Dictionary of

Aviation
second edition
 Specialist dictionaries
Dictionary of Accounting 0 7475 6991 6
Dictionary of Agriculture 0 7136 7778 3
Dictionary of Banking and Finance 0 7136 7739 2
Dictionary of Business 0 7136 7918 2
Dictionary of Computing 0 7475 6622 4
Dictionary of Economics 0 7136 8203 5
Dictionary of Environment and Ecology 0 7475 7201 1
Dictionary of Food Science and Nutrition 0 7136 7784 8
Dictionary of Human Resources and Personnel Management 0 7136 8142 X
Dictionary of ICT 0 7475 6990 8
Dictionary of Information and Library Management 0 7136 7591 8
Dictionary of Law 0 7475 6636 4
Dictionary of Leisure, Travel and Tourism 0 7475 7222 4
Dictionary of Marketing 0 7475 6621 6
Dictionary of Media Studies 0 7136 7593 4
Dictionary of Medical Terms 0 7136 7603 5
Dictionary of Nursing 0 7475 6634 8
Dictionary of Politics and Government 0 7475 7220 8
Dictionary of Publishing and Printing 0 7136 7589 6
Dictionary of Science and Technology 0 7475 6620 8
Dictionary of Sport and Exercise Science 0 7136 7785 6

Easier English™ titles

Easier English Basic Dictionary 0 7475 6644 5
Easier English Basic Synonyms 0 7475 6979 7
Easier English Intermediate Dictionary 0 7475 6989 4
Easier English Student Dictionary 0 7475 6624 0
Check Your English Vocabulary workbooks
Academic English 0 7475 6691 7
Business and Administration 0 7136 7916 6
Human Resources 0 7475 6997 5
IELTS 0 7136 7604 3
Law 0 7136 7592 6
Living in the UK 0 7136 7914 X
Medicine 0 7136 7590 X
PET 0 7475 6627 5
Phrasal Verbs and Idioms 0 7136 7805 4
TOEFLÒ 0 7475 6984 3
TOEICÒ 0 7136 7508 X

Visit our website for full details of all our books: www.acblack.com
Dictionary of
Aviation
second edition

David Crocker

A & C Black 앫 London

 Originally published by Peter Collin Publishing
as Dictionary of Aeronautical English

First edition published 1999

Second edition published 2005 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Reprinted 2007 by
A&C Black Publishers Ltd
38 Soho Square, London W1D 3HB

Copyright © David Crocker and Peter Collin Publishing Ltd. 1999

Revisions and additional material © A&C Black Publishers Ltd 2007

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may

be reproduced in any form or by any means without the
prior written permission of the publishers.

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library

eISBN-13: 978-1-4081-0226-8

Text Production and Proofreading

Katy McAdam, Sandra Anderson, Heather Bateman, Emma Harris

This book is produced using paper that is made from wood grown in managed,
sustainable forests. It is natural, renewable and recyclable. The logging and
manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the
country of origin.

Text processed and typeset by A&C Black

Printed in Spain by GraphyCems
Preface
English is the universal language of communication used in civil aviation. This
dictionary provides the basic vocabulary of terms used by pilots, cabin staff,
maintenance crews, ground staff and travellers worldwide. The terms are those used
in everyday work on aircraft, and cover parts of the aircraft, manipulating the
aircraft on the ground and in the air, instructions to passengers, conversations with
air traffic control, weather, emergencies, etc.

Unlike conventional aeronautical dictionaries, the Dictionary of Aviation defines

vocabulary often found in conjunction with the purely technical terms as well as the
technical terms themselves. Simple explanations are presented in simple language,
making the dictionary ideal for those working towards a private or commercial
pilot’s licence, as well as trainee maintenance engineers and more experienced
professionals. We also give examples to show how the words are used in context.

We have selected quotations from various specialised magazines to show the words
and phrases as they are used in real-life situations. The supplements at the back give
further information in the form of tables.

We are particularly grateful to the staff at Qatar Aeronautical College for their help
in the production of the first edition of this dictionary. Thanks are also due to
Stephen Copeland and Gavin Rowden for specialist advice and helpful suggestions
during the preparation of this new edition.

The information contained in this dictionary is not to be regarded as a substitute for

formal training in a given discipline.
Pronunciation Guide
The following symbols have been used to show the pronunciation of the main
words in the dictionary.

Stress is indicated by a main stress mark (
) and a secondary stress mark (  ) .

Note that these are only guides, as the stress of the word changes according to its
position in the sentence.

Vowels Consonants
 back b buck
ɑ harm d dead
ɒ stop ð other
a type dȢ jump
aυ how f fare
aə hire DZ gold
aυə hour h head
ɔ course j yellow
ɔ annoy k cab
e head l leave
eə fair m mix
e make n nil
eυ go ŋ sing
 word p print
i keep r rest
i happy s save
ə about ʃ shop
 fit t take
ə near tʃ change
u annual θ theft
u pool v value
υ book w work
υə tour x loch
' shut Ȣ measure
z zone
 A
AAIB able

AAIB abbreviation Air Accident Inves- able /eb(ə)l/ adjective skilful and
tigation Branch competent 왍 to be able to to have the
AARA

AARA abbreviation air to air refuelling power, knowledge, skill or strength to

area do something 쑗 Is she able to carry this
abbreviate
heavy suitcase?
abbreviate /əbriviet/ verb to
|
able-bodied

able-bodied /eb(ə)l bɒdid/ adjec-

shorten a word or a text 쑗 Air Traffic tive referring to a person who has no
Control is usually abbreviated to ATC. physical disabilities 쑗 Physically disad-
왍 abbreviated weather report a short- vantaged as well as able-bodied people
ened weather report can gain a PPL.
abbreviation

abbreviation /əbrivieʃ(ə)n/ noun

| |
abnormal

abnormal /bnɔm(ə)l/ adjective

|

the short form of a word or text 쑗 Aero- not normal

nautical charts use abbreviations and
abnormality /bnɔmlti/ noun
abnormality

symbols. 쑗 Km is the abbreviation for |

something that is not normal, expected

kilometre.
or correct, and is therefore possibly
COMMENT: Abbreviations can cause worrying 쑗 Any abnormality in engine
confusion. They may range from those performance should be checked.
which have a very specific meaning as
abnormal load /bnɔm(ə)l ləυd/
abnormal load

defined by an authoritative body, to |

others which may come about noun a load which is heavier than nor-
because of personal usage in note- mal
making, etc. ICAO approved abort

abort / əbɔt/ verb 1. to stop some-

|

abbreviations may differ from those

used in JARs. AC can mean
thing taking place 쑗 They had to abort
‘alternating current’ or ‘altocumulus’. the landing because of a violent storm
CPL is generally taken to mean 2. to end something before it has fin-
Commercial Pilot’s Licence but the ished
ICAO definition is Current Flight Plan. absolute

absolute /bsəlut/ adjective com-

Advances in technology have plete, total 왍 absolute necessity some-
significantly increased the number of
abbreviations with which pilots and thing that you cannot manage without
engineers must be familiar. under any circumstances 왍 absolute
Abbreviations in this dictionary include silence a condition in which no sound
those with generally accepted of any kind can be heard
definitions and others with specific absolute ceiling

absolute ceiling /bsəlut silŋ /

ICAO definitions. noun the maximum height above sea
ability

ability /əblti/ noun the power,

|
level at which an aircraft can maintain
knowledge or skill needed to do some- horizontal flight
thing 쑗 Strength is the ability of a mate-
absolute humidity

absolute humidity /bsəlut hju |

rial to support a load. 왍 he has great mdəti/ noun the vapour concentration
ability he has good skills or is very or mass of water in a given quantity of
clever air
absolute pressure 2
absolute pressure

absolute pressure /bsəlut metres per second per second. Abbrevi-

preʃə/ noun a unit of force per unit of ation g
area without comparison to other pres- accelerometer

accelerometer /əkselərɒmtə/

| |

sure 쑗 Aircraft show absolute pressure noun an instrument that measures an

in inches of mercury on the inlet mani- aircraft’s acceleration
fold pressure gauge. accept

accept /əksept/ verb 1. to be able to

|
absolute value

absolute value /bsəlut vlju/ take or receive 쑗 Some units accept

noun the size or value of a number electrical inputs from the autopilot. 2.
regardless of its sign 쑗 The absolute to take or receive something when it is
value of –64.32 is 64.32. given to you 쑗 She accepted the award
absolute zero

absolute zero /bsəlut zərəυ/ on behalf of the whole crew. 왍 to accept

noun the lowest temperature possible, a gift, to accept a prize to take a prize
0 °K, or –273.15 °C which is handed to you 3. to be willing
absorb to receive or admit something 왍 to
absorb /əbzɔb/ verb to take in 쑗 |

accept the blame to be willing to admit

Warm air absorbs moisture more easily that you were the person who caused
than cold air. 쑗 Our bodies absorb oxy- something bad to happen 쑗 The airline
gen. 왍 to absorb information to under- accepted the blame for the loss of their
stand and remember something 쑗 Only baggage. 왍 to accept responsibility to
a few passengers absorb the pre-depar- be willing to be answerable for some-
ture safety information. thing 쑗 The copilot accepted responsi-
absorption

absorption /əbzɔpʃən/ noun the | bility for the incident.

act of taking something in 쑗 There is acceptable

acceptable /əkseptəb(ə)l/ adjective

|

absorption of energy by the tyre when allowed or approved of, although it may
the aircraft lands. not be perfect 왍 acceptable level of
AC

AC abbreviation 1. alternating current safety a good enough standard of safety

2. altocumulus (ICAO) 왍 acceptable limits the limits generally
ACARS

ACARS abbreviation airborne com- regarded as correct 왍 there must be a

munication, addressing and reporting continuous flow of clean oil at an
system acceptable temperature the tempera-
ACAS ture of the oil must be within given
ACAS /eks/ abbreviation airborne maximum and minimum figures
collision avoidance system acceptance

ACC acceptance /əkseptəns/ noun 1.

|

ACC abbreviation area control centre willingness to believe something or

accelerate

accelerate /əkseləret/ verb to | agree to something 쑗 There is a growing

increase speed 쑗 After start-up, the acceptance that safety is the main pri-
engine accelerates up to idling speed. 쑗 ority. 2. willingness to do or use some-
The aircraft accelerated down the run- thing 왍 acceptance of new technology
way and took off. Opposite decelerate willingness to use new technology
acceleration

acceleration
accepted

/əkseləreʃ(ə)n/ | | accepted /əkseptd/ adjective

|

noun 1. the act of increasing the speed believed or recognised 쑗 It is accepted

of something or of going faster. Oppo- that incorrect use of English played a
site deceleration (NOTE: Acceleration part in the accident. 쑗 It is generally
can be felt as an aircraft begins its take- accepted that flying is one of the safest
off run.) 2. a force that pulls outwards forms of transport.
and is caused by a change in direction access

access /kses/ noun a way to find or

rather than a change in speed 쑗 Acceler- get at something 왍 to gain access to to
ation forces can be felt during aerobatic manage to enter a place 왍 access to
manoeuvres. information the means to get at,
acceleration due to earth’s gravity

acceleration due to earth’s retrieve and use information 쐽 verb to

gravity noun the pulling force exerted find and use 왍 to access data, to access
on a body by the Earth. It has an inter- information to find, retrieve and use
national standard value of 9.80665 data or information
 3 according to
accessibility

accessibility / əkses blti/ noun

| |
to one of the passengers and is carried
the ease with which something can be on the same aircraft. 쒁 unaccompanied
reached or found 쑗 Accessibility of com- accompany

accompany /əkmp(ə)ni/ verb to

|

ponents and equipment during servic- go together with something else 쑗

ing enables work to be done more Engine failure is sometimes accompa-
quickly. nied by fire. 왍 Mr Smith was accompa-
nied by his wife and children on the
accessible

accessible /əksesb(ə)l/ adjective

|

easy to get at 쑗 It is a good idea to have flight to New York Mr Smith’s wife
a set of emergency charts in an accessi- and children were with him on the flight
ble place in the cockpit. 쑗 Instruments accomplish

accomplish /əkmplʃ/ verb (in for-

|

which need resetting in flight must be mal technical texts) to do something 쑗

accessible to the crew. Feathering is accomplished by moving
accessory /əksesəri/ noun a system the pilot’s control lever. 쑗 Retraction of
accessory

or piece of equipment of secondary the undercarriage is accomplished by

importance 쑗 a camera with several electrical power. 왍 to accomplish a
accessories 쐽 adjective of secondary task to successfully finish doing some-
importance 쑗 There are many accessory thing demanding 쑗 She was the first
systems which need engine power to woman to accomplish the feat in a sin-
operate them – pumps, generators, gle-engined aircraft.
magnetos, etc. (NOTE: The noun acces- accomplishment

accomplishment /əkmplʃmənt/ |

sory is not connected with the noun noun 1. an achievement 쑗 Charles Lind-
access or the verb to access.) bergh’s flight across the Atlantic in May
access panel

access panel /kses pn(ə)l/ 1927 was a great accomplishment. 2.

noun a part of the aircraft skin which (in physics) work done 쑗 Power is meas-
can be easily removed so internal com- ured by units of accomplishment corre-
ponents can be inspected lated with time.
accident /ksd(ə)nt/ noun 1.
accident accordance

accordance /əkɔd(ə)ns/ noun 왍 in

|

something which happens which seems accordance with in agreement with or

to have no cause 왍 it was an accident following something such as rules,
nobody planned that it should happen or instructions or laws 쑗 Fuels must be
deliberately caused it to happen 왍 by used in accordance with instructions. 왍
accident by chance 왍 we met by acci- in accordance with Buys Ballot’s Law
dent we met by chance 2. an unfortu- as described by Buys Ballot’s Law
nate or harmful event, something caus- ‘…use full heat whenever carburettor
ing damage 쑗 An accident must be heat is applied, partial hot air should only
reported. 쑗 The flight attendant was be used if an intake temperature gauge is
injured in the accident. fitted and only then in accordance with
‘Mr Skidmore lost both arms in an the Flight Manual or Pilot’s Operating
accident while serving in the army as a Handbook’ [Civil Aviation Authority,
young man, and is believed to be the first General Aviation Safety Sense Leaflet]
pilot in the UK – and possibly the world – accordingly

accordingly / əkɔdŋli/ adverb as

|

to go solo with two artificial arms’ [Pilot] needed 쑗 Check for increasing manifold
accidental

accidental /ks dent(ə)l/ adjective

| pressure and reduce power accordingly.
1. happening by accident, not deliberate according to

according to /əkɔdŋ tu/ preposi- |

or planned 쑗 There is a safety device to tion 1. as determined by or in relation to

prevent accidental retraction of the 쑗 The force exerted by the pilot on the
undercarriage. 2. relating to an acci- control column will vary according to a
dent, or happening as a result of an acci- number of factors. 2. as written or said
dent 쑗 We were told of his accidental by somebody else 쑗 According to the
death. copilot, engine vibration was detected
accompanied

accompanied /əkmp(ə)nid/
| in engine number one. 3. in agreement
adjective found together with 왍 accom- with something, e.g. instructions, etc. 왍
panied luggage luggage which belongs according to instructions exactly as
account 4
said in the instructions 왍 according to modern navigational equipment is
requirements as required much greater than older systems.
account /əkaυnt/ noun 왍 to take
account

accurate /kjυrət / adjective 1. cor-

accurate

something into account to remember rect 쑗 Skill in accurate flying can only
something and consider it carefully 쑗 be achieved by practice. 왍 accurate
When planning a flight, wind speed and results results which are exactly correct
direction must be taken into account. 쑗 2. precise 쑗 This watch is very accurate.
In the event of an in-flight emergency, ACFT abbreviation aircraft
ACFT

the aircraft should be landed at the achieve

nearest suitably equipped airport, tak- achieve /ətʃiv/ verb 1. to manage to

|

ing into account fuel available. 왍 on no do something demanding 쑗 In order to

account under no circumstances, never achieve a safe landing in a crosswind,
쑗 On no account should anybody fly an
the correct techniques must be used. 2.
aircraft without carrying out pre-flight to obtain 쑗 In wind shear conditions, a
checks. fly-by-wire system allows the pilot to
achieve maximum lift by pulling hard
account for /əkaυnt fə/ verb 1. to
account for

|
back on the stick without risk of a stall.
make up or constitute 쑗 Kevlar and car-
achievement /ətʃivmənt/ noun
achievement

bon fibre account for a large percentage |

of the materials used in modern air- something difficult that somebody suc-
craft. 2. to provide the main reason for ceeds in doing and feels proud about 쑗
something 쑗 High humidity accounted For most trainee pilots, making their
for the longer take-off run. first solo flight is a great achievement.
acid

accrete /əkrit/ verb to increase in

accrete

|
acid /sd/ noun a chemical sub-
amount by slow external addition, to stance which reacts with a base to form
accumulate 왍 ice accretes on the rotor a salt 쑗 sulphuric acid (H2SO4) (NOTE:
ice builds up on the rotor An acid turns a litmus indicator red and
accretion /əkriʃ(ə)n/ noun increase
accretion

|
has a sour taste.)
acidity

or accumulation by slow external addi- acidity /əsdti/ noun having an acid

|

tion 쑗 Ice accretion can cause loss of lift content 왍 the acidity of a substance the
and significantly increase the weight of amount of acid in a substance
the aircraft. acid-proof /sd pruf/ adjective
acid-proof

accumulate /əkjumjυlet/ verb to able to resist the harmful effects of an

accumulate

collect and increase 쑗 Due to katabatic acid

effects, cold air flows downwards and acid test /sd test/ noun a difficult
acid test

accumulates over low ground. or exacting test of worth or quality 쑗 A

accumulation /əkjumjυleʃ(ə)n/ pilot’s ability to react appropriately in
accumulation

| |

noun the collection and increase of an emergency situation is the acid test
something 쑗 Fire in a toilet could of his or her professionalism.
present difficulties due to the confined ACMS noun a computer which records
ACMS

space and possible smoke accumula- information from various aircraft sys-
tion. tems during flight. Full form aircraft
accumulator /əkjumjυletə/ noun
accumulator

| condition monitoring system

1. a device for storing energy in hydrau- ACN abbreviation aircraft classifica-
ACN

lic systems 쑗 An accumulator is fitted to tion number

store hydraulic fluid. 2. an electric cir-
acoustic /əkustk/ adjective refer-
acoustic

cuit in a calculator or computer, in |

which the results of arithmetical and ring to sound

acoustic ear muffs

logical operations are formed acoustic ear muffs /əkustk ə |

accuracy /kjυrəsi/ noun 1. the

accuracy
mfs/ plural noun coverings to protect
state of being correct 왍 to check for the ears from loud noise. Also called
accuracy to make certain that the result ear protectors, ear defenders
acquire

is correct 2. the ability to find, hit or acquire /əkwaə/ verb to buy or oth-
|

show things correctly 쑗 The accuracy of erwise obtain 쑗 to acquire a new air-
 5 adapt
craft 쑗 Speed control is used to acquire active runway /ktv rnwe/
active runway

and maintain a selected airspeed. noun a runway that is being used

acquisition /kwzʃ(ə)n/ noun
acquisition

|
‘…never cross an active runway without
the act of buying or otherwise obtaining permission from the tower: there may be
쑗 Each computer checks data acquisi- more than one active runway’ [Civil
tion. 쑗 The image of the airline Aviation Authority, General Aviation
improved after the acquisition of the Safety Sense Leaflet]
new aircraft. activity /ktvti/ noun a movement
activity

acronym / krənm/ noun a word or action of some kind 쑗 Sunspot activ-

acronym

which is made up of the initial letters of ity can affect the amount of solar radia-
a name, and is pronounced as a word 쑗 tion.
NASA is the acronym for National Aer- actual /ktʃuəl/ adjective real 쑗 The
actual

onautics and Space Administration. 쑗 actual path of the aircraft over the
VASI is the acronym for visual ground is called its track, which may
approach slope indicator. not be the same as the desired course.
act /kt/ verb 1. to behave in a partic-
act

actually /ktʃuəli/ adverb in fact, in

actually

ular way 쑗 The crew must act with reality 쑗 The design is such that,
authority. 2. to take the role of 쑗 Moun- although the aircraft loses altitude rap-
tain ranges act as a barrier. 쑗 The gov- idly, it does not actually stall.
ernor spill valve also acts as a safety
actuate /ktʃuet/ verb 1. to move a
actuate

relief valve. 3. 왍 to act on to produce an |

effect 쑗 Bending and twisting forces act device or a part 쑗 The fore and aft move-
on a propeller. 쑗 Gravity acts vertically ment of the control column actuates the
downwards. elevators. 2. to switch on a system or a
piece of equipment, or put it into opera-
acting /ktŋ / adjective temporarily
acting

tion 쑗 A lever actuates the fire deluge

taking on the responsibilities of some- system. 3. to put a procedure into action
body 쑗 Captain Smith will be acting 쑗 Receipt of the distress signal will
Chief Flying Instructor while Captain actuate the support facilities at the air-
White is absent from work. port.
action /kʃən/ noun 1. something
action

actuation /ktʃυeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.

actuation

done or to be done 왍 to take action to the act of making a device or a part

so something 쑗 If there is a risk of colli- move 왍 electrical actuation the use of
sion, the crew should take the appropri- an electric motor to make something
ate action. 2. an effect move 왍 mechanical actuation the use
activate /ktvet/ verb to make a
activate

of a mechanical part such as a rod, arm

system or a piece of equipment or a pro- or lever to make something move 2. a
cedure start to work or to operate 쑗 The movement made by a device or part
system is activated by the pilot or copi- actuator /ktʃυetə/ noun a device
actuator

lot. 쑗 The sounding of the alarm will which changes electrical or hydraulic
activate emergency procedures. energy into mechanical motion 쑗 The
activation /ktveʃ(ə)n/ noun the
activation

|
actuator control is sensitive to engine
act of making something start to work rpm. 쑗 Actuators are classified as either
or to operate 쑗 Activation may be linear or rotary.
mechanical or electrical. AD

