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Aviation Dictionary

Search plain-language aviation definitions by term, category, acronym, or keyword. This resource is public and available to all AviateSafely visitors.

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122 terms found

Term Category Definition
Apron Also known as: Ramp Airport Operations A defined airport area intended for loading, unloading, fueling, parking, or servicing aircraft.
Area Forecast Discussion Also known as: AFD Weather A narrative weather product issued by meteorologists explaining the reasoning behind forecasts.
Automated Surface Observing System Also known as: ASOS Weather An automated system that reports surface weather observations at airports.
Automated Weather Observing System Also known as: AWOS Weather An automated system that provides weather information for pilots, often by radio or telephone.
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Also known as: ADS-B Avionics A surveillance technology that broadcasts an aircraft position and other data for ATC and traffic awareness.
Automatic Terminal Information Service Also known as: ATIS Communications A recorded broadcast of current airport weather, runway, and operational information.
Base Leg Airport Operations The rectangular traffic pattern leg flown perpendicular to the landing runway before turning final.
Best Angle of Climb Speed Also known as: Vx Performance The speed that produces the greatest altitude gain over the shortest horizontal distance.
Best Glide Speed Performance The speed that provides the greatest forward distance for a given loss of altitude after power loss.
Best Rate of Climb Speed Also known as: Vy Performance The speed that produces the greatest altitude gain per unit of time.
Calibrated Airspeed Also known as: CAS Performance Indicated airspeed corrected for instrument and position error.
Ceiling Weather The height above ground of the lowest broken, overcast, or obscuring cloud layer.
Center of Gravity Also known as: CG Performance The point where an aircraft would balance if suspended, critical to stability and control.
Chart Supplement Also known as: Chart Supplement U.S., Airport Facility Directory, AFD Flight Planning An FAA publication containing airport, facility, communications, and procedural information.
Class A Airspace Airspace Controlled airspace generally from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including flight level 600 in the United States.
Class B Airspace Airspace Controlled airspace surrounding the busiest airports, designed to manage high-density traffic.
Class C Airspace Airspace Controlled airspace around airports with operational control towers, radar approach control, and a certain level of IFR operations.
Class D Airspace Airspace Controlled airspace typically surrounding airports with operating control towers.
Class E Airspace Airspace Controlled airspace that is not Class A, B, C, or D and supports IFR operations over a broad area.
Class G Airspace Airspace Uncontrolled airspace where ATC has no authority or responsibility to control air traffic.
Clearance Delivery Communications An ATC position or frequency used to issue IFR clearances and some departure instructions.
Common Traffic Advisory Frequency Also known as: CTAF Communications A frequency used by pilots to self-announce position and intentions at non-towered airports.
Controlled Firing Area Also known as: CFA Airspace An area where activities are suspended immediately when spotters, radar, or lookout positions detect aircraft.
Controlled Flight Into Terrain Also known as: CFIT Safety An accident in which an airworthy aircraft under pilot control is unintentionally flown into terrain, water, or an obstacle.
Course Navigation The intended direction of flight over the ground, usually expressed in degrees.