AFOQT Aviation Section (revised)

Everything. And I mean everything from my AFOQT aviation info book

Absolute accuracy

The ability to determine present position in space independently, and is most often used by pilots

Absolute Altitude

The actual distance between an aircraft and the terrain over which it is flying

Absolute Pressure

Pressure measured from a reference of zero pressure, or a vacuum

Acceleration Error

A magnetic compass error apparent when the aircraft accelerates while flying on an easterly or westerly heading, causing the compass to rotate towards north

Accelerate-Go Distance

The distance required to accelerate to V1 with all engines at takeoff power, experience an engine failure at V1, and continue the takeoff on the remaining engine(s). The runway required includes the distance required to climb to 35 feet by which time V2 speed must be attained

Accelerate-Stop Distance

The distance required to accelerate to V1 with all engines at takeoff power, experience an engine failure at V1, and abort the takeoff and bring the airplane to a stop, using braking action only (Thrust reversing not considered)

Accelerometer

A part of an Inertial Navigation System (INS) that accurately measures the force of acceleration in one direction

ADC (Air Data Computer)

An aircraft computer that receives and processes pitot pressure, static pressure, and temperature to calculate very precise altitude, indicated airspeed, true airspeed, and air temperature

Automatic Direction Finder (ADF)

Electronic navigation equipment that operates in the low-and medium-frequency bands. Used i conjunction with the ground based non directional beacon (NDB), the instrument displays the number of degrees clockwise from the nose of the aircraft to the station being received

Attitude Director Indicator (ADI)

An aircraft attitude indicator that incorporates flight command bars to provide pitch and roll commands

Adjustable-Pitch Propeller

A propeller with blades whose pitch can be adjusted on the ground with the engine not running, but which cannot be adjusted in flight. Also referred to as ground adjustable propeller. Sometimes also used to refer to constant-speed propellers that are adjustable in flight

Adjustable Stabilizer

A stabilizer that can be adjusted in flight to trim the airplane, thereby allowing the airplane to fly hands-off at any given airspeed

ADM (Aeronautical Decision Making)

A systematic approach to the mental process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)

A function of an aircraft or vehicle that periodically broadcasts its state vector (i.e., horizontal and vertical position, horizontal and vertical velocity) and other information

Advection Fog

Fog resulting from the movement of warm, humid air over a cold surface

Adverse Yaw

A condition of flight in which the nose of an airplane tends to yaw towards the outside of the turn. This is caused by higher induced drag on the outside wing. Which is also producing more life. Induced drag is a byproduct of the lift associated with the outside wing

Aerodynamics

The Science of the action of air on an object, and with the motion of air on other gases. Deals with the production of lift by the aircraft, the relative wind, and the atmosphere

Aeronautical Chart

A map used in air navigation containing all or part of the following: topographical features, hazards or obstructions, navigational aids, navigation routes, designated airspace, and airports

Agonic Line

An irregular imaginary line across the surface of the earth along which the magnetic and geographic poles are in alignment, and along which there is no magnetic variation

Ailerons

Primary flight control surfaces mounted on the trailing edge of an airplane wing, near the tip. Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis

Aircraft Altitude

The actual height above sea level at which the aircraft is flying

Aircraft Approach Category

A performance grouping of aircraft based on a speed of 1.3 times the stall speed in landing configuration at maximum gross landing weight

Airfoil

Any surface, such as wing, propeller, rudder, or even a trim tab, which provide aerodynamic force when it interacts with a moving stream of air

AIRMET

Inflight weather advisory issued as an amendment to the area forecast, concerning weather phenomena of operational interest to all aircraft and that is potentially hazardous to aircraft with limited capability due to lack of equipment, instrumentation, or pilot qualifications

Airport Markings

See Airport markings quizlet

Airport signs

see airport signs quizlet

Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE)

radar equipment specifically designed to detect all principal features and traffic on the surface of an airport, presenting the entire image on the control tower console; used to augment visual observation by tower personnel of aircraft and/or vehicular movements on runways and taxiways

Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR)

Type of radar system used at airports to detect and track aircraft within its coverage area. It provides information on the aircraft's position, altitude, and velocity to air traffic controllers for safe and efficient air traffic management. ASR helps in monitoring and guiding aircraft during takeoff, landing, and taxiing operations.

Airport Surveillance Radar Approach

An instrument approach in which ATC issues instructions for pilot compliance based on aircraft position in relation to the final approach course ad the distance from the end of the runway as displayed on the controller’s radar scope

Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR)

Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) radar is used primarily to detect and display an aircraft’s position while en route between terminal areas

Air Route Traffic Control Center

Provides ATC service to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans within controlled airspace and principally during the en route phase of flight

Airspeed

Rate of the aircraft’s progress through the air

Airspeed indicator

A differential pressure gauge that measures the dynamic pressure of the air through which the aircraft is flying. DIsplays the craft’s airspeed, typically in knots to the pilot

Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS)

secondary surveillance unit, utilizes the transponder in the aircraft. the ground equipment is an interrogating unit, in which the beacon antenna is mounted so it rotates with the surveillance antenna. This displays a coded sequence to ground equipment providing aircraft identification and other special data

Airway

based on centerline that extends from one navigation aid or intersection to another navigation aid; used to establish a known route for en route procedures between terminal areas

Alert Area

An area in which there is a high volume of pilot training or an unusual type of aeronautical activity

Approach Lighting System (ALS)

Provides lights that will penetrate the atmosphere fat enough from touchdown to give directional, distance, and glidepath information for safe transition from instrument to visual flight.