AD abbreviation airworthiness direc-

active /ktv/ adjective 1. live, in
active

tive
action or use 왍 the system is active the A/D

A/D abbreviation aerodrome

system is on and working 2. not passive
ADA abbreviation advisory airspace
ADA

왍 in a secondary radar system, the

adapt /ədpt/ verb 1. to change or
adapt

target is active in a secondary radar |

system the target transmits a signal modify for special use 쑗 The turboprop
while in a primary radar system it does engine is often used in transport air-
not 3. 왍 active Cb clouds developing craft and can be adapted for use in sin-
cumulonimbus clouds gle-engine aircraft. 2. to change to suit
adaptation 6
new conditions 쑗 Crew flying long-haul adhere /ədhə/ verb to stick as if
adhere

routes have to adapt to time changes. glued 쑗 Clear ice adheres strongly to
adaptation /dpteʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
adaptation

|
airframes.
the act of changing or modifying some- adhesive / ədhisv / noun glue 쐽
adhesive

thing for special use 쑗 Doppler VOR is adjective having the sticking quality of
an adaptation of VOR to reduce errors glue 쑗 adhesive tape 쑗 Adhesive bond-
caused by location. 2. adjustment to ing of aluminium parts is widely
new conditions 쑗 Adaptation to time employed.
changes when travelling west to east ADI /edia/ abbreviation attitude
ADI

takes time. direction indicator or attitude director

adapter /ədptə/ noun 1. a piece of
adapter

| indicator
equipment or device which allows a adiabatic /dəbtk/ adjective 1.
adiabatic

change or modification 왍 a ‘T’ piece referring to processes through which

adapter a device for connecting two heat cannot be lost or gained 2. refer-
inputs to one output or vice versa 2. a ring to a change in temperature in a
device that allows two incompatible mass of air, which occurs when the air
devices to be connected is compressed or expanded by an
ADC /e di si / abbreviation air data
ADC

increase or decrease in atmospheric

computer pressure and does not involve the air
add /d/ verb 1. to put figures together
add

losing heat to, or gaining heat from, its

to form a sum, to make a total 쑗 Add the surroundings
two numbers together to find the sum. 2. adiabatic compression
adiabatic compression

to put together to make a larger group or /dəbtk kəmpreʃ(ə)n/ noun |

a group with different properties 쑗 compression caused by atmospheric

There are only nine chairs, add another factors, which makes descending air
one. 쑗 A substance is added to the fuel warm up
to clean fuel injectors. adiabatic cooling /dəbtk
adiabatic cooling

addition /ədʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a mathe-

addition

| kulŋ/ noun a process in which

matical operation consisting in putting ascending air is cooled by a decrease in
numbers together 쑗 Addition is nor- atmospheric pressure without heat
mally taught before subtraction, multi- transfer
plication and division. 쑗 The addition adiabatic expansion /dəbtk
adiabatic expansion

sign is +. 2. the act of adding something kspnʃ(ə)n/ noun expansion caused

|

쑗 With the addition of methanol, the tur- by atmospheric factors, which makes
bine inlet temperature is restored. 3. 왍 ascending air cool down 쑗 Cooling by
in addition also 왍 in addition to as adiabatic expansion may result in cloud
well as formation.
additional /ədʃ(ə)nəl/ adjective
additional

adiabatic heating /diə btk

adiabatic heating
|
|

added or extra hitŋ/ noun a process in which

additive /dtv/ noun a chemical
additive

descending air is heated by an increase

substance, often liquid, added to in atmospheric pressure without heat
another substance to give it extra quali- transfer
ties 쑗 Additives are used in engine oils adjacent /ədȢes(ə)nt/ adjective
adjacent

to prolong the life of the engine. 쑗 Anti- next to or near 쑗 Fire extinguishers
icing additives are used in radiator should be positioned adjacent to the
coolants. aircraft during all ground-running
adequate /dkwət/ adjective
adequate

operations.
enough, sufficient 쑗 The compressor adjust /ədȢst/ verb to change and
adjust

must provide an adequate airflow improve the position or setting of a

through the engine. 왍 adequate fuel piece of equipment 쑗 The pilot adjusts
enough fuel the throttle or propeller controls. 왍 to
ADF abbreviation automatic direction adjust the seat to move the seat into a
ADF

finder position suitable for yourself 왍 to

 7 advice
adjust the volume to increase or advanced /ədvɑnst/ adjective
advanced

decrease the volume to improve the modern and sophisticated 쑗 The A340 is
sound quality an advanced type of aircraft.
adjustable / ədȢstəb(ə)l/ adjective
adjustable

|
‘…a Seattle-based modification company
designed to be adjusted 쑗 An adjustable specializing in advanced winglet designs
stop on the throttle control ensures a is developing a lightweight winglet for
positive idling speed. the Boeing 747 200F’ [Flight
adjustment /ədȢstmənt/ noun 1. a
adjustment

|
International 1–7 May 1996]
advantage /ədvɑntdȢ/ noun a
advantage

change to improve the setting, position |

or operation of something 쑗 A slight good or beneficial factor 쑗 The multi-

adjustment to the seat will make it much wheel combination has the advantage
more comfortable to sit in. 2. the act of of smaller and lighter undercarriage
changing something to improve its set- structures. 왍 to take advantage of to
ting or position 쑗 Maximum system get benefit from a situation 왍 to take
pressure is often controlled by adjust- advantage of favourable winds to use
ment of the main engine-driven pump. tailwinds to increase ground speed and
admit /ədmt/ verb to allow to enter 쑗
admit

|
thus save time and money. Opposite
Cold air can be admitted to the cabin disadvantage
advantageous /dvəntedȢəs/
advantageous

through adjustable louvres or shutters. |

adopt /ədɒpt/ verb to choose to use

adopt

|
adjective better 왍 the most advanta-
something as standard equipment or to geous the best 쑗 The minimum time path
make it standard procedure 쑗 A policy of is the most advantageous for economy.
advect /ədvekt / verb to move in a
advect

no smoking on all flights has been |

adopted by many airlines. 왍 widely horizontal direction due to convection 쑗

adopted now in standard use with many Dispersal of hill fog takes place when
companies, institutions and organisa- surface heating lifts the cloud base or
tions drier air is advected.
advection /ədvekʃ(ə)n/ noun the
advection

adoption /ədɒpʃən/ noun the act of

adoption

|
|

using something as standard equipment movement of air in a horizontal direc-

or making it standard procedure 쑗 In tion
spite of the adoption of the axial flow advection fog /ədvekʃ(ə)n fɒDZ/
advection fog

type compressor, some engines retain noun fog which forms when warmer
the centrifugal type. moist air moves over a colder surface
ADR abbreviation accident data
ADR

advent /dvent/ noun an arrival,

advent

recorder especially of something very important

ADS abbreviation automatic depend- 쑗 With the advent of satellite navigation
ADS

ent surveillance systems, pilots of light aircraft have a

ADT abbreviation approved departure
ADT
more accurate means of knowing their
time position.
adverse /dv%s/ adjective 1. bad or
adverse

advance /ədvɑns/ noun 1. a change

advance

that improves something 왍 enormous poor 쑗 Only in extremely adverse condi-

advances in aircraft design great tions should the crew evacuate the air-
progress or developments in aircraft craft. 왍 adverse handling characteris-
design 2. 왍 in advance of ahead of 쑗 tics aspects of an aircraft’s handling
The Gulf region is three hours in which are poor 2. acting or going
advance of GMT. 쐽 verb 1. to move for- against you
adverse yaw /dv%s jɔ/ noun yaw
adverse yaw

wards, or move something forwards 왍

the throttle lever is advanced the caused by aileron drag, in the opposite
throttle lever is moved forwards 2. to direction to the direction of the intended
make something happen at an earlier turn
time 왍 to advance the ignition to adjust advice /ədvas/ noun useful or help-
advice

the timing of the ignition so that the ful information 쑗 The instructor’s
spark occurs earlier advice was of great help to the student
advisability 8
pilot. (NOTE: Advice has no plural aerial /eəriəl/ adjective 1. happening
aerial

form.) in the air 2. done by an aircraft in flight

advisability

advisability /ədvazəblti/ noun 왍 | |

쐽 noun a device to send or receive radio
the advisability of something whether or TV signals 쑗 Ice-covering reduces
something is a good idea or not 쑗 Flying the effectiveness of aerials. (NOTE: The
manuals often contain guidance on the US English word with this meaning is
advisability of flying with a cold. antenna.)
aerial display /eəriəl dsple/ noun
aerial display
advisable

advisable /ədvazəb(ə)l/ adjective |

|

recommended, suggested 쑗 It is advisa- a display of flying skills and aircraft

ble to check the condition of the tyres performance
aerial photography /eəriəl fə
aerial photography

after each landing. |

advise

advise /əd vaz/ verb 1. to inform, to tɒDZrəfi/ noun photography done from
an aircraft in the air
|

notify 쑗 The flight deck advised the

aero- /eərəυ/ prefix 1. referring to the
aero-

cabin crew that descent would start in

20 minutes. 2. to recommend, to sug- air 쑗 aerodynamic 2. referring to air-
gest 쑗 Because of the bad weather, the craft 쑗 aero-engine 쑗 aero-tow
instructor advised the trainee pilot not aerobatic /eərəbtk/ adjective
aerobatic

to fly. 왍 to advise against to recom- referring to aerobatics 쑗 Loops and rolls

mend or to suggest that something are aerobatic manoeuvres.
should not be done aerobatic aircraft /eərəbtk
aerobatic aircraft

advisory

advisory /ədvaz(ə)ri/ adjective giv-

| eəkrɑft/ noun an aircraft which is
ing advice and information designed to perform aerobatics
advisory airspace

advisory airspace /ədvaz(ə)ri | COMMENT: One of the most famous

eəspes/ noun airspace containing competition aerobatic aircraft is the
advisory routes in which air traffic con- Pitts Special which first flew in 1944.
trol provide an advisory service but not aerobatic display /eərəbtk ds
aerobatic display

full control. Abbreviation ADA ple/ noun a demonstration, often pub-

advisory route

advisory route /ədvaz(ə)ri rut/ |

lic, of piloting skill and aircraft per-
noun a published route for which there formance
is an advisory service. Abbreviation aerobatics /eərəυbtks/ noun the
aerobatics

ADR art of performing spectacular controlled

advisory service

advisory service /ədvaz(ə)ri |

movements in a flying aircraft for the
s%vs/ noun a service in which Air purposes of entertainment or competi-
Traffic Control provides advice and tion 쑗 The Russian pilot gave a great
information to assist a pilot in the safe display of aerobatics.
aerobatic team /eərəbtk tim/
aerobatic team

conduct of a flight |

AEEC

AEEC abbreviation airlines electronic noun a team of pilots and aircraft who
engineering committee perform aerobatics
aerodrome /eərədrəυm/ noun any
aerodrome

aerate

aerate /eəret/ verb to put a gas, area of land or water designed for the
especially carbon dioxide or air, into a taking off and landing of aircraft 쑗 Air-
liquid so that bubbles are formed 쑗 Aer- ports and military air bases or stations
ated fuel causes problems. Opposite de- are types of aerodrome. 쑗 All aero-
aerate
aeration
dromes are marked on charts. Abbrevi-
aeration /eəreʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of
| ation A/D 왍 disused aerodrome an aer-
putting a gas, especially carbon dioxide odrome which is no longer in use for the
or air, into a liquid 쑗 The purpose of the purpose of taking off and landing aero-
booster pump is to prevent fuel aera- planes
tion. Opposite de-aeration aerodrome
aerodrome boundaries

boundaries
aerator

aerator /eəretə/ noun a device to put

| /eərədrəυm baυnd(ə)riz/ plural noun
a gas – especially carbon dioxide or air the physical or geographical limits of an
– into a liquid. Opposite de-aerator aerodrome
 9 aeronautics
aerodrome circuit /eərədrəυm aero-engine /eərəυ endȢn/ noun
aerodrome circuit aero-engine

s%kt/ noun the pattern and direction an engine used in aircraft 쑗 Most piston
of aircraft movement in the air around aero-engines are cooled by air.
the aerodrome aerofoil /eərəυfɔl/ noun a surface
aerofoil

aerodrome QFE /eərədrəυm kju which is shaped to produce more lift

aerodrome QFE

ef i/ noun the barometric pressure set- than drag when moved through the air 쑗
ting at which the altimeter reads zero Wings, ailerons, elevators, fins and pro-
when the aircraft is on the runway pellers are all examples of aerofoils.
aerodrome QNH /eərədrəυm kju
aerodrome QNH
(NOTE: The US English word is airfoil.)
en etʃ/ noun the barometric pressure aeronautical /eərənɔtk(ə)l/
aeronautical

setting at which the altimeter reads aer- adjective referring to aeronautics

odrome elevation when the aircraft is on aeronautical
aeronautical chart

chart /eərə |

the runway nɔtk(ə)l tʃɑt/ noun a map used in

aerodrome surveillance moni- air navigation which may include topo-
aerodrome surveillance monitoring indicator

toring indicator /eərədrəυm graphic features, hazards and obstruc-

s%veləns mɒntərŋ ndketə/ tions, navigational aids and routes, des-
noun same as airport surface detec- ignated airspace and airports
tion equipment aeronautical
aeronautical engineer

engineer
aerodrome traffic zone /eərənɔtk(ə)l endȢnə/ noun an
aerodrome traffic zone

/eərədrəυm trfk zəυn/ noun an engineer who specialises in the design

area of protected airspace around an of aircraft
aerodrome, which pilots need permis- aeronautical
aeronautical engineering

engineering
sion to enter or to move in. Abbrevia- /eərəυnɔtk(ə)l endȢnərŋ/ noun |

tion ATZ the science or study of the design of air-

aerodynamic /eərəυdanmk/ craft
aerodynamic

adjective 1. referring to the way in aeronautical

aeronautical fixed service

fixed service
which objects are affected when they /eərənɔtk(ə)l fkst s%vs/ noun a
move through the atmosphere 2. refer- radio communications service between
ring to a smooth rounded shape which fixed points that is designed to enable
moves easily through the air 왍 aerody- aircraft to travel safely. Abbreviation
namic design a streamlined shape that AFS
enables something to move easily aeronautical fixed telecommu-
aeronautical fixed telecommunication network

through the air nication network /eərənɔtk(ə)l

aerodynamic braking /eərəυ
aerodynamic braking

fkst telikəmjunkeʃ(ə)n netw%k/ |

danmk brekŋ/ noun the braking noun a ground-based network of tele-

effect of drag printers that transmits flight plans and
aerodynamic forces /eərəυ similar data between control centres.
aerodynamic forces

danmk fɔsz/ noun the forces of Abbreviation AFTN

the air which act on an aircraft in flight aeronautical information circu-
aeronautical information circular

aerodynamic resistance /eərəυ lar /eərənɔtk(ə)l nfəmeʃ(ə)n

aerodynamic resistance

danmk rzstəns/ noun same as | s%kjυlə/ noun a notice issued by an

drag aviation authority in which information
aerodynamics /eərəυdanmks/
aerodynamics

|
is given about administrative, technical,
noun the science that deals with the safety or operational matters
interaction of moving objects with the Aeronautical Information Publi-
Aeronautical Information Publication

atmosphere 쑗 Aerodynamics is one of cation noun a document issued by a

the major areas of study for a trainee state in which information is given
pilot. about aviation in that country. Abbrevi-
aerodyne /eərəυdan/ noun an air-
aerodyne
ation AIP
craft that is heavier than air and whose aeronautics /eərənɔtks/ noun 1.
aeronautics

lift in flight results from forces caused the science of aircraft design, construc-
by its motion through the air, e.g. a tion and operation 2. the theory and
plane or helicopter practice of aircraft navigation
aeroneurosis 10
after /ɑftə/ adjective positioned
aeroneurosis after

aeroneurosis /eərəυnjυrəυss/ |

noun anxiety and fatigue in airline closer to the rear of an aircraft 쐽 adverb
pilots as a result of long periods of fly- closer to the rear of an aircraft
ing afterburner /ɑftəb%nə/ noun a
afterburner

aeroplane

aeroplane /eərəplen/ noun a system that injects fuel into the hot
power-driven, heavier-than-air craft exhaust gases of a jet engine in order to
with fixed wings (NOTE: Many people increase thrust
AFTN abbreviation aeronautical fixed
AFTN

use the words aeroplane and aircraft

as if they had exactly the same mean- telecommunication network
agent /edȢənt/ noun 1. a chemical
agent

ing. However, aeroplanes, hot-air bal-

loons, helicopters, airships and gliders substance which causes a change 쑗 If
are all aircraft. The US English is air- de-icing fluid is used as an anti-icing
plane.) agent it should be sprayed onto the air-
aeroplane performance

aeroplane performance craft before the onset of icing. 왍 extin-

/eərəplen pəfɔməns/ noun a
|
guishing agent a substance used to put
description in figures of what a plane out fires 2. a person who represents a
can do, including, e.g., its speed, rate of company or arranges something for a
climb, and the length of its take-off run company 쑗 the agent for British Air-
aerostat ways 쑗 a travel agent
aerostat /eərəυstt/ noun a hot-air aggregate / DZrDZət/ noun the total
aggregate

or gas-filled aircraft, e.g. an airship or obtained by adding 쑗 The aggregate of

balloon the capacity of all the fuel tanks is 50
aero-tow

aero-tow /eərətəυ/ noun a tech-

| gallons. 쐽 verb to add or come together
nique of using a powered aircraft to pull to form a mass or total 쑗 Ice crystals
a glider into the air 쑗 An aero-tow to aggregate to form snowflakes.
2,000 feet costs $25. AGL abbreviation above ground level
AGL

AFCS

AFCS abbreviation automatic flight agree /əDZri/ verb 1. to have the same
agree

control system idea or opinion about something 쑗 The

AFDS

AFDS abbreviation autopilot flight crew agreed with the findings of the
director system investigation. 2. to come to an under-
affect
standing 쑗 After hours of discussion, the
affect /əfekt/ verb to have an influ-
|
cabin staff agreed to call off the planned
ence on something, or cause a change in strike.
something 쑗 Humidity and air density agreed /əDZrid/ adjective generally
agreed

are factors which affect the output of the accepted 쑗 The millibar is an agreed
engine. Compare effect unit of pressure.
AFI

AFI abbreviation assistant flying agreement /əDZrimənt/ noun 1. the

agreement

instructor state of having the same idea or opinion

AFIC

AFIC abbreviation assistant flying as somebody 왍 we are in agreement we

instructor course agree 2. a document in which the things
AFIS that two or more people or organisa-
AFIS abbreviation aerodrome flight tions have agreed to do are written
information service down 쑗 Regional Air Navigation Agree-
AFS

AFS abbreviation aeronautical fixed ments

service ahead /əhed/ adverb in front 왍 look
ahead

ahead look some distance in front of

aft

aft /ɑft/ adjective towards the rear part

of the aircraft 쑗 The rear part of the you 왍 straight ahead directly in front
fuselage is called the aft section. 왍 aft ahead of /əhed əv/ preposition 1. in
ahead of

cabin the passenger compartment at the front of 쑗 Air ahead of a cold front is
back of the aircraft 쐽 adverb rearwards warmer than air behind a cold front. 2.
or backwards 왍 to move the control in advance of or at an earlier time than
column aft to move the control column 쑗 The flight from Paris arrived 10 min-
backwards. Opposite fore, forward utes ahead of schedule.
 11 aircraft
AHRS noun a sensor which provides airborne weather radar /eəbɔn
AHRS airborne weather radar

information on the pitch, bank and weθə redɑ/ noun a radar installation
heading of an aircraft. Full form atti- in an aircraft to give the flight crew
tude heading reference system information about the weather along
AI abbreviation attitude indicator
AI
their route. Abbreviation AWR
air-breathing engine /eə briθŋ
air-breathing engine

AIAA abbreviation area of intense air

AIAA

activity endȢn/ an engine that burns a mixture

AIC abbreviation aeronautical informa-
AIC of liquid fuel and air (NOTE: There are
four types of air-breathing engine: turbo
tion circular
jet, turbo prop, turbofan and ramjet.)
aid /ed/ noun something which helps
aid

air bridge /eə brdȢ/ noun a link pro-

air bridge

somebody do something 쐽 verb to help vided by aircraft that carry people and
쑗 Computers can aid students in their
supplies between two places, especially
studies. in situations where travel by land is not
AIDS /edz/ abbreviation 1. airborne
AIDS

possible
integrated data system 2. aircraft inte- Airbus /eəbs/ a trademark for a
Airbus

grated data system large passenger jet aircraft manufac-

aileron /elərɒn/ noun a horizontal
aileron

tured by aerospace companies from dif-

control surface hinged to the main- ferent European countries working
plane, which enables an aeroplane to together
bank or roll 쑗 By rotating the yoke the air conditioner /eə kən dʃ(ə)nə/
air conditioner

ailerons are moved and the aircraft rolls noun a device which filters and cools
into a turn. (NOTE: The word comes the air in a room or in an aircraft 쑗 In
from the French ‘aile’, meaning ‘wing’.) order to obtain maximum engine power,
aim /em/ noun a goal or objective 쑗 A
aim

the air conditioner should be switched

100% safe operation is the aim of all off for take-off.
airline companies. 쐽 verb to intend or to air conditioning /eə kən dʃ(ə)nŋ/
air conditioning

try to do something 왍 we aim to suc- noun a system for controlling the tem-
ceed we intend to succeed perature of the air in a building or in an
AIP abbreviation Aeronautical Infor-
AIP

aircraft
mation Publication air-cooled /eə kuld/ adjective
air-cooled

air /eə/ noun the mixture of gases

air

cooled by means of a flow of air 왍 air-

which forms the Earth’s atmosphere 쑗 cooled engines piston aero-engines
Air enters the cabin through an inlet. cooled by air, not water
AIRAC abbreviation aeronautical
AIRAC

air corridor /eə kɒrdɔ/ noun a

air corridor

information regulation and control route that aircraft must take through an
Air Accident Investigation
Air Accident Investigation Branch

area in which flying is restricted

Branch /eər ksd(ə)nt nvest | | aircraft /eəkrɑft/ noun a machine
aircraft

DZeʃ(ə)n brɑntʃ/ noun the depart- that is able to travel through the air 쑗
ment of the CAA of the United King- Aeroplanes, gliders, balloons, airships,
dom responsible for establishing the helicopters, etc., are all aircraft. Abbre-
cause of accidents. Abbreviation AAIB viation ACFT (NOTE: Aircraft has no
airborne /eəbɔn / adjective lifted plural form.)
airborne

and kept in the air by aerodynamic aircraft classification number

aircraft classification number

forces 쑗 Shortly after the aircraft /eəkrɑft klsfkeʃ(ə)n nmbə/

|

becomes airborne, the undercarriage is noun a number expressing the relative

retracted. effect of an aircraft on a pavement for a
airborne installation /eəbɔn
airborne installation
specified sub-grade strength. Abbrevia-
nstəleʃ(ə)n/ noun a radio device in
|
tion CAN
an aircraft which operates in conjunc- aircraft condition monitoring
aircraft

tion with a ground installation 쑗 The system /eəkrɑft kən dʃ(ə)n |

airborne installation comprises an mɒnt(ə)rŋ sstəm / noun full form

antenna, receiver and indicator(s). of ACMS
aircraft configuration 12
aircraft configuration /eəkrɑft
aircraft configuration

spark plug a spark plug with a space

kənfDZəreʃ(ə)n/ noun a particular
| | between the electrodes, across which
combination of moveable parts such as the spark jumps
flaps and landing gear that affects the air intake /eə ntek/ noun the front
air intake

aerodynamics of the aircraft part of a jet engine where air enters

aircraft proximity hazard
aircraft proximity hazard

air lane /eə len/ noun a regular route

air lane

/eəkrɑft prɒksmti hzəd/ noun

| that aeroplanes fly along
same as airprox airline /eəlan/ noun a company
airline

aircraft stability /eəkrɑft stə which manages air transport services

aircraft stability

bləti/ noun the tendency of an aircraft for passengers or goods 쑗 Which airline
to return to its original attitude after is she working for, Air France or Air
being deflected Canada? 쑗 Most airlines do not allow
aircrew /eəkru/ noun the pilot, nav-
aircrew
passengers to smoke during flight.
airliner /eəlanə/ noun an aeroplane
airliner

igator and other crew members of an

aircraft designed to carry large numbers of pas-
air cushion vehicle /eə kυʃ(ə)n
air cushion vehicle
sengers 쑗 Concorde is the world’s fast-
vik(ə)l/ noun same as hovercraft est airliner.
airline representative /eəlan
airline representative

air data computer /eə detə kəm

air data computer

pjutə/ noun an electronic device reprzentətv/ noun a person who

|

which provides information such as air acts on behalf of an airline, or a person

temperature, airspeed and static pres- who works for an airline 쑗 Passengers
sure. Abbreviation ADC should assemble in the departure
air density /eə densəti/ noun the
air density lounge where an airline representative
density of the atmosphere will meet them.
airline security area /eəlan s
airline security area

airfield /eəfild/ noun an area of land

airfield |

kjυərti eəriə/ noun an area in which

given over to runways, taxiways and measures are taken by an airline to
aprons 쑗 When the pressure setting on ensure the safety of people and property
the altimeter is set to 1013.25 millibars,
Airline Transport Pilot’s
Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence

the pressure altitude of the airfield is

known as QNE. Licence /eəlan trnspɔt paləts
las(ə)ns/ noun the licence that a per-
air filter /eə fltə / noun a device to
air filter

son must have to be the pilot-in-com-

filter solid particles out of the air in mand or co-pilot of a public transport
engine and ventilation systems aircraft. Abbreviation ATPL
airflow / eəfləυ/ noun 1. the move-
airflow

airman /eəmən/ noun a person who

airman

ment of air over the aircraft as it travels is a member of a country’s Air Force
through the atmosphere 2. a current of
airmanship /eəmənʃp/ noun all-
airmanship

air flowing through or past an object or

body 쑗 The compressor must provide an round skill in piloting an aircraft which
adequate airflow through the engine. includes academic knowledge, com-
mon sense, quick reactions, awareness,
airfoil /eərfɔl/ noun US same as
airfoil

experience, consideration for other peo-

aerofoil ple and property 쑗 Keeping a careful
airframe /eəfrem/ noun the body of
airframe

lookout for other aircraft in the circuit

the aircraft without the engines, instru- is good airmanship.
ments and internal fittings 쑗 The air- ‘I was always told by my airmanship
frame has to be built to very specific instructor, in an emergency, to find the
requirements. largest piece of asphalt with the biggest
airframe icing /eəfrem asŋ/ fire trucks’ [INTER PILOT]
airframe icing

noun ice that forms on the aircraft struc- air mass /eə ms/ noun a very large
air mass

ture as opposed to on components such mass of air in the atmosphere in which

as carburettors the temperature is almost constant and
air gap /eə DZp/ noun a space which is divided from another mass by
air gap

between two things 왍 air gap type a front 쑗 Air masses are divided into two
 13 air taxi
types according to source region, and airship is classified as a lighter-than-
these are known as polar and tropical air craft.
air masses. airshow /eəʃəυ/ noun a public dis-
airshow

airpark /eəpɑk/ noun a small air- play of aircraft in flight and on the
airpark

port, usually found near a business or ground, held at an airfield

industrial centre airside /eəsad/ noun the part of an
airside

airplane /eəplen / US same as aero-

airplane

airport where the aircraft take off and

plane land, load, or unload
air sock /eə sɒk/ noun same as wind-
air sock

air pocket /eəpɒkt/ noun a small

air pocket

area where the air is less dense or where sock

there is a downward air current, and airspace /eəspes/ noun the part of
airspace

which makes an aircraft lose height the atmosphere that is above a particular
suddenly geographical area and is subject to the
air pollution /eə pəluʃ(ə)n/ noun
air pollution

|
laws of a particular country or control-
pollution of the air by gas, smoke, ash, ling authority 쑗 The Korean 747 flew
etc. 쑗 Solid particles in the air include into Soviet airspace and was shot down.
airspeed /eəspid/ noun the speed of
airspeed

dust, sand, volcanic ash and atmos-

pheric pollution. Also called atmos- the aircraft relative to the air around it 쑗
pheric pollution Maintain a constant airspeed on final
airport /eəpɔt/ noun a civil aero-
airport
approach.
airspeed indicator /eəspid
airspeed indicator

drome designed for the take-off and

landing of passenger-carrying aircraft ndketə/ noun a primary cockpit or
for the general public and/or cargo air- flight deck instrument which shows the
craft 쑗 London Heathrow is one of the pilot the speed of the aircraft in relation
busiest airports in the world. Abbrevia- to the air around it 쑗 Airspeed is shown
tion A/P in knots on the airspeed indicator.
airport authority /eəpɔt ɔθɒrti/
airport authority

|
Abbreviation ASI
noun the organisation responsible for COMMENT: The position of the pitot
the running of an airport tube and the attitude of an aircraft can
affect the accuracy of the airspeed
airport security officer /eəpɔt s
airport security officer

|
indicator. Aircraft operating
kjυərti ɒfsə/ noun a person handbooks usually have a table to
employed by an airport authority to help pilots calculate calibrated
check passengers and baggage for ille- airspeed (CAS).
gal substances or devices, e.g. drugs, air station /eə steʃ(ə)n/ noun a
air station

guns small airfield with facilities for the

airport surface detection equip-
airport surface detection equipment

maintenance of aircraft
ment /eəpɔt s%fs dtekʃ(ə)n  | |
airstream /eəstrim/ noun the flow
airstream

kwpmənt/ noun short-range radar of air caused by the movement of the

equipment that scans the surface area of aircraft through the air 쑗 Pressure is
an airport and tracks the movement of built up inside the pitot tube by the air-
aircraft and other vehicles on the stream.
ground
COMMENT: Unlike airflow, airstream
airprox /eəprɒks/ noun a situation in
airprox

does not refer to the movement of air

which aircraft are too close to one around the airframe and its
another in an area of airspace and there aerodynamic effect.
is the possibility of danger to them. airstrip /eəstrp/ noun a place for air-
airstrip

