Questions tagged [terminology]
For questions about words, phrases and definitions that are specific to aviation or used in a different way in aviation.
337
questions
-2
votes
0answers
49 views
What are the definitions of stages and sequences when describing a flight, and how do they compare against leg/portion/sector/segment? [closed]
I read:
Question: In what case doesn't a coupon correspond to a segment?
Comment: This is getting into the weeds of terminology that most travelers don't need to deal with; there are also sectors and ...
2
votes
1answer
286 views
What is the difference between equilibrium and steady flight?
If I'm flying a regular Cessna 172 and its perfectly trimmed and flying in circles holding the same altitude, is the aircraft in equilibrium? Or steady flight?
(The definition of equilibrium flight ...
50
votes
3answers
5k views
What is a “runaway supercharger”?
During World War 2, my uncle was a navigator for a B-17G bomber based in the UK. On return from a bombing run over Frankfurt, the crew was forced to bail out over Belgium at 3000 feet altitude. My ...
0
votes
1answer
84 views
What is “ACO transition”?
In MSFS2020, I frequently hear terms like "Cleared to ACO transition" and I can set an ACO in my flight plan. What exactly is an ACO and its obviously not a unique point because they seem ...
3
votes
1answer
71 views
What are RW values in Venule increments?
In US AIP differences from ICAO:
12.3.1.7 d/e/f
U.S. controllers do not give wind speed, visibility, or RVR values in metric terms. RVR values are given in 100- or 200-foot increments while RW values ...
1
vote
1answer
84 views
What is the correct definition of “spanwise” and “chordwise” with a swept wing?
What is the correct definition of "spanwise" and "chordwise" with a swept wing? For example, in the context of "spanwise airflow" and "chordwise airflow"?
a) ...
4
votes
2answers
459 views
What is “Weather and Chaff” information provided to pilots by ATC?
This one appears in an entry under "Additional Services" in the FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary and claims that ATC provides a wide range of additional services to pilots, including "...
1
vote
2answers
131 views
What is the full-form of ATA?
I was going through FCOM of A320 and came to know that FCOM chapters are called as ATAs. So first of all what is its full- form and secondly why do we call the chapters ATAs ?
-3
votes
1answer
151 views
Fly a fixed wing single propeller airplane like a helicopter?
Has anyone tried to "helicopter" an airplane? And succeeded? And posted this video on the internet where I can find it?
What I'm talking about with what I would call a "helicopter&...
0
votes
1answer
131 views
What is the difference between a service manual and a maintenance manual?
What is the difference between service manual and maintenance manual? Because sometimes I found one, sometimes I found another, the content is similar but not the same. What are the differences and ...
2
votes
2answers
149 views
What are differences between vortex, swirl, eddies and wake?
These terms seem to have the same meanings. Can anyone differentiate them?
2
votes
2answers
157 views
What does scheduled departure time exactly mean?
I am trying to understand the (sometimes subtle) differences between various terminologies concerning flight schedules. What I find difficult to understand is how exactly the scheduled departure time ...
11
votes
3answers
1k views
How are the wings of a mono- bi- or triplane referred to with regard to position?
Apologies if this is an elementary question. If I look at a diagram for parts of a plane, they don't distinguish verbally between left/right. If I try Googling for, say, "right wing" or &...
2
votes
2answers
134 views
Why are flight instructors in the US called CFIs?
I live in EASA-land (Europe), here we call our flight instructors simply that, "FIs". That they hold an instructors certificate is simply implied. Why are flight instructors in FAA-land (US) ...
2
votes
2answers
202 views
Is there a standard term for “3D groundspeed”?
Does the term "groundspeed" always refer only to the magnitude of the horizontal component of an aircraft's velocity vector with respect to the earth, or does it sometimes include the ...
5
votes
2answers
466 views
What, if any, would be the most correct term for the aerodynamic flight control surfaces of SpaceX's Starship?
SpaceX's Starship uses a unique flight control scheme during descent that I have not seen anywhere except with skydivers: it falls straight down belly-first using four aerodynamic control surfaces at ...
5
votes
2answers
292 views
What exactly do “attempt” and “cycle” mean in these starter duty limitations?
Can someone please explain me this A320 Starter Duty Limitation in simple terms?
E.g. for the CFM56 Starter:
No running engagement when N2>20%
4 cycles of max 2 mins
Pause between
start attempts . ...
4
votes
1answer
788 views
What is the origin of the “Pickle” switch for release of ordnance?
I am looking for proper proof of the theory that it is called so due to the Norden sight of the B17, which was said to assist the bomber in putting a bomb into a pickle jar, and hence it stuck.
1
vote
1answer
57 views
What classification of aerial vehicle would a manned quadcopter or octocopter be?
US here, if it makes a difference (w.r.t. FAA regulation, etc.).
There's a new upcoming class of aerial vehicles, similar to drones, however they are gigantic and they are manned -- that is, manned (...
0
votes
2answers
49 views
Degree of motion terminology for special aviation movements
I perfectly understand yaw, pitch and roll. I'm wondering what a few special terms are for other unusual movements, such as those executed by a helicopter, drone or even perhaps something like a ...
0
votes
0answers
52 views
On the B737 FCTM, what are the limit values for strong and gust definitions?
There are definitions called as "Gusty and Strong Crosswind Condition" related to takeoff thrust setting choice and "Strong Crosswind" in touchdown in crab part of B737NG FCTM.
I ...
6
votes
1answer
269 views
What use was there for Boeing to include customer numbers in their aircraft model names, and why did they end this practice?
Inspired by this question (thanks Hot Network Questions!).
The tl;dr is that Boeing included a unique numeric model number designation, referring to the customer that had purchased a particular plane, ...
15
votes
2answers
3k views
Does a Boeing 747-830 exist and if it does, is there any difference to a 747-8 (748)
Two years ago I've uploaded a video of the Lufthansas Boeing 747 "D-ABYA" to Youtube. I am currently receiving some angry comments on that video because the title reads "747-830 with ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
From an ATC perspective, what is an “arrival gate”?
I have seen reference to ATC assigned "arrival gates".
As a passenger, an "arrival gate" is something like B12 or ...
3
votes
1answer
122 views
What is the difference between a spin and an uncontrolled roll in an high speed dive?
A comment I had on another (now deleted) question states that Air china 006 didn't spin. For me it was a spin (unwanted roll due to asymmetrical stall). The comment states it was "it was a slow ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the standard date format used in aviation?
As English is the standard language used in aviation and Zulu/UTC time is used as standard too or at least between pilots to calculate flight time and fuel. Is there any standard date format used in ...
2
votes
3answers
165 views
What is the correct term for the type of performance chart where curved lines are followed?
What is the correct term for the type of performance chart where, from a starting location, curved lines are followed to various reference points to eventually find a solution?
For a specific example, ...
2
votes
2answers
360 views
What are the differences between “Off/On Time”, “Total AC Time”, and “Offset”?
Can somebody please help explain to me the difference between all of these. I understand that "Off/On time" is probably the Hobbs time which is determined by the time my battery master ...
1
vote
1answer
5k views
What does “running torque” mean?
I would like to know the meaning of the phrase and especially the meaning of "running torque":
Torque the inner plug to between 75 and 85lbf.in. Loosen half a turn
and RETORQUE to between 15 and ...
8
votes
3answers
4k views
What is the purpose of classifying fighters?
Fighters are classified by generation, as explained in this answer. Given this Wikipedia sum up, some fighters are not clearly in a defined generation, especially for 4th generation subclasses. Thus ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
What does “Raven” [phonetic] means when used by ATC?
What is the meaning of "Raven" [phonetic] heard in use at Reagan National Airport? Most recently heard: The ATC will say "proceed direct raven" or "direct raven maintain" whatever altitude; or "...
3
votes
6answers
1k views
Is there a more specific term than 'flight line' for straight lines flown during flight?
I work for a small software startup, where its just my boss and I. Prior to this job, I had no experience with aircraft. We have a client that uses our software to fly a pattern over an area, where ...
-3
votes
1answer
112 views
What does ''Reduced Coordination Airspace'' mean?
What does ''Reduced Coordination Airspace'' mean?
There is a definition in here, page 4 bottom image.
4
votes
5answers
261 views
Is there a proper term to use when you're referring to the total number of people on an aircraft, including both the passengers and crew/pilots?
I've found that often when people quote the number of passengers on an aircraft, they exclude the crew/pilots, which they'll provide separately.
Is there a proper term to use when you're referring to ...
9
votes
1answer
4k views
Why does the auto brake panel on an A320 use “lo”, rather than “low”?
Is there a specific reason that Airbus chose to shorten "LOW" to "LO" for the lowest autobrake setting?
Wouldn't it be more consistent to use three letters for each setting?
2
votes
1answer
112 views
What does “5B3/P” in CFM56-5B3/P mean?
For the CFM56 engine model CFM56-5B3/P, what does "5B3/P" mean?
11
votes
3answers
4k views
What is the name of the movement which is carried out by plane beginning from the runway and ending at takeoff?
What is the name of the movement which begins after the plane lines up on the runway and takeoff clearance is received, and ends when the plane lifts off from the runway? Is it also called as 'taxiing'...
1
vote
1answer
176 views
Does this web page really correctly depict the angle that is called “incidence” in the French language in the aviation context?
Does this web page really correctly depict the most common usage of the term "incidence" in the French language in the aviation context, in the context of speaking of an entire aircraft and not just ...
0
votes
1answer
145 views
A question about the exact meaning of one British usage of the term “Angle of Incidence”
This answer to a related question stated:
Most anything can have an angle of attack. If you must be specific,
you mention 'angle of attack of ...'
...
When we talk about airplane as a whole, ...
-1
votes
1answer
72 views
The meaning of “fully paid” [closed]
What is the meaning of "fully paid" in the airline industry? Based on my research it's an adjective and it means "paid for at full face value with no further money due from the stockholder", but I ...
2
votes
3answers
212 views
Is there a standard word or phrase in the English-speaking world to describe the angle between the fuselage and the flight path / relative wind?
Is there a standard word or phrase, or several alternative commonly-used words or phrases, in the English-speaking aviation world to describe the angle between the longitudinal axis of the fuselage, ...
3
votes
1answer
89 views
How common is it in current British usage for the angle between the chord line of a wing and the flight path to be called the “angle of incidence”?
In American usage, the angle between the chord line of a wing and the flight path is called the "angle of attack". The angle of attack is also represented by the greek letter "alpha". However, some ...
32
votes
7answers
7k views
What does “Ground loops are costly. Fly them until they stop” mean?
In one of the earliest scenes of William A. Wellman's 1942 film Thunder Birds, a sign can be seen in a room of a USAAF base (some relax or briefing room, apparently), which says:
Ground loops are ...
10
votes
3answers
4k views
What is the piece that covers the top part of tires?
I would like to know the name and the usefulness of this piece that covers the top of the tire of some planes, such as some Cessnas.
3
votes
1answer
321 views
What is the term for an aileron that’s also used as a ground spoiler?
Ailerons and spoilers1 have a considerable amount in common; both are wing-mounted panels, hinged at their leading edges, that move up and/or down to alter the aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics. ...
8
votes
6answers
5k views
What exactly is a “coordinated” turn?
I am wondering what turn coordination really means and what makes a turn uncoordinated?
I know that when the turn is coordinated, there is no slip and skid, an aircraft is flying a perfect circle ...
1
vote
2answers
298 views
What is the meaning of “transition area” as used by the FAA? Has the meaning changed over time since the term was introduced?
What is the meaning of "transition area" as used by the FAA? Does it currently have a specific meaning? Does the FAA still use the term at all? Has the meaning changed over time since the term was ...
23
votes
1answer
15k views
What does “Boeing” mean?
We know about the existence of Boeing planes like the 737, 747, and other planes. But where did the name "Boeing" come from?
1
vote
1answer
141 views
Does the phrase “.78/280/250” have a standard meaning to an airline pilot, in the context of a long descent?
Does the phrase ".78/280/250" have a standard meaning to an airline pilot, in the context of a long descent?
Specific context-- the table in this answer-- Is the descent performance of the PMDG 737-...
14
votes
1answer
5k views
What is an airliner's “green dot speed”, and how does it vary with weight, and why?
A related question told us, quoting from an Airbus performance manual,
Green dot speed (minimum gradient) is a function of weight.
Comments under the question stated that the "green dot speed" ...
