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Definitions Flashcards

1
Q

Absolute Altitude

A

Actual height above the surface of the earth, either land or water

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2
Q

Absolute Ceiling

A

The altitude where a particular airplane’s climb rate reaches zero

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3
Q

Adiabatic Cooling

A

A process of cooling the air through expansion. For example, as air moves up a slope it expands with the reduction of atmospheric pressure and cools as it expands

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4
Q

Adiabatic Heating

A

A process of heating dry air through compression. For example, as air moves down a slope it is compressed, which results in an increase in temperature.

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5
Q

Advection Fog

A

Fog resulting from the movement of warm, humid air over a cold surface

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6
Q

Agonic Line

A

Line along which the variation between true & magnetic values is zero

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7
Q

Air Density

A

the density of the air in terms of mass per unit volume. Dense air has more molecules per unit volume than less dense air. The density of air decreases with altitude above the surface of the earth & with increasing temperature

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8
Q

Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)

A

A facility established to provide air traffic control service to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans within controlled airspace, principally during the enrollee phase of flight

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9
Q

Air traffic Control (ATC)

A

A service provided by the FAA to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic

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10
Q

Airmass

A

An extensive body of air having fairly uniform properties of temperature and moisture

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11
Q

Airmet

A

In-flight weather advisory concerning moderate icing, moderate turbulence, sustained winds of 30 knots or more at the surface, and widespread areas of ceilings less than 1,000 feet and/or visibility less than 3 miles

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12
Q

Airport Advisory Area

A

The area within 10 statute miles of an airport where a flight service station is located, but where there is no control tower in operation

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13
Q

Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR)

A

Approach & departure control radar used to detect & display an aircraft’s position in the terminal area

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14
Q

Alert Area

A

Special use airspace which may contain a high volume of pilot training activities or an unusual type of aerial activity

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15
Q

Altimeter

A

A flight instrument that indicates altitude by sensing pressure changes

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16
Q

Altimeter Setting

A

The barometric pressure setting used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure and temperature

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17
Q

Altitude

A

Height expressed in units of distance above a reference plane, usually above mean sea level or above ground level

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18
Q

Angle of Attack

A

The angle between the airfoil’s chord line and the relative wind

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19
Q

Annual Inspection

A

Recurring examination of an aircraft that is required to maintain its airworthiness

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20
Q

Angle of Incidence

A

The angle between the chord line of the wing and the longitudinal axis of the airplane

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21
Q

ARM

A

The distance from the reference datum at which a weight may be located. Used in weight and balance calculations to determine moment

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22
Q

Aspect Ratio

A

Span of a wing divided by its average chord

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23
Q

Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS)

A

Weather reporting system which provides surface observations every minute via digitized voice broadcasts and printed reports

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24
Q

Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)

A

Automated weather reporting system consisting of various sensors, a processor, a computer-generated voice subsystem, and a transmitter to broadcast weather data

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25
Q

Automatic Direction Finder (ADF)

A

An aircraft radio navigation system which senses and indicates the direction to an L/MF nondirectional radio beacon (NDB) or commercial broadcast station

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26
Q

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)

A

An Aircraft surveillance system in which appropriately equipped aircraft transmit their GPS positions to ATC, and download weather and traffic information to the cockpit through a data link

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27
Q

Automatic Terminal Information Servie (ATIS)

A

The continuous broadcast of recorded non control information in selected terminal areas. Its purpose is to improve controller effectiveness and to relieve frequency congestion by automating the repetitive transmission of essential but routine information

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28
Q

Basic Radar Service

A

A radar service for VFR aircraft which includes safety alerts, traffic advisories, and limited radar vectoring, as well as aircraft sequencing at some terminal locations

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29
Q

Bearing

A

The horizontal direction to or from any point, usually measured clockwise from true north, magnetic north, or some other reference point, through 360 degrees

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30
Q

Best Angle-of-Climb Airspeed (VX)

A

The airspeed which produces the greatest gain in altitude for horizontal distance traveled

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31
Q

Best Rate-of-Climb Airspeed (Vy)