Also called aircraft proximity hazard craft to take off and land that has no
air-sea rescue /eə si reskju/
air-sea rescue

facilities and is often temporary

noun a rescue at sea in which aircraft, air taxi /eə tksi/ noun a small com-
air taxi

especially helicopters, are used mercial aircraft used for short flights
airship /eəʃp/ noun a powered, gas-
airship

between places not on a regular airline

filled balloon which can be steered 쑗 An route
air terminal 14
air terminal /eə t%mn(ə)l/ noun 1.
air terminal
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), but it
an airport building with a range of facil- also provides a service to aircraft
ities where passengers check in before using Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
Ground control is for aircraft taxiing to
boarding their plane and where they and from runways. The tower controls
arrive when their plane lands 2. a build- aircraft around an airport, clearing
ing in a city for receiving passengers them for take-off or landing. Departure
who are being transported to or from an and approach controls monitor and
airport by train or bus control aircraft around the airport, and
en route centres control traffic
air terrorism /eə terərz(ə)m /
air terrorism

between airports.
noun violent actions that aim to frighten
air traffic controller /eə trfk
air traffic controller

or kill passengers, disrupt air services,

or damage or destroy aircraft in an kəntrəυlə/ noun a person who works
|

attempt to achieve a political objective in air traffic control and whose main
air-tight /eə tat/ adjective closed or
air-tight
task is to ensure correct separation of
sealed so that air cannot get in or out aircraft in all phases of flight 쑗 The air
traffic controller approved the emer-
air-to-air /eətəeə/ adjective between
air-to-air

|
gency landing. Abbreviation ATC. 쒁
one airborne aircraft and another 쑗 air- controller
to-air communications 왍 air-to-air
air traffic movements /eə trfk
air traffic movements

communications communications
between one airborne aircraft and muvmənts/ plural noun the number
another of aircraft taking off and landing 쑗 an
increase in air traffic movements
air to air refuelling area /eə tə eə
air to air refuelling area

airway /eəwe/ noun an area of the

airway

rifjuəlŋ eəriə/ noun an area of air-

|

space in which tanker aircraft are per- sky, usually rectangular in cross-sec-
mitted to refuel other aircraft in flight. tion, along which civil aircraft fly from
Abbreviation AARA place to place 쑗 Airways provide a high
degree of safety by ensuring adequate
air-to-ground visibility /eə tə
air-to-ground visibility

separation between aircraft. 쑗 Aircraft

DZraυnd vzblti/ noun a descrip-
|

inside an airway are controlled by ATC.

tion of how easily seen an object on the (NOTE: Airways are usually 10 nm wide
ground is from the air 쑗 Glare caused by with a centreline joining navigational
reflection of sunlight from the top of a beacons.)
layer of fog or haze can seriously
Airways /eəwez/ noun a commer-
Airways

reduce the air-to-ground visibility.

cial company operating flights (NOTE:
air-to-surface /eə tə s%fs/ adjec-
air-to-surface

Usually used in the names of compa-

tive directed from a flying aircraft to a
nies, e.g. British Airways, South African
point on the ground
Airways)
air traffic /eə trfk/ noun aircraft
air traffic

airworthiness /eəw%ðinəs/ noun

airworthiness

operating in the air or on the airport sur- |

face 쑗 Students practising circuit flying the state of an aircraft with regard to
need to keep a very careful lookout whether it can fly safely, as determined
especially at times when there is a lot of by a national certifying authority
airworthiness directive noun a
airworthiness directive

air traffic.
air traffic control /eə trfk kən
air traffic control
regulation issued by an aviation author-
ity when a problem has been identified
|

trəυl/ noun a service that oversees and

guides the movements of aircraft and with a particular aircraft part. Abbrevi-
provides for the safe and efficient flow ation AD
airworthy / eəw%ði/ adjective meet-
airworthy

of air traffic 쑗 Controllers in the tower

provide an air traffic control service for ing the standards of a national certify-
aircraft in the air around the airfield. ing authority 쑗 It is the pilot’s responsi-
Abbreviation ATC bility to ensure that the aircraft is
airworthy.
COMMENT : Air Traffic Control’s main
AIS abbreviation aeronautical informa-
AIS

function is to maintain separation

between aircraft operating within tion services
 15 allowance
aisle

aisle /al/ noun a long passageway out of alignment not aligned as it

between the seats in the passenger cabin should be
of an airliner 왍 aisle seat a seat which is alkaline /lkəlan/ noun a substance
alkaline

by an aisle, as opposed to a window seat with a pH value of more than 7

alleviate /əliviet/ verb to reduce or
alarm alleviate

alarm /əlɑm/ noun 1. fear or worry 쑗

|
|

If the ammeter shows a high level of lessen the harmful effect of something 쑗
charge after start-up, it is quite normal Anti-icing additives are available to
and no cause for alarm. 2. a warning alleviate the problem of icing.
sound or light 쑗 In the event of fire or alleviation /əlivieʃ(ə)n/ noun a
alleviation

| |

overheat, the control unit will produce reduction or lessening of the harmful
an alarm. 쐽 verb to frighten or worry 쑗 effect of something 쑗 Deep, regular
Severe turbulence may alarm passen- breathing may provide some alleviation
gers. from stress.
allocate /ləket/ verb to provide
alert allocate

alert /əl%t/ adjective fully awake,

|

watchful and ready to deal with any sit- something particular for a given pur-
uation 쑗 The crew must be alert at all pose 쑗 Special seats are allocated to
times to the possibility of hijacking, mothers with small children.
allocation /ləkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the
allocation

bombs and stowaways. 쐽 noun a signal, |

warning everyone to be alert 왍 to be on provision of something particular for a

the alert to be watchful and ready for given purpose 쑗 At the check-in desk,
anything that may happen 쐽 verb to airline staff are responsible for the allo-
warn 쑗 It is the cabin staff ’s responsibil- cation of seats to passengers. 왍 fre-
ity to alert the flight crew if they see quency allocation the frequency or
smoke coming from an engine. range of radio frequencies set aside for
alight
a particular use 쑗 The frequency alloca-
alight /əlat/ adjective on fire 쑗
|

tion for VOR is 108–117.975 MHz.

Although the passenger thought he had
allow /əlaυ/ verb to enable, to permit
allow

extinguished his cigarette, it was still |

alight when he threw it into the waste or to authorise 쑗 An engine should be

disposal bin. 쐽 verb (formal) 1. (of peo- run at low rpm after flight to allow
ple) to leave or get off an aeroplane 쑗 At engine components to cool. 쑗 Addi-
some airports, passengers alight onto tional fuel is carried to allow for hold-
the apron when they leave the aircraft. ing en route. 쑗 Passengers are not
2. (of aircraft) to land 쑗 An aeroplane allowed to smoke on some aeroplanes.
allowable /əlaυəb(ə)l/ adjective per-
allowable

may not fly over a city below such a |

height as would allow it to alight in the mitted or authorised 쑗 maximum allow-

event of an engine failure. able weight 쑗 maximum allowable tyre
align pressure
align /əlan/ verb 1. to position along
|

allowance /əlaυəns/ noun 1. consid-

allowance

an axis or line 쑗 The nose wheel must be |

aligned in a fore and aft direction dur- eration for possibilities or changing cir-
ing retraction. 2. to set in a correct posi- cumstances 왍 to make allowances for
tion in relation to something else 쑗 to take into account 쑗 When estimating
Aligned white marks on the wheel and flight duration, make allowances for
tyre indicate that there is no creep. taxiing time. 2. something such as
alignment
money given at regular intervals or for a
alignment /əlanmənt/ noun 1.
|
specific purpose 쑗 a travel allowance to
position in relation to an axis or a line 왍 cover hotel and restaurant bills. 3. the
to check the alignment of something amount of something that somebody is
to make sure it is in the correct position allowed to have
relative to an axis or line 왍 to maintain ‘…with many four and six seat aircraft, it
alignment with the runway to keep is not possible to fill all the seats, use the
the aircraft on the imaginary extended maximum baggage allowance, fill all the
centre line of the runway 2. correct fuel tanks and remain within the approved
position in relation to something else 왍 centre of gravity limits’ [Civil Aviation
alloy 16
Authority, General Aviation Safety Sense a valve. 왍 an alternative means of
Leaflet] doing something another or different
alloy /lɔ/ noun a mixture of metals
alloy
way of doing something 쐽 noun another
쑗 an alloy of aluminium and lithium choice or possibility 쑗 In some emer-
gency situations the pilot may have no
aloft /əlɒft/ adjective up in the air
aloft

alternative but to force-land the aircraft

alter /ɔltə/ verb to change, modify or
alter

as soon as possible.
adjust 쑗 If there is a risk of collision, alternator /ɔltənetə/ noun a type
alternator

alter course to the right. 쑗 If the rate of of generator designed to produce AC

descent is too low, alter the throttle set- power
ting accordingly. 쑗 The rudder linkage
altimeter /ltmitə/ noun a radio
altimeter

was altered to comply with certification

requirements. instrument for measuring vertical dis-
tance or altitude 왍 altimeter check a
alteration /ɔltə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a
alteration

|
routine check to ensure that the altime-
change, modification or adjustment 쑗 It ter pressure setting is correct 왍 altime-
was discovered that alterations had ter display the display of altitude infor-
been made to the log book. 쑗 As a result mation, which can be given in analogue
of the accident, alterations were made or digital form. 쒁 pointer
to the design of the carburettor heat sys-
altitude /lttjud/ noun the vertical
altitude

tem. 2. the act of making changes, mod-

ifications or adjustments 왍 heading distance between an aircraft, or a point
alteration the act of making of heading or a level, and mean sea-level 왍 to lose
corrections altitude to descend from higher to
alternate lower altitude 왍 cabin altitude the arti-
alternate adjective /ɔlt%nət/ 1.
|
ficial altitude created in the cabin by
every other 쑗 A, c, e, and g are alternate pressurisation
letters, as are b, d, f, h, etc. 왍 alternate
alto- /ltəυ/ prefix at a moderate or
alto-

days every other day 쑗 There are out-

high altitude
ward flights on alternate days, i.e. on
altocumulus /ltəυkjumjυləs/
altocumulus

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 2. |

US same as alternative 쐽 noun /ɔl |

noun small white cumulus clouds
t%nət/ an aerodrome of second choice which form as a layer at moderate alti-
to be used if the aircraft cannot be tude, usually meaning fair weather.
landed at the aerodrome of first choice Compare stratocumulus
altostratus /ltəυstrɑtəs/ noun a
altostratus

because of bad weather, etc. 쑗 The point |

of no return is calculated before depar- uniform layer cloud at moderate alti-

ture to cover the chance that both the tude
terminal airfield and its alternate aluminium /ləmniəm/ noun a
aluminium

become unavailable during flight. 쐽 strong, light metal used in the construc-
verb /ɔltənet/ to happen in turns 왍 tion of aircraft (NOTE: The US English is
Captain Smith and Captain Jones aluminum.)
alternate as CFI on a daily rota each COMMENT: In recent years, aluminium
captain has one day on duty as CFI fol- has been increasingly replaced by the
lowed by a day off, on which the other use of composite materials in the
captain acts as CFI construction of different types of
alternating current /ɔltənetŋ
alternating current
aircraft, from small home-built light
aircraft to transport aircraft such as the
krənt/ noun an electric current which Airbus A320.
reverses its direction at regular intervals
aluminum /əlumnəm/ noun US
aluminum

쑗 Resistance to alternating current |

remains almost constant and is inde- same as aluminium

pendent of frequency. Abbreviation AC AMA abbreviation approach monitor-
AMA

alternative /ɔlt%nətv/ adjective

alternative

|
ing aid
referring to another or a second possi- amber /mbə/ adjective an orange or
amber

bility 쑗 A turbine bypass, in the form of yellow colour 쑗 An amber light flashes
an alternative exhaust duct is fitted with on the instrument panel. (NOTE: Amber
 17 analogue
is often used to describe the colour of ample /mpəl/ adjective plenty of 쑗
ample

the yellow light in traffic signals.) During the course you will have ample
ambient /mbiənt/ adjective refer- opportunity to demonstrate your skill. 왍
ambient

ring to the surrounding atmospheric ample time plenty of time

conditions 쑗 Fresh ambient air is routed amplification /mplfkeʃ(ə)n/
amplification

into the cabin. 왍 ambient temperature noun the act of increasing the strength
the temperature outside the aircraft of an electrical signal 쑗 Amplification of
ambient pressure /mbiənt
ambient pressure

the signal increases the volume.

preʃə/ noun the pressure outside the amplifier /mplfaə/ noun an elec-
amplifier

aircraft tronic device for increasing the strength

ambiguity /mbDZjuti/ noun
ambiguity

| of an electrical signal 쑗 If the power

something heard or seen which can be supply from the amplifier to the gauge
understood in more than one way, thus fails, the needle slowly falls to zero.
resulting in possible confusion 왍 to amplify /mplfa/ verb to increase
amplify

avoid ambiguity to avoid misunder- the strength of an electrical signal 쑗 An

standing or confusion 쑗 Correct use of electric current is amplified and then
R/T phraseology avoids ambiguity. transmitted. (NOTE: amplifies – ampli-
ambiguous /mbDZjuəs/ adjective
ambiguous

| fying – amplified)
able to be understood in more than one amplitude /mpltjud/ noun the
amplitude

way 쑗 It is important that R/T transmis- maximum variation of a vibration or

sions are not ambiguous. oscillation from the position of equilib-
AMD abbreviation amendment
AMD

rium 쑗 to calculate fuel required, multi-

amend /əmend/ verb to change,
amend

| ply the duration of the flight by the con-

update, improve or correct something 왍 sumption of the engine at the required
he amended the entry in his log book power
he corrected or changed the entry in his AMS abbreviation aeronautical mobile
AMS

log book service

amendment /əmendmənt / noun a
amendment

AMSL abbreviation above mean sea

AMSL
|

change, updating, improvement or cor- level

rection made, e.g., to a document or
AMSS abbreviation automatic mes-
AMSS

procedure 쑗 When a terminal aero-

drome forecast requires amendment, sage switching system
anabatic /nəbtk/ adjective
anabatic

the amended forecast is indicated by |

inserting AMD after TAF. referring to a warm flow of air travel-

ammeter /mitə/ noun an instru-
ammeter
ling up a hillside or mountainside.
ment for measuring amperes in order to Compare katabatic
anabatic wind /nəbtk wnd/
anabatic wind

give the strength of an electric current 쑗

The centre-zero ammeter tells the pilot noun a wind current, caused by solar
the status of the aircraft battery. heating of the land, that rises up a south-
amp /mp/ abbreviation ampere
amp
facing mountainside 쑗 South-facing
slopes are most suitable for the ana-
amperage /mpərdȢ/ noun the
amperage

batic wind. Compare katabatic wind

strength of an electric current expressed
analog /nəlɒDZ/ adjective same as
analog

in amperes 쑗 Measuring the amperage

of a motor can give a rough estimate of analogue
analogous /ənləDZəs/ adjective
analogous

the load on the motor. |

ampere /mpeə/ noun a unit of elec-

ampere
similar or comparable to 쑗 Isobars are
tric current equal to one volt flowing analogous to contour lines.
through an impedance of one ohm 쑗 a analogue /nəlɒDZ/ adjective 1. rep-
analogue

13-amp fuse 쑗 Current flow is measured resenting a quantity or signal that varies
in amperes. Abbreviation amp 왍 continuously by means of a physical
ampere hours number of amperes per apparatus such as a dial and pointer 쑗
hour 쑗 Battery capacity is rated in The electronic centralised aircraft mon-
ampere hours. itor (ECAM) does not have analogue
analyse 18
presentation of engine information. 2. 왍 aneroid switch

aneroid switch /nərɔd swtʃ/

analogue display (on a clock) a tradi- noun a switch operated by an aneroid
tional hands and face display on a clock capsule
or dial. Compare digital display angle

analyse
angle /ŋDZəl/ noun the difference in
analyse /nəlaz/, analyze verb to direction between two lines or surfaces
break down into parts and study very measured in degrees
closely 왍 to analyse fuel to separate angle of attack

angle of attack /ŋDZ(ə)l əv ətk/

fuel into its different parts to find out
|

noun the angle formed between the rel-

what it consists of 왍 to analyse a chart ative airflow and the chord line of the
to examine a chart in detail aerofoil
analysis

analysis /ənləss / noun breaking

|

COMMENT: The angle of attack is

down a substance into its parts in order related to the flight path of the aircraft,
to study them closely 쑗 At a crash site, not to the angle the wing makes with
samples of materials are removed for the horizontal. If the angle of attack
analysis. (NOTE: The plural form is anal- becomes too great, the smooth airflow
yses /ənlsiz/ .) 왍 chart analysis
|
over the upper surface of the wing will
careful study of charts break down. If no corrective action is
anchor
taken by the pilot, there will be a
anchor /ŋkə/ noun a device con- sudden loss of lift and the aircraft will
nected to and dropped from a boat in stall.
order to prevent the boat from moving angle of incidence

angle of incidence /ŋDZ(ə)l əv

in the water 쐽 verb to drop an anchor to nsd(ə)ns/ noun the angle formed
prevent the boat from moving between the chord-line of the main-
anemograph

anemograph /əneməDZrɑf/ noun

| plane and the horizontal when the air-
an instrument which maintains a contin- craft is in the rigging position
uous recording of wind direction and angle of inclination

angle of inclination /ŋDZ(ə)l əv

speed on a graph 쑗 The anemograph nklneʃ(ə)n/ noun the angle formed
|

gives a continuous recording of wind between a sloping path or surface and a

velocity which is displayed on a chart reference point or line which is either
and reveals gusts, squalls and lulls. horizontal or vertical 쑗 Between any
anemometer

anemometer /nmɒmtə/ noun an | two meridians there is an angle of incli-

instrument, usually attached to a build- nation one to the other which varies
ing, with three or four ‘cups’ which with latitude.
rotate with the wind thus providing angular

angular /ŋDZjυlə/ adjective refer-

wind-speed information 쑗 The strength ring to or forming an angle 쑗 The angu-
of the wind can be seen by the speed lar difference between the direction of
with which the anemometer rotates. magnetic north and compass north is
called variation.
aneroid

aneroid /nərɔd / adjective not con-

taining or using liquid anneal

anneal /ənil/ verb to heat and allow

|

aneroid barometer

aneroid barometer /nərɔd bə |

to cool slowly in order to strengthen 쑗
rɒmtə/ noun a barometer which uses Sheet and plate magnesium are
an aneroid capsule to sense atmospheric annealed at the rolling mill.
pressure changes
annotate

annotate /nətet/ verb to add notes

aneroid capsule

aneroid capsule /nərɔd to an existing document, book, chart,

kpsjul/ noun a thin flexible cylin- etc. 쑗 He annotated his report after he
drical box, usually made of metal, was asked to give the exact time of the
which has most of the air removed from incident. 쑗 Variation is annotated east
it and which expands and contracts with or west according to the direction of
changes in atmospheric pressure 쑗 The change.
annotation

aneroid capsule in the barometer is annotation /nəteʃ(ə)n/ noun the

|

connected to a system of levers which act of adding notes to a document,

operate a pointer. book, chart, etc., or the notes added
 19 anti-icing fluid
announce /ənaυns/ verb to state
announce

|
Hypoxia is a lack of sufficient oxygen,
something publicly or officially 쑗 Brit- the symptoms of which are sometimes
difficult to detect.
ish Airways announce the departure of
antenna /ntenə/ noun US same as
antenna

flight BA152 to New York. |

announcement
announcement

/ ənaυnsmənt/
|
aerial
anti- /nti/ prefix against, opposing 쑗
anti-

noun a public statement 쑗 The captain

made a public address (PA) system anti-icing 쑗 anticlockwise 쑗 anti-corro-
announcement asking passengers to sion
remain seated. anticipate / ntspet/ verb to real-
anticipate

annual /njuəl/ adjective 1. happen-

annual

ise what is likely happen and do what is

ing once a year 왍 annual inspection an necessary in readiness 왍 during take-
inspection that happens once a year 2. offs, pilots should anticipate an
over a period of one year 쑗 Overload engine failure pilots should think
operations should not exceed 5% of ahead and be ready to act immediately
annual departures. if an engine fails during take-off
annular /njυlə/ adjective shaped anticipation /ntspeʃ(ə)n/ noun
annular anticipation

| |

like a ring a state in which you realise what is

annunciation /ənnsieʃ(ə)n/ noun
annunciation

|
likely to happen and do what is neces-
an announcement or indication on the sary in readiness
anticipation of landmarks /n
anticipation of landmarks

annunciator panel 왍 failure annuncia- |

tion signals on the annunciator panel tspeʃ(ə)n əv lndmɑks/ noun the

indicating the failure of a system action of watching out for landmarks,
annunciator /ənnsietə/ noun a
annunciator

|
which you know from flight planning
device which gives off a sound or light should be visible at a particular stage of
to indicate which of several electrical a flight
anticlockwise
anticlockwise

circuits is active 쑗 An annunciator /ntiklɒkwaz/ |

panel may contain a precise warning. adjective, adverb referring to a circular

anode /nəυd/ noun a positive pole
anode
movement in the opposite direction to
or electrode 쑗 The positive connector of the hands of a clock 쑗 Turn the nut anti-
a battery is usually called the anode clockwise to loosen it. Opposite clock-
and is indicated by the sign +. wise
anti-collision
anti-collision

anodise /nədaz/, anodize verb to

anodise
/nti kəlȢ(ə)n/ |

coat or cover by using electrolysis 쑗 adjective helping to prevent collisions

anti-collision light /nti kə
anti-collision light

Anti-corrosion treatment includes the |

anodizing of aluminium parts. lȢ(ə)n lat/ noun a flashing white light

anomalous /ənɒmələs/ adjective
anomalous

|
on an aircraft
anti-corrosion /nti kə rəυȢ(ə)n/
anti-corrosion

referring to something unusual, unex- |

pected or otherwise departing from adjective protecting against corrosion,

what is the normal order or range 왍 an especially rust 쑗 an anti-corrosion
anomalous instrument reading an treatment
unusual instrument reading which may anticyclone /ntisakləυn/ noun
anticyclone

require further investigation an area of high atmospheric pressure,

anomaly /ənɒməli/ noun something usually associated with fine dry weather
anomaly

unusual, unexpected or otherwise not in summer and fog in winter 쑗 Winds

within the normal order or range 쑗 Any circulate round an anticyclone clock-
anomalies in the localiser will be wise in the northern hemisphere and
detected during calibration. anticlockwise in the southern hemi-
anoxia /nɒksiə / noun a state in
anoxia

|
sphere.
anti-icing /nti asŋ/ adjective
anti-icing

which no oxygen reaches the body tis-

sues, resulting in death. 쒁 hypoxia preventing icing 쑗 anti-icing additive
anti-icing fluid /nti asŋ flud/
anti-icing fluid

COMMENT: Anoxia is a complete lack

of oxygen and can, of course, be fatal. noun a fluid which prevents icing
anti-skid 20
anti-skid applicable

anti-skid /nti skd/ adjective applicable /əplkəb(ə)l/ adjective 1.

