130 terms
- ACARSAircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting SystemDispatch
- A digital datalink system used to exchange short messages (weather, clearances, maintenance data, dispatch releases) between aircraft and ground systems.
- ACMIRegulatory
- A wet-lease arrangement where an operator supplies Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance to another carrier, which retains commercial control of the flight.
- ACMI lessorRegulatory
- A company that provides aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance to another carrier under a wet-lease arrangement.
- ADS-BAutomatic Dependent Surveillance–BroadcastATC
- A surveillance technology where aircraft periodically broadcast their GPS-derived position, enabling tracking without conventional radar.
- ADS-CAutomatic Dependent Surveillance–ContractATC
- A datalink surveillance method where an aircraft automatically reports position and other data to ground systems under an agreed contract, used over oceanic/remote airspace.
- AICAeronautical Information CircularRegulatory
- A publication used to disseminate information that does not qualify for a NOTAM or the AIP but is still relevant to flight safety or administration.
- AIPAeronautical Information PublicationRegulatory
- A state-produced manual containing essential and permanent aeronautical information for air navigation within that state.
- AIRACAeronautical Information Regulation And ControlRegulatory
- A standardized 28-day publication cycle ensuring that changes to charts and procedures become effective on common, pre-announced dates worldwide.
- AIRMETAirmen's Meteorological InformationWeather
- An advisory of weather that may be hazardous to lighter or less-equipped aircraft, less severe than SIGMET criteria.
- ALDTActual Landing TimeATC
- The recorded clock time an aircraft touches down.
- Alternate fuelFuel
- Fuel required to fly from the missed-approach point at the destination to a selected alternate aerodrome and carry out an approach and landing.
- Anti-icingHandling
- The application of fluid to prevent the formation or accumulation of frost, ice, or snow on aircraft surfaces for a limited protection time.
- AOCAir Operator CertificateRegulatory
- A regulatory approval authorizing an operator to conduct commercial air transport, subject to defined conditions.
- ApronHandling
- The paved area of an airport used for aircraft parking, loading, unloading, fueling, and servicing.
- ASHTAMNOTAM
- A specialized NOTAM format used to report volcanic ash activity that may affect air navigation.
- ASMAvailable Seat Miles/KilometersDispatch
- A measure of an airline's passenger carrying capacity, calculated as seats available multiplied by distance flown.
- ASUAir Start UnitHandling
- Ground equipment that supplies compressed air to start an aircraft's engines without using its own APU.
- ATFMAir Traffic Flow ManagementATC
- The process of balancing demand against available airspace/airport capacity by issuing departure slots and rerouting to prevent overload.
- ATOTActual Take-Off TimeATC
- The recorded clock time an aircraft becomes airborne.
- AWBAir WaybillCargo
- The contract of carriage and shipping document that accompanies a cargo consignment transported by air.
- BIRDTAMNOTAM
- A NOTAM variant issued to warn of significant bird activity or hazard near an aerodrome.
- Block fuelFuel
- The total fuel loaded onto the aircraft before departure, equal to the sum of all planned fuel components.
- BowserFuel
- A mobile fuel tanker vehicle used to deliver aviation fuel directly to an aircraft where hydrant systems are unavailable.
- BUPBuild-UpCargo
- The process of consolidating loose cargo or baggage items into a ULD before loading.
- CabotagePermits
- The carriage of passengers or cargo between two points within the same foreign country by a non-national carrier, generally restricted.
- CAT II/IIIRegulatory
- Categories of instrument landing system approach permitting progressively lower decision heights and visibility minima, requiring specific aircraft, crew, and airport certification.
- CAVOKCeiling and Visibility OKWeather
- A METAR/TAF code indicating visibility of 10 km or more, no cloud below 5,000 ft (or the highest minimum sector altitude) and no significant weather.
- CDLConfiguration Deviation ListDispatch
- A list of minor external airframe parts (e.g. fairings, access panels) that may be missing for dispatch, with associated performance penalties.
- ChocksHandling
- Wedges placed against an aircraft's wheels to prevent movement while parked.
- Contingency fuelFuel
- Fuel carried to cover unplanned factors such as deviations from forecast winds or routing, typically a percentage of trip fuel.
- CPDLCController-Pilot Data Link CommunicationsATC
- A text-based datalink that lets controllers and pilots exchange routine ATC instructions and acknowledgements without voice radio.
- CTOTCalculated Take-Off TimeATC
- The take-off time allocated by an air traffic flow management unit to resolve a capacity constraint, which the flight must meet within a tolerance window.