Alternate Airport

An airport designated in an IFR flight plan, providing a suitable destination if a landing at the intende airport becomes inadvisable

Alternate Static Source Valve

A valve in the instrument static air system that supplies reference air pressure to the altimeter, airspeed indicator, and vertical speed indicator if the normal static pickup should become clogged or iced over

Altimeter

A flight instrument that indicates altitude by sensing pressure changes

Altimeter Setting

Station pressure (The barometric pressure at the location the reading is taken) which has been corrected for the height of the station above sea level

Altitude engine

A reciprocating aircraft engine have a rated takeoff power that is producible from sea level to an established higher altitude

Aneroid

The sensitive component in an altimeter or barometer that measures the absolute pressure of the air. It is a sealed, flat capsule made of thin disks of corrugated metal soldered together and evacuated by pumping all of the air out of it

Aneroid Barometer

An instrument that measures the absolute pressure of the atmosphere by balancing the weight of the air above it against the spring action of the aneroid

Angle of Attack

The angle between the chord line of an aircraft's wing and the oncoming airflow. It determines lift and stall characteristics.

Angle of Incidence

The acute angle formed between the chord line of an airfoil and the longitudinal axis of the aircraft on which it is mounted

Anhedral

A downward slant from root to tip of an aircraft’s wing or horizontal tail surface

Antiservo Tab

An adjustable tab attached to the trailing edge of a stabilator that moves ini the same direction as the primary control. It is used to make the stabilator less sensitive

Area Chart

Part of the low altitude en-route chart series, this chart furnishes terminal data at a larger scale for congested areas

Area Forecast (FA)

A report that gives a picture of clouds, general weather conditions, and visual meteorological conditions (VMC) expected over a large area encompassing several states

Area Navigation (RNAV)

Allows a pilot to fly a selected course to a course to a predetermined point without the need to overfly ground-based navigation facilities, by using waypoints

Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS)

Weather reporting system which provides surface observations every minute via digitized voice broadcasts and printed reports

Aspect ratio

span of a wing divided by its average chord

Asymmetric Thrust

Known as P-Factor. A tendency for the aircraft to yaw to the left due to the descending propeller blade on the right producing more thrust than the ascending propeller blade on the left. This occurs when the aircraft’s longitudinal axis is in a climbing attitude in relation to the relative wind. The P-Factor would be to the right if the propeller is spinning counter clockwise.

ATC

Air Traffic Control

Automatic terminal information service (ATIS)

The continuous broadcast of recorded non-control information in selected terminal areas. Its purpose is to improve controller effectiveness and relieve frequency congestion by automating repetitive transmission of essential but routine information

Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS)

A system composed of three-axis sensors that provide heading, attitude, and yaw information for aircraft. AHRS are designed to replace traditional mechanical gyroscopic flight instruments and provide superior reliability and accuracy

Attitude Indicator

The foundation for all instrument flight. this instrument reflects the airplane’s attitude in relation to the horizon.

Attitude Instrument Flying

Controlling the aircraft by reference to the instruments rather than by outside visual cues

Autokinesis

Nighttime Visual Illusion that a stationary light is moving, which becomes apparent after several seconds of staring at the light

Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)

Automated weather reporting system consisting of various sensors, a processor, a computer-generated voice subsystem, and a transmitter to broadcast weather data

Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR)

Observation of current surface weather reported in a standard international format

Axes of an Aircraft

Three imaginary lines pass through an aircraft’s center of gravity. The axes can be considered as imaginary axles around which the aircraft rotates. The three axes pass through the center of gravity at 90-degree angles to each other. The axis from nose to tail is the longitudinal axis (pitch), the axis that passes from wingtip to wingtip is the lateral axis (roll), and the axis that passes vertically through the center of gravity is the vertical axis (yaw)

Axial Flow Compressor

A type of compressor used in a turbine engine in which the airflow through the compressor is essentially linear. an axial-flow compressor is made up of several stages of alternate rotors and stators. The compressor ratio is determined by the decrease in area of the succeeding stages

Back Course (BC)

The reciprocal of the localizer course for an ILD. When flying a back-course approach, an aircraft approaches the instrument runway from the end at which the localizer antennas are installed

Balance Tab

An auxiliary control mounted on a primary control surface, which automatically move in the direction opposite the primary control to provide an aerodynamic assist in the movement of control