|

designed to prevent skidding relevant or appropriate 왍 rule 24 is not

anvil

anvil /nvl/ noun a metal block applicable in this case rule 24 cannot
which ends in a point, has a rounded be used in this case 2. suitable, neces-
bottom and a flat top, and on which sary, appropriate 쑗 Emergency systems
horseshoes, etc., are made 쑗 A cumulo- are checked when applicable.
application

nimbus cloud has a characteristic anvil application /pl keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.

|

shape. a formal request, often on paper, for

anvil cloud

anvil cloud / nvl klaυd/ noun a employment 왍 application form a form

cloud, usually a large dark thunder- to be filled out by a person looking for a
cloud, which has the shape of an anvil job, and sent back to the organisation
A/P offering the job 2. the act of putting a
A/P abbreviation 1. airport 2. autopilot substance onto something 왍 the appli-
apart

apart /əpɑt/ adverb separated from

| cation of a coat of paint the covering
one another 쑗 The jets were only 200 of something with a coat of paint 3. the
feet apart, vertically. act of using something, e.g. an ability,
aperture

aperture /pətʃə/ noun an opening to carry out a task 쑗 When an accident

쑗 Any aperture or cut-out in the fuse-
occurs, the application of knowledge
lage structure must be specially and skills is important.
apply

strengthened. apply /əpla/ verb 1. 왍 to apply for a

|

APHAZ

APHAZ abbreviation aircraft proxim- job to formally ask for employment 쑗

ity hazard He applied for the post of chief engineer
APP but was not successful. 2. to put on 쑗 to
APP abbreviation 1. approach 2. apply a coat of paint 쑗 Apply a plaster
approach control to the skin. 3. to use something to carry
apparent

apparent /əprənt/ adjective 1.

| out a task 쑗 Apply the same method as
obvious, clear 쑗 It became apparent in the example. 4. to be relevant or relate
that carbon monoxide was entering the to 쑗 The rules which apply to the meas-
cabin. 왍 from the above, it will be urement of wind velocities on isobaric
apparent that … from the above, it charts apply equally to contour charts.
will be clear that … 2. seeming or (NOTE: applying – applied)
appearing to be 쑗 an apparent failure of appreciable

appreciable /əpriʃəb(ə)l/ adjective

|

the system 쑗 The ILS showed an appar- 1. possible to measure 쑗 Appreciable

ent deflection to the right. weakening may be permitted without
appear

appear /əpə/ verb 1. to come into

| risk of failure. 2. considerable, large in
view 쑗 Another aircraft appeared on the size or amount 왍 there is an apprecia-
radar screen. 2. to seem to be 쑗 ble difference between statute miles
Although air may appear to be still, it is and nautical miles there is a big differ-
in fact, moving. ence between statute miles and nautical
appearance

appearance /əpərəns/ noun 1. an

|
miles
appreciate

instance of being seen or coming into appreciate /əpriʃiet/ verb 1. to

|

view 쑗 The appearance of the passen- understand or recognise the importance

ger on the flight deck surprised the or significance of something 쑗 The map
crew. 2. the way something looks 쑗 It reader is in a position to appreciate the
may be difficult to recognise a particu- relative values of the features seen on
lar stretch of coast in an area simply by the ground. 2. to increase in value 쑗 The
its appearance. value of the building has appreciated by
appendix

appendix /əpendks/ noun a section

|
100% in 10 years. Opposite depreciate
containing additional information, 3. to be thankful or grateful for some-
often found at the end of a book, etc. 쑗 thing 쑗 The student appreciated the
Charts are reproduced as an appendix extra help given by the instructor.
appreciation

to the map section. (NOTE: The plural appreciation /əpriʃieʃ(ə)n/ noun

| |

form is appendices.) 1. understanding 쑗 It is essential to have

 21 APRX
an appreciation of the basic gas laws. 2. approach to land, the aircraft reduces
an increase in value 쑗 There has been an speed and height
appreciation of 100% in the value of the appropriate /əprəυpriət / adjective
appropriate

building in 10 years. Opposite depreci- suitable or needed 왍 appropriate

ation 3. thankfulness, gratitude 쑗 After action the action that is needed to deal
gaining her private pilot’s licence, the with the situation
newly-qualified pilot showed her appre- appropriately
appropriately

/əprəυpriətli/
|

ciation by sending a letter of thanks to adverb in a way that it is suitable or nec-

her instructor. essary 왍 to adjust the mixture appro-
approach

approach /əprəυtʃ/ noun 1. a path

| priately to adjust the mixture to suit the
towards something 쑗 The approach to conditions
the terminal was blocked by an over- approval /əpruv(ə)l/ noun permis-
approval

turned lorry. 2. the descent of an air- sion or agreement 왍 with the captain’s
craft towards the place where it intends approval with the permission of the
to land. Abbreviation APP 3. a way of captain 왍 to meet with the approval to
achieving or doing something 왍 to take be approved by 쑗 The management’s
a different approach to a situation to plans for restructuring the airline met
deal with or to manage a situation in a with the approval of the shareholders.
different way 쐽 verb 1. to move nearer approve /əpruv/ verb 1. to allow or
approve

in place or time to something 쑗 The air- agree to something 쑗 The air traffic con-
craft is approaching a danger area. 왍 troller approved the emergency land-
nightfall is approaching it will soon be ing. 2. 왍 to approve of to believe some-
dark 2. to have a particular mental atti- thing to be right or good 쑗 Nearly
tude towards something 쑗 He everybody approved of the new colour
approaches his studies with great scheme for the furnishings. 왍 he
enthusiasm. 3. to speak to or get in doesn’t approve of women being air-
touch with somebody 쑗 You must line pilots he believes that it is wrong
approach the chief flying instructor for women to be airline pilots
regarding your request for a week’s hol-
approx /əprɒks/ same as approxi-
approx

iday. |

approach control mate, approximately

approach control /əprəυtʃ kən | |

approximate
approximate

adjective /ə
trəυl/ noun a control station in an air
|

traffic control centre that guides an air- prɒksmət/ not exact, around or about
왍 an approximate distance of 60 nm
craft while it is making its approach
approach monitoring aid
about 60 nautical miles 쐽 verb /ə |

approach monitoring aid /ə |

prɒksmet/ to be close to, to be
prəυtʃ mɒntərŋ ed/ noun an around (NOTE: Approximate can be
instrument or system that helps an air shortened to approx or APRX (ICAO).)
traffic controller to track the position approximately
approximately

/əprɒksmətli/
|

and movements of an aircraft during its adverb not exactly, around or about 쑗
approach. Abbreviation AMA Approximately 2,000 people work in the
approach path

approach path /əprəυtʃ pɑθ/ | airport. (NOTE: Approximately can be

noun the course taken by the aircraft in shortened to approx or APRX (ICAO).)
preparation for landing approximation /əprɒksmeʃ(ə)n/
approximation

| |

noun a calculation which is not exact

approach plate

approach plate noun a document

issued by an aviation authority which but near enough, a rough estimate 왍 an
provides detailed information about approximation of aircraft height a
how to land at a given airport in very rough estimate of aircraft height
poor visibility apron /eprən / noun an area of tar-
apron

approach to land

approach to land /əprəυtʃ tə |

mac, concrete, etc., outside a hangar for
lnd/ noun the final stage of the flight parking aircraft (NOTE: The US term is
when the aircraft is manoeuvred into ramp.)
position, relative to the landing area, in APRX abbreviation (ICAO) 1. approxi-
APRX

preparation for landing 쑗 on the mate 2. approximately

APU 22
APU abbreviation auxiliary power unit
APU

tional standard atmosphere. 2. a verbal

aquaplaning /kwəplenŋ/ noun
aquaplaning
disagreement 왍 to have an argument to
sliding in an uncontrolled way over a disagree openly and verbally with
thin layer of water on the runway 쑗 somebody 쑗 The investigation revealed
Aquaplaning is caused by a layer of that there had been an argument
water between the tyre and the runway. between the commander and the copilot
about the advisability of continuing
arbitrary /ɑbtrəri/
arbitrary

adjective with the final approach to land. 3. a rea-

decided by chance rather than by care- son 쑗 One of the arguments in favour of
ful logical thought, happening without building the new terminal is the
planning or at random 쑗 The statute increase in opportunities of employ-
mile is an arbitrary unit of measure- ment for the local residents.
ment. (NOTE: The nautical mile is not an
arid /rd / adjective very dry 왍 arid
arid

arbitrary unit: it is based on calculations

which have a wider use. See arc.) terrain desert 왍 an arid, sub-tropical
climate a hot, dry climate
arc /ɑk/ noun part of the circumfer-
arc

arise /əraz/ verb to come into being,

arise

ence of a circle 쑗 A nautical mile is the |

length of an arc on the Earth’s surface to happen, to show up or to appear 쑗

subtended by an angle of one minute at Should any problems arise, report back
the centre of the Earth. 쐽 verb to jump to me immediately. (NOTE: arising –
across a gap 쑗 The spark arcs from one arose – arisen)
arm /ɑm/ noun 1. a device similar in
arm

electrode to another. 쑗 The condenser

prevents spark plugs from arcing. 쒁 gap function to a human arm, operating as a
Arctic /ɑktk/ adjective referring to
Arctic
lever 2. the horizontal distance from a
the area around the North Pole 왍 cold reference point to the centre of gravity 쑗
Arctic air cold air from the Arctic 왍 the The principle of the arm is used in
Arctic Circle a parallel running round weight and balance calculations for an
the Earth at latitude 66°32N, to the aircraft. 쐽 verb to make ready for action
north of which lies the Arctic region 쐽 or use 쑗 Door-mounted escape slides
noun 왍 the Arctic the area of the are armed before flight.
armature /ɑmətʃə/ noun the rotat-
armature

Earth’s surface around the North Pole,

north of the Arctic Circle 쑗 The aircraft ing coils of an electric motor or dynamo
flew over the Arctic. 쑗 Secondary windings are wound over

area /eəriə / noun 1. a defined part of

area
the primary windings and the whole
a surface 2. a region 왍 area forecasts a assembly is known as an armature.
ARR abbreviation arrival
ARR

weather forecast for a region rather

than, e.g., an aerodrome arrange /ərendȢ/ verb 1. to organ-
arrange

area control service /eəriə kən

area control service

|
ise, to plan and prepare 쑗 to arrange a
trəυl s%vs/ noun a unit that provides meeting 2. to put in special position 쑗
air traffic control services to flights Charts should be numbered and
within the area for which it is responsi- arranged in order of use. 쑗 A series of
ble dipoles are arranged in a circle.
arrangement /ərendȢmənt/ noun
arrangement

area navigation /eəriə nv

area navigation
|
|

DZeʃ(ə)n/ a method of navigation that 1. a plan 쑗 The arrangements for the

permits aircraft to operate on any VIPs are being handled by the public
desired flight path within the area cov- relations department. 2. the relative
ered by ground-based navigational aids, positions of a number of different parts
self-contained navigational aids or a 쑗 The diagram shows a simple arrange-

combination of the two. Abbreviation ment of pistons, cylinders and pipes.

array /əre/ noun an arrangement of
array

RNAV |

argument /ɑDZjυmənt/ noun 1. a

argument
antennas 쑗 The localiser antenna array
factor 쑗 QNH is the pressure at station is very wide.
arrest /ərest/ verb 1. to stop or to pre-
arrest

level reduced to sea level using argu- |

ments of station height and an interna- vent something from happening 왍 to

 23 assess
arrest the spread of a fire to stop the forced, precipitation is mostly light and
fire spreading 2. to hold somebody for occasionally moderate.
breaking the law 쑗 He was arrested at ascertain /səten/ verb to find
ascertain

the airport. 쐽 noun the act of holding out, to make certain 쑗 During pre-flight
somebody for breaking the law 쑗 His checks, control surfaces should be
arrest was unexpected. moved by hand to ascertain that they
arrester /ərestə/ noun a device or have full and free movement.
arrester

substance which prevents or stops ASDE abbreviation airport surface

ASDE

something from happening detection equipment

arrival /ərav(ə)l/ noun the act of
arrival

ASI abbreviation airspeed indicator

ASI
|

reaching somewhere. Abbreviation ASMI abbreviation aerodrome surface

ASMI

ARR 왍 Gulf Air announce the arrival movement indicator

of flight GF147 from Abu Dhabi
aspect /spekt/ noun 1. a part of a
aspect

flight GF147 from Abu Dhabi has just

landed problem or subject 쑗 Vertical motion is
an important aspect of meteorology. 왍
arrivals /ərav(ə)lz/ noun the part of
arrivals

|
safety aspects matters related to safety
an airport that deals with passengers 2. the view from a particular position 쑗
who are arriving The aspect of the runway on final
arrive /ərav/ verb to reach some-
arrive

|
approach helps the pilot to judge height
where 왍 the flight from Tokyo arrived and progress.
at 8.30 the flight from Tokyo landed at aspect ratio /spekt reʃiəυ/ noun
aspect ratio

8.30 the ratio of the length of an aircraft’s

arrow /rəυ/ noun a painted or
arrow

wing to the average distance between

printed sign which points to something the front and back edge of the wing
쑗 Non-return valves are marked with an (NOTE: Aircraft that operate at low
arrow which shows the direction of speeds, for example gliders, need a
flow. high aspect ratio and have long narrow
arrow convention /rəυ kən
arrow convention

| wings. Supersonic aircraft need a low

venʃ(ə)n/ noun an agreed method of aspect ratio, which is created by swing-
using arrows when drawing wind trian- ing the wings back.)
gles asphyxiation
asphyxiation

/əsfksieʃ(ə)n/
| |

article /ɑtk(ə)l/ noun an object, an noun unconsciousness or death caused

article

item 왍 loose articles things which may by lack of oxygen 쑗 Fire may result in
move during flight and cause problems the cabin being filled by smoke causing
artificial /ɑtfʃ(ə)l/ adjective not
artificial

|
asphyxiation.
natural, made by humans 쑗 The small ASR /e es ɑ/ abbreviation 1. airport
ASR

needle indicates cabin altitude or the surveillance radar 2. altimeter setting

artificial altitude created by the pres- region
surisation system. assemble /əsemb(ə)l/ verb 1. to put
assemble

artificial horizon /ɑtfʃ(ə)l hə a number of parts together 쑗 The parts

artificial horizon

raz(ə)n/ noun an instrument that dis- are made in different countries but the
plays the degree of pitch or bank of an plane is assembled in France. 2. to
aircraft relative to the horizon gather together 쑗 Passengers should
ascend / əsend / verb to rise, to go or
ascend

|
assemble in the departure lounge where
move upwards 쑗 Hot air ascends. 왍 in an airline representative will meet
ascending order in order of number or them.
rank with the smallest or less important assembly /əsembli/ noun 1. some-
assembly

at the bottom and the largest or more thing that is made up of smaller parts 2.
important at the top. Opposite descend the act of putting parts together to make
ascent /əsent/ noun a rise, a slow
ascent

|
a whole 쑗 Final assembly of the A320
upward movement 쑗 the forced ascent takes place in France.
assess /əses/ verb to check, estimate
assess

of air over high ground 쑗 In a stable |

atmosphere where the ascent of air is or find out 쑗 Cabin crew must assess if
assessment 24
their exits are usable. 왍 to assess a sit- that the return flight from the point of no
uation to consider all aspects of a situ- return to A is made on three engines,
ation calculate the distance from D to the
assessment /əsesmənt/ noun a
assessment

|
point of no return. 3. to take on, to
judgement on a situation based on care- undertake the duties of somebody 쑗 The
ful thought 쑗 The captain’s assessment copilot assumed control of the aircraft
of factors such as aircraft damage, pas- after the captain was taken ill during
senger-load, fire, etc., will affect the the flight. 4. to take a particular bodily
decision on whether to evacuate the position 쑗 The correct technique of
aeroplane or not. using the escape slides is to assume a
sitting position.
assign /əsan/ verb to set apart
assign

|
assumption

beforehand or allocate for a specific assumption /əsmpʃ(ə)n/ noun an|

purpose 왍 assigned seats seats selected understanding or belief 쑗 The one-in-

beforehand for particular people 쑗 Crew sixty rule is based on the assumption
sit in their assigned seats. 쑗 Individual that one nautical mile subtends an
carriers assign codes to aircraft. angle of one (at a distance of 60 nauti-
assist
cal miles).
assist /əsst/ verb to help 쑗 If you
|
asymmetric

have any difficulty, cabin staff will asymmetric /smetrk/, asym- |

assist you. 쑗 When evacuating the air- metrical /smetrk(ə)l/ adjective

|

craft, hand signals by cabin staff assist not identical or equal on each side of an
in directing passengers to the exits. 쒁 imaginary central dividing line. Oppo-
power site symmetric
asymmetric flight

assistance /əsst(ə)ns/ noun help 왍

assistance

|
asymmetric flight /smetrk
to require assistance to need help 쑗 If flat/ noun a condition in which one
a pilot requires assistance, they should engine, displaced from the aircraft’s
contact ATC. 왍 to provide assistance to centre-line is not working
give help asymmetric power

asymmetric power / smetrk

associate /əsəυsiet/ verb to come paυə/ noun power on one side of the
associate

with or be linked to something else 쑗 aircraft’s centre line only

Turbulence is often associated with asynchronous

asynchronous /əsŋkrənəs/ adjec- |

strong winds. 쑗 The airport authority tive 1. not happening at the same time or
has to overcome a lot of problems asso- rate 쑗 An asynchronous orbit is a 24-
ciated with its plans to build a new ter- hour orbit which enables a satellite to
minal. remain overhead one part of the Earth’s
association /əsəυsieʃ(ə)n/ noun
association

| | surface. 2. not in frequency or phase

1. a group of people who organise asynchronous computer

asynchronous computer /e |

themselves into an official body with sŋkrənəs kəmpjutə/ noun a com-

|

common objectives and a code of con- puter which does not process informa-
duct 쑗 British Air Line Pilots Associa- tion according to the internal clock
tion. 2. 왍 in association with together ATA

with 쑗 Rain-ice occurs only rarely over ATA /e ti e/ abbreviation actual
the British Isles and is usually found in time of arrival
ATC

association with warm fronts. ATC /e ti si/ abbreviation 1. air

assume /əsjum/ verb 1. to take as
assume

|
traffic control 2. air traffic controller
ATCC

true before there is proof 쑗 I assume ATCC abbreviation air traffic control
that she’s ill because she’s not at work centre
today – but I may be wrong. 2. to sup- ATCRU

ATCRU abbreviation air traffic control

pose 왍 for our studies we will assume radar unit
that the earth is a perfect sphere we ATD

know that the Earth is not a perfect ATD /e ti di/ abbreviation actual
sphere but it helps if we accept, for the time of departure
ATFM

time being, that it is 왍 assuming (that) ATFM abbreviation air traffic flow
accepting or supposing that 쑗 Assuming management
 25 attenuate
ATIS abbreviation Automatic Terminal ATPL abbreviation Airline Transport
ATIS ATPL

Information Service Pilot’s Licence

ATS abbreviation air traffic services
ATS

ATM /e ti em/ abbreviation air traf-

ATM

fic management ATSU abbreviation air traffic service

ATSU

atmosphere /tməsfə/ noun 1. a

atmosphere
unit
mixture of gases in a mass surrounding attach /əttʃ/ verb to join or fix
attach

the earth 쑗 The surrounding atmosphere something to something 쑗 The ice

moves with the earth. 2. a unit of meas- detector is attached to the fuselage.
urement of pressure attachment /əttʃmənt/ noun 1.
attachment

COMMENT: The main gases found in the act of joining or fixing something to
the atmosphere are nitrogen and something 쑗 The attachment of winglets
oxygen. The atmosphere contains less improved the handling characteristics
than 1% carbon dioxide and argon, of the aeroplane. 2. an accessory which
and also traces of hydrogen, helium, can be attached 쑗 The video camera is
krypton, neon, ozone and xenon.
sold with a number of attachments
atmospheric /tməsferk/ adjec-
atmospheric

| including a carrying strap and a battery

tive referring to the atmosphere 쑗 pack.
atmospheric density attachment point /əttʃmənt
attachment point

atmospheric attenuation pɔnt/ noun a place on the airframe

atmospheric attenuation

/tməsferk ətenjueiʃ(ə)n/ noun

| | where something such as an engine is
the weakening of a radio signal as it attached by means of bolts 쑗 Additional
passes through the air strength is required for the power plant
atmospheric
atmospheric pollution

pollution attachment points.

attain /əten/ verb to reach, to achieve
attain

/tməsferk pəluʃ(ə)n/ noun same

|
|

as air pollution 쑗 Solid particles in the something, often with difficulty 쑗 In

air include dust, sand, volcanic ash and order to attain a fuller understanding of
atmospheric pollution. gas turbines, it is essential to know
atmospheric
atmospheric pressure

pressure something about basic gas laws.

attempt /ətempt/ noun a try 쑗 Any
attempt

/tməsferk preʃə/ noun normal air |

pressure on the surface of the earth attempt to increase range by applying

more power is of little or no benefit. 쐽
atmospheric refraction
atmospheric refraction

verb to try 쑗 He attempted to land

/tməsferk rfrkʃən/ noun
despite the poor visibility but then
|

change in direction of waves due to var-

decided to divert to another airfield
iations in temperature, pressure and
where he landed safely.
humidity, particularly at lower altitudes
attendant /ətendənt/ adjective
attendant

atom /təm/ noun the smallest

atom |

accompanying something else 쑗 Fuel

amount of a substance which can take spillage and attendant fire risk must be
part in a chemical reaction 쑗 An atom minimised. 왍 attendant problems asso-
consists of a nucleus and electrons. ciated problems 쐽 noun a person
atomic /ətɒmk/ adjective referring
atomic

|
employed to help members of the pub-
to atoms 왍 atomic structure of matter lic
the structure of materials and sub- attention /ətenʃən/ noun the ability
attention

stances at their smallest level or power to concentrate on something 쑗

atomisation /təmazeʃn/, atomi-
atomisation

| The crew’s attention is alerted by an

zation /təmazeʃ(ə)n/ noun the | automatic display. 왍 attention please
reduction of liquids to a fine spray 쑗 The listen carefully to what will be said 왍
fuel achieves fine atomisation under pay attention listen to the speaker and
pressure. concentrate on what is being said
atomise /təmaz/, atomize verb to attenuate /ətenjuet/ verb to lose
atomise attenuate

reduce liquids to a fine spray 쑗 The fuel power or strength 쑗 A wave becomes
must be atomised or vaporised to com- attenuated or loses strength as range
bine with the air to permit combustion. increases.
attenuation 26
attenuation /ətenjueʃ(ə)n/ noun
attenuation

| | something 쑗 The attraction of flying

loss of strength 쑗 Atmospheric attenua- was the factor which made him decide
tion is negligible until the upper end of to train as a pilot.
the UHF band when it increases rapidly attractive

attractive /ətrktv/ adjective 1.

|

to limit the highest usable frequency to referring to something you feel you
about 10 GHz. would like to have 쑗 After long talks, the
attenuative /ətenjuətv/ adjective
attenuative

| prospective buyer made a financially

becoming weaker 쑗 Rain has an attenu- attractive offer for the aircraft. 2. nice
ative effect. to look at
attitude /ttjud/ noun 1. the posi-
attitude

