Glossary A

Question 1

Airfoil

Answer 1

Any surface, such as a wing, propeller, rudder, or even a trim tab, which provides aerodynamic force when it interacts with a moving stream of air.

Question 2

Ailerons

Answer 2

Primary flight control surfaces mounted on the trailing edge of an airplane wing, near the tip. Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis.

Question 3

100-hour inspection

Answer 3

An inspection identical in scope to an annual inspection. Conducted every 100 hours of flight on aircraft under 12,500 pounds that are used to carry passengers for hire.

Question 4

Absolute accuracy

Answer 4

The ability to determine present position in space independently, and is most often used by pilots.

Question 5

Absolute altitude

Answer 5

The actual distance between an aircraft and the terrain over which it is flying.

Question 6

Absolute pressure

Answer 6

Pressure measured from the reference of the zero pressure, or a vacuum.

Question 7

A.C.

Answer 7

Alternating current

Question 8

Acceleration

Answer 8

Force involved in overcoming inertia, and which may be defined as a change in velocity per unit of time.

Question 9

Acceleration error

Answer 9

A magnetic compass error apparent when the aircraft accelerates while flying on an easterly or westerly heading, causing the compass card to rotate toward the north.

Question 10

Accelerate-go distance

Answer 10

The distance required to accelerate to V1 with all engines at take off power, experience an engine failure at V1, and continue the take off on the remaining engines(s). The runway required includes the distance required to climb to 35 feet by which time V2 speed must be attained.

Question 11

Accelerate-stop distance

Answer 11

The distance required to accelerate to V1 with all engines at take off power, experience an engine failure at V1, and abort the take off and bring the airplane to a stop using braking action only (use of thrust reversing is not considered).

Question 12

Accelerometer

Answer 12

A part of an inertial navigation system (INS) that accurately measures the force of acceleration in one Direction.

Question 13

Adiantum cooling

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Adiabatic heating

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Adjustable-pitch propeller

Answer 15

A propeller with blades whose pitch can be adjusted on the ground with the engine not running, but which cannot be adjusted in flight. Also referred to as a ground adjustable propeller. Sometimes also used to refer to constant-speed to propellers that are adjustable in flight.

Question 16

Adjustable stabilizer

Answer 16

A stabilizer that can be adjusted in flight to trim the airplane, thereby allowing the airplane to fly hands-off at any given airspeed.

Question 17

Advection fog

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Adverse yaw

Answer 18

A condition of flight in which the nose of an airplane tends to yaw toward the outside of the turn. This is caused by the higher induced drag on the outside wing, which is also producing more lift. Induced drag is a by-product of the lift associated with the outside wing.

Question 19

Aerodynamics

Answer 19

The science of the action of air on an object, and with the motion of air on other gases. Aerodynamics deals with the production of lift by the aircraft, the relative wind, and the atmosphere.

Question 20

Aeronautical chart

Answer 20

A map used in air navigation containing all or part of the following: topographical features, hazards and obstructions, navigation aids, navigation routes, designated airspace, and airports.

Question 21

Aeronautical decision-making (ADM)

Answer 21

A systematic approach to the mental process used by pilots to consistently determine the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances.