Aviation

Questions tagged [terminology]

Ask Question

For questions about words, phrases and definitions that are specific to aviation or used in a different way in aviation.

275 questions
Newest
Active
Bountied
Unanswered
Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
8
votes
3answers
1k views

What does it mean when autoland is fail passive / fail operational?

The below explanation is what I've got from the internet about fail passive and fail operational: Fail operational - Where you have 3 autopilots engaged, such that any single failure will result in ...
1
vote
2answers
217 views

What does “short parked” mean?

Recently, when flying (as a passenger of a regular flight) from Stockholm/Arlanda, there was quite a long bus ride from the gate to the aircraft, because the latter was "short parked", according to ...
1
vote
0answers
55 views

What does “representative sample engine” mean for an overhaul extension?

If the PT6 turbo prop engine is required for an extension for overhauling due to operational reasons, the manual has to be searched if the extension is feasible for the company. The company states ...
4
votes
1answer
148 views

What is “scintillation” and are “qualified pilots” aware of it?

This answer to Has great eyesight been necessary for astronomers? mentions Astronomer Jocelyn Bell Burnell's recounting of a likely first visual observation of a pulsar. This can be found for example ...
0
votes
1answer
102 views

Launch control equivalent while take-off

What is the proper term used when the plane is stopped and the engine is ramped up and after a certain thrust is reached, it suddenly starts off with a jerk.
1
vote
2answers
87 views

Does it make sense to say an aircraft has an attitude of 3° or that it has a flight position of 3°?

I am trying to translate an aircraft manual, and there is a diagram showing what the HUD would look like given a "posición de vuelo de 3°". The diagram is captioned in Spanish as "vuelo horizontal a ...
3
votes
1answer
171 views

What does it mean when an aircraft engine is de-paired?

What does it mean when an aircraft engine is de-paired? e.g. the PW1000g engines being de-paired because of issues in the LPT or the Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines due to excessive corrosion on some ...
1
vote
0answers
71 views

What is the difference between flight watch and home reserve?

Can anyone explain the difference between 'flight watch' and 'home reserve' with regards to flight and duty periods. This is in regards to a charter operation, where crew members are on standby at ...
2
votes
1answer
98 views

Are the “centerbody”, “fan hub frame”, and “intermediate case” all the same thing or separate parts?

I'm curious about the frames & cases at the front of an engine. I've seen OEMs call them the centerbody, fan hub frame, and intermediate case. Are these all the same thing or are these each a ...
0
votes
4answers
184 views

Is falling a mode of flying? [closed]

I frequently observe people arguing (on this very web site) about the question if falling is a mode of flying or not. It appears to me that the majority of people have a strong opinion that it is not. ...
1
vote
3answers
174 views

Is “wingman” strictly a military term?

Does it have to be a potential combat situation for a pilot flying on another's wing to be called a wingman. If two aircraft are being flown in formation to a destination simply for the purpose of ...
2
votes
2answers
137 views

In the modern aviation context, is the word “supercharger” generally assumed to mean a gear-driven system rather than an exhaust-driven system?

In the modern aviation context, is the word "supercharger" generally assumed to mean a gear-driven system rather than an exhaust-driven system? At one time the word "supercharger" often was used to ...
4
votes
1answer
100 views

Is the “wing area” of a biplane the projected area or the total area?

When you specify the wing area of a biplane, do you specify the planform area (the projected area) or do you specify the effective area of both the wings?
0
votes
1answer
238 views

What is the difference between an aileron and a flap?

I have already been searching Google for the difference between an aileron and a flap, but I am not much satisfied, so now I am asking here on SE. What is the difference between an aileron and flap? ...
0
votes
0answers
106 views

What does pre/post modification mean in Airbus MPD?

What is the difference between POST MOD (with partial mod i.e SXXXX) and PRE MOD (with partial mod) in the applicability column of an Airbus MPD (Maintenance Planning Document)?
3
votes
1answer
144 views

What does “wraparound” mean in the context of flight controls?