ATZ abbreviation aerodrome traffic

ATZ

tion of the aircraft in the air in relation zone

to the horizon 쑗 Angle of attack will audible /ɔdb(ə)l/ adjective possible
audible

vary with changes in engine speed and to hear 쑗 The fire detection system
aircraft attitude. 왍 nose down attitude should contain an audible warning
the attitude of the aircraft when the nose device.
is at a lower level than the tail 2. a way audio

of thinking and feeling about or of audio /ɔdiəυ/ noun an audible sound

behaving towards something or some- or sound signal 쑗 The diagram shows an
body 왍 he has an excellent attitude amplitude modulation case where the
towards his training programme he is lower frequency of the audio is about
positive and motivated in his training 300 Hertz.
augment /ɔDZment/ verb to make
augment

programme |

attitude heading reference sys-

attitude heading reference system
larger by adding something 쑗 The sea
tem /ttjud hedŋ ref(ə)rəns breeze may augment the up-slope
sstəm/ noun full form of AHRS motion of an anabatic wind.
aural

attitude indicator /ttjud

attitude indicator

aural /ɔrəl/ adjective referring to

ndketə/ noun a flight instrument hearing 쑗 The aural and visual alerts
that gives the pilot information about will continue until the crew take action
the position of the aircraft in the air in to cancel them. (NOTE: Aural is some-
relation to the horizon 쑗 In light air- times pronounced /aυrəl/ to show the
craft, the attitude indicator is situated difference with oral.)
on the instrument panel, directly in authorise /ɔθəraz/, authorize verb
authorise

front of the pilot. 쒁 pitch, bank to allow officially, to give permission 쑗

COMMENT : The attitude indicator is A signature is required to authorise the
sometimes referred to as the ‘artificial repair.
horizon’. In instrument flight training,
authorised /ɔθərazd/, authorized
authorised

the attitude indicator is the primary

reference instrument. It is positioned adjective officially allowed, permitted 쑗
on the instrument panel directly in front Aircraft with a maximum authorised
of the pilot. weight of 12,500 lb or less. 왍 an
attract / ətrkt/ verb 1. to cause to
attract

|
authorized person a person who has
draw near 쑗 If two magnets, with unlike been given power to act and perform
poles are brought together, they will particular tasks or duties
authoritative /ɔθɒrtətv/ adjec-
authoritative

attract each other. 왍 to attract atten- |

tion to behave in such a way that people tive in the manner of somebody with
will notice you 2. to cause people to authority, in a commanding way 왍 crew
want to have or do something must act in an authoritative manner
attraction /ətrkʃən/ noun 1. a
attraction

|
crew must give firm instructions or
force that draws things towards some- orders
authority

thing 쑗 The strength of the magnetic authority /ɔθɒrti/ noun 1. com-

|

force will depend, amongst other plete control or power over something 쑗
things, on the magnitude of attraction at While boarding, the captain has the
the magnetic source. 2. a quality that authority to ask an unruly passenger to
causes people to want to have or do leave the aircraft. 2. an official or gov-
 27 average
ernment body with the power to make gives pilots the current weather, runway
decisions in use, etc. 쑗 Students listen to the ATIS
auto- /ɔtəυ / prefix automatic or auto-
auto-
to practise their language skills. Abbre-
mated viation ATIS
automation /ɔtəmeʃ(ə)n/ noun
automation

autogiro /ɔtəυdȢarəυ/ noun an

autogiro
|
|

aircraft that uses a propeller to produce the automatic operation or automatic

forward motion and has an unpowered control of a piece of equipment, a proc-
horizontal rotor for lift and stability ess, or a system 쑗 Automation has
autoland /ɔtəυlnd/ abbreviation
autoland
speeded up baggage handling. 쑗 Auto-
automatic landing mation of throttle control has removed
automate /ɔtəmet/ verb to make
automate the need for pilots to monitor airspeed
e.g. a device or procedure automatic 왍 so closely. 쑗 It is possible that the alter-
automated systems systems which nate source might provide a reduced
have been made less dependent on level of automation.
autopilot /ɔtəυpalət / noun a sys-
autopilot

direct human control or management

automatic /ɔtə mtk/ adjective 1.
automatic
tem which automatically stabilises an
aircraft about its three axes, restores the
|

done without needing to think 쑗 In the

early stages of training, student pilots original flight path following an upset
have to think about the use of the flying and, in some systems, causes the air-
controls, but after a while these actions craft to follow a preselected airspeed,
become automatic. 2. which works by altitude or heading. Full form auto-
itself without the need of an operator 쑗 matic pilot. Abbreviation A/P
auxiliary /ɔDZzliəri/ adjective sec-
auxiliary

The normal activation method is auto- |

matic. ondary, which is used when necessary

automatic dependent surveil-
automatic dependent surveillance
to help or substitute for something else
auxiliary gearbox /ɔDZzliəri DZə
auxiliary gearbox

lance /ɔtəmtk dpendənt sə | |

| |

veləns/ an electronic surveillance sys- bɒks/ noun a gear box which allows
tem that uses data that aircraft provide main engine power to be used for sec-
automatically via a datalink and is able ondary systems
to identify and track the aircraft auxiliary power unit /ɔDZzliəri
auxiliary power unit

automatic
automatic direction finder

direction finder paυə junt/ noun a small jet engine

/ɔtəmetd darekʃ(ə)n fandə/ |
used to generate electrical power for
noun a radio navigation instrument that air-conditioning, etc., when the aircraft
receives signals from non-directional is parked on the ground. Abbreviation
radio beacons 쑗 The needle on the ADF APU
indicator points toward the selected auxiliary rotor /ɔDZzliəri rəυtə/
auxiliary rotor

radio signal. Abbreviation ADF noun the tail rotor of a helicopter

automatic landing / ɔtəmtk
automatic landing

availability /əveləblti/ noun the

availability

| |

landŋ/ noun automatic flight control fact of being available 쑗 The status of an
system capable of landing an aircraft airport is determined by the availability
‘hands-off.’ Abbreviation autoland of suitable navigation aids.
automatic mixture control
automatic mixture control

available /əveləb(ə)l/ adjective

available

/ɔtəmtk mkstʃə kəntrəυl/ noun |

ready for immediate use 쑗 On a multi-
a subsystem in a piston engine which engine aircraft, all the fuel must be
adjusts the flow of fuel to balance available for use by any engine.
changes in air density average /v(ə)rdȢ/ adjective refer-
average

automatic pilot /ɔtəmtk

automatic pilot

ring to an average 쑗 For load sheet pur-

palət/ noun full form of autopilot poses, an average weight of the passen-
Automatic Terminal Information gers and crew members may be used. 쐽
Automatic Terminal Information Service

Service /ɔtəmtk t%mn(ə)l noun the total divided by the number of

nfəmeʃ(ə)n s%vs / noun a record-
| items added 쑗 The average of 1, 5, 9, 10
ing of information played continuously and 15 is 8 (1+5+9+10+15 = 40 ÷ 5 =
on a specified radio frequency which 8). 쐽 verb to reach a particular figure as
avert 28
an average 쑗 Brake temperatures aver- pilot should be aware of the positions of
age around 500°C during normal oper- all other aircraft in the circuit.
ations. awareness

awareness /əweənəs/ noun the

|

avert /əv%t/ verb to avoid 쑗 To avert

avert

| state of being aware or conscious of

a collision, he changed direction. something 왍 safety awareness the state
AVGAS /vDZs/ abbreviation avia-
AVGAS
of being familiar with and prepared for
tion gasoline any situation in which safety is impor-
aviation /evieʃ(ə)n/ noun flying
aviation

|
tant
AWR abbreviation airborne weather
AWR

an aircraft 쑗 Wind speeds in aviation are

usually given in knots. radar
axial

aviation gasoline /evieʃ(ə)n

aviation gasoline

axial /ksiəl/ adjective referring to an

DZsəlin/ noun fuel used in piston- axis
engined aircraft. Abbreviation AVGAS axial flow compressor /ksiəl
axial flow compressor

aviation law / evieʃ(ə)n lɔ / noun fləυ kəmpresə/ noun a compressor in

aviation law

|
|

the laws relating to flying which the flow of air is along the longi-
aviation routine weather report
aviation routine weather report
tudinal axis of the engine 쑗 In spite of
/evieʃ(ə)n rutin weθə r pɔt/ |
the adoption of the axial flow type com-
noun a weather report issued regularly pressor, some engine retain the centrif-
at intervals of an hour or half an hour ugal type.
axis /kss/ noun 1. an imaginary
axis

describing weather conditions at an air-

port. Abbreviation METAR line around which a body rotates 쑗 The
aviator /evietə/ noun a person who
aviator
Earth rotates around its own axis. 쑗 An
flies aircraft aircraft moves around three axes – ver-
tical, longitudinal and lateral. 쒁 pitch,
avionics /eviɒnks/ noun elec-
avionics

roll, yaw 2. a horizontal or vertical scale

tronic communication, navigation, and on a graph, often referred to as the X
flight-control equipment of an aircraft 쑗 axis, the horizontal axis, and the Y axis,
The trainee engineer is doing an avion- the vertical axis 쑗 The plot shows the
ics course. Full form aviation elec- effect of airspeed on lift with airspeed
tronics shown on the horizontal axis and lift on
avoid /əvɔd/ verb 1. to prevent
avoid

|
the vertical axis. (NOTE: The plural form
something from happening 쑗 She just is axes.)
managed to avoid an accident. 2. to axle

axle /ksəl/ noun a shaft on which a

keep away from something 쑗 Avoid fly- wheel is mounted 쑗 Unequal tyre-pres-
ing close to any person or vessel. 쑗 sures, where two wheels are mounted on
Cumulonimbus clouds and thunder- the same axle, will result in one tyre
storms should be avoided by as great a carrying a greater share of the load
distance as possible. than the other. (NOTE: The wheel either
avoidance /əvɔd(ə)ns/ noun an act
avoidance

|
turns round the axle or is fixed to the
of avoiding something 왍 avoidance of axle.)
thunderstorms is recommended it is
azimuth /zməθ/ noun the horizon-
azimuth

recommended to keep away from thun-

tal angle or direction of a compass bear-
derstorms
ing 쑗 Where precision approach radar
await /əwet/ verb to wait for 쑗 Await
await

|
is installed, the controller can inform
instructions from the flight deck. the pilot if they depart from either the
aware /əweə/ adjective knowing and
aware

| extended centre-line in azimuth or

being conscious of something 쑗 The height or both.
 B
back

back /bk / verb (of the wind) to free 쑗 There is an accompanied bag-
change direction in an anticlockwise gage allowance of 18 kilos.
direction. Opposite veer baggage handling /bDZdȢ
baggage handling

backup

backup /bkp/ adjective, noun a hndlŋ/ noun the process by which

second or third system, instrument or passengers’ baggage is loaded onto an
computer disk available to be used if the aircraft, or unloaded and moved to the
first one fails 쑗 The backup system or airport terminal
balance /bləns/ noun 1. a state in
balance

the backup failed as well. 쑗 Backup gen-

erators are driven by the engine. which weight, force or importance are
backward evenly distributed 쑗 The propelling noz-
backward /bkwəd / adjective zle size is extremely important and must
directed towards the back 쑗 a backward be designed to obtain the correct bal-
movement ance of pressure, temperature and
backwards

backwards /bkwədz/ adverb thrust. 2. the act of staying steady 쐽

towards the back 쑗 Unlike most aircraft, verb 1. to be opposite and equal in
the C130 can move backwards using its weight, force or importance to some-
own power. (NOTE: The US English is thing else 쑗 The pressure exerted by the
backward.) weight of the atmosphere above the
backwash

backwash /bkwɒʃ/ noun a back- level of the bowl balances a column of

ward flow of air produced by an aircraft mercury in the tube. 2. to stay steady,
propeller or jet engine especially when resting on the centre of
baffle gravity
baffle /bf(ə)l/ noun a metal plate for
preventing the free movement of sound ‘…balance refers to the location of the
centre of gravity along the longitudinal
or liquids 쑗 Integral fuel tanks can be axis of the aeroplane’ [Civil Aviation
strengthened by fitting baffle plates. Authority, General Aviation Safety Sense
baggage

baggage /bDZdȢ/ noun luggage, Leaflet]

cases and bags which you take with you ball /bɔl/ noun in an inclinometer, the
ball

when travelling 쑗 One passenger had a round object which indicates if a turn is
huge amount of baggage. 쑗 She lost one coordinated 왍 to step on the ball to cor-
piece of baggage. (NOTE: The word lug- rect a skid or a slip by putting pressure
gage is also used in British English.) 왍 on the rudder on the side to which the
baggage hall an area where arriving ball in an inclinometer has moved dur-
passengers pick up their baggage 왍 ing a turn. If the ball has moved to the
carry-on baggage small bags of lim- left, the turn can be corrected by putting
ited size and weight that passengers are pressure on the left rudder, and vice
allowed to take with them into the cabin versa.
of an aircraft balloon /bəlun/ noun a large bag
balloon

|
baggage allowance

baggage allowance /bDZdȢ ə | inflatable with hot air or gas to provide

laυəns/ noun the weight of baggage lift, but without power 쑗 Balloons are
each air passenger is allowed to take sent into the upper atmosphere to col-
BALPA 30
lect information useful to meteorolo- can be a dangerous barrier to flight. 2.
gists. something that prevents a person from
BALPA /blpə/ abbreviation British
BALPA
making progress 쑗 His medical prob-
Air Line Pilots Association lems were a barrier to his successful
band /bnd / noun 1. a narrow strip 쑗
band
completion of the course.
base /bes/ noun the bottom part or
base

A jet stream is a narrow band of high-

altitude strong winds. 2. a range of lowest part 쐽 verb to develop or develop
numbers or frequencies between two something from something else 쑗 The
limits within a radio system operation of the auxiliary power unit is
bandwidth /bndwdθ/ noun the
bandwidth
based on the gas turbine engine. 쑗 The
width of a band of radio frequencies 쑗 principle of vapour cycle cooling is
The sharp setting means the bandwidth based upon the ability of a refrigerant
is reduced to one kilohertz to minimise to absorb heat.
base leg /bes leDZ / noun the part of
base leg

noise or interference.
bank /bŋk/ verb (of an aircraft) to
bank
the airfield traffic circuit flown at
rotate or roll around its longitudinal approximately 90° to the direction of
axis to a particular angle 쑗 Stresses are landing, followed by the final approach.
increased when the aircraft banks, turns 쒁 leg
basic /besk/ adjective referring to
basic

or pulls out of a dive. 쐽 noun (of an air-

craft) a rotating or rolling movement the most important but often simplest
around its longitudinal axis to a particu- part of something, from which every-
lar angle 쑗 An attitude indicator gives thing else is derived 쑗 This chapter pro-
the pilot pitch and bank information. vides a basic understanding from which
bar /bɑ/ noun 1. a long, straight, rigid
bar
the study of meteorology can develop. 왍
piece of metal 쑗 The part is made from basic principle a central or fundamen-
a solid bar of aluminium. 2. (in meteor- tal idea or theory
basic area navigation /besk
basic area navigation

ology) a unit of atmospheric pressure

equal to 1,000 millibars. 쒁 millibar eəriə nvDZeʃ(ə)n/ noun a standard
|

barograph /brəDZrɑf/ noun an

barograph
of performance for navigation that
instrument for measuring and recording requires an aircraft to remain within 5
atmospheric pressure 쑗 The most com- nautical miles of the centreline of its
mon type of barograph is that which uti- course for 95% of the time
basis /bess/ noun the central and
basis

lises an aneroid capsule mechanically

connected to a pen. most important part of something from
barometer /bərɒmtə/ noun an
barometer

|
which everything else is derived 쑗 The
instrument for measuring the atmos- basis of air navigation is the triangle of
pheric pressure velocities. (NOTE: The plural form is
barometric /brəmetrk/ adjective
barometric

|
bases.)
bat /bt/ noun an object shaped like a
bat

referring to a barometer 왍 barometric

pressure atmospheric pressure as indi- table-tennis bat used by a person on the
cated by a barometer ground to guide an aircraft when it is
barometric
barometric tendency

tendency taxiing or parking

batsman /btsmən / noun some-
batsman

/brəmetrk tendənsi/ noun the

amount of change in pressure with body who uses a pair of bats to guide an
increase in altitude aircraft when it is taxiing or parking
battery / bt(ə)ri/ noun a chemical
battery

barrel roll / br(ə)l rəυl/ noun a

barrel roll

manoeuvre in which an aircraft turns device that produces electrical current 쑗

completely over sideways while flying This piece of equipment is powered by 2
along batteries. 쒁 charger
barrier /briə/ noun 1. something bay /be/ noun 1. a space or area in the
barrier bay

such as a wall that prevents the move- structure of an aeroplane where equip-
ment of something else 쑗 Elevation of ment can be located 쑗 To avoid damage
the ground over which the aircraft flies to the wheel bay, the nose wheel must be
 31 beware
aligned in a fore and aft direction dur- first necessary to convert the relative
ing retraction. 2. a part of the coast that bearing to a true bearing and then cal-
curves inwards 쑗 the Bay of Bengal culate the reciprocal. 2. a device con-
bayonet fitting

bayonet fitting /beənt ftŋ/ taining steel balls or needles which

noun a means of attaching something to allows free rotation of one component
something, in which an object with two around another
Beaufort scale /bəυfət skel/ noun
Beaufort scale

side pins is inserted into a L-shaped slot

in another object on some light-bulbs 쑗 scale from 1–12 used to refer to the
Magnetic chip detectors are of the bay- strength of wind 쑗 Wind speeds can be
onet type fitting and can be removed estimated by using the Beaufort scale of
and replaced very quickly. wind force.
belly flop /beli flɒp/ noun same as
belly flop
beacon

beacon /bikən / noun a light or radio

signal for navigational purposes 쑗 If the belly landing
belly landing /beli lndŋ/ noun
belly landing

aircraft turns towards the beacon, sig-

nal strength will increase. an emergency landing of an aircraft
beam

beam /bim/ noun 1. a long thick when the wheels have not come down
belt /belt/ noun 1. a long, relatively
belt

metal bar used as a support 쑗 A beam is

designed with a breaking load of 12 narrow area 왍 high-pressure belt long
tons but when a three ton load is narrow area of high pressure 왍 precipi-
applied repeatedly, the beam may fail. tation belt a long narrow area of rain,
2. a shaft of light or radiation travelling snow or hail 왍 rain belt long narrow
in one direction, as from a car’s head- area where rain falls 쑗 The cirrus cloud
lights 쑗 The electron gun produces a can be 900 miles ahead of the surface
stream of fast-moving electrons and front with a rain belt as wide as 200
focuses them into a narrow beam. miles. 2. a loop of strong material con-
beam sharpening
necting two pulleys or wheels, one driv-
beam sharpening /bim
ing the other
ʃɑpənŋ/ noun the process of making
belt-driven /belt drv(ə)n/ adjec-
belt-driven

a radio or light beam narrower 쑗 Any

system employing beam sharpening is tive (of a wheel) moved by a belt linked
vulnerable to side lobe generation at to another wheel which, in turn, is
the transmitter. moved by a motor or an engine 쑗 Air-
bear craft generators are belt-driven or
bear /beə/ verb 1. to carry or to hold 쑗 shaft-driven.
The undercarriage has to bear the
belt-driven generator /belt
belt-driven generator

weight of the aircraft on the ground. 왍

rain-bearing cloud a cloud carrying drv(ə)n dȢenəretə/ noun a genera-
moisture which can fall as rain 2. 왍 to tor whose pulley is turned by a belt
bear something in mind to keep in attached to an engine-driven pulley
bend /bend/ noun a curve 쐽 verb to
bend

mind 왍 it should be borne in mind it

should be remembered 왍 bearing in curve from a straight shape (NOTE:
mind considering 쑗 Bearing in mind bending – bent) 왍 to bend down-
that she hadn’t flown for three weeks, wards to curve down from a horizontal
the student pilot’s landings were very position 왍 to bend upwards to curve up
good. 3. to be able to deal with some- from a horizontal position 쑗 The wings
thing without becoming distressed or support the weight of the aircraft and
annoyed 쑗 He can’t bear the noise. they bend upwards in flight.
bending load /bendŋ ləυd/ noun a
bending load

(NOTE: bearing – bore – borne) 왍 he

can’t bear the heat the heat is too load that causes a structure to bend
much for him Bernoulli’s principle /b%nuliz
Bernoulli’s principle

bearing

bearing /beərŋ/ noun 1. the angle, prnsp(ə)l/ noun 쏡 lift

measured in a clockwise direction, of a beware /bweə/ verb to be careful or
beware

distant point, relative to a reference to watch out for 쑗 Beware of carburettor

direction 쑗 To plot a position line from icing. 쑗 Beware of other aircraft in the
the non-directional radio beacon, it is circuit.
beyond 32
beyond /bjɒnd/ preposition further
beyond

|
caused by the difference between geo-
away than 쑗 The radio horizon extends metric and effective pitch
beyond the visible horizon. 왍 it is blade twist /bled twst / noun 1. a
blade twist

beyond his understanding he cannot reduction in propeller blade angle from

understand it at all, it is too difficult for root to tip 2. the unwanted variation in
him to understand propeller blade pitch from root to tip
bi- /ba/ prefix 1. two 2. twice caused by aerodynamic loads
bi-

blank /blŋk/ adjective 1. with noth-

blank

biannual /ba njuəl/ adjective hap-

biannual

pening two times a year 왍 biannual ing written, printed or drawn on it 쑗 a

inspection an inspection done twice blank sheet of paper 왍 a blank form a
every year form without the details filled in 2. (of a
bill /bl/ noun US same as note noun 4
bill
TV, computer or video screen) with
nothing appearing on it 쑗 When he
bimetallic /bametlk/ adjective
bimetallic

|
returned to his computer, the screen was
made of two metals blank.
bimetallic strip /bametlk
bimetallic strip

bleed air / blid eə/ noun compressed

bleed air

strp/ noun a strip made of two sepa- air from the engine compressor used for
rate metals with different rates of cabin pressurisation or to drive other
expansion, joined together side by side services 쑗 Bleed air from the right
so that when the strip is heated, it bends engine can power items normally pow-
and makes, or breaks, electrical contact ered by the left engine.
쑗 Circuit breakers use a bimetallic strip
bleed screw /blid skru/ noun a
bleed screw

as the sensing element.

small screw in highest point of a
binary /banəri/ adjective referring to
binary

hydraulic system to allow for the

a number system used in computers that removal of air or vapour
only uses the digits 0 and 1 쑗 Logic
blind transmission /bland trnz
blind transmission

gates work with binary data. 쑗 Comput- |

ers only process binary information. mʃ(ə)n/ noun a transmission from one
station to another in a situation where
biplane /baplen/, bi-plane noun an
biplane

two-way communication cannot be

old aeroplane design with two pairs of established but where it is believed that
wings, one above the other 쑗 Most of the the called station is able to receive the
aircraft used in the 1914–18 war were transmission
biplanes.
block /blɒk/ noun a large mass of
block

bird strike /b%d strak/ noun a col-

bird strike

something 쐽 verb 1. to prevent some-

lision between a bird or birds and an air- thing such as a fluid from passing freely
craft that is flying through a pipe or channel 쑗 At high alti-
black box / blk bɒks/ noun same
black box

tude, any water condensing out of the

as flight data recorder ( NOTE: It is fuel could freeze and block the filters. 2.
often called the black box, although it to prevent a course of action 쑗 The gov-
is not black.) ernment blocked attempts to prevent the
blade /bled/ noun a flattened part of a
blade

building of the new airport.

propeller or rotor 왍 blade tip the end of blockage / blɒkdȢ/ noun 1. a collec-
blockage

the blade furthest from the centre of tion of something blocking a pipe, nar-
rotation 왍 turbine blade a flat part in a row channel, filter, etc. 쑗 Ice crystals
turbine, which has an aerodynamic may form to cause a blockage of the fuel
effect on the air filter. 2. the state of being blocked 쑗 The
blade angle /bled ŋDZ(ə)l/ noun
blade angle

blockage was caused by ice.

the angle between the blade axis and the blow /bləυ/ noun 1. an impact 쑗 a blow
blow

axis of rotation 쑗 With a variable pitch on the head 2. a disappointment 쑗 The

propeller, the blade angle may be news of her failure in the examination
changed in flight. was a severe blow. 쐽 verb 1. (of the wind
blade slip /bled slp/ noun a loss of
blade slip

or air) to move 쑗 The sea breeze may

propulsive power from a propeller blow almost parallel to the coast. 2. (of
 33 boot
a fuse) to break, as it should, when the
boil

boil /bɔl/ verb to heat a liquid until it

circuit is overloaded (NOTE: blowing – reaches a temperature at which it
blew – blown) changes into gas 쑗 Water boils at
blow-back /bləυ bk/ noun a sud-
blow-back

100°C. 왍 boiling point the temperature

den movement of fluid in the opposite at which a liquid changes into gas 쑗 The
direction to the general flow 쑗 A sudden boiling point of water is 100°C.
release of pressure may cause a blow- bolt

bolt /bəυlt / noun 1. a metal rod with a

back. head, which screws into a nut 쑗 The two
blower /bləυə/ noun a device for
blower

halves of the wheel are held together by

blowing air 쑗 Air for combustion is bolts. 2. 왍 bolt of lightning one electri-
obtained from a blower. cal discharge of lightning 쐽 verb to
board /bɔd/ noun 1. a flat, square or
board

attach with a bolt 쑗 Aircraft wheels are

rectangular piece of wood or other constructed in two halves which are
material 2. 왍 on board on an aircraft 쑗 bolted together.
The flight plan records the callsign and bond

the number of people on board. 쐽 verb bond /bɒnd / noun the power that
to get on to an aircraft 쑗 In an emer- holds surfaces together, when they are
gency, many passengers only remember joined using heat, cold, chemicals or
the entrance by which they boarded the glue 쑗 The de-icing boot breaks the
aircraft. bond between the ice and the outer skin.
쐽 verb to join surfaces together nor-
boarding gate /bɔdŋ DZet/ noun
boarding gate

mally using heat, cold, chemicals or

the door through which passengers glue 쑗 The skin is bonded to the internal
leave the terminal building to get on to
members by the redux process.
an aircraft 쑗 Boarding gates 1 – 10 are boom

on the left. boom /bum/ noun in some aircraft, a

boarding pass /bɔdŋ pɑs/ noun
boarding pass
spar that connects the tail to the fuse-
a temporary pass, issued at the check-in lage
boost

desk, which allows the holder to board boost / bust/ noun an increase or
the aircraft 쑗 Boarding passes must be improvement 쑗 The improvement in a
shown at the gate. (NOTE: The plural country’s economy often gives a boost
form is boarding passes.) to the airline industry. 쐽 verb 1. to make
boarding steps /bɔdŋ steps/ plu- or to help something increase 쑗 An oil
boarding steps

ral noun stairs used by passengers and pump boosts engine oil pressure. 2. to
crew to get on board an aircraft 쑗 Pas- increase 쑗 The instructor’s comments
sengers had to wait in the aircraft for 15 boosted the student pilot’s confidence.
minutes before the boarding steps were booster

booster /bustə/ noun a device

put in position. which increases the force or amount of
boarding time /bɔdŋ tam / noun
boarding time

something
the time when passengers are due to booster pump

board the aircraft 쑗 Boarding time is at booster pump /bustə pmp/ noun
13.30 hrs. a centrifugal pump often positioned at
the lowest point of a liquid fuel tank to
body /bɒdi/ noun 1. the whole of a
body

ensure positive pressure in the supply

person or an animal 2. the main part of lines to the engine 쑗 Fuel is fed through
a person, but not the arms or legs 3. the a filter and a booster pump. 쑗 The pur-
main part of an aeroplane, system, text, pose of the booster pump is to prevent
etc. 쑗 The body of an aircraft is also
fuel aeration.
called the ‘airframe’. 쑗 A flow-control boot

valve consists of a body and a floating boot / but/ noun one of a set of flat,
valve. 4. a large mass of liquid or gas 왍 flexible tubes bonded to the leading
body of air a large quantity of air edge or wings and other surfaces which,
behaving in a particular way 5. an when pressurised with fluid, break up
object 쑗 Acceleration is the rate of ice 쑗 The boots on the leading edge of
change of velocity of a body. the wings were damaged by hail.
bottleneck 34
bottleneck /bɒt(ə)lnek/ noun a 왍 round brackets the printing symbol (
bottleneck

buildup of air traffic causing delays in ) used to separate words in a sentence,

taking off or landing or within a text 왍 square brackets the
bound /baυnd/ adjective 왍 bound for
bound
printing symbol [ ] used to enclose
on the way to 쑗 an aircraft bound for some types of text
brake /brek/ noun a device for stop-
brake