A

The airspeed which produces the maximum gain in altitude per unit of time

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32
Q

Blast Pad

A

An area associated with a runway where propeller blast can dissipate without creating a hazard to others. It cannot be used for landing, takeoffs, or taxiing

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33
Q

Bracketing

A

A navigation technique which uses a series of turns into a crosswind to regain and maintain the sesired course

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34
Q

Calibrated Airspeed (CAS)

A

Indicated airspeed of an aircraft, corrected for installation and instrument errors

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35
Q

Calibrated Altitude

A

Indicated altitude corrected to compensate for instrument error

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36
Q

Camber

A

The curve of an airfoil section from the leading edge to the trailing edge

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37
Q

Category

A

(1) As used with respect to the certification, ratings, privileges, and limitations of airmen, means a broad classification of aircraft (airplane, rotorcraft, glider, lighter-than-air, and powered lift)
(2) As used with respect to the certification of aircraft, means a grouping of aircraft, means a grouping of aircraft by intended use or operating limitations (transport, normal, utility, acrobatic, limited, restricted, experimental and provisional)

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38
Q

Ceiling

A

The height above the earth’s surface of the lowest layer of clouds which is reported as broken or overcast or the veritical visibility into an obscuration

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39
Q

Center of Gravity (CG)

A

The theoretical point where the entire weight of the airplane is considered to be concentrated

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40
Q

Center of Pressure

A

A point along the wing chord line where lift is considered to be concentrated

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41
Q

Centrifugal Force

A

An apparent force, that opposes centrpetal force, resulting from the effect of inertia during a turn

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42
Q

Centripetal Force

A

A center-seeking force directed inward toward the center of rotation created by the horizontal component of lift in turning flight

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43
Q

Chord

A

An imaginary straight line between the leading and trailing edges of an airfoil section

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44
Q

Class

A

(1) As used with respect to the certification, ratings, privileges, and limitations of airman, means a classification of aircraft within a category having similar operating characteristics (single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, gyroplane, helicopter, airship, and free balloon)
(2) As used with respect to certification of aircraft means a broad grouping of aircraft having similar characteristics of propulsion, flight, or landing (airplane, rotorcraft, glider, ballon, landplane, and seaplane)

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45
Q

Class A Airspace

A

Controlled air-space covering the 48 contiguous United States and Alaska, within 12 nautical miles of the coasts, from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL600, but not including airspace less than 1,500 feet AGL

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46
Q

Class B Airspace

A

Controlled airspace designated around certain major airports, extended from the surface or higher to specified altitudes where ATC provides radar separation for all IFR and VFR aircraft. For aperations in Class B airspace, all aircraft must receive an ATC clearance to enter, and are subject to the rules and pilot/equipment requirements listed in FAR part 91

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47
Q

Class C Airspace

A

Controlled airspace surrounding designated airports where ATC provides radar vectoring and sequencing for all IFR and VFR aircraft. Paricipation is mandatory, and all aircraft must establish and maintain radio contact with ATC, and are subject to the rules and pilot/equipment requirements listed in FAR part 91

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48
Q

Class D Airspace

A

Controlled airspace around at least one primary airport which has an operating control tower. Aircraft operators are subject to the rules and equipment requirements specified in FAR Part 91

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49
Q

Class E Airspace

A

Controlled airspace which covers the 48 contguous United States and Alaska, within 12 nautical miles of the coasts, from 14,500 feet MSL up to but nor including 18,000 feet MLS but not including airspace less than 1,500 feet AGL.

Class E airspace also includes Federal airways, with a floor of 1,200 feet AGL of higher, as well as the airspace from 700 feet or more above the surface designated in conjunction with an airport which has an approved instrument approach procedure.