In the references regarding the flight control (for example in F-16) I see the word "wraparound". For example "Rudder coil wraparound", "IBU pitch wraparound", "IBU lateral wraparound"or "AMUX bus ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views

Why are Krueger flaps called flaps and not slats?

I always thought that flaps are trailing edge high lift devices and slats are leading edge high lift devices. This is also confirmed by the accepted answer for What is the difference between flaps and ...
0
votes
2answers
201 views

Is there a specific aviation term for suicide by pilot?

CFIT, controlled flight into terrain, refers to an aircraft being unintentionally flown into the ground. Is there any term specific for suicide by pilot? CFIT would not apply to that situation.
2
votes
2answers
151 views

Does “nose dive” have a technical aviation meaning?

I've usually heard the term 'nose dive' used in a metaphorical sense -- "Wow, your stock portfolio is really in a nose dive!" Does it have any legitimate aviation meaning? More specifically, is it ...
2
votes
1answer
169 views

What's the difference between a “flight line” and a “tarmac”?

I was at a conference where there was a discussion on ontology for assets. There were two classification trees, one for assets on the flight line and one for assets on the tarmac. What is the nuance ...
0
votes
3answers
358 views

What is the area between the taxiway and runway shown in the picture below?

Is this the Arresting area? I'm not too sure what you call this area
7
votes
1answer
332 views

Why do we commonly use a “/” in acronyms in aviation world?

In non-aviation world, separation between letters in acronyms is either nothing (e.g. URL) or a point (e.g. A.M.). But in the aviation world, the "/" is common (e.g. G/S, V/S). I'm puzzled as: some ...
2
votes
1answer
109 views

What date and time definition is used for the second leg of a flight?

Let's take flight BA0015, from London to Syndney, via Singapore. This is data from FlightStats. The first leg has this data: ...
1
vote
2answers
150 views

What is the real difference between aerospace and aeronautical?

I see people using these two words interchangeably. But I feel there is a huge difference between the both.
1
vote
6answers
262 views

Why is a reduction in lift called 'drag'?

Induced drag is high pressure air 'leaking' to the upper part of the wing (low pressure zone) creating a vortex which means the area of the wing tip with the vortex can't create lift. Drag on the ...
3
votes
5answers
929 views

Is (L/D)max achieved at a specific speed or AOA?

I'm little bit confused about the (L/D)max. So I've read this blog: https://joeclarksblog.com/?p=4155 and the author shows this graph: So if I understand it ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views

Cockpit vs Flight Deck?

Is there a distinction between a cockpit and a flight deck on an aircraft, or are the terms interchangeable? Boeing refers to the flight deck The new Flight-Deck Displays and Airbus refers to the ...
3
votes
1answer
111 views

Term to differentiate between a flight and a flight instance?

What's a term to differentiate between a flight schedule (QF 72) and a particular instance of that flight schedule (QF 72 departing on July 25)? For example, I might ask "Which flight are you taking"...
2
votes
1answer
100 views

What does “Controlling Object” mean in FAA documentation?

I was examining FAA's legacy files, which contain information for various airspace elements, and I noticed that there is a field in the airport layout file called "Controlling Object", for both base ...
2
votes
2answers
272 views

What is the difference between an engine “shut down”, “cut-off” and “cut down”?

Explain please for non-native speakers the difference between these engine (jet or piston) terms: shut down cut-off cut down I'm studying at a civil aviation university to become a pilot and a ...
1
vote
2answers
168 views

What exactly rotates along the lateral axis? Is 'rotate' mathematically correct?

Researching the etymology of 'rotate' (that OED lacks!), I chanced on Anas Maaz's Quora answer: What many does not know is 'rotate' is just not a fancy word, but it involves a real physical ...
2
votes
1answer
136 views

What is an “aeronautically qualified witness”?

Many older NTSB AARs, in their history-of-flight-and/or-accident-sequence sections, make mention of observations by an “aeronautically qualified witness” or witnesses, without any further explanation ...
-1
votes
2answers
114 views

How can we define that an Engine or Airplane is ETOPS compliance?

What is the process for obtaining ETOPS certification for an engine or aircraft?
2
votes
2answers
177 views

What do compressor/turbine stages mean, and why we need a different number of stages?

I am new to aviation. I realize that LP (Low Pressure) and HP (High Pressure) compressors/turbines have a various number of stages. What do stages mean? What is the reason to have a different number ...
13
votes
1answer
1k views

Is GOCE a satellite or aircraft?

This vessel (GOCE) is in orbit and maneuvers by using air similar to a plane to create lift and turn. The solar powered ion thrusters powers it continuously inside the atmosphere for years. Is this ...
0
votes
2answers
948 views

Why is there conflicting nomenclature for the 1,000 ft runway markings?

The two thick solid lines on runways at 1,000 ft from the end of the threshold are called "fixed-distance markers" in some documentation, and in others, it is called the "touchdown zone marker". Are ...
4
votes
1answer
380 views

Do 'threshold' and 'end of the runway' mean the same thing?

While I studied aviation, I got confused by these two words. Can anybody explain whether they're the same or not, and if not, what is the difference?
1
vote
1answer
121 views

What's the difference between 'modification' and 'corrective action' in an AD or SB?

For example Modification of an airplane in accordance with the instructions of the specific SB as specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable...
0
votes
1answer
99 views

Can we use ECI coordinates for an airplane?

It is taught for navigation systems (like an airplane) on Earth we us ECEF (earth-centered, earth-fixed) and for space systems (like a satellite) we use ECI (earth-centered inertial). But why is ECEF ...
0
votes
1answer
224 views

What is the meaning of AFT in airworthiness directives?

What is the meaning of AFT in airworthiness directives?
1
vote
1answer
99 views

What is the meaning of “regular pitch” when applied to a propeller?

I am looking at parameters of a propeller that looks like this: 3 blade xx inch diameter (regular pitch) What does "regular pitch" mean?
3
votes
1answer
90 views

Is the “PROB” in a TAF only applying to the next group or all following ones?

Let's assume I have a TAF that reads: [...] PROB40 TEMPO 0815/0822 5000 -SHSN BKN008 OVC015 TEMPO 0822/0909 1000 SN VV003 BECMG 0902/0904 16012KT Which of the <...
1
vote
1answer
188 views

What is the name for a flap that increases the wing's area but not its camber?

Flaps are high-lift devices mounted to the rear portion of an aircraft's wing. Some types of flaps increase lift by increasing the wing's camber, or, at least, that of its lower surface (plain flaps, ...
12
votes
6answers
3k views

What is Density Altitude?

I'm trying to get a deep understanding of the term: Density Altitude. So I have read the explanations in my instruction book, and online articles. One source explained it differently then the other ...
16
votes
2answers
6k views

What does it mean to “firewall” an aircraft engine?

I (think) I understand what a firewall is (at least, in a single engine aircraft where the engine is at the front of the fuselage), but what does it mean "to firewall" an aircraft's engines, as ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views

What are ARTCC, RCO and FSS and what are differences?

I am confusing what ARTCC, RCO and FSS. and also what do they do? Do they control air traffic by communicating with pilots? Also, do they offer WX information in air born?
22
votes
5answers
14k views

What exactly do “captain”, “pilot”, “co-pilot” and “first officer” mean?

I know the co-pilot sits beside the pilot. But it's not clear for me, who is the captain and who is the first officer? And where they are sitting during the flight? Who is in right seat and who is in ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views

What is a “sidestep landing” in an instrument approach?

I have never seen a sidestep landing on an approach plate. What is a sidestep landing and when I can chose this approach?
3
votes
2answers
178 views

Why are waypoints not named uniquely?

Waypoint names are not unique. Why ? This is unnecessary (it would be possible to use unique names only). It introduces potential for confusion. So why are duplicate waypoint names permissible and ...
1
vote
1answer
156 views

What is an “unsafe airline”? [closed]

Question: Is there any internationally accepted definition for what an "unsafe airline" is based on objective criteria (e.g. fatalities per million passengers) ? Or is there an international standard ...

1 2 3 4 5 6