Paris 왍 the Copenhagen-bound flight

the flight on the way to Copenhagen 왍 ping a vehicle or a machine 왍 parking
outward bound leaving home, espe- brake a brake used to prevent the air-
cially for another country craft moving after it has come to a stop
쐽 verb to slow down or to stop by press-
boundary /baυnd(ə)ri/ noun a phys-
boundary

ical or imaginary limit between two ing the brakes 쑗 He had to brake hard
areas 쑗 The boundary between two air after landing in order to turn off at the
masses is called the frontal surface. correct taxiway. (NOTE: braking –
braked)
boundary layer /baυnd(ə)ri leə/
boundary layer

brake drum

noun the layer of fluid next to the sur- brake drum /brek drm/ noun a
face over which it is flowing and, round hollow part of the brake mecha-
because of friction, travelling more nism, which is attached to the wheel
slowly than layers further from the sur- and against which the brake shoes rub,
face thus preventing the wheel from turning
braking /brekŋ/ noun the act of
braking

bowser /baυzə/ noun a mobile fuel

bowser

tank for refuelling aircraft 쑗 It is impor- putting on the brakes to slow down or to
tant to prevent the possibility of an elec- stop 쐽 adjective slowing down 쑗 the
tric spark by earthing the aircraft and braking effect of drag 쒁 action
the bowser. breaking load /brekŋ ləυd/ noun
breaking load

Boyle’s Law /bɔlz lɔ/ noun a sci-

Boyle’s Law

a load capable of being supported

entific principle that states that the vol- before a structure breaks
ume of a given mass of gas, whose tem- breather / briðə/ noun 1. a pipe con-
breather

perature is maintained constant, is necting the crankshaft to the atmos-

inversely proportional to the gas pres- phere to prevent build-up of crankcase
sure pressure 2. a short rest (informal ) 왍 to
brace /bres/ verb 1. to strengthen a take a breather to have a short break,
brace

construction using cross-members to relax before starting again

and/or wires 쑗 Early aircraft were of the breeze /briz/ noun a gentle wind
breeze

braced type of construction. 2. to take a especially near the coast 쑗 There’s no

protective body position in preparation wind, not even a breeze. 왍 land breeze
for a crash landing 쑗 The cabin-crew a light wind which blows from the land
will repeat the ‘brace’ order and brace towards the sea 쑗 Land and sea breezes
themselves. 왍 to brace yourself to occur in coastal areas. 왍 sea breeze a
quickly prepare yourself mentally and gentle wind which blows from the sea
physically for what is shortly to happen towards the land 쑗 The strength of the
brace position /bres pəzʃ(ə)n/ sea breeze decreases with height.
brace position

noun the position that a person is rec- brief /brif/ adjective short 왍 brief
brief

ommended to adopt before impact in a visit a visit that lasts only short time 왍
crash, protecting the head with the arms brief letter a letter containing only a
and bringing the legs up underneath the few words 쐽 noun general instructions
chest to enable somebody to perform their
bracket /brkt/ noun 1. a metal duties 쑗 The inspector’s brief is to find
bracket

support, often triangular or L-shaped 왍 out as much as possible about the

component bracket a metal device to causes of accidents. 쐽 verb to give basic
attach and support a component 2. a information to somebody 쑗 Before take-
range of frequencies within a band of off, cabin crew must brief passengers on
radio frequencies 쑗 Terminal VOR is in the location and use of emergency exits
the frequency bracket 108–112 MHz. 3. and life jackets.
 35 bulkhead
briefing

briefing /brifŋ/ noun a short meet- because of heat or force 쑗 Overheating

ing to enable instructions and basic will make the battery plates buckle.
information to be given buffet

buffet /bft/ noun a shaking move-

ment of the aircraft caused by the break-
British Isles

British Isles /brtʃ alz/ plural

noun the islands which make up Great down of the airflow over the upper sur-
Britain and Ireland 쑗 The climate of the face of the wing 쑗 Large aircraft use a
British Isles is affected by the Atlantic stick shaker to supplement the natural
Ocean. stall warning of buffet. 쐽 verb to push
British thermal unit /brtʃ
British thermal unit
around with great force, as by water or
θ%m(ə)l/ noun the amount of heat wind 쑗 The storm buffeted the coast. 쑗
needed to raise the temperature of one The aircraft was buffeted by strong
pound of water by one degree Fahren- crosswinds as it made its final approach
heit. Abbreviation Btu to land.
brittle
COMMENT: Buffet is a warning to the
brittle /brt(ə)l/ adjective having a pilot that the smooth airflow over the
tendency to break easily, like thin glass wing is breaking down and that he
쑗 Absorption of oxygen and nitrogen should take corrective action to
from the air at temperatures above prevent a stall.
1,000° F makes titanium brittle. buffeting

BRNAV buffeting /bf(ə)tŋ/ noun an irregu-

BRNAV abbreviation basic area navi- lar shaking of a part or the whole of an
gation aircraft during flight, usually caused by
broad

broad /brɔd/ adjective 1. very wide 쑗 strong winds

a broad river 2. wide or general 쑗 Three buffet speed

buffet speed /bft spid/ noun the

broad categories of aircraft are consid- speed at which buffet is first noticed
ered – rotary wing aircraft, light single- bug

engine aircraft and twin-engine air- bug /bDZ/ noun a fault in computer
craft. Opposite narrow software which causes the program to
broadcast operate incorrectly
broadcast /brɔdkɑst/ verb to build up

transmit, often to a large number of peo- build up /bld p/ verb to form by
ple, a radio signal or message which accumulation 쑗 In icing conditions, ice
requires no answer 쑗 The cabin crew builds up on the leading edges. 쒁 built-
can use the public address system to up (NOTE: building up – built up)
build-up

broadcast messages to passengers only. build-up /bld p/ noun a gradual

(NOTE: broadcasting – broadcast) 쐽 accumulation 쑗 a build-up of static
noun a transmission of information electricity
relating to air navigation that is not built-up

built-up /blt p/ adjective 왍 built-

addressed to a specific station or sta- up area an area which is full of houses,
tions shops, offices, and other buildings, and
broadly

broadly /brɔdli/ adverb widely or with very little open space

generally 왍 broadly speaking gener- bulb

bulb /blb/ noun 1. a glass ball inside

ally speaking a lamp that gives electric light 쑗 If a
brush

brush /brʃ/ noun 1. a tool that has lamp does not work, the bulb may need
lengths of hair or wire fixed into a han- replacing. 2. something shaped like a
dle and is mainly used for painting or lamp bulb 쑗 The most common type of
cleaning 2. a small, replaceable block of hygrometer is the wet and dry bulb ther-
carbon which rubs against the surface mometer arrangement.
of a commutator in a generator or elec- bulkhead

bulkhead /blkhed/ noun a dividing

tric motor 쑗 At high altitude, the air partition across the structure of the
becomes drier and this causes a greatly fuselage separating one compartment
increased rate of wear on the brushes. from another for reasons of safety or
buckle

buckle /bk(ə)l/ noun a metal part of strength 쑗 A fireproof bulkhead is pro-

a belt used for joining the two ends vided to separate the cool area of the
together 쐽 verb to bend out of shape engine from the hot area.
bulletin 36
bulletin /bυltn/ noun a short report
bulletin

power supply to various pieces of

or information on a situation 쑗 news equipment 쑗 Complex busbars are thick
bulletin 쑗 weather bulletin 쑗 A terminal metal strips or rods to which input and
aerodrome forecast bulletin may consist output connections are made.
of forecasts for one or more aero- button

button / bt(ə)n/ noun a little round

dromes. disc which you push to operate some-
BUMF 쏡 mnemonic
BUMF

thing, e.g. to ring a bell

burble /b%b(ə)l/ noun a break in the
burble
Buys Ballot’s Law

Buys Ballot’s Law /baz bləts

flow of air around an aircraft’s wing, lɔ/ noun a rule for identifying low
which leads to turbulence pressure areas, based on the Coriolis
burst /b%st/ noun 1. a minor explo-
burst

effect
sion caused by increased pressure 쑗 The
COMMENT: In the northern
risk of tyre burst through overheating is hemisphere, if the wind is blowing from
increased by hard application of the behind you, the low pressure area is to
brakes. 2. a very short period of activity the left, while in the southern
followed by no activity 쑗 The ground hemisphere it is to the right.
installation transmits a code in two buzz

short bursts. 왍 burst of energy a very buzz /bz/ verb to fly low in an aircraft
short period of energy 쐽 verb to explode over people or buildings, or to fly across
because of increased pressure or punc- the path of other aircraft
ture 쑗 Metal debris on the runway may
bypass

bypass /bapɑs/ noun 1. an alterna-

cause a tyre to burst. (NOTE: bursting – tive pipe, channel, etc. 쑗 A turbine
burst) bypass in the form of an alternative
busbar /bsbɑ/ noun an electrical exhaust duct is fitted with a valve. 2.
busbar

conductor used to carry a particular same as shunt

 C
C symbol 1. Celsius 2. centigrade cable /keb(ə)l/ noun 1. thick metal
C cable

CAA abbreviation Civil Aviation

CAA
wire 왍 control cables thick metal wire
Authority linking the pilot’s cockpit controls to
cabin /kbn/ noun a passenger com-
cabin
control surfaces such as the elevators
partment in an aircraft 쑗 Air enters at and ailerons 2. a thick metal wire used
the front of the cabin and leaves at the for electrical connections 쑗 Earth
rear. return is by cable to the negative pole of
the battery.
cabin attendant / kbn ə
cabin attendant

cabotage /kbətɑȢ/ noun the right

cabotage

tendənt/ noun member of the flight

crew who looks after passengers, serves of a country to operate internal air traf-
food, etc. 쑗 If you need something, press fic with its own airlines and not those of
the call button and a cabin attendant other countries
calculate /klkjυlet / verb to find
calculate

will respond within a few minutes. Also

called flight attendant out an answer to a problem by working
cabin compressor and blower
cabin compressor and blower system
with numbers 쑗 The total flight fuel can
system /kbn kəmpresə ən |
be calculated by multiplying the time of
bləυə sstəm/ noun part of the air the flight by kilograms of fuel per hour.
calculation /klkjυleʃ(ə)n/ noun
calculation

conditioning system for the cabin |

cabin crew /kbn kru/ noun air-

cabin crew
an act of finding out an answer to a
line staff who are in direct contact with problem by working with numbers
calculation of fuel required
calculation of fuel required

the passengers and whose in-flight

responsibilities include: ensuring cor- /klkjυleʃ(ə)n əv fjuəl rkwaəd/ |

rect seating arrangements, serving food noun an arithmetic estimation of fuel

and attending to the general well-being needed by using time, distance and fuel-
of passengers, etc. consumption factors
calculator /klkjυletə/ noun an
calculator

cabin environment noun the condi-

cabin environment

tions inside the aircraft cabin, including electronic machine for making calcula-
the temperature, the space, the colour tions 쑗 Students are not allowed to use
scheme, the seating arrangements, etc. calculators in the examination.
calibrate / klbret/ verb to adjust
calibrate

cabin pressure /kbn preʃə/

cabin pressure

noun the pressure of air inside the cabin the scale or graduations on a measuring
which allows people to breathe nor- instrument or gauge 쑗 The international
mally at high altitudes standard atmosphere is used to cali-
cabin pressurisation /kbn
cabin pressurisation
brate pressure altimeters.
calibrated airspeed /klbretd
calibrated airspeed

preʃərazeʃ(ə)n/ noun the mainte-

|

nance of an acceptable atmospheric eəspid/ noun indicated airspeed cor-

pressure in an aircraft while flying at rected for instrumentation and installa-
high altitude 쑗 At 35,000 ft (feet) pas- tion errors. Abbreviation CAS
calibration /klbreʃ(ə)n/ noun
calibration

sengers can breathe freely because of |

cabin pressurisation. the adjusting of the scale or graduations

call button 38
on a measuring instrument or gauge 쑗 the nose of an aircraft and designed to
The international standard atmosphere increase its horizontal stability
is used for the calibration of instru- candela / kndilə/ noun the SI unit
candela

ments. of brightness of a light 쑗 The red and

green wing tip navigation lights must be
call button

call button /kɔl bt(ə)n/ noun a

button, often on the arm of a passenger at least 5 candela. ( NOTE: It is usually
seat, which can be pushed when you written cd with figures.)
need help from an attendant candle power /knd(ə)l paυə/
candle power

callsign

callsign /kɔlsan/ noun a series of noun a unit to measure the brightness of

words and/or letters and/or numbers a light 쑗 Estimation of visibility is
used to identify an aircraft or station 쑗 achieved by noting the distances at
The aircraft’s callsign is ‘College 23’. 쑗 which lights of a known candle power
VOR stations transmit a two or three can be observed.
canopy /knəpi/ noun 1. a transpar-
canopy

letter aural Morse callsign.

calorie

calorie /kləri/ noun the amount of ent cover, typically on some fighters,
heat required to raise the temperature of light aircraft and gliders, designed to
1 gram of water by 1°C, equal to 4.186 slide backwards and forwards or hinge
joules 쑗 After 2 calories have been upwards to allow pilots to enter or leave
released the temperature will have risen an aircraft 2. a covering to protect peo-
2 degrees i.e. to 0°C, and so the freezing ple in a life raft 쑗 The canopy should be
process ceases temporarily. Abbrevia- erected to provide protection from the
tion cal weather.
cantilever /kntlivə/ noun a beam
cantilever

calorific

calorific /klərfk/ adjective refer-

|

fixed and supported at one end only 쑗

ring to calories 왍 calorific value the The mainplanes or wings are of canti-
heat produced by the complete burning lever design.
of a given amount of fuel 쑗 The calorific
cap /kp/ noun a top or lid 쑗 the
cap

value of a fuel is an expression of the

heat or energy content released during exhaust valve cap
CAP abbreviation Civil Aviation Pub-
CAP

combustion.
cam

cam /km/ noun an oval or egg- lication

capability /kepəblti/ noun the
capability

shaped wheel which, when rotating, |

converts circular motion into recipro- capacity or ability to do something 왍

cating motion 쑗 In a piston engine, the the flare has a day and night capabil-
shape of each cam is designed to give ity the flare is effective in daylight and
the correct amount of opening to the in the dark
valve. ‘France has a large capability in the areas
CAMFAX

CAMFAX /kmfks/ noun the civil of commercial aviation training and

simulation’ [Civil Aviation Training]
aviation meteorological facsimile net-
capable /kepəb(ə)l/ adjective com-
capable

work
camplate petent, having an ability 쑗 Aircraft used
camplate /kmplet/ noun a rotat- in aerobatics must be capable of with-
ing or non-rotating plate with cams on it standing the extra loads imposed on the
쑗 The fuel pump consists of a rotor
airframe by the manoeuvres. 쑗 In most
assembly fitted with several plungers, modern multi-engine jet transport air-
the ends of which bear onto a non-rotat- craft, each fuel tank is capable of feed-
ing camplate. ing any engine. 왍 a capable person a
camshaft

camshaft /kmʃɑft/ noun a rotat- person who works well

ing shaft carrying cams, which opens capacitance /kəpstəns/ noun the
capacitance

and closes valves in a piston engine 쑗 As ability of a system of conductors and

the camshaft rotates, the cam will trans- insulators to store an electrical charge
mit a lifting force. when there is a positive discharge
canard

canard /knɑd/ noun a projection between the conductors 쑗 If the supply

similar to a small wing fitted close to frequency is low, the voltage has more
 39 cardioid
time to build up a larger charge, or compounds and is found in various
capacitance. (NOTE: Capacitance is forms, e.g. as diamonds or charcoal 2. a
measured in farads and can either be a black material with good electrical
fixed amount or variable amount.) properties
capacitive /kəpstv/ adjective
capacitive carbon brush

|
carbon brush /kɑbən brʃ/ noun a
referring to the ability of a system of small, replaceable, carbon block found
conductors and insulators to store an in electric motors, generators and alter-
electrical charge 쑗 Overspeed is usually nators, which provides the passage of
a fault in the constant speed drive unit electric current
which causes the generator to over- carbon deposits / kɑbən d
carbon deposits

speed and damage the capacitive loads pɒztz/ plural noun residues of burnt
on the aircraft. oil deposited in the combustion cham-
capacitor /kəpstə/ noun a system
capacitor

|
ber, etc., in the course of the combus-
of conductors and insulators which tion process 쑗 Carbon deposits on a
store electrical charge (NOTE: A capaci- spark-plug electrode may cause misfir-
tor is used in a circuit to store energy for ing.
a short while.) carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide /kɑbən da |

capacity /kə psti/ noun 1. the abil-

capacity

|
ɒksad/ noun a colourless, odourless,
ity to do something easily 쑗 Energy is non-toxic gas found in the atmosphere,
the capacity for performing work. 2. the and also used in fire extinguishers and
amount of something which a container fizzy drinks 쑗 Carbon dioxide can be
can hold 쑗 Each cylinder has a capacity solidified at low temperature to produce
of 0.5 litres. 왍 battery capacity the dry ice. Symbol CO 2
amount of electrical energy a battery
carbon fibre / kɑbən fabə/ noun a
carbon fibre

can store and deliver expressed in

ampere hours 3. the ability of an ATC thin, light and very strong strand of pure
system, in a given area, to provide a carbon which can be combined with
normal service, expressed in numbers other materials to make them stronger
carbon monoxide

of aircraft carbon monoxide /kɑbən mə |

‘…a 500 to 600 seat ultra-high capacity nɒksad/ noun a colourless but poi-
type aircraft is now being studied by sonous gas from incomplete combus-
Airbus Industrie and Boeing’ [Flight tion found in the exhausts of spark igni-
International 1–7 May 1996] tion engines. Symbol CO
carburation /kɑbjureʃ(ə)n/ noun
carburation

capillary /kəpləri/ noun a very fine

capillary

| |

or narrow tube the process of mixing fuel with air in a

capillary action /kəpləri kʃən/,
capillary action

|
carburettor 쑗 Carburation must ensure
capillary flow /kə pləri fləυ/ noun the
|
that rapid and complete burning will
action by which a liquid rises up a nar- take place within the cylinder.
row tube
carburettor

carburettor /kɑbəretə/ noun a

|

capsule /kpsjul/ noun a small

capsule
device for mixing air with fuel in the
closed container right quantities before combustion 쑗
captain /kptn/ noun the person in
captain
Most carburettors are installed so that
charge of an aircraft 쑗 The captain they are in a warm position.
carburettor heat /kɑbəretə hit/
carburettor heat

asked all passengers to remain seated |

until the aircraft had come to a stop. noun a system for keeping the carburet-
captive / kptv/ adjective not free to
captive
tor and associated components free of
move ice
carburettor icing /kɑbəretə
carburettor icing

captive balloon /kptv bəlun/

captive balloon

noun a balloon which, when in flight, is asŋ/ noun a process by which, under
attached to the ground by a long cable particular conditions, ice forms in the
carbon /kɑbən/ noun 1. a non-
carbon
venturi tube of the carburettor
cardioid

metallic element, which is a component cardioid /kɑdiɔd/ adjective shaped

of living matter and organic chemical like a heart 쑗 The cardioid polar dia-
carousel 40
gram of the magnetic field around a crash which destroyed their house was
bar-magnet. a catastrophe for them.
carousel /krəsel/ noun a rotating catastrophic /ktəstrɒfk/ adjec-
carousel catastrophic

| |

platform from where arriving passen- tive terrible, disastrous 쑗 In a cata-

gers can pick up their baggage 쑗 Bag- strophic accident where many persons
gage from flight AC123 is on carousel may be disabled, those who show signs
No 4. of life should be rescued first.
carriage /krdȢ/ noun the act of
carriage

categorise /ktDZəraz/, catego-

categorise

carrying 쑗 Regulations require the car- rize verb to put into groups, classes or
riage of life-rafts when flying over categories 쑗 Figure 2 categorises the
water. types of wave by frequency band. 쑗 Air-
carrier /kriə/ noun 1. a person or
carrier

craft can be categorised by weight,

organisation that carries people or number of engines, role, etc.
goods from one place to another 쑗 Indi- category / ktDZ(ə)ri/ noun an offi-
category

vidual carriers assign codes to aircraft. cial class or group 쑗 Load factors vary
2. a frame or bag in which objects can depending on the category of aircraft.
be carried cathode /kθəυd/ noun a negative
cathode

carrier wave /kriə wev / noun a

carrier wave

electrode or terminal 쑗 The cathode is a

radio signal that is transmitted continu- metal cylinder fitted with an internal
ously at a constant amplitude and fre- heater.
quency 쑗 Amplitude modulation has cathode ray tube /kθəυd re
cathode ray tube

only one pair of usable sidebands each tjub/ noun a high-vacuum tube in
at about one sixth of the signal strength which cathode rays produce an image
of the carrier. on a screen such as a TV screen 쑗 Elec-
carry /kri/ verb to take somebody or
carry

tronic indicating systems show engine

something from one place to another 쑗 indications, systems monitoring and
The aircraft was carrying 120 passen- crew alerting functions on one or more
gers. (NOTE: carrying – carried) cathode ray tubes or liquid crystal dis-
cartridge /kɑtrdȢ / noun a remova-
cartridge

plays mounted in the instrument panel.

ble unit for an air filter 쑗 Cabin air fil- Abbreviation CRT
ters normally consist of a casing, hous- cause /kɔz/ noun something that
cause

ing a replaceable filter cartridge. makes something else happen, a reason

CAS abbreviation 1. calibrated air-
CAS

쑗 If the ammeter shows a high state of

speed 2. controlled airspace charge after start up, it is quite normal
case /kes/ noun 1. an outer covering,
case

and no cause for alarm. 쐽 verb to make

housing or jacket 쑗 Cooling air is something happen 쑗 Air in the fuel line
directed through passages in the engine can cause an engine to flame-out or
case to control engine case tempera- stop.
ture. 2. an example, situation or circum- caution /kɔʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. advice or
caution

stance 쑗 In some special cases, e.g. for a warning to be careful 쑗 If a problem

landing and take-off, wind directions occurs in the spoiler system, a master
are measured from magnetic north. caution light illuminates. 2. care 쑗 Pro-
casing /kesŋ/ noun a cover that
casing

ceed with caution.

encloses a piece of equipment, etc. 쑗 cavitation /kvteʃ(ə)n/ noun the
cavitation

Annular and outer air casing form a formation of vapour-filled cavities or

tunnel around the spine of the engine. holes in liquids and gases, caused by
CAT /kt / abbreviation clear air turbu- low pressure or high speed 쑗 Most res-
CAT

lence ervoirs are pressurised to provide a

catastrophe /kətstrəfi/ noun a
catastrophe

|
positive fluid pressure at the pump inlet
very bad event or accident, a disaster 쑗 and thus prevent cavitation and the for-
the recent air catastrophe off the Nova mation of bubbles.
cavity /kvti/ noun a hole 쑗 De-
cavity

