M Flashcards
Mach number
The ratio of the true airspeed of the aircraft
to the speed of sound in the same atmospheric conditions,
named in honor of Ernst Mach, late 19th century physicist
Mach meter
The instrument that displays the ratio of the
speed of sound to the true airspeed an aircraft is flying.
Magnetic Bearing (MB)
The direction to or from a radio
transmitting station measured relative to magnetic north.
Magnetic compass
A device for determining direction measured from magnetic north.
Magnetic dip
A vertical attraction between a compass
needle and the magnetic poles. The closer the aircraft is to a
pole, the more severe the effect.
Magnetic Heading (MH)
The direction an aircraft is pointed with respect to magnetic north
Magneto
A self-contained, engine-driven unit that supplies
electrical current to the spark plugs; completely independent
of the airplane’s electrical system. Normally there are two
magnetos per engine.
Magnus effect
Lifting force produced when a rotating
cylinder produces a pressure differential. This is the same
effect that makes a baseball curve or a golf ball slice.
Mandatory altitude
An altitude depicted on an instrument
approach chart with the altitude value both underscored and
overscored. Aircraft are required to maintain altitude at the
depicted value.
Mandatory block altitude
An altitude depicted on an
instrument approach chart with two underscored and
overscored altitude values between which aircraft are
required to maintain altitude.
Maneuverability
Ability of an aircraft to change directions
along a flightpath and withstand the stresses imposed upon
it.
Maneuvering speed (VA)
The maximum speed at which full,
abrupt control movement can be used without overstressing
the airframe.
Manifold absolute pressure
The absolute pressure of the
fuel/air mixture within the intake manifold, usually indicated
in inches of mercury.
Margin identification
The top and bottom areas on an
instrument approach chart that depict information about
the procedure, including airport location and procedure
identification
Marker beacon
A low-powered transmitter that directs its
signal upward in a small, fan-shaped pattern. Used along the
flight path when approaching an airport for landing, marker
beacons indicate both aurally and visually when the aircraft
is directly over the facility.
Mass
The amount of matter in a body.
Maximum altitude
An altitude depicted on an instrument
approach chart with overscored altitude value at which or
below aircraft are required to maintain altitude.
Maximum Authorized Altitude (MAA)
A published altitude
representing the maximum usable altitude or flight level for
an airspace structure or route segment.
Maximum landing weight
The greatest weight that an airplane normally is allowed to have at landing.
Maximum ramp weight
The total weight of a loaded
aircraft, including all fuel. It is greater than the takeoff
weight due to the fuel that will be burned during the taxi
and runup operations. Ramp weight may also be referred to
as taxi weight.
Maximum takeoff weight
The maximum allowable weight for takeoff.
Maximum weight
The maximum authorized weight of
the aircraft and all of its equipment as specified in the Type
Certificate Data Sheets (TCDS) for the aircraft.