- DA/DHDecision Altitude/Decision HeightATC
- The altitude/height on a precision approach at which a go-around must be initiated if the required visual reference is not established.
- De-icingHandling
- The removal of existing frost, ice, or snow from aircraft surfaces, typically using heated fluid, before departure.
- DGDangerous GoodsCargo
- Articles or substances capable of posing a risk to health, safety, or property when transported by air, regulated under IATA/ICAO technical instructions.
- Discretionary fuelFuel
- Additional fuel loaded at the captain's discretion in anticipation of delays or conditions not fully covered by standard fuel policy.
- DiversionDispatch
- A flight that lands at an airport other than its planned destination, due to weather, technical, medical, or other operational reasons.
- Dry leaseRegulatory
- A lease of an aircraft without crew, where the lessee provides crew and holds operational control.
- EOBTEstimated Off-Block TimeATC
- The planned time an aircraft will first move under its own power from the parking position.
- ETAEstimated Time of ArrivalDispatch
- The predicted clock time a flight will arrive at its destination.
- ETDEstimated Time of DepartureDispatch
- The predicted clock time a flight will depart its origin.
- ETOPSExtended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance StandardsRegulatory
- Rules allowing twin-engine aircraft to fly routes with diversion times beyond the traditional 60-minute limit, subject to reliability and planning requirements.
- Extra fuelFuel
- Fuel added at the discretion of the commander or dispatcher beyond the regulatory/company minimum, for operational margin.
- Fifth FreedomPermits
- A traffic right allowing an airline to carry passengers between two foreign countries on a flight that originates or ends in its home country.
- Final reserve fuelFuel
- The minimum fuel required to hold for a specified time (commonly 30 minutes) at a defined altitude above the alternate or destination, intended never to be planned for use.
- FIRFlight Information RegionATC
- A defined volume of airspace within which flight information and alerting services are provided by a specific authority.
- FOBFuel On BoardFuel
- The actual quantity of fuel present on the aircraft at a given point in time, as read from the fuel quantity system.
- FOCFlight Operations CentreDispatch
- A centralized facility where dispatchers and operations staff monitor and coordinate an airline's active flights.
- FODForeign Object DebrisHandling
- Any object found in an inappropriate location, such as a ramp or runway, that could cause damage to aircraft or injury.
- Fuel burnFuel
- The rate or total quantity of fuel consumed by the aircraft's engines and APU during a phase of flight or the entire flight.
- Fuel tankeringFuel
- The practice of carrying extra fuel from a cheaper or more convenient station to reduce or avoid uplift at a subsequent station.
- Go-aroundATC
- An aborted landing approach where the aircraft climbs away to attempt another approach or divert, rather than continuing to touchdown.
- GPUGround Power UnitHandling
- Ground equipment that supplies external electrical power to an aircraft while its engines and APU are not running.
- GPWS/EGPWS(Enhanced) Ground Proximity Warning SystemRegulatory
- An onboard system that alerts the crew to a dangerous proximity to terrain, using radio altitude and (for EGPWS) a terrain database.
- GSEGround Support EquipmentHandling
- The general category of vehicles and equipment used to service aircraft on the ground, such as tugs, belt loaders, and GPUs.
- Historic rightsPermits
- The principle whereby an airline that used a slot series sufficiently in the prior equivalent season retains priority to the same slots.
- Holding patternATC
- A predefined racetrack-shaped flight path used to keep an aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance.
- Holdover timeHandling
- The estimated period during which anti-icing fluid is expected to prevent frost or ice from forming on treated surfaces under given weather conditions.
- Hydrant fuelingFuel
- A fueling method where fuel is supplied through an underground pipeline system to a dispenser vehicle at the aircraft stand, rather than by tanker truck.
- IFRInstrument Flight RulesATC
- Rules governing flight primarily by reference to instruments, used when visual flight is not possible or not elected.
- ILSInstrument Landing SystemATC
- A ground-based precision approach aid providing lateral (localizer) and vertical (glide slope) guidance to a runway.
- IMCInstrument Meteorological ConditionsWeather
- Weather conditions below VFR minimums, requiring flight under instrument procedures.
- Into-plane fuelingFuel
- The delivery of fuel directly into the aircraft tanks by a fuel supplier at the ramp, as distinct from fuel storage or hydrant operations.
- IROPSIrregular OperationsDispatch
- A disruption to planned schedule (weather, technical, strikes, etc.) requiring recovery actions such as rerouting, delays, or cancellations.
- Landing permitPermits
- An authorization from a state allowing a foreign-registered aircraft to land and operate at one of its airports.