Scotia coast. 쑗 Although the family

were not at home when it happened, the icing fluid flows into the cavity in the
 41 centrifuge
distributor panels before passing throughout the area controlled by the
through the porous steel outer skin. ECAC
CB abbreviation cumulonimbus
CB centralise

centralise / sentrəlaz/, centralize

cc /si si/ abbreviation cubic centi- verb to put into the centre or into the
cc

metres middle position 쑗 The operating jack

cd symbol candela
cd
centralises the control surface after the
CDI abbreviation course deviation indi-
CDI turn.
Central Standard Time

cator Central Standard Time /sentrəl

cease /sis/ verb to stop 쑗 If fuel, oxy-
cease
stndəd tam/ noun the time zone of
gen or heat is removed from the fire tri- the east-central part of the USA and
angle, combustion will cease. Canada, 6 hours behind GMT
centre /sentə/ noun 1. the middle 쑗
centre

ceiling / silŋ/ noun 1. the highest

ceiling

point 2. the greatest pressure height that The plane of the great circle passes
can be reached 쑗 The aircraft has a ceil- through the centre of a sphere. 왍 centre
ing of 50,000 ft. of a circle mid-point of a circle, point in
celestial /səlestiəl/ adjective refer-
celestial
the middle of a circle 2. a main building
or office 쑗 Area Forecasting Centre 쐽
|

ring to the sky 왍 celestial navigation

verb to move to a central position 쑗
navigation by using the stars in the sky
Centre the control column. (NOTE: cen-
cell /sel/ noun 1. a system of positive
cell

tred – centring; the US English is cen-

and negative plates for storage of elec- tered – centering.)
tricity that form a battery 쑗 A battery is centre fix

a device which converts chemical centre fix /sentə fks/ noun same as
energy into electrical energy and is self-positioning
centreline /sentəlan/ noun a
centreline

made up of a number of cells. 2. the cen-

tral part of a thunder cloud 쑗 The life painted or imaginary line running along
cycle of the thunderstorm cell ends the centre of the runway (NOTE: It is also
when the downdraughts have spread written centre line; written centerline
throughout the cloud. in US English.)
centre of gravity

Celsius /selsiəs/ noun a scale for centre of gravity /sentə əv

Celsius

measuring temperature in which water DZrvti/ noun the point at which a

freezes at 0° and boils at 100°. Symbol body can be balanced 쑗 Distribution of
C. Compare Fahrenheit the tanks and the fuel in the tanks is
center /sentə/ noun, verb US same as
center
vital in maintaining the aircraft centre
centre of gravity and trim. Abbreviation CG
centerline /sentəlan/ noun US
centerline

COMMENT: If the centre of gravity is

same as centreline outside the limits, the aircraft may be
difficult or impossible to control.
centigrade /sentDZred/ noun a
centigrade

centrifugal

scale for measuring temperature in centrifugal /sentrfjuDZ(ə)l, sen

| |

which water freezes at 0° and boils at trfjυDZ(ə)l/ adjective moving away

100°. Symbol C. Compare Fahrenheit from the centre 쑗 The blades must be
centimetre /sentmitə/ noun a
centimetre
strong enough to carry the centrifugal
measure of length that is equal to one loads due to rotation at high speed.
hundredth of a metre (NOTE: 2.54 cm = centrifugal force /sentrfjuDZ(ə)l
centrifugal force

1 inch.) fɔs/ noun outward force caused by

central /sentrəl/ adjective located in
central

turning motion
the centre or in the middle 쑗 The control centrifuge /sentrfjudȢ/ noun a
centrifuge

knob is moved from the central position. device which uses centrifugal force to
Central Flow Management Unit separate or remove liquids 쐽 verb to
Central Flow Management Unit

(Brussels) /sentr(ə)l fləυ separate liquids by using centrifugal

mndȢmənt junt brs(ə)lz/ force 쑗 The rotating vanes of the
noun a central agency in Brussels that is breather centrifuge the oil from the
responsible for air traffic management mist.
centripetal 42
centripetal
centripetal

/sentrpit(ə)l, sen | |
defects, is absorbed by the chalk thus
trpt(ə)l/ adjective moving towards indicating their positions.
the centre chamber /tʃembə/ noun a small
chamber

centripetal force

centripetal force /sentrpt(ə)l |

enclosed compartment
fɔs/ noun inward, centre-seeking chandelle /ʃndel/ noun a steep
chandelle

force working in opposition to centrifu- climbing turn in which an aircraft

gal force 쑗 The magnitude of the cen- almost stalls as it uses momentum to
tripetal force varies with the square of increase its rate of climb
the wind speed. 쑗 In a turn, lift provides channel /tʃn(ə)l/ noun a special
channel

the centripetal force. frequency band for the transmission of

certain /s%t(ə)n/ adjective 1. partic-
certain

radio signals 쑗 The system operates on

ular, some 쑗 in certain areas 쑗 at cer- VHF communications between 118 and
tain times 쑗 under certain circum- 135.95 MHz giving 360 channels at 50
stances 2. sure 쑗 There are certain to be kHz spacing.
horizontal differences in the mean tem- character /krktə/ noun 1. a qual-
character

perature of a layer. 왍 to make certain ity or set of qualities which make some-
to make sure 쑗 Make certain that the thing different and separate from some-
parking brake is on before doing engine thing else 쑗 The circulation of the
run-up checks. atmosphere is zonal in character. 2. an
certificate noun /sətfkət/ an offi-
certificate

|
individual letter, number or symbol
cial document which states that particu- used in printing and writing
lar facts are true 쐽 verb /sətfket/ to |
characterise

characterise /krktəraz/, char-

award or give a certificate 왍 aircraft acterize verb 왍 to be characterised by
which are certificated for flight air- to have qualities or features which make
craft which have the necessary paper- it different and separate from other
work to be authorised to fly things 쑗 The stratosphere is character-
certificate of airworthiness /sə
certificate of airworthiness

| ised by a temperature structure which is

tfkət əv eəw%ðnəs/ noun a docu- steady or increases with height.
ment issued by an aviation authority characteristic
characteristic

/krktərstk/
|

stating that an aircraft meets specific adjective typical of a class or group of

safety and performance requirements things 왍 a characteristic feature a nor-
that allow it to be used in service 쑗 An mal feature of the thing in question 쐽
authorised person may require produc- noun a feature or quality making some-
tion of the Certificate of Airworthiness. thing different or separate from some-
Abbreviation C of A thing else 쑗 Air masses have distinct
certification

certification /sətfkeʃ(ə)n/ noun

| | characteristics which can be used to
the process of giving certificates 쑗 The separate them on a chart. 왍 handling
inferential method of ice detection is characteristics features of an aircraft
used on flight trials for certification of that make it different from other aircraft
aircraft. when handling it 왍 summer character-
certify

certify /s%tfa/ verb to authorise or istics climatic conditions which are typ-
permit the use of something 쑗 The air- ical of summertime
craft is certified for aerobatic flight. charge /tʃɑdȢ/ noun 1. an amount of
charge

CFI abbreviation chief flying instructor

CFI
electricity 쑗 Friction causes a charge of
CFMU abbreviation Central Flow
CFMU
static electricity. 쑗 The battery was so
Management Unit old, it would not take a charge. 왍 a high
CFRP
level of charge a high amount of elec-
CFRP abbreviation carbon fibre rein- tricity 2. money demanded or paid for
forced plastic the providing of a service 왍 overnight
chalk /tʃɔk/ noun a soft white lime-
chalk

parking is free of charge it costs noth-

stone rock that may be used in powder ing to park overnight 쐽 verb 1. to pass
form or as a shaped stick for writing electrical current through something
with 쑗 Oil, which is trapped in the and thereby make it electrically active 쑗
 43 circuit
An installed battery becomes fully made by a chemical process 쑗 a chemi-
charged by the aircraft generator. 왍 cal such as anti-ice for propellers
charged particles atmospheric parti- chemistry /kemstri/ noun 1. the
chemistry

cles which have either a positive or neg- science of chemical substances and
ative electrical charge 2. to take money their reactions 2. the nature of some-
for a service 쑗 We do not charge for thing 쑗 The basic chemistry of fire can
overnight parking. be illustrated by the three sides of a tri-
angle representing fuel, oxygen and
charger

charger /tʃɑdȢə/ noun 왍 battery

charger device for putting an electrical heat.
charge into a battery. 쒁 turbocharger chief /tʃif/ adjective most important,
chief

chart

chart /tʃɑt/ noun a map for naviga- main 왍 the chief factors the most
tional purposes 왍 significant weather important factors
chief flying instructor /tʃif
chief flying instructor

chart a weather chart with important

weather information marked on it flaŋ nstrktə / noun the senior rank
|

chase plane

chase plane /tʃes plen/ noun an of flying instructor. Abbreviation CFI

chock /tʃɒk/ noun a wooden or metal
chock

aircraft whose role is to escort another

aircraft or to photograph it device placed in front of the wheels of a
check parked aircraft to prevent it from mov-
check /tʃek/ noun an examination to ing 쑗 The accident happened because
make certain that something is as it the chocks had been removed before the
should be 쑗 safety check 쑗 A check was engine was started.
made on the undercarriage and air-
choke /tʃəυk/ noun a valve in a carbu-
choke

frame after the pilot reported a heavy

landing. 쒁 run 쐽 verb to examine some- rettor, which controls the amount of air
thing in order to find out if it is correct combining with fuel 쐽 verb 1. to block a
쑗 It is the pilot’s responsibility to check
tube, etc., making a liquid unable to
that the aircraft is airworthy. move 왍 a choked nozzle a blocked or
partly-blocked nozzle 2. to stop breath-
‘European Union (EU) airports may be ing because you have inhaled water or
empowered to carry out safety checks on smoke
foreign airlines’ [Flight International 1–
choke tube /tʃəυk tjub/ noun same
choke tube

7 May 1996]
check in as venturi 쑗 Increase in rpm increases
check in /tʃek n/ verb to register by the speed of air passing through the
giving in your ticket, showing your choke tube or venturi.
passport and giving your baggage at an
chopper /tʃɒpə/ (informal ) noun
chopper

airline desk before a flight 쑗 Passengers

should check in two hours before depar- same as helicopter 쐽 verb to transport
ture. something or somebody by helicopter,
check-in
or to travel by helicopter
check-in /tʃek n/ noun an airline chord /kɔd/ noun the shortest dis-
chord

desk where passengers register before a tance between the leading and trailing
flight 쑗 The check-in is on the first floor. edges of an airfoil
왍 check-in time time at which passen-
chute /ʃut/ noun same as parachute
chute

gers should check in

check-in counter
(informal)
check-in counter /tʃek n circle /s%k(ə)l/ noun a line forming a
circle

kaυntə/, check-in desk noun counter round shape, or a round shape formed
where passengers check in by objects or people 쑗 They stood in a
checklist

checklist /tʃeklst/ noun a list of circle on the tarmac. 왍 great circle

items, often in booklet form, to be direction an imaginary circle on the
checked in a given sequence 쑗 Before surface of the Earth which lies in a
every flight, the pilot should perform plane passing through the centre of the
pre-flight checks using a checklist. Earth
chemical

chemical /kemk(ə)l/ adjective circuit /s%kt/ noun 1. a complete

circuit

referring to chemistry 쑗 a chemical route around which an electrical current

reaction 쐽 noun a substance used in or can flow 2. the pattern of take-off,
circuit board 44
climb-out, turn onto crosswind leg, turn equal to one 360th part of the circum-
onto downwind leg, turn onto base leg, ference of a circle is called one degree.
turn onto final approach and landing 쑗 circumstance /s%kmstns/ noun a
circumstance

When carrying out practice landings at condition which affects something in a

an aerodrome, the pilot should keep a given situation 왍 in some circum-
sharp lookout for other aircraft in the stances, under certain circumstances
circuit. in some particular situations
circuit board

circuit board /s%kt bɔd/ noun an cirro- /srəυ/ prefix high altitude, i.e.
cirro-

insulating board which holds compo- above 20,000 feet

nents connected into an electrical cir- cirrocumulus /srəυkjumjυləs/
cirrocumulus

cuit noun a layer of broken cloud at about

20,000 feet
circuit-breaker

circuit-breaker /s%kt brekə/

noun a small protective device in the cirrostratus /srəυstrɑtəs/ noun a
cirrostratus

circuit which blows or breaks before a layer cloud at about 20,000 feet
dangerous overload of current arises cirrus /srəs/ noun a high cloud in a
cirrus

circuitry

circuitry /s%ktri/ noun a system of mass of separate clouds which are

electrical circuits 쑗 In an anti-skid brak- formed of ice crystals
ing system, circuitry is employed which Civil Aviation Authority /svl
Civil Aviation Authority

can detect individual wheel decelera- evieʃ(ə)n ɔθɒrəti/ noun the

| |

tion. organisation which licences operators,

aircraft and employees for non-military,
circular

circular /s%kjυlə/ adjective shaped

like a circle 쑗 Anodes are circular especially commercial aviation. Abbre-
plates with centre holes. 왍 semi-circu- viation CAA
lar shaped like a half-circle 쐽 noun a Civil Aviation Publication /svl
Civil Aviation Publication

document distributed to a large number evieʃ(ə)n pblkeʃ(ə)n/ noun a

|

of people 쑗 an aeronautical information book, etc., published by the Civil Avia-

circular tion Authority, each publication having
circular slide rule

circular slide rule /s%kjυlə slad its own reference number 쑗 The proce-
rul/ noun a calculating device on dure for obtaining a bearing can be
which all manner of conversions and found in CAP 413. Abbreviation CAP
complex calculations can be made to COMMENT: CAA (Civil Aviation
assist in flight planning Authority) publications are referred to
circulate
as CAPs and each has a reference
circulate / s%kjυlet/ verb to move number for identification: the
round in such a way as to arrive at the procedure for obtaining a bearing is
point of departure 쑗 Water circulates described in CAP 413.
via the radiator and pump through to
clad /kld/ verb to protect by covering
clad

the engine block itself.

circulation
쑗 Alloys can be protected from corro-
circulation /s%kjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun
|
sion by cladding the exposed surface
the act of moving round in such a way with a thin layer of aluminium.
as to arrive at the point of departure 쑗 clamshell door /klmʃel dɔ/ noun
clamshell door

The general circulation is indicated by the hinged part of a thrust reverser 쑗

the arrows. 왍 cyclonic circulation the Clamshell doors are hydraulically or
circulation of air which, if viewed from pneumatically opened, and direct the
above, is anticlockwise in the northern exhaust gases forwards to produce
hemisphere and clockwise in the south- reverse thrust.
ern hemisphere
classification /klsfkeʃ(ə)n/
classification

circulatory |

circulatory /s%kjυlet(ə)ri/ adjec-

|
noun the act of putting things into
tive moving around a circuit 쑗 a self- groups or classes because they possess
contained re-circulatory oil system particular common features 쑗 Classifi-
circumference

circumference /səkmf(ə)rəns/ | cation of aircraft consists of a multi-

noun the distance around the edge of a level diagram with each category
circle 쑗 The angle subtended by an arc divided into sub-categories. 쑗 A full
 45 climatic zone
classification of layer cloud is given in perhaps a misunderstood radio call.
the table. The Pan Am aircraft had been asked
classify by the controller, who was unable to
classify /klsfa/ verb to group see either aircraft due to low cloud,
items so that those with similar charac- ‘Are you clear of the runway?’ The
teristics are in the same group 쑗 Precip- KLM aircraft had already commenced
itation is classified as light, moderate the take-off roll without clearance. It is
or heavy according to its rate of fall. 쑗 possible that the KLM pilot mistook the
The weather associated with visibility call to the other aircraft thinking that he
was ‘clear to take off’.
reductions by particles suspended in the
clear air turbulence /klər eə
clear air turbulence

atmosphere is classified either as fog,

mist, haze, or smoke. t%bjυləns/ noun turbulence encoun-
clear /klə/ adjective 1. referring to
clear
tered in air where no cloud is present
conditions in which it is easy to see, e.g. (NOTE: CAT is often associated with the
with no cloud or fog 왍 a clear sky a sky jet stream.)
clearance /klərəns / noun 1. a space
clearance

with no cloud 왍 a clear winter night a

night with no fog, mist or other condi- made to allow for the movement of
tions which might impair visibility 2. hardware relative to other hardware 쑗
possible to easily see through 3. with clearance between rocker arm and
nothing blocking the way 왍 clear run- valve tip 2. official permission 쑗 Obtain
way, the runway is clear nothing is on clearance for IFR flight. 3. the disap-
the runway 왍 keep the exits clear do pearance of something unwanted, often
not put anything and do not stand in rain, fog or snow 쑗 Low temperatures
front of the exits 4. away from 5. easy to caused a delay in the clearance of fog.
hear 왍 clear of cloud either above or clearance limit /klərəns lmt/
clearance limit

below cloud 왍 keep clear (of) keep the point to which an aircraft is allowed
away (from) 6. easy to understand 쑗 The to proceed when granted an air traffic
explanation is very clear. 7. understood control clearance
8. understood 왍 is it clear? do you clear ice /klər as/ noun ice which
clear ice

understand? 쐽 verb 1. to remove a is glass-like rather than white

blockage or some other unwanted effect
clear pass /klə pɑs/ noun an
clear pass

which prevents a system from working

correctly 쑗 A heater element is fitted to exam result which is in no doubt
clear to land /klə tə lnd/ noun
clear to land

clear the detector of ice. 2. to disappear

쑗 In winter frost and fog are slow to air traffic control permission to land
clear. 3. to make sure that it is all right climate /klamət/ noun weather con-
climate

to do something 왍 clear it with the CFI ditions particular to a given area 쑗 Med-
make sure that the CFI agrees with the iterranean climate 쑗 tropical climate 왍
request 4. to officially ask people to temperate climate a type of climate
quickly leave a given area or place 왍 to which is neither very hot in summer nor
clear the building to quickly leave the very cold in winter. 쒁 continental
building climatic /klamtk/ adjective refer-
climatic

‘…the principles of weight and balance ring to climate or weather conditions

should have been learned by all pilots particular to a given area 쑗 The aircraft
during their initial training, but it is clear forward speed and altitude as well as
that, afterwards, some forget’ [Civil climatic conditions will influence the
Aviation Authority, General Aviation value of thrust.
Safety Sense Leaflet]
climatic zone /klamtk zəυn/
climatic zone

COMMENT: On 27th March 1977 two noun one of the eight areas of the Earth
Boeing 747s collided on the runway at
Los Rodeos airport Tenerife in poor which have distinct climates
visibility, resulting in 575 deaths. A COMMENT: The climatic zones are: the
KLM 747 commenced take-off while a two polar regions (Arctic and
Pan Am 747 was still taxiing towards it Antarctic); the boreal zone in the
on the same runway. There was clear- northern hemisphere, south of the
ly a breakdown in communications, Arctic; two temperate zones, one in
climatology 46
the northern hemisphere and one in layer of broken cloud at about 20,000
the southern hemisphere; two feet; cirrostratus, layer cloud at about
subtropical zones, including the 20,000 feet; cirrus, cloud made of ice
deserts; and the equatorial zone which crystals at 25,000 – 40,000 feet
has a damp tropical climate. appearing as hair-like formations;
cumulonimbus, cloud formed as a
climatology /klamətɒlədȢi/ noun
climatology

|
towering mass and often associated
the science of the study of climate 쑗 with thunderstorms; cumulus, cloud
Although pilots do not need to be formed in rounded masses with a flat
experts in climatology, they should have base at low altitude, resulting from up
a good understanding of the factors currents of air; nimbostratus, thick
which produce changes in the weather. dark layer cloud at low altitude from
which rain or snow often falls (nimbus
climb /klam/ noun the act of increas-
climb

= rain cloud); stratocirrus, cloud

ing altitude by use of power 쑗 Fine pitch similar to cirrostratus but more
enables full engine speed to be used compact; stratocumulus, a layer of
during take-off and climb. Opposite connected small clouds at low altitude.
descent 쐽 verb to increase altitude by cloud base /klaυd bes/ noun the
cloud base

use of power 쑗 After take-off, the air- bottom part of a layer of cloud 쑗 In gen-
craft climbed to 5,000 ft. Opposite eral, the lower the cloud base, the less
descend heat is lost by the earth.
climb-out /klamaυt/ noun a flight
climb-out

cloud ceiling /klaυd silŋ/ noun

cloud ceiling
|

after take-off from 35 feet to 1,500 feet the height above the ground or water of
during which undercarriage and flaps the base of the lowest layer of cloud
are retracted 쑗 Turn right after climb-
cloud group /klaυd DZrup/ noun a
cloud group

out.
collection of different cloud types
clockwise /klɒkwaz/ adjective,
clockwise

which have similarities, e.g. stratus

adverb describing a circular movement clouds
in the same direction as the hands of a
cm abbreviation centimetre
cm

clock 쑗 a clockwise direction 쑗 The rel-

co- /kəυ/ prefix together 왍 co-axial
co-

ative bearing indicated is measured

clockwise from the nose of the aircraft. having the same axis 왍 co-located hav-
Opposite anticlockwise ing the same location
coalesce /kəυə les/ verb to join
coalesce

clog /klɒDZ/ verb to prevent movement

clog
|

of fluid through a pipe, etc., because of together to form a large mass or number
a build-up of solid matter 쑗 Most filters 쑗 The moisture in the air coalesces into

allow unfiltered fluid to pass to the sys- large water droplets.

tem when the filter becomes clogged. coalescence /kəυə les(ə)ns/ noun
coalescence

close /kləυz/ verb to shut 쑗 Close the

close
the act of joining together to form a
door. larger mass or number 쑗 Coalescence of
closure /kləυȢə/ noun the act of clos-
closure
water vapour in the atmosphere forms
ing or shutting 쑗 The voltage regulator larger droplets of water.
coast /kəυst/ noun an area where the
coast

is turned on by the closure of the gener-

ator control relay. land meets the sea 쑗 Valentia is situated
cloud /klaυd/ noun a mass of water
cloud
on the coast of south west Ireland.
coastal / kəυst(ə)l/ adjective refer-
coastal

vapour or ice particles in the sky that

can produce rain ring to the coast 왍 coastal area an area
COMMENT : The most important types
near a coast 쑗 Land and sea breezes
of cloud are the following: occur in coastal areas.
coastal refraction /kəυst(ə)l r
coastal refraction

altocumulus, cloud formed at about |

12,000 feet as a layer of rounded frkʃən/ noun change in direction of

mass with a level base; altostratus, waves when a signal crosses a coastline
cloud formed as a continuous layer from sea to land
between 6,000 and 20,000 feet usually
coastline /kəυstlan/ noun the out-
coastline

allowing the sun or moon to be seen

from the surface; cirrocumulus, a line of a coast seen from a distance or
 47 collapse
on a map 쑗 It is normally easy to iden- coefficient /kəυfʃ(ə)nt/ noun a
coefficient

tify a coastline or island. mathematical quantity placed before

coat /kəυt/ noun a thin covering of a
coat

and multiplying another

substance such as paint 쑗 The coats of C of A abbreviation certificate of air-
C of A

paint on a large aircraft significantly worthiness

increase its weight. 쐽 verb to cover with C of G abbreviation centre of gravity
C of G

a thin layer of a substance such as paint coil /kɔl/ noun a device consisting of
coil

쑗 Metals are coated for protection

coiled wire for converting low voltage
against corrosion. to high voltage 쑗 A voltage coil is con-
coating /kəυtŋ/ noun 1. a thin layer
coating

nected across the generator.

of a substance 쑗 There are two coatings coiled wire /kɔld waə/ noun a
coiled wire

on the inside of CRT screens. 2. the act length of wire twisted round and round
of covering with a thin layer of a sub- 쑗 A coiled wire connects the terminal to
stance earth.
cock /kɒk/ noun a manually controlled
cock

coincide /kəυnsad/ verb to hap-

coincide

valve or tap to control the flow of a liq- pen at the same time and/or in the same
uid 쑗 It is necessary to have a master place 쑗 When the aircraft heading is
cock for each engine. directly into wind or down wind, track
cockpit /kɒkpt/ noun the forward
cockpit

and heading coincide.

