Questions tagged [terminology]
For questions about words, phrases, and definitions that are specific to aviation or used in a different way in aviation. (Questions about standard words, phrases, and abbreviations used by pilots and ATC specifically in radio transmissions should usually use the [phraseology] tag instead.)
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What are E2 and E4 airspace?
We have a number of questions here about E2 vs. E4 airspace (see summary of links in this answer) but what does that mean? As far as I can see, neither the AIM nor the ATC Orders mention E2 or E4 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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?
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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...
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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 ...
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What is the meaning of AFT in airworthiness directives?
What is the meaning of AFT in airworthiness directives?
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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?
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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 <...
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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, ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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?
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What is the difference between FMCF and AIMS on the 777?
What is the difference between Flight Management Computing Function and Airplane Information Management System on B777?
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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 ...
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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?
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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
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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 ...
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What is the difference between redundancy and fault tolerance?
What is the difference between redundancy and fault tolerance in the context of aviation ?
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Why is it common to speak of "Concorde" rather than "the Concorde"?
"Suppose you were researching a book on the history of Boeing B-17."
"Suppose you were researching a book on the history of the Boeing B-17."
Which of those sentences sounds more ...
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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.
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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 ...
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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?
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In a Practice Forced Landing (PFL), what are Low Key and High Key and how are their locations determined?
Please explain what are "low key" and "high key" in practice forced landings? Are they any particular locations with respect to the airfield? Are they the same for every aircraft? Will they change ...
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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 ...
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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.
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What is the difference between microburst and windshear?
When I read about these weather phenomena, I find that both of them depict the same thing, and have the same actions to avoid. So why are they differentiated?
http://www.myairlineflight.com/windshear....
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What is the meaning of HOT-1, HOT-2, CAM, etc., in cockpit voice recorder transcripts?
When reading the the written down recordings of CVR like here, for instance, it is common to see abbreviations like HOT-1, HOT-2 or CAM. I guess that CVR records multiple channels and the codes ...
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What are the fins near the tail of a helicopter called?
My young sons are very enthusiastic about helicopters and I am repeatedly asked to name parts of their model aircraft. I would like to do so correctly, but my research has not always given definitive ...
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How to call a cartesian (END) coordinate system, that is referenced in surrounding air?
I'm looking for the correct/usual terminology for a coordinate system, that is moving with the wind.
I do calculations in a Cartesian East-North-Down (END) system. When taking wind into account I'd ...
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What are the radius of containment (Rc) and horizontal protection limit (HPL) and how are they related to Type Code?
In ICAO Document 9871 (Technical Provisions for Mode S Services and Extended Squitter) page 30 they have mentioned it in the form of a table. But they haven't explained HPL and Rc in detail.
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Definition of "Rotation Speed" vs "Lift Off Speed" vs "Fly Off Speed"
Is rotation speed and lift-off speed ever used interchangeably? (AMENDED Question) Is lift off speed and fly off speed the same? (See supplemental info below)
I thought I clearly understood the ...
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Why bother tracking TSN after an overhaul?
I've noticed that mechanics often like to keep track of "time-since-new" (TSN) on components that have already been overhauled. What would TSN matter when the component is tracked by TSO for ...
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What is the official term for a gas / petrol station for planes?
I'm talking specifically about small airports where they don't have the fancy equipment and they actually have to go to a specific place to refuel for example cars go to gas station / petrol station ...
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What is a CRM and what does it stand for? [duplicate]
I've always wanted to ask a pilot what a CRM was. Of course, I didn't really get lots of chances to ask pilots, no I thought of just asking here. What is a CRM and what does it stand for?
user33272
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Are the terms "Aircraft Version" and "Aircraft Variant" synonyms?
Related to the answer of the following question:
How are evolution and variants of aircraft considered by certification authorities?
Are the terms "Aircraft Version" and "Aircraft Variant" synonyms? ...
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What does "leave clear on its left" mean in UK regulations relating to collision avoidance on non-runway landings?
This doesn't seem to be plain English, could someone explain this with a simple example for me please? I'm not sure what 'Leave clear on it's left' means, and it's not clear whether the subject of the ...
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Is the term "guinea pig" defined in the Pilot/Controller Glossary?
Is the term "guinea pig" now or was it previously defined in the Pilot/Controller Glossary?
If it's not defined in the Pilot/Controller Glossary, maybe it's in some other publication.
I was flying ...
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Is there a difference between a chart and map?
Does the use or meaning of "chart" or "map" vary worldwide?
Is there a difference between a chart and map?
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"right traffic pattern" vs. "right-hand traffic pattern"
Is it officially called "right traffic pattern" or "right hand traffic pattern"? I'm mostly interested in EASA terminology, but also FAA / other areas of the world.
Background: After I always said "...
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What are heat detection sensors and how can they cause a speed error?
From this news article on Saratov Airlines Flight 703:
A report handed down by Russian investigators has blamed human error for the crash of Saratov flight 703, saying the pilots didn’t switch on ...
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What does "lower flatness" mean in airfoil terminology?
What does lower flatness mean in these parameters of a Glenn Martin airfoil?
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What exactly are "clipped" wings?
What exactly does "clipped wing" mean? Been having a rather heated debate. My understanding is that clipped means the tips were removed after manufacture. The other party claims that if it was ...
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What does leading edge radius mean?
What does leading edge radius mean amongst these parameters of a st cyr 24 airfoil?
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What qualifies as a "takeoff" and "landing" in currency requirements?
I just met my night-time currency requirements at KONT.
Landing and taking off from a 12000 foot runway in a Cessna 152 got me to thinking (always dangerous, I know).
There's more than enough room ...
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What is the difference between a vertical stabilizer and a rudder?
I saw two questions on locating these surfaces ahead of CG:
Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder
How are these the same or different control surfaces?
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Why are some Tomahawk missiles' nose duck-nose shaped?
Why there is a duck-like shape in this Tomahawk missile's nose? I see this shape in most Tomahawk images; however, not every Tomahawk's nose is shaped like this. If it is an aerodynamic feature, ...