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50
Q

Class G Airspace

A

Airspace that has not been designated as Class A, B, C, D, or E and within which air traffic control is not exercised

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51
Q

Clear Air Turbulance (CAT)

A

While CAT is often encountered near the jet stream in clear air, it also may be present at lower altitudes and in non-convective clouds

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52
Q

Clearing Turns

A

Turns consisting of at least a 1800 change in direction allowing a visual check of the airspace around the airplane to avoid conflicts while maneuvering

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53
Q

Cold Front

A

The boundry between two airmasses where cold air is replacing warm air

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54
Q

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)

A

A frequency designed for the purpose of carrying out airport advisory practices while operating to or from an uncontrolled airport. The CTAF may be a UNICOM, MULTICOM, FSS, or tower frequency and it is identified in appropriate aeronautical publications

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55
Q

Compass Heading

A

Aircraft heading read from the compass heading is derived by applying correction factors for variation, deviation, and wind to true course

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56
Q

Complex Airplane

A

An airplane with retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller

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57
Q

Condensation

A

A change of state of water from a gas (water vapor) to a liquid

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58
Q

Condensation Nuclei

A

Small particles of solid matter in the air on which water vapor condenses

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59
Q

Cone of Confusion

A

The cone-shaped area above a VOR station in which there is no signal and the TO/From flag momentarily flickers to OFF (or a similar idication)

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60
Q

Cones

A

The cells concentrated in the center of the retina which provide color cision and sense fine detail

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61
Q

Controlled Airport

A

An airport which has an operating control tower, sometimes called a tower airport

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62
Q

Controlled Airspace

A

Airspace designated as Class A, B, C, D or E, within which some or all aircraft may be subject to air traffic control

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63
Q

Convection

A

A circulation process caused by unequal air density which results from heating inequities

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64
Q

Convective Sigmet

A

A weather advisory concerning convective weather sifnificant to the safety of all aircraft. Convective SIGMET’s are issued for tornadoes, lines of thunderstorms, thunderstorms over a wide area, embedded thunderstorms, wind gusts to 50 knots or greater and/or hail 3/4 inch in diameter or greater

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65
Q

Conventional Landing Gear

A

Two main wheels located on either side of the fuselage and a third wheel, the tail wheel, positioned at the rear of the airplane.

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66
Q

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

A

A method of expressing time which places the entire world on one time standard. UTC also is referred to as Zulu time

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67
Q

Coriolis Force

A

A deflective force that is created by the difference in rotational velocity between the equator and the poles of the earth. It deflects air to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.

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68
Q

Course

A

The intended or sesired direction of flight in the horizontal plane measured in degrees from true or magnetic north

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69
Q

Crosswind

A

A wind which is not parallel to a runway or the path of an aircraft

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70
Q

Crosswind Component

A

A wind component which is at a right angle to the runway or the flight path of an aircraft

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71
Q

Dead Reckoning

A

A type of nacigation based on the calculations of time, speed, distance, and direction

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72
Q

Density Altitude

A

Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature

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73
Q

Deposition

A

The direct transformation of a gas to solid state, where the liquid state is bypassed

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74
Q

Depressants

A

Drugs which reduce the body’s functioning usually by lowering blood pressure, reducing mental processing, and slowing motar and reaction responses

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75
Q

Detonation

A

An uncontrolled, explosice ignition of the fuel/air mixture within the cylinder’s combustion chamber

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76
Q

Deviation

A

A compass error caused by magnetic disturbances from electrical and metal components in the airplane. The correction for this error is despluaed on a compass correction ard placed near the magnetic compass in the airplane

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77
Q

Dewpoint

A

The temperature at which air reaches a state where it can hold no more water

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78
Q

Dihedral

A

The upward angle of an airplane’s wings with respect to the horizontal. Dihedral contributes to the lateral stability of an airplane

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79
Q

Directional Stability

A

Stability about the vertical axis

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80
Q

Displaced Threshold

A

When the landing area begins at a point on the runway other than the disignated beginning of the runway

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81
Q

Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)

A

Equipment (airborne and ground) to measure, in nautical miles, the slant range distance of an aircraft from the navigation aid

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82
Q

Drag

A

A backward, or retarding, force which opposes thrust and limits the speed of the airplane

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83
Q

Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

A

A battery-operated radio transmitter attached to the aircraft structure which transmits on 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz. It aids in locating downed aircraft

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84
Q

Empennage

A

The section of the airplane which consits of the veritcal stabilizer, the horizontal stabilizer, and the associated control surfaces.