- Level 3 airportPermits
- A schedule-coordinated airport where demand exceeds capacity and slot allocation by a coordinator is mandatory for operation.
- LIRLoading Instruction/ReportCargo
- A document specifying where baggage, cargo, and mail must be positioned in the aircraft holds to satisfy weight and balance requirements.
- Load controlDispatch
- The function responsible for calculating aircraft weight, balance, and loading instructions prior to departure.
- LoadsheetDispatch
- The document (often computer-generated) recording final passenger, cargo, fuel, and weight/balance figures used to release a flight.
- LVOLow Visibility OperationsRegulatory
- Procedures and approvals that allow takeoff, taxi, and landing in visibility or RVR below standard minima.
- LVPLow Visibility ProceduresHandling
- Airport-specific operational procedures (protected surfaces, spacing, lighting) activated when visibility drops below defined thresholds.
- LWLanding WeightDispatch
- The actual aircraft weight expected or recorded at touchdown, equal to takeoff weight minus trip fuel burned.
- MarshallerHandling
- A ground staff member who uses standardized signals to guide an aircraft into or out of a parking position.
- MDAMinimum Descent AltitudeATC
- The lowest altitude a non-precision approach may be flown to without visual reference to continue descent.
- MELMinimum Equipment ListDispatch
- An operator-approved list of equipment that may be inoperative on a specific aircraft type while still permitting dispatch, under stated conditions.
- METARMeteorological Aerodrome ReportWeather
- A routine, coded surface weather observation issued at an aerodrome, typically hourly or half-hourly.
- MLWMaximum Landing WeightDispatch
- The highest weight at which an aircraft is certified to land.
- MNPSMinimum Navigation Performance SpecificationATC
- Historic navigation accuracy requirement for operating in defined oceanic airspace, largely superseded by PBN-based RNP designations.
- MTOWMaximum Take-Off WeightDispatch
- The highest weight at which an aircraft is certified to begin its takeoff roll.
- MZFWMaximum Zero Fuel WeightDispatch
- The highest weight of the aircraft and its payload permitted before usable fuel is added.
- NAT HLANorth Atlantic High Level AirspaceATC
- The oceanic airspace over the North Atlantic between roughly FL285 and FL420 requiring specific navigation, communication, and surveillance approvals.
- NOTAMNotice to Airmen (now "Notice to Air Missions" in some states)NOTAM
- A notice distributed to flight crews and dispatchers about changes to facilities, services, procedures, or hazards relevant to flight safety.
- NOTOCNotification to CaptainCargo
- A document listing dangerous goods and certain special loads carried on a flight, provided to the commander before departure.
- OCCOperations Control CentreDispatch
- The team and systems responsible for the real-time management of an airline's network, crews, and aircraft.
- OEWOperating Empty WeightDispatch
- The weight of the aircraft equipped for service, including crew and standard items, but excluding payload and usable fuel.
- OFPOperational Flight PlanDispatch
- The dispatch-release document showing route, winds, fuel, weights, and alternates used by the crew and dispatcher for a specific flight.
- OTSOrganized Track SystemATC
- The set of published, time-specific transatlantic (or similar) tracks laid out to accommodate the major flow of traffic efficiently and with adequate separation.
- Overflight permitPermits
- An authorization from a state allowing a foreign-registered aircraft to transit its airspace without landing.
- PAXDispatch
- Common aviation abbreviation for passenger or passengers.
- PBNPerformance-Based NavigationATC
- A navigation framework specifying required accuracy, integrity, and functionality rather than mandating a specific sensor, used for modern RNAV/RNP routes.
- PCAPre-Conditioned AirHandling
- Ground-supplied climate-controlled air used to heat or cool the aircraft cabin while on stand, reducing APU use.
- PIBPre-flight Information BulletinNOTAM
- A compiled summary of NOTAMs, weather, and other operational information relevant to a specific flight, used for briefing.
- PPRPrior Permission RequiredPermits
- A condition at certain airports requiring operators to obtain approval before arriving or departing, often due to limited capacity or facilities.
- PushbackHandling
- The ground movement of an aircraft away from its parking position using a tug, typically because it cannot reverse under its own power.
- Q-codeNOTAM
- The two-letter subject and two-letter status codes used in the NOTAM Q) line to classify the item being reported for filtering and briefing.
- QFEWeather
- The altimeter setting that causes an altimeter to read zero when on the ground at the reference point, referenced to the airfield surface.
- QNHWeather
- The altimeter setting that causes an altimeter to read airfield elevation when on the ground, referenced to mean sea level.
- Ramp agentHandling
- Ground staff responsible for marshalling, loading/unloading, and other turnaround tasks performed on the apron.
- RNPRequired Navigation PerformanceATC
- A PBN specification that requires onboard monitoring and alerting if achieved navigation accuracy falls outside the stated value.
- RVRRunway Visual RangeWeather
- An instrumented or observed estimate of how far a pilot can see down the runway, used mainly for low-visibility takeoff/landing decisions.
- RVSMReduced Vertical Separation MinimumATC
- Airspace rules that reduce standard vertical separation between aircraft from 2,000 ft to 1,000 ft above FL290, increasing usable flight levels.
- SCRSlot Clearance RequestPermits
- An SSIM-format message used to request, change, or cancel an airport slot allocation with a coordinator.
- SELCALSelective CallingATC
- A system allowing a ground station to alert a specific aircraft's crew via a coded radio tone, without requiring continuous radio monitoring.
- Seventh FreedomPermits
- A traffic right allowing an airline to operate flights entirely between two foreign countries, without touching its home country.
- SIDStandard Instrument DepartureATC
- A published route linking an airport to the en-route structure, designed to be flown after departure under instrument flight rules.
- SIGMETSignificant Meteorological InformationWeather
- An advisory warning of weather hazardous to all aircraft, such as severe turbulence, icing, or volcanic ash, issued for a specific FIR.
- SlotPermits
- A scheduled permission to use the full range of airport infrastructure (runway, gate, etc.) at a specific date and time at a coordinated airport.
- SNOWTAMNOTAM
- A specialized NOTAM format reporting runway surface contamination such as snow, ice, or slush, including friction/braking action data.
- SPECIWeather
- An unscheduled aerodrome weather report issued when conditions change significantly between routine METARs.
- SquawkATC
- The four-digit transponder code assigned by ATC to identify an aircraft on radar.
- SSIMStandard Schedules Information ManualRegulatory
- The IATA manual defining standard formats for airline schedules, slot messages, and related data interchange.
- Stand/GateHandling
- A designated parking position for an aircraft, typically connected to a terminal building or served by buses for passenger access.
- STARStandard Terminal Arrival RouteATC
- A published route linking the en-route structure to an approach, designed to sequence arriving instrument traffic.
- TAFTerminal Aerodrome ForecastWeather
- A coded weather forecast for an aerodrome covering a defined future period, used for flight planning and alternate selection.
- Taxi fuelFuel
- Fuel expected to be used between engine start/pushback and the start of the takeoff roll.
- TCASTraffic Collision Avoidance SystemATC
- An onboard system that monitors nearby transponder-equipped traffic and issues resolution advisories to avoid collision.
- TMATerminal Control AreaATC
- Controlled airspace established around one or more major aerodromes to handle converging traffic during climb-out and approach.
- TOWTake-Off WeightDispatch
- The actual aircraft weight at the start of the takeoff roll, comprising zero fuel weight plus usable fuel loaded.
- Towbarless tractorHandling
- A pushback/towing tug that lifts and grips the aircraft nose wheel directly, without a separate towbar.
- Traffic rightsPermits
- The bilateral or multilateral permissions that determine which routes and types of carriage an airline may legally operate between states.
- Trip fuelFuel
- The fuel required to fly from takeoff to landing at the destination aerodrome, accounting for planned route, winds, and weight.
- Turnaround timeHandling
- The total time an aircraft spends on the ground between arrival and the next departure, covering all required servicing tasks.
- UIRUpper Information RegionATC
- The upper-airspace counterpart of an FIR, typically beginning at a transition altitude or flight level.
- ULDUnit Load DeviceCargo
- A standardized container or pallet used to consolidate baggage, cargo, or mail for efficient aircraft loading.
- VFRVisual Flight RulesWeather
- Rules allowing flight by visual reference to the ground/horizon, subject to minimum weather conditions.
- VFR on topATC
- An IFR clearance permitting flight above a cloud layer in visual conditions while remaining under instrument flight rules.
- VMCVisual Meteorological ConditionsWeather
- Weather conditions equal to or better than the minimums required for VFR flight.
- W&BWeight and BalanceDispatch
- The process of calculating aircraft weight and centre of gravity to ensure both remain within certified limits for safe flight.
- Wet leaseRegulatory
- A lease of an aircraft together with crew, where the lessor retains operational responsibility for the flight.
- ZFWZero Fuel WeightDispatch
- The total weight of the aircraft and everything aboard, excluding usable fuel.
Limitations
- Definitions are written for general understanding. Regulatory meanings can differ between states and operators — follow the applicable regulation and your operations manual.