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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
Crab Angle Navigation The angular difference between aircraft heading and ground track used to compensate for crosswind.
Critical Angle of Attack Aerodynamics The angle of attack at which airflow separation causes a wing to stall.
Crosswind Component Performance The portion of wind velocity acting perpendicular to the runway or aircraft path.
Density Altitude Performance Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature, representing aircraft performance relative to air density.
Departure Procedure Also known as: DP, SID Instrument Procedures A published procedure that provides obstacle clearance and routing for IFR departures.
Dew Point Weather The temperature at which air becomes saturated and moisture begins to condense.
Distance Measuring Equipment Also known as: DME Avionics Avionics equipment that displays distance from a ground station, usually in nautical miles.
Downwind Leg Airport Operations The traffic pattern leg flown parallel to the landing runway opposite the landing direction.
Drag Aerodynamics The aerodynamic force that resists an aircraft movement through the air.
Elevator Aircraft Control A hinged control surface on the horizontal tail used primarily to control pitch.
Emergency Locator Transmitter Also known as: ELT Safety A transmitter designed to broadcast a distress signal after an aircraft accident or manual activation.
Empennage Also known as: Tail assembly Aircraft Structure The tail assembly of an aircraft, including the vertical and horizontal stabilizers and related control surfaces.
Final Approach Airport Operations The flight path aligned with the landing runway or final approach course before touchdown or missed approach.
Fixed Base Operator Also known as: FBO Airport Operations A business at an airport providing services such as fueling, parking, maintenance, or passenger support.
Flaps Aircraft Control Movable wing surfaces that increase lift and drag, often used for takeoff and landing.
Flight Following Air Traffic Control An ATC radar service that provides traffic advisories and other assistance to participating VFR aircraft when workload permits.
Flight Level Also known as: FL Altitude An altitude expressed in hundreds of feet based on a standard altimeter setting of 29.92 inches of mercury.
Flight Service Station Also known as: FSS Flight Planning A facility or service providing weather briefings, flight plan services, and other pilot support.
Forecast Icing Product Also known as: FIP Weather A weather product that forecasts the probability, severity, and altitude of aircraft icing.
Fuel Reserve Flight Planning Fuel carried beyond planned trip requirements to satisfy regulations and provide a safety margin.
Go-Around Airport Operations A rejected landing maneuver in which the pilot applies power, stops the descent, and climbs away for another approach or diversion.
Ground Effect Aerodynamics A reduction in induced drag that occurs when an aircraft is flying close to the surface.
Groundspeed Also known as: GS Navigation The actual speed of an aircraft over the ground.
Heading Navigation The direction the aircraft nose is pointed, expressed in degrees.
Hold Short Line Airport Operations Pavement markings that indicate where aircraft must stop unless cleared to enter or cross a runway.