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85
Q

Empty Field Myopia

A

The normal tendency of the eye to focus at only 10 to 30 feet when looking into a field devoid of objects, contrasting colors, or patterns

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86
Q

Evaporation

A

The transformation of a liquid to gaseous state, such as the change of water to water vapor

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87
Q

Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ)

A

Airplane in which general aviation flight is generally prohibited

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88
Q

Flight Service Station (FSS)

A

An air traffic service facility that provides a variety of services to pilots, including weather briefings, opening and closing flight plans, and search and rescue operations

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89
Q

Freezing Level

A

A level in the atmosphere at which the temperature is 320F (0oC)

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90
Q

Front

A

The boundry between two different airmasses

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91
Q

Fuselage

A

The cabin or cockpit, is located in the fuselage. It may also provide room for cargo and attachment points for other major airplane components

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92
Q

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A

A satellite-based radio positioning, navigation, and time-transfer system

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93
Q

Great Circle

A

The largest circle which can be drawn on the earth’s surface. A great circle’s plane must pass through the center of the earth dividing it into two equal parts

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94
Q

Ground effect

A

A usually beneficial influence on aircraft performance which occurs while you are flying close to the ground. It results from a reduction in upwash, downwash, and wingtip vortices which provide a corresponding decrease in induced drag

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95
Q

Groundspeed (GS)

A

Speed of the aircraft in relation to the ground

96
Q

Hazardous In-Flight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS)

A

Contnuous recordings of hazardous weather information broadcast over selected VORs

97
Q

Heading

A

The direction in which the longitudinal axis of the airplane points with respect to true or magnetic north. Heading is equal to course plus or minus any wind correction angle

98
Q

Headwind Component

A

That part of the wind which acts directly on the front of the aircraft and decreases its groundspeed

99
Q

Hectopascal (hPa)

A

The metric equicalent of a millibar (1 hPa = 1 mb

100
Q

High Performance Airplane

A

An airplane having more than 200 horsepower

101
Q

Homing

A

A method of navigation to an NDB by holding a zero relative bearing

102
Q

Humidity

A

Water vapor content in the air

103
Q

Hyperventilation

A

The excessive ventilation of the lungs caused by very rapid and deep breathing which results in an excessive loss of carbon dioxide from the body

104
Q

Hypoxia

A

The effects on the human body of an insufficient supply of oxygen

105
Q

Indicated Airspeed (IAS)

A

The speed of an aircraft as shown on the airspeed indicator

106
Q

Indicated Altitude

A

The altitude shown by an altimeter set to the current altimeter setting

107
Q

Induced Drag

A

That part of total drag which is created by the production of lift. Induced drag increases with a decrease in airspeed

108
Q

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

A

rules that govern the procedure for conducting flight in weather conditions below VFR weather minimums. The term IFR also is used to define weather conditions and the type of flight plan under which an aircraft is operating

109
Q

International Standard Atmosphere (ISA)

A

Standard atmospheric conditions consisting of a temperature of 590F (150C), and a barometric pressure of 29.92 in. Hg. (1013.2 mb) at sea level. ISA values can be calculated for various altitudes using standard lapse rates

110
Q

Inversion

A

An increase in temperature with altitude

111
Q

ISOBAR

A

A line which connects points of equal barometric pressure

112
Q

Isogonic Lines

A

Lines on charts that connect points of equal magnetic variation

113
Q

Jeppesen Information Services

A

A subscription service for pilots which provides revisions for several flight information publications including the Jeppesen AIM, Jeppesen FARs for Pilots, the Jeppensen Airport Directory, JeppGuide, and the GPS/LORAN Coordinate Directory

114
Q

Jet Stream

A

A narrow band of winds with speeds of 100 to 200 m.p.h. occurring between approximately 32,000 and 49,000 feet

115
Q

Katabatic Wind

A

Any downslope wind usually stronger than a mountain breeze. A katabatic wind can be either warm or cold