area in an aircraft from where the air- coincident /kəυnsdənt/ adjective
coincident

craft is controlled by the pilot 쑗 In the happening at the same place or at the
case of an in-flight oil loss, a warning same time 쑗 The Earth’s true north and
indicator will light in the cockpit. magnetic north poles are not coinci-
‘…in the cockpit of the future there will dent.
be two animals, a pilot and a dog. The col /kɒl/ noun an area of slack pressure
col

pilot will be there to feed the dog, and the gradient between two centres of high or
dog will be there to bite the pilot if he tries
to touch anything’ [NYT News Service]
low pressure 쑗 The persistence and
movement of cols are governed by the
code /kəυd/ noun 1. a system of num-
code

movement of the adjacent pressure sys-

bers, letters or symbols used to repre- tems.
sent language which has to be learned cold front /kəυld frnt/ noun an
cold front

and decoded in order for the receiver to advancing mass of cold air, moving
understand the meaning 2. a series of under and lifting warmer air 쑗 A cold
pulses by which an aircraft transponder front brought rainy, windy conditions to
replies to a signal from the ground the country.
codeshare /kəυdʃeə/ noun 왍 code-
codeshare

collapse /kəlps/ noun a sudden

collapse

share deal an agreement between air- and complete fall 왍 the collapse of a
lines regarding connecting flights 쑗 The company the end of the existence of the
two airlines have entered into a code- company 쐽 verb 1. to fall suddenly and
share deal for flights between Dubai completely 쑗 The magnetic field will
and Bangkok. reach a maximum in one direction, col-
codeshare partner /kəυdʃeə
codeshare partner

lapse to zero and reach a maximum in

pɑtnə/ noun an airline which has an the opposite direction. 2. to fold or to
agreement with another airline regard- close suddenly and unintentionally 왍
ing connecting flights the undercarriage collapsed (of an
codesharing /kəυdʃeərŋ/ noun 1. apparatus) the undercarriage could not
codesharing

a procedure which allows travellers to support the aircraft and broke or

use connecting flights between one air- retracted on its own 3. to faint 왍 the
line and another partner airline for passenger collapsed the passenger fell
worldwide destinations 2. an arrange- and became semi- or fully unconscious
ment by which two airlines sell seats on because of some medical problem
the same flight using their own flight ‘…as the aeroplane slid off the runway,
numbers the left landing gear collapsed’ [Pilot]
collect 48
collect combustion

collect /kəlekt/ verb 1. to gather over

| combustion /kəm bstʃən/ noun |

a period of time 쑗 Any given object will burning, especially that which takes
usually collect ice more quickly at high place in an engine 쑗 The heat generated
speed. 2. to take something or to pick by combustion is considerable.
something up from a place combustion chamber

combustion chamber / kəm |

collection

collection /kəlekʃən/ noun 1. a

|
bstʃ(ə)n tʃembə/ noun the part of
number of things brought together 쑗 a the cylinder in a piston engine where
collection of vintage aircraft 2. an act of the ignition of the fuel/air mixture takes
being collected by somebody 쑗 The place
documents are in the office awaiting combustor

combustor /kəm bstə/ noun the

collection.
|

collide
part of a jet or gas-turbine engine that
collide /kəlad/ verb to bump or to
|
burns fuel to produce power. It consists
crash into something 쑗 The aircraft left of the fuel injection system, the igniter,
the runway and collided with a fire and the combustion chamber.
truck. command

command /kəmɑnd/ noun an order

|

collision /kə lȢ(ə)n/ noun a crash

collision

|
왍 the command to evacuate the order
between two objects, two vehicles, etc. to leave the aircraft in an emergency 왍
쑗 If there is a risk of collision, alter in command having responsibility for
course to the right. 왍 collision avoid- and authority over 쐽 verb to order some-
ance the prevention of collisions by tak- thing to be done 쑗 The captain com-
ing measures beforehand to ensure that manded the evacuation of the aircraft.
they do not happen commander

column commander /kəmɑndə/ noun a |

column /kɒləm/ noun 1. a body of pilot in control of, and responsible for,
fluid or solid with a tall, narrow shape 쑗 the aircraft and its contents during flight
Torricelli first demonstrated that the time 왍 the commander of an aircraft
atmosphere has weight by showing that the member of the flight crew specified
it can support a column of liquid. 2. a by the operator as being the commander
vertical section of a table in a document commence

쑗 Column four of the table shows the

commence /kəmens/ verb to start to
|

totals of the other three columns. do something 왍 commence the evacua-

combat tion start getting people out of the air-
combat /kɒmbt/ verb to fight craft
against 쑗 Fire extinguishers are pro- commercial

vided to combat fire. commercial /kəm%ʃ(ə)l/ adjective |

referring to a business activity 왍 com-

combat aircraft
combat aircraft

/kɒmbt mercial aviation flying as a business

eəkrɑft/ noun aircraft designed for enterprise
warfare commercial aircraft

combination

combination /kɒmbneʃ(ə)n/
commercial aircraft /kəm%ʃ(ə)l |

eəkrɑft/ noun aircraft used to carry

|

noun two or more things brought

cargo or passengers for payment
together to form one 쑗 The combination Commercial Pilot’s Licence

of wind direction and wind speed is Commercial Pilot’s Licence /kə |

called velocity. m%ʃ(ə)l paləts las(ə)ns/ noun the

combine

combine /kəmban/ verb to bring licence that a person requires to be

pilot-in-command of public transport
|

two or more things together to make

one 쑗 The stabilising channels for ailer- aircraft certified for single-pilot opera-
ons and elevators are combined. 쑗 tions. Abbreviation CPL
common sense

Thrust and lift combine to overcome common sense /kɒmən sens/

drag and gravity. noun ordinary good sense 쑗 You should
combustible

combustible /kəm bstəb(ə)l/

|
use your common sense as well as fol-
adjective burning or igniting easily 왍 low the rules if a passenger feels
combustible materials materials unwell.
comms

which will catch fire easily, e.g. wood, comms /kɒmz/ abbreviation commu-
paper, etc. nications
 49 compensate
communicate

communicate /kəmjunket/ verb

|
ance comparable to that of stainless
to make contact with somebody in order steel.
to pass information 쑗 The cabin attend- comparator /kəm prətə/ noun a
comparator

ants should communicate with the cap- device to compare two things 쑗 The
tain. autopilot comparator monitors the
communication

communication /kəmjun

| |
operation of the elevator and aileron
keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of passing infor- channels.
compare /kəm peə/ verb to find the
compare

mation to somebody usually, but not |

always, by using language 쑗 Two meth- similarities and dissimilarities between

ods of communication are available to two or more things 쑗 When the chart is
crew members – language and hand properly orientated, it is easier to com-
signals. pare the distance between landmarks
communication link
on the ground with their corresponding
communication link /kəmjun | |

distances on the chart. 쑗 An aneroid

keʃ(ə)n lŋk/ noun a telephone or barometer is small compared with a
radio connection, as between the mercury barometer. (NOTE: Compare
ground crew and flight deck while an with is regarded by some as better
aircraft is preparing for departure usage than compare to.)
communications

communications /kəmjun

| |
comparison /kəmprs(ə)n/ noun
comparison

keʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun a system of a statement expressing the differences

passing information 쑗 satellite commu- and similarities between two or more
nications 쑗 VHF communications are things 쑗 A table showing a comparison
allocated the frequency bracket 118– of fixed points on various temperature
137 MHz. Abbreviation comms scales is given on page three.
commutator

commutator /kɒmjutetə/ noun a compartment

compartment

/kəmpɑtmənt /|

device containing metal bars connected noun a small space or area in a structure
to the coils of a generator to produce for a particular purpose 쑗 engine com-
electrical current 쑗 As the power output partment 왍 crew compartment the area
required is DC not AC, a commutator is reserved for crew
fixed at one end of the armature. compass /kmpəs/ noun an instru-
compass

compact

compact /kəmpkt/ adjective

| ment usually with a magnetic needle
small, close together, or not taking which always points to the magnetic
much space 쑗 The annular system, as north
used on modern aircraft, provides a compass
compass bearing

bearing /kmpəs
compact system, and, for the same out- beərŋ/ noun a direction or position
put and mass flow, a shorter system. 쐽 relative to a fixed point measured in
verb 1. to make smaller or more dense degrees on a compass
by pressing 2. to compress, by driving compatibility
compatibility

/kəmptblti/
| |

over with heavy machinery 쑗 When tax- noun the ability of a component to oper-
iing on grass, aircraft wheels compact ate successfully with other components
the earth as the aircraft moves over it. 쑗 Problems of compatibility caused the
compaction

compaction /kəm pkʃ(ə)n/ noun

| computerised system to malfunction.
the act of pressing things together to compatible /kəmptb(ə)l/ adjec-
compatible

form one, or of compressing something tive referring to a component or system

to make it hard 쑗 The speed of impact which can be used with a different com-
when the aircraft passes through a ponent or system without causing any
snowstorm causes compaction of snow- problems 쑗 Computer software
flakes into a solid mass on leading designed for one particular system may
edges and air-intakes. not be compatible with other systems.
comparable

comparable /kɒmp(ə)rəb(ə)l/ compensate /kɒmpənset/ verb 1.

compensate

adjective possible to compare equally to make up for the loss of something 쑗

with something else 쑗 Titanium is non- The floor covering may be designed to
magnetic and has an electrical resist- compensate for temperature, pressuri-
compensation 50
sation and bending loads. 쑗 The fall in an aircraft after completion of de-icing
air temperature increases the air den- operations.
sity and so compensates to some extent complex /kɒmpleks/ adjective com-
complex

for the loss of the thrust due to atmos- plicated and therefore possibly difficult
pheric pressure. 2. to give money to a to understand 쑗 Of all the pre-departure
person or organisation to make up for a activities, route planning is one of the
physical or financial loss 쑗 The money most complex. 쐽 noun 1. a whole made
offered by the company did not compen- up of many different parts 왍 a cumulo-
sate for the injuries she received in the nimbus cloud complex a collection of
accident. cumulonimbus clouds forming a system
2. a building made up of many different
compensation

compensation /kɒmpən seʃ(ə)n/ |

noun money paid to an individual or parts 왍 the terminal three complex the
organisation to replace or make up for main building and associated buildings
physical or financial loss 쑗 The com- which together make up terminal three
pany paid out $2 million in compensa- complexity /kəmpleksti/ noun the
complexity

tion to the families of those who lost condition of being complex, or a com-
their lives in the tragedy. plication 쑗 Up-to-date design does not
compilation /kɒmpleʃ(ə)n/ noun necessarily mean structural complexity.
compilation

the putting together of suitable informa- complicate /kɒmplket/ verb to

complicate

tion 쑗 The manual is a compilation of make more difficult 쑗 Map reading is

materials used by each of the instruc- often complicated by seasonal varia-
tors. tions.
compile /kəm pal/ verb to put
compile

complicated /kɒmplketd/ adjec-

complicated

together a number of pieces of informa- tive not easy to understand

tion 쑗 Aviation routine weather reports complication /kɒmplkeʃ(ə)n/
complication

are compiled half-hourly or hourly at noun a difficulty or problem 쑗 The com-

fixed times. plication with the Mercator’s projection
complement /kɒmplment/ verb to
complement

is that great circle directions must be

fit in with and improve the performance converted to rhumb line directions by
of something 쑗 Ultra-sonic detection is the application of conversion angle
used to complement other methods of before they can be plotted.
flaw detection. comply /kəmpla/ verb to be or do
comply

complementary what is required by an instruction or law

complementary

/kɒmpl|

ment(ə)ri/ adjective the fact of fitting 쑗 Equipment and furnishings of modern

in with and improving the performance jet transports must comply with safety
of something 쑗 SSR is complementary regulations. 쑗 Passengers must comply
to the primary radars used by ATC. with the no-smoking signs. (NOTE: com-
complete

complete /kəmplit/ adjective 1.

|
plying – complied)
component /kəmpəυnənt/ noun 1.
component

containing all the parts it should contain |

쑗 The centre section can be constructed a part of an aircraft, aircraft system or

either as a complete unit or as two sep- piece of equipment 쑗 The undercar-
arate units. 2. absolute and total 쐽 verb riage is made up of a number of differ-
1. to finish or make whole 쑗 The ent components. 2. one part of a force
number of revolutions for the crank- such as wind which consists of a
shaft to complete a full cycle is always number of different parts 3. a substance
two. 왍 complete the work to continue which forms part of a compound
until the work is finished 2. to fill in compose /kəmpəυz/ verb to make
compose

information 왍 complete the flight plan something from a number of parts 쑗 The
to fill in the required information in the atmosphere is composed of a mixture of
flight plan gases.
completion /kəm pliʃ(ə)n/ noun the composite /kɒmpəzt/ adjective
completion composite

satisfactory finishing of a task 쑗 It is referring to something made up of a

important to carry out an inspection of number of different parts 쑗 composite
 51 concentration
material 쑗 The flight crew route flight compression /kəm preʃ(ə)n/ noun
compression

plan is a composite document which an act or instance of putting pressure on

serves as a navigation log. 쐽 noun a something
lightweight but very strong man-made compression
compression stroke

stroke /kəm |

material used in aircraft manufacturing preʃ(ə)n strəυk/ noun the stage of an

쑗 To make a composite it is necessary to
internal combustion cycle when the
combine the reinforcing glass fibres fuel/air mixture comes under pressure
with special glue or resin. (NOTE: The from the upward-moving piston
word composite was originally an
compressive /kəm presv/ adjec-
compressive

adjective, but through frequent usage |

the term composite material has been tive referring to forces caused by pres-
shortened to composite.)
sure on a surface 쑗 A strut is designed to
withstand compressive loads.
‘Canadian Aerospace Group (CAG) is
compressive load /kəmpresv
compressive load

working with Pratt & Whitney Canada on |

a turboprop-powered version of its ləυd/ noun a load caused by forces act-

Windeagle all-composite light aircraft’ ing in opposite directions towards each
[Flight International 16–22 July 1997] other
compressive stress /kəmpresv
compressive stress

COMMENT: Composites are used in |

the construction of many modern stres/ noun the resistance of a body to

aircraft, from gliders to aircraft such as crushing by two forces acting towards
the Airbus A320, because they are each other along the same straight line
strong and lighter than metals.
compressor /kəmpresə/ noun a
compressor

composition /kɒmpəzʃ(ə)n/ noun

composition

|
device such as a pump to compress air,
the make-up or structure of something 왍 in order to increase pressure 쑗 A shaft
composition of the atmosphere the connects the turbine to the compressor.
combination of gases which make up 쒁 axial
the atmosphere comprise /kəmpraz/ verb to be
comprise

compound /kɒmpaυnd/ adjective

compound

made of (NOTE: The correct use of com-

referring to something made up of two prise is often disputed. Some people
or more parts or substances 쐽 noun a regard it as a synonym for the verb
substance made up of two or more com- consist of, while others believe it
ponents 쑗 A chemical compound has should be used in an opposite sense: a
qualities that are different from those of tank, pipes, a filter, a pump and a car-
the substances from which it is made. 쑗 burettor comprise the fuel system. It is
Advances in sealing compounds have sometimes used in its passive form: the
now made fuel tanks less liable to leaks. fuel system is comprised of a number of
compound wound generator
compound wound generator

different parts.)
/kɒmpaυnd wund dȢenəretə/ concentrate /kɒnsəntret/ verb 1.
concentrate

noun a generator which consists of a to collect in a particular place rather

number of windings than spread around 쑗 Most of the mass
compress /kəmpres/ verb to put
compress

|
of air is concentrated at the lowest lev-
under pressure thereby reducing vol- els of the atmosphere. 2. to give atten-
ume 쑗 Pressure is created when a fluid tion and thought to something in partic-
is compressed. ular 쑗 This chapter concentrates on
compressibility /kəmpresəblti/ charts. 왍 to concentrate hard to give
compressibility

noun the natural ability of a substance all one’s thought and attention to some-
to change volume when under varying thing
pressures 쑗 In systems using very high concentration /kɒnsəntreʃ(ə)n/
concentration

pressure, the compressibility of the liq- noun 1. the fact of being collected in a
uid becomes important. particular place rather than spread
compressible /kəmpresəb(ə)l/ around 쑗 The maximum concentration
compressible

adjective referring to something that of ozone is between 20 and 25 km above

can be compressed 쑗 Air is compressi- the Earth’s surface. 2. the act of giving
ble, but water is not. attention and thought to something 쑗 In
concentric 52
the early stages of training, instrument the atmosphere is cooled until moisture
flying requires great concentration on begins to condense on the surface.
the part of the student pilot. Opposite evaporate 2. to remove
concentric /kɒnsentrk/ adjective
concentric

|
unnecessary parts from a text to make it
having the same centre 왍 concentric shorter 쑗 The synoptic code condenses
circles circles of different diameters but information without loss of sense.
condenser /kəndensə/ noun an
condenser

with the same centre point |

concept /kɒnsept/ noun an idea or

concept
electrical capacitor 쑗 The condenser
abstract principle 쑗 The concept of open prevents spark plugs from arcing.
condition /kəndʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the
condition

skies is not one with which everybody |

agrees. 왍 a complicated concept an present state of something 왍 although

idea or series of ideas or principles the aircraft is old, it is in good condi-
which are difficult to understand tion the aircraft is old but well cared for
concern / kəns%n/ noun 1. serious
concern

|
2. the state of the surrounding atmos-
interest 왍 a matter for concern some- phere 쑗 In a high relative humidity con-
thing which must be taken very seri- dition, the evaporation rate is low. 왍
ously 2. responsibility 쑗 Attention to the abnormal weather conditions unusual
welfare of passengers is the concern of or unfavourable weather 왍 adverse
the cabin crew. 쑗 Safety is everybody’s weather conditions bad weather 3. cir-
concern. 왍 this is no concern of ours cumstances 4. something on which
this is nothing to do with us 쐽 verb 1. to another thing depends 왍 on condition
cause somebody to feel worried 왍 this that only if 왍 the flight will depart on
report concerns me enormously I am condition that the weather improves
not at all happy about this report 2. to be the flight will depart only if the weather
about or to be the subject of 쑗 If there is improves
conducive /kəndjusv/ adjective
conducive

serious vibration, the crew should shut |

down the engine concerned. 왍 this favourable, which allows something to

report concerns me this report is about happen more easily 쑗 Atmospheric con-
me 3. to be of interest and relevance to ditions conducive to the formation of
왍 the regulations concern all employ- ice are detected and these operate a
ees the regulations apply to all employ- warning system.
ees ‘…when refuelling, ensure the aircraft is
‘…the correct storage and handling of properly earthed. The very low humidity
cargo and especially dangerous goods is on a crisp, cold day can be conducive to a
an area which is of considerable concern build-up of static electricity’ [Civil
to the Federation’ [INTER PILOT] Aviation Authority, General Aviation
Safety Sense Leaflet]
concrete /kɒŋkrit/ noun a sub-
concrete

conduct /kəndkt/ noun /kɒndkt/

conduct

stance made of cement, sand and water |

used in the construction of buildings, 1. a manner or way of doing something

쑗 The captain is responsible for the safe
roads, etc. 쑗 Rock, sand and concrete
reflect only 10–20% of radiation. conduct of the flight. 2. behaviour 쑗 The
investigation found that the flight
condensation /kɒndenseʃ(ə)n/
condensation

|
attendant’s conduct was unacceptable.
noun the process by which vapour 쐽 verb 1. to organise and do something;
changes into liquid 쑗 If the air becomes to carry out 쑗 Crew will conduct area
saturated, further cooling results in checks. 쑗 Security conducted a search
condensation. Opposite evaporation of the building. 2. to allow something
condensation trail /kɒnden
condensation trail

| such as electricity, heat etc. to pass

seʃ(ə)n trel/ noun same as vapour through 쑗 Water conducts electricity.
trail conduction /kəndkʃən/ noun the
conduction

condense /kəndens/ verb 1. to

condense

| process by which heat or electricity

change from vapour to liquid form 쑗 passes through a substance 쑗 Heat is
The most common type of hygrometer is transferred to the layer of air next to the
one in which a surface in contact with Earth’s surface by conduction.
 53 connection
conform /kən fɔm/ verb to corre-
conductive conform

conductive /kəndktv / adjective | |

referring to the ability of a substance to spond to required standards 쑗 Fuels

allow heat or electricity to pass through must conform to strict requirements. 왍
쑗 Steel is a conductive material. 쑗 Land to conform to regulations to do what is
masses are less conductive than water. required by rules and regulations
conformal /kənfɔm(ə)l/ adjective
conformal

conductivity /kɒndktvti/ noun

conductivity

|
|

the ability of a material to allow heat or representing angles, bearings, etc., cor-
electricity to pass through 쑗 Because of rectly 쑗 Lambert’s conformal projec-
the poor conductivity of air, heat is tion
transferred from the Earth’s surface congestion /kəndȢestʃən/ noun a
congestion

upwards by convection. situation where there are too many peo-

conductor

conductor /kəndktə/ noun a sub-|

ple or vehicles in a confined space for
stance through which heat or electricity them to be able to move freely 쑗 When
can pass 쑗 Water and steel are good leaving the aircraft in an emergency, to
conductors. avoid congestion, passengers should be
cone directed to move away from exits
cone /kəυn/ noun a solid body with a quickly.
base in the shape of a circle, and with
conic /kɒnk/ adjective based on the
conic

sides which narrow to a point, or any

object which has that shape shape of a cone 왍 conic projection the
standard two-dimensional representa-
configuration /kənfDZjəreʃ(ə)n/
configuration

| |
tion of the earth
noun the pattern or way in which things
conical /kɒnk(ə)l/ adjective shaped
conical

are arranged 왍 configuration of an air-

craft’s fuel tank system the way in like a cone 쑗 The nose of Concorde has
which the tanks are laid out a conical shape.
conjunction /kəndȢŋkʃən/ noun 왍
conjunction

confine

confine /kənfan/ verb 1. to limit to a

|

in conjunction with working or operat-

|

particular area 쑗 Cooling is confined to

ing together with 쑗 Built-up areas, used
the air in contact with the ground. 쑗 The in conjunction with other features such
damage was confined to a small area. 2. as rivers, railways and coastlines which
to limit to a given subject 왍 the report are near them, are more easily identi-
confines itself to the incident of 3rd fied.
January the report deliberately does
connect / kənekt / verb to join 쑗 Bat-
connect

not mention anything other than the |

incident of the 3rd January teries are sometimes connected in

series. 쑗 A cockpit lever is connected to
confined /kənfand/ adjective lim-
confined

|
a needle valve in the float chamber.
ited, small 왍 a confined space a small
connecting flight /kənektŋ flat /
connecting flight

defined space which does not allow free |

movement noun a second aircraft which a passen-

confirm ger should arrive on time to catch, and
confirm /kənf%m/ verb to agree that
|
which will take him or her to the final
something is correct, or to repeat it to destination 쑗 Instead of flying direct to
remove any uncertainty 쑗 The attitude London, take the flight to Amsterdam
indicator shows that the aircraft is in a and then take a connecting flight to
nose down attitude and the increasing London Heathrow.
airspeed confirms that the aircraft is not
connecting rod /kənektŋ rɒd/
connecting rod

in level flight. 쑗 Can you confirm that |

noun an engine part that connects the

the instructor was flying the aircraft at
the time of the collision? 쑗 VHF and/or piston to the crankshaft
connection /kənekʃən/ noun 1. the
connection

UHF radio aids confirm ADF bearings. |

point at which things are joined 쑗 There

COMMENT: Cross-checking of certain is an electrical connection to the bat-
flight instruments is used to confirm
readings from other instruments, e.g. tery. 2. a link or feature that makes
the airspeed indicator and vertical things interdependent 쑗 There is a con-
speed indicator confirm pitch nection between temperature change
information from the attitude indicator. and altitude. 3. the process of catching
connector 54
a second aircraft to arrive at a final des- distance a long distance 왍 considera-
tination 쑗 Follow the ‘Flight Connec- ble force a lot of force
tion’ signs. consideration

consideration /kənsdəreʃ(ə)n/ | |

connector /kənektə/ noun a device

connector

| noun 1. something important to remem-

which connects two or more things 쑗 A ber and to think carefully about 왍 to
connector is used to connect two take into consideration to remember
lengths of wire together. 쑗 Standard to include when thinking about some-
connectors consist of a metal coupling thing, solving a problem or making a
with a rubber sandwich joint. calculation 2. thoughtfulness, respect 왍
consecutive /kənsekjυtv/ adjec-
consecutive

|
to show consideration for other peo-
tive following one another without a ple and property to show respect for
break 쑗 4, 5 and 6 are three consecutive what belongs to other people
numbers. 왍 a period of 28 consecutive consist

consist /kənsst/ verb 왍 to consist of

|

days 28 days following immediately to be made up of 쑗 Layer cloud names

one after the other consist of a prefix, according to height
consequence /kɒnskwəns/ noun of base, and a suffix according to shape.
consequence

the result of an action 쑗 The accident 왍 to consist in to mean, to be

was a consequence of the pilot’s consistent

consistent /kənsstənt/ adjective|

actions. 왍 as a consequence as a result always reacting or behaving in the same

consequent /kɒnskwənt/ adjec-
consequent

way 쑗 Human hair responds in a con-

tive resulting 쑗 As temperature rises, sistent manner to changes in the rela-
there will be a consequent increase in tive humidity. 왍 consistent perform-
the volume of the gas. ance performance which maintains a
consequently
consequently

/kɒnskwəntli/ particular standard

adverb therefore, as a result 쑗 She was
consolidate

consolidate /kənsɒldet/ verb to |

late, consequently she missed the start make more solid or strong 왍 revision of
of the examination. the subject helps to consolidate it
conserve /kəns%v/ verb to avoid revision of the subject helps to set it
conserve

using unnecessarily 쑗 Release the more firmly in the memory

brakes when necessary and conserve consolidation

consolidation /kənsɒldeʃ(ə)n/ | |

main system pressure. 왍 to conserve noun 1. a process by which something

energy to use only as much energy as is made more solid or strong 2. the
you really need 왍 to conserve fuel to grouping of goods together for ship-
use as little fuel as possible ment
consider / kənsdə / verb to think
consider
constant
|
constant /kɒnstənt / adjective
carefully about something 쑗 If the air- unchanging 왍 the temperature of the
craft is low on fuel, the commander gas remains constant the temperature
should consider diverting to the nearest of the gas stays the same 왍 constant
suitable airport. pressure pressure which stays the same
‘…many purchasers of flight simulators constant speed drive unit

constant speed drive unit

would argue that, when considering the
/kɒnstənt spid drav junt/ noun
major manufacturