifying accuracy and integrity requirements.

MSA / MSA Sectors

Minimum Safe Altitude for a region; if divided, MSAs may have sector-based altitudes.

RVSM

Reduced Vertical Separation Maxima: Reduced vertical separation (1000 ft) between FL290 and FL410; requires twin altitude systems, altitude alerting, SSR with altitude reporting, TCAS.

Circling/Descent Gradients

Descent gradients used in instrument procedures (e.g., 3° glide path, 3–6.5% gradient depending on category).