Barometric Scale

A scale on the dial of an altimeter to which the pilot sets the barometric pressure level from which the altitude shown by the pointers is measured

Basic Empty Weight (GAMA)

includes the standard empty weight plus optional and special equipment that has been installed

Bernoulli’s principle

A principle that explains how the pressure of a moving fluid varies with its speed of motion. An increase in the speed of movement causes a decrease in the fluid’s pressure

Block Altitude

A block of altitudes assigned by ATC to allow altitude deviations; for example, “Maintain block altitude 9 to 11 thousand”

Cabin Altitude

Cabin Pressure in terms of equivalent altitude above sea level

Cage

The black markings on the ball instrument indicating its neutral position

Calibrated Orifice

A hole of specific diameter used to delay the pressure change in the case of a vertical speed indicator

Calibrated Airspeed (CAS)

The speed at which the aircraft is moving through the air, found by correcting IAS for instrument and position errors

Camber

The camber of an airfoil is the characteristic curve of its upper and lower surfaces. The upper camber is more pronounced, while the lower camber is comparatively flat. This causes the velocity of the airflow immediately above the wing to be much higher than that below the wing

Canard

A horizontal surface mounted ahead of the main wing to provide longitudinal stability and control. It may be fixed, movable, or a variable geometry surface, with or without control surfaces

Canard Configuration

A configuration in which the span of the forward wings is substantially less than that of the main wing

Cantilever

A wing designed to carry loads without external struts

Curse Deviation Indicator (CDI)

A Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) is an instrument that shows if an aircraft is flying on the desired course or deviating from it. It provides visual cues, usually in the form of a needle or bar, to help pilots stay on track during navigation.

Center of Gravity (CG)

The point at which an airplane would balance if it were possible to suspend it at that point. It is the mass center of the airplane, or the theoretical point at which the entire weight of the airplane is assumed to be concentrated. It mat be expressed in inches from the reference datum, or in percentage of mean aerodynamic chord (MAC). The location depends on the distribution of weight in the airplane

Center of Gravity Limits

THe specified forward and aft points within which the CG must be located during flight. These limits are indicated on pertinent airplane specifications

Center of Gravity Range

The distance between the forward and aft CG limits indicated on pertinent airplane specifications

Center of Pressure

A point along the wing chord line where lift is considered to be concentrated. For this reason, the center of pressure is commonly referred to as the center of lift.

Centrifugal Flow Compressor

An Impeller-shaped device that receives air at its center and slings the air outward at high velocity into a diffuser for increased pressure. Also referred to as a radial outflow compressor

Centrifugal Force

An outward force that opposes centripetal force, resulting from the effect of inertia from a turn

Centripetal Force

A center-seeking force directed inward toward the center of rotation created by the horizontal component of lift during flight

Changeover point (COP)

A point along the route or airway segment between two adjacent navigation facilities or waypoints where changeover in navigational guidance should occur

Chord Line

An imaginary straight line drawn through an airfoil from the leading edge to the trailing edge

Circling Approach

A maneuver initiated by the pilot to align the aircraft with a runway for landing when a straight-in landing from an instrument approach is not possible or is not desirable

Class A Airspace

Airspace from 18000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 NM of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska; and designated international airspace beyond 12 NM of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska within areas of domestic radio navigational signal or ATC radar coverage, and within which domestic procedures are applied

Class B Airspace

Airspace from the surface to 10000 feet MSL surrounding the nation’s busiest airports in terms of IFR operations or passenger numbers. The configuration of eac Class B airspace is individually tailored and consists of a surface area and two or more layers, and is designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an aircraft enters the airspace. FOr all aircraft, ATC clearance is required to operate in this area, and aircraft so cleared receive separation services within the airspace.

Class C Airspace

Airspace from the surface to 4000 feet above the airport elevation (Charted in MSL) surrounding those airports having an operational control tower, serviced by radar approach control, and having a certain number of IFR operations or passenger numbers. Although the configuration of each Class C airspace area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a 5NM radius core surface area that extends from the surface up to 4000 feet above airport elevation, and a 10 NM radius shelf area that extends from 1200 feet to 4000 feet above the airport elevation

Class D Airspace

Airspace from the surface to 2500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower. The configuration of each Class D airspace area is individually tailored, and when instrument procedures area published, the airspace is normally designed to contain the procedures.

Class E Airspace

Airspace that is not Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D, and is controlled airspace

Class G Airspace

Airspace that is uncontrolled, except when associated with a temporary control tower, and has not been designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace

Clean Configuration

A configuration in which all flight control surfaces have been placed to create minimum drag. In most aircraft this means flaps and gear retracted

Clearance

ATC permission for an aircraft to proceed under specified traffic conditions within controlled airspace, for the purpose of providing separation between known aircraft

Clearance Delivery

Control tower position responsible for transmitting departure clearances to IFR flights

Clearance Limit

The fix, point, or location to which an aircraft is cleared when issued an air traffic clearance

Clearance on Request

An IFR clearance not yet received after filing an IFR flight plan