116
Q

Land Breeze

A

A coastal breeze blowing from land to sea caused by temperature difference when the sea surface is warmer than the adjacent land. The land breeze usually occurs at night and alternates with a sea breeze which blows in the opposite direction by day

117
Q

Lapse Rate

A

The rate of decrease of an atmospheric variable with altitude

118
Q

Lateral Stability

A

Stability about the longitudinal Axis

119
Q

Latitude

A

Measurment north or south of the equator in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Lines of latitude are also called parallels

120
Q

Lift

A

An upward force created by the effect of airflow as it passes over and under the wing

121
Q

Load Factor

A

The ratio of the load supported by the airplane’s wings to the actual weight of the aircraft and its contents

122
Q

Local Airport Advisory (LAA)

A

Advisory service provided to pilots by an FSS at airports without an operating control tower. Information includes known traffic and weather conditions

123
Q

Long Range Navigation (LORAN)

A

A navigational system by which lines of position are determined by measuring the differences in the time of reception of synchronized pulse signals from fixed transmitters

124
Q

Longitude

A

Measurement east or west of the Prime Meridian in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Lines of longitude are also called meridians. The Prime Meridian is 00 longitude and runs through Greenwich, England

125
Q

Longitudinal Stability

A

Stability about the lateral axis. A disirable characteristic of an airplane whereby it tends to return to its trimmed angle of attack after desplacement

126
Q

Magnetic Bearing

A

The magnetic course you would fly to go direct to a NDB station

127
Q

Magnetic Course

A

True course corrected for magnetic variation

128
Q

Magneto

A

A self-contained, engine-driven unit that supplies electrical current to the spark plugs which is completely independent of the airplane’s electrical system. Normally there are two magnetos per engine

129
Q

Maneuvering Speed (VA)

A

The maximum speed at which you can use full, abrupt control movment without overstressing the airframe

130
Q

Mayday

A

International radio destress signal. When repeated three times, it indicates imminent and grave danger and that immediate assistance is requested

131
Q

Mean Sea Level (MSL)

A

The average height of the surface of the sea for all stages of tide

132
Q

Mesophere

A

A Layer of the atmosphere above the stratosphere

133
Q

Microburst

A

A strong downdraft which normally occurs over horizontal distances of 1 NM or less and vertical distances of less than 1,000 feet. In spite of its small horizantal scale, an intense microburst could induce wind speeds greater than 100 knots and downdrafts as strong as 6,000 feet per minute

134
Q

Military Operations Area (MOA)

A

Special use airspace of difined verticle and lateral limits established to help VFR traffic identify locations where military activities are conducted

135
Q

Military Training Route (MTR)

A

Route depicted on an aeronautical chart for the conduct of military flight training at speeds above 250 knots

136
Q

MILLIBAR (mb)

A

A unit of atmospheric pressure equal to a force of 1,000 dynes per square centimeter

137
Q

Minimum Equipment List

A

A document provided by an aircraft manufacturer or created by an operator and approved by the FAA, that lists the equipment that may be inoperative for a flight based on the conditions of that flight

138
Q

Moment

A

A measurment of the tendency of a weight to cause ratation at the fulcrum

139
Q

Mountain Breeze

A

A downslope wind flow at night, caused by the cooling of the air at higher elevations

140
Q

MULTICOM

A

A frequency (122.9 MHz) for pilots to use as a common traffic advisory frequency to self announce their positions and intentions at airports that don’t have a tower, an FSS or a UNICOM

141
Q

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

A

A notice containing time-critical information which is either of a temporary nature or is not known far enough in advance to permit publications on aeronautical charts or other operational publications

142
Q

Obstruction Light

A

A light, or one of a group of lights, usually red or white, mounted on a surface structure or natural terrain to warn pilots of the presence of a flight hazard

143
Q

Occluded Front

A

A frontal occlusion occurs when a fast-moving cold front catches up to a slow-moving warm front. The difference in temperature within each frontal system is a major factor in ditermining whether a cold or warm front occlusion occurs

144
Q

Orographic

A

Associated with or induced by the presence of rising terrain, such as orographic lifting

145
Q

Parasite Drag

A

That part of total drag created by the form or shape of airplane parts. Parasite drag increases with an increase in airspeed

146
Q

Pilot controlled Lighting (PCL)

A

Runway lighting systems which are controlled by keying the aircraft’s microphone on a specific frequency

147
Q

Pilot in Command (PIC)

A

The pilot responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft

148
Q

Pilot Weather Report (PIREP)

A

A report, generated by pilots, concerning meteorological phenomena encountered in flight

149
Q

Pilotage

A

Navigation by visual landmarks

150
Q

Precession

A

The tilting or turning of a gyroscope in response to external forces causing slow drifting and erroneous indications in gyroscopic instruments

151
Q

Preignition

A

Occurs when the fuel/air mixture is ignited in advance of the normal timed ignition and is usually caused by a residual hotspot in the cylinder

152
Q

Pressure Altitude

A

Height above the standard pressure level of 29.92 in. Hg. Obtained by setting 29.92 in the barometric pressure window and reading the altimeter

153
Q

Prevailing Visibility

A

The greatest horizontal visibility throughout at least half the horizon

154
Q

Preventive Maintenance

A

Minor service that pilots, without an available mechanic certificate are allowed to perform on an aircraft

155
Q

Prohibited Area

A

Airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earthwithin which the flight of aircraft is prohibited

156
Q

Radar Advisory

A

Information or advice provided to pilots based on radar observations

157
Q

Radar Contact

A

Term used by ATC to advise pilot that the aircraft is identified on radar

158
Q

Radar Vector

A

A heading issued by a radar controller to the pilot of an aircraft to provide navigational guidance

159
Q

Radial

A

A navigational signal generated by a VOR or VORTAC, measured as a magnetic bearing from the station

160
Q

Reference Datum

A

An imaginary vertical plane from which all horizontal distances are measured for balance purposes

161
Q

Relative Bearing

A

Angular difference between the airplane’s langitudinal axis and a straight line drawn from the airplane to the station. It is measured clockwise from the airplane’s nose

162
Q

Relative Humidity

A

The actual amount of moisture in the air compared to the total that could be present at that temperature

163
Q

Restricted Area

A

Disignated special use airspace within which aircraft flight, while not prohibited, is subject to restrictions

164
Q

Retina

A

The photosensitive portion of the eye which is connected to the optic nerve and contains cells called rods and cones

165
Q

Retractable Gear

A

A Pilot controllable landing gear system, whereby the gear can be stowed alongside or inside the structure of the airplane during flight

166
Q

Rigidity in Space

A

The prinicple that a wheel with a heavily weighted rim spun rapidly will remain in a fixed position in the plane in which it is spinning

167
Q

Rods

A

The cells concentrated outside of the foveal area whcih are sensitive to low light and not to color

168
Q

Runway Gradient

A

The amount of change in elevation over the length of the runway

169
Q

Runway Incursion Hotspot

A

A charted location at an airport where a heightened risk of a runway incursion exists

170
Q

Runway Visual Range

A

An instrumentally derived value representing the horizontal distance a pilot in a moving aircraft should see down the runway

171
Q

Safety Alert

A

An alert issued by an ATC radar faciliry when an aircraft under its control is in unsafe proximity to terrain, obstruction, or other aircraft

172
Q

Saturated Air

A

Air Containing the maximum amount of water vapor it can hold at a given temperature (100% relative humidity)

173
Q

Sea Breeze

A

A coastal breeze blowing from sea to land, caused by the temperature difference when the land surface is warmer than the sea surface. The sea breeze usually occurs during the day and alternates with the land breeze which blows in the opposite direction at night

174
Q

Sectional Chart

A

Most commonly used chart for VFR flight. Each chart covers 60 to 80 of longitude and approximately 40 of latitude and is given the name of a primary city within its coverage. The scale of a sectional chart is 1:150,000

175
Q

Segmented Circle

A

A set of visual indicators which provide traffic pattern information at airports without operating control towers

176
Q

Service Ceiling

A

The maximum height above mean sea level, under normal conditions, at which a given airplane is able to maintain a rate of climb of 100 feet per minute

177
Q

SIGMET

A

An in-flight advisory which is considered significant to all aircraft. SIGMET criteria include severe icing, severe and extreme turbulence, duststorms, sandstorms, volcanic eruptions, and volcanic ask lowering visibility to less than three miles

178
Q

Skid

A

A flight condition in which the rate of turn is too great for the angle of bank

179
Q

Slip

A

A flight condition in which the rate of turn is too slow for the angle of bank

180
Q

spatial Disorientation

A

A feeling of balance instability caused by a conflict between the information relayed by your central vision, and your peripheral vision

181
Q

Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)

A

Airspace in which additional requirements or restrictions to flight may be imposed beyond what would normally be appropriate for the class of airspace collocated with the area

182
Q

Special Use Airspace

A

Defined air-space areas where aircraft operations may be limited. Examples include: alert area, controlled firing area, military operations area, prohibited area, restricted area, and warning area.

183
Q

Special VFR Clearance

A

An ATC clearance which allows you to operate within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, C, D, or E airspace when the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet AGL and/or visibility is below 3 statute miles. While operating under special VFR, you must maintain 1 statute mile visibility and remain clear of clouds

184
Q

Spin

A

An aggravated stall which results in the airplane descending in a helical, or corkscrew path

185
Q

Squall Line

A

A continuous line of non-frontal thunderstorms

186
Q

Stall

A

A rapid decrease in lift cause by the seperation of airflow from the wing’s surface brought on by exceeding the critical angle of attack

187
Q

Standard Lapse Rate

A

For 1,000 feet of altitude in the lower atmosphere (below 36,000 feet) the standard pressure lapse rate is 1.00 in. Hg. and the standard temperature lapse rate is 20C (3.50F)

188
Q

Stationary Front

A

A boundry between two airmasses which are relatively balanced

189
Q

Stimulants

A

Drugs which excite the central nervous system and produce an increase in alertness and activity

190
Q

Stopway

A

An area beyond the take-off runway which is designed to support an airplane during an aborted takeoff without causing structural damage to the airplane. It cannot be used for takeoff, landing or taxiing

191
Q

Stratosphere

A

The first layer above the tropapause extending to a height of approximately 160,000 feet, with a composition much like the troposphere

192
Q

Sublimation

A

Process by which a solid is changed to a gas without going through the liquid state

193
Q

Supercooled Water Droplets

A

Water droplets that have been cooled below the freezing point, but are still in a liquid state

194
Q

Tailwind

A

Any wind more than 900 from the magnetic heading of the runway

195
Q

Tailwind Component

A

That part of the wind which acts directly on the rear of the aircraft and increases its groundspeed

196
Q

Telephone Information Briefing Service (TIBS)

A

Telephone recording of area and/or route meteorological briefings, airspace procedures, and special aviation-oriented announcements

197
Q

Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)

A

Airspace urrounding designated airports in which ATC provides radar vectoring, sequencing, and separation for all IRF aircraft and participating VFR aircraft

198
Q

Terminal VFR Radar Service

A

A national program which extends the terminal radar services for IFR aircraft to VFR aircraft

199
Q

Tetrahedron

A

Device used as a landing direction indicator, usually at nontowered airports. The small end points into the wind, or in the general direction of landing

200
Q

Thermosphere

A

The area of the atmosphere above the mesosphere

201
Q

Threshold

A

The beginning of the landing area of the runway

202
Q

Thrust

A

A forward force which propels the airplane through the air

203
Q

Total Drag

A

The sum of parasite and induced drag

204
Q

Track

A

The actual flight path of an aircraft over the ground. Also called ground track

205
Q

Tracking

A

Flying a desired course to or from a station using a sufficient wind correction, if necessary

206
Q

Taffic Advisories

A

Advisories issued to alert a pilot to other known or abserved air traffic whcih may be in such proximity to their position or intended route of flight as to warrant their attention

207
Q

Traffic Pattern

A

The traffic flow that is prescribed for aircraft landing and taking off from an airport. The usual components are the departure, crosswind, downwind, and base legs; and the final approach

208
Q

Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB)

A

A continuous recording of weather and aeronautical information broadcast over selected NDB or VOR stations

209
Q

Transponder

A

An electronic device aboard the airplane that enhances an aircraft’s identity on an ATC radar screen

210
Q

Tricycle Gear

A

Two main wheels located on either side of the fuselage and a third wheel, the nosewheel, positioned on the nose of the airplane

211
Q

Tropopause

A

An area at an average altitude of 36,000 feet which acts as a lid to confine most of the water vapor, and the associated weather, to the troposphere

212
Q

Troposphere

A

The layer of the atmosphere extending from the surface to an average altitude of about 36,000 feet

213
Q

True Airspeed (TAS)

A

The speed at which an aircraft is moving relative to the surrounding air

214
Q

True Altitude

A

The actual height of an object above mean sea level

215
Q

True Course (TC)

A

The intended or desired direction of flight as measured on a chart clockwise from true north

216
Q

True Heading (TH)

A

The direction the longitudinal axis of the airplane points with respect to tru north. True heading is equal to true course plus or minus any wind correction angle

217
Q

Uncontrolled Airport

A

A non-towered airport where control of VFR traffic is not exercised

218
Q

Uncontrolled Airspace

A

Airspace disignated as Class G airspace within which air traffic control is not exercised

219
Q

UNICOM

A

A nongovernment communications facility which may provide airport information at certain airports

220
Q

Usable Fuel

A

The amount of fuel available during flight

221
Q

Useful Load

A

The difference between the basic empty weight of the airplane and the maximum weight allowed by teh manufacturer’s specification

222
Q

Valley Breeze

A

An upslope wind flow caused by the heating of the mountain slope which warms the adjacent air

223
Q

Vapor Lock

A

A condition in which it may be difficult, or impossible, to restart the engine. Vapor lock may occur as a result of running a fuel tank completely dry allowing air to enter the fuel system. On fuel injected engines the fuel may become so hot it vaporizes in the fuel line, not allowing the fuel to reach the cylinders

224
Q

Variation

A

The angular difference between true north and magnetic north; indicated on charts by isogonic lines

225
Q

VFR Cruising Altitude

A

When flying above 3,000 feet AGL on magnetic headings from 00 to 1790 you must fly at odd thousand-foot altitudes plus 500 feet and on headings from 1800 to 3590 you are required to fly at even thousand plus 500 feet up to the flight levels

226
Q

Victor Airway

A

An airway system based on the use of VOR facilities

227
Q

Visual Flight Rules (VFR)

A

Rules which specify minimum cloud clearance and visibility requirements for flight. The term VFR also is used to define weather conditions and the type of flight plan under which an aircraft is operating

228
Q

Visual Purple

A

Another term for rhodopsin, the chemical created by the rods that provides a perception of dim light

229
Q

VOR

A

Ground-based navigational system consisting of very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) stations which provide course guidance

230
Q

Warm Front

A

The boundary between two airmasses where warm air is replacing cold air

231
Q

Warning Area

A

Airspace of defined dimensions, extending from three nautical miles outward from the coast of the United States, which contains activity that may be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft

232
Q

Weight

A

A downward force caused by gravity. Weight opposes lift

233
Q

Wind correction Angle (WCA)

A

The angular difference between the heading of the airplane and the course

234
Q

Wind Shear

A

A sudden, drastic shift in wind speed, direction, or both that may occur in the vertical or horizontal plane

235
Q

Wingtip Vortices

A

Spirals of air created by an airfoil when generating lift. Vortices from medium to heavy aircraft may be extremely hazardous to small aircraft

236
Q

World Aeronautical Chart (WAC)

A

Similar to a sectional chart, but with a scale ot 1:1,000,000 provides less detail and is best suited for flight planning

237
Q

Zulu Time

A

A term used in aviation for coordinated universal time (UTC) which places the entire world on one time standard

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