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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
Prohibited Area Airspace Airspace where flight is not allowed for security or national welfare reasons.
Radiation Fog Weather Fog that forms when the ground cools at night and chills nearby moist air to its dew point.
Restricted Area Airspace Airspace containing activities hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft, subject to restrictions when active.
Rudder Aircraft Control A hinged control surface on the vertical tail used primarily to control yaw.
Runway Incursion Airport Operations Any incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a runway surface.
SIGMET Weather An advisory for significant meteorological conditions that may affect the safety of all aircraft.
Special VFR Also known as: SVFR Regulations A VFR clearance that allows operation within certain controlled airspace when weather is below basic VFR minimums.
Stall Aerodynamics A condition where a wing exceeds its critical angle of attack and can no longer produce sufficient smooth lift.
TAF Also known as: Terminal Aerodrome Forecast Weather An aviation forecast describing expected weather conditions at an airport during a specified period.
Taxiway Airport Operations A designated airport surface used for aircraft movement between runways, ramps, and other airport areas.
Temporary Flight Restriction Also known as: TFR Airspace A temporary airspace restriction established to protect people, property, security, disaster response, or special events.
True Airspeed Also known as: TAS Performance Aircraft speed through the air mass corrected for altitude and temperature effects.
Turbulence Weather Irregular air motion that can cause changes in aircraft altitude, attitude, or airspeed.
Useful Load Performance The weight available for pilots, passengers, baggage, cargo, and usable fuel.
V-Speeds Performance Published airspeeds used for aircraft operation, limitations, and performance planning.
VFR Flight Following Air Traffic Control Radar traffic advisory service provided by ATC to VFR pilots when available.
Visual Flight Rules Also known as: VFR Regulations Rules that allow pilots to operate primarily by outside visual reference when weather minimums are met.
VOR Also known as: Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Navigation A ground-based radio navigation system that provides magnetic bearing information to aircraft.
Wake Turbulence Safety Turbulence generated behind an aircraft, primarily from wingtip vortices, that can be hazardous to following aircraft.
Weight and Balance Performance The calculation and evaluation of aircraft loading to ensure weight and center of gravity remain within limits.
Wind Correction Angle Also known as: WCA Navigation The angle between heading and desired course used to compensate for wind drift.
Winds Aloft Weather Forecast or observed wind direction, wind speed, and temperature at selected altitudes.