Pilot's Alphabet (A) Flashcards
Aft
The rear portion of the aircraft.
A/C Left
Left side of the aircraft (perspective of passenger facing forward)
A/C Right
Right side of the aircraft (perspective of passenger facing forward)
ATC
(Air Traffic Control) A service operated by the appropriate authority to promote a safe, orderly and expeditious flow of aircraft.
Altitude
The height of an aircraft above sea level usually expressed in feet.
Auto Pilot
An electronic device used to automatically maintain control of the aircraft when desired by the crew.
Bid Period
A consecutive 30 day cycle for the purpose of establishing bid schedules.
Bulkhead
Any dividing wall in an aircraft cabin.
Captain
A pilot who is in command of an aircraft and crew while on duty. Ultimately responsible for the manipulations of the flight controls of an aircraft.
Configuration
The seating arrangement onboard the aircraft.
Control Tower
Located at airports, controlling airplanes and runways. The tower must be within sight of the airport, and is operated by government personnel.
Crew
Captain, First Officer, and FAs.
Crew Rest
Time allotted between pairings for rest.
Crew Tracking
Scheduling group for all flight operations. FAs MUST call to check in and out for their reserve schedules.
Deadheading
Time spent by a FA traveling from one point to another (not actually working the flight) at the direction of the company, either for duty or for returning from duty.
Deplane
Passengers exiting the aircraft. Always coordinate deplaning with the gate agent.
Divert
A flight that has been routed from its original arrival destination to a new, typically temporary, arrival destination.
Domicile
The city designated by the company where crews are based.
DOT
Department of Transportation.
Duty Time
The time a FA is required to be on duty. 45 minutes before the scheduled departure of his/her flight of the day (or report time) whichever is later. Duty time ends 15 minutes after scheduled block in, or until the FA is released from duty, whichever is later.
Ferry Flight
A flight set up to move an aircraft from one station to another. The flight is operated as non-revenue.
First Officer
A pilot second in command, whose duties are similar to the captain’s, including maintaining control of the aircraft, taking off, and landing.
Flight Deck
The interior of the aircraft occupied by the Captain and First Officer (also known as the cockpit).
Flight Attendant
An individual who is qualified on an aircraft to perform safety related duties (and provide exceptional customer service).
Flight Time
The actual elapsed time from block to block for duty time purposes.
Forward
Refers to the front of the aircraft.
Fuselage
The body of the aircraft (not including the wing and tail).
GOM
General Operations Manual
GPU
Ground Power Unit - supplies power to the aircraft when on the ground without the engines running.
GSC
Ground Security Coordinator
Hanger
The building where airplanes are repaired by maintenance.
Headwind
The wind blowing in the opposite direction the aircraft is moving.
Jumpseat
Collapsible seat in the cabin or flight deck, for use by an FA or an observer.
Jet Tug
An aircraft pushback tug.
Jet Bridge
Mobile bridge type system that permits boarding and deplaning of passengers.
Layover
The time you spend in a particular city between duty days, usually on overnights.
Landing Gear
The under-structure that supports the weight of the aircraft while on the ground.
Leg/Segment
Flight time spent traveling from block out to block in between two destinations, which appears as a portion of a trip in the FA’s awarded line of flying.
Line Holder
A FA whose seniority entitles him/her to hold a schedule built by the company.
Open Time
Trips not assigned to FAs that could be voluntarily picked up on days off.
Operations
The office at the airport with the responsibility of recording actual times of arrival and departure, coordinating the flight release, and the delivery of fuel to the aircraft.
Originating Station
The city where a flight begins.
Passenger Count
Total number of people on board.
Ramp
Parking area for an aircraft, located near the terminal.
Ready Reserve
When a crew member is assigned to be on duty at your base airport.
Reserve
When a crew member is “on call” to report for duty within a 90-min period from the time of call.
Reserve Line Holder
A schedule built by the company indicating scheduled days on reserve. This schedule has no advanced scheduled flight time.
