Glossary of Aviation Terms
- ADF (Automatic Direction Finder)
- ADF stands for Automatic Direction Finder, equipment found in many smaller aircraft, but little used in modern aviation.
- AOC (Airline Operator Certificate)
- AOC (Airline Operator Certificate) is a certificate issued by a national aviation authority to an airline that allows it to operate commercial flights.
- ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License)
- The highest level of aircraft pilot certification, required to command large commercial aircraft.
- AUPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training)
- AUPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training) is a training course for pilots that teaches them how to prevent and recover from aircraft upset situations.
- B1 (Mechanical Certifying Engineer)
- B1 (Mechanical Certifying Engineer)
- B2 (Avionics Certifying Engineer)
- B2 (Avionics Certifying Engineer)
- BGS (Bristol Ground School)
- BGS (Bristol Ground School) is a well-known provider of aviation training and educational resources, particularly for ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License) preparation.
- CAA (Civil Aviation Authority)
- The national regulatory body for aviation (e.g., UK CAA).
- CB-IR (Competency-Based Instrument Rating)
- A more flexible route to obtaining an Instrument Rating, often used by modular students.
- CPL (Commercial Pilot License)
- Allows you to act as a pilot-in-command of an aircraft for compensation.
- DME (Distance Measuring Equipment)
- DME stands for Distance Measuring Equipment, which is a radio navigation system that allows an aircraft to determine its distance from a ground station.
- EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency)
- The regulatory body for aviation safety across Europe.
- EASA-FCL (European Union Aviation Safety Agency - Flight Crew Licensing)
- EASA-FCL (European Union Aviation Safety Agency - Flight Crew Licensing) is the regulatory framework for flight crew licensing in the European Union. It sets the standards for pilot training and certification across all EASA member states.
- FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
- The national regulatory body for aviation in the United States.
- fATPL (frozen) Airline Transport Pilot Licence)
- fATPL stands for 'frozen' Airline Transport Pilot Licence. It essentially means you've passed all the theoretical ATPL exams and met other requirements, but you're still building up the necessary flight hours to get the full, unrestricted ATPL.
- GPWS / TAWS (Ground Proximity Warning System / Terrain Awareness and Warning System)
- GPWS / TAWS (Ground Proximity Warning System / Terrain Awareness and Warning System) are systems that warn pilots of potential.
- ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)
- ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) is the United Nations specialized agency for civil aviation. It establishes international Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) to ensure the safety, security, and efficiency of global air navigation.
- IFR (Instrument Flight Rules)
- Regulations for flying by reference to cockpit instruments.
- IR (Instrument Rating)
- Qualification required to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), essential for commercial operations.
- JOC (Jet Orientation Course)
- A bridge course to prepare pilots for transitioning from propeller to jet aircraft.
- MCC (Multi-Crew Cooperation)
- Training for pilots to work effectively in a multi-pilot flight deck environment.
- ME (Multi-Engine Rating)
- Allows a pilot to fly aircraft with more than one engine.
- MEP (Multi Engine Piston)
- Class rating for multi-engine piston aircraft.
- P1 (Pilot in Command)
- P1 (Pilot in Command) is the pilot who has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of an aircraft.
- P2 (Second Pilot in a multi-pilot flightdeck)
- P2 (Second Pilot in a multi-pilot flightdeck) is the pilot who is responsible for assisting the Pilot in Command in the operation and safety of an aircraft.
- PBN (Performance Based Navigation)
- Modern navigation standards based on onboard performance monitoring and alerting.
- POH (Pilot Operating Handbook)
- POH (Pilot Operating Handbook) is a book that contains information about the aircraft.
- PPL (Private Pilot License)
- Allows you to fly as a pilot-in-command for non-commercial purposes.
- PUT (Pilot Under Training)
- PUT (Pilot Under Training) is a term used to describe a pilot who is in the process of obtaining their pilot license.
- RT (Radio Telephony)
- RT (Radio Telephony) stands for Radio Telephony. It is a qualification required for pilots to operate an aircraft radio.
- SEP (Single Engine Piston)
- Class rating for single-engine piston aircraft.
- SNY (Supernummary Crew Member)
- SNY (Supernummary crew member) - a crew member who is not essential for the operation of the aircraft.
- SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)
- SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) is a set of instructions that describes how to perform a specific task.
- UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training)
- Specialized training to recognize and recover from unusual aircraft attitudes.
- VFR (Visual Flight Rules)
- Regulations for flying by visual reference to the ground.
- VOR (VHF Omni-directional Range)
- VOR stands for VHF Omni-directional Range, which is a ground-based radio navigation aid for aircraft.