Questions tagged [terminology]
For questions about words, phrases and definitions that are specific to aviation or used in a different way in aviation.
264
questions
0
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5answers
163 views
Is falling a mode of flying? [on hold]
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
166 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
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2answers
131 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
60 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
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1answer
109 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
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0answers
56 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
2answers
121 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
836 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
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2answers
194 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
148 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
156 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
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3answers
337 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
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1answer
330 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
102 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
141 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
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6answers
193 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
594 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
893 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
102 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
94 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
169 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
135 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
130 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 ...
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2answers
111 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
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2answers
152 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
647 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
288 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
111 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
89 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
192 views
What is the meaning of AFT in airworthiness directives?
What is the meaning of AFT in airworthiness directives?
1
vote
1answer
97 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
82 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
163 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
5k 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
12k 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
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2answers
1k 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
169 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
150 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
350 views
What is a “natural flight loop”?
I'm roughly (edit: very well) familiar with flight simulation, but recently I came across a new term. In this brochure (scroll to the second page) by Airbus about flight simulators, they talk about
...
5
votes
1answer
5k views
Are QDM and QDR the same as 'inbound' and 'outbound' courses?
I'm about to take my last test to join an airline: the simulator. I've been told they ask to perform some QDR/QDM interceptions, as well as radial ones.
About QDM/QDR:
QDM: Magnetic course from the ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the difference between redundancy and fault tolerance?
What is the difference between redundancy and fault tolerance in the context of aviation ?
1
vote
1answer
194 views
Why is it common to speak of “Concorde” rather than “the Concorde”?
Suppose you researching a book on the history of Boeing B-17.
Suppose you researching a book on the history of the Boeing B-17.
Which of those sentences sounds more complete and correct?
OK, so ...
27
votes
2answers
7k views
What is a rubber engine?
I hear it a lot in engine design , I think that belongs to some phase about we can change the engine parameters according to requirements but I am not sure about it.
2
votes
1answer
83 views
What do “azimuth window” and “compass switch” refer to in this accident report?
I recently read the accident report on BEA 548, but I'm unsure of some technical terms used on p. 4 of the report (p. 14 of the linked PDF):
Apart from the probability that in the particular ...
14
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3answers
2k views
What does “out of trim” mean?
Our flight was delayed from takeoff because the captain reported it to be "out of trim". What does this mean?
10
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1answer
302 views
In the United States, are ultralights legally considered aircraft?
I sometimes hear it stated that in the United States, ultralight vehicles are not legally considered to be aircraft. For example, Wikipedia used to state:
In the United States ultralights are ...
0
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1answer
61 views
Is the National Aviation Authority the same as the Civil Aviation Authority?
Are the NAA (National aviation authority) and the CAA (Civil aviation authority) the same organisation? According Wikipedia it looks like they are the same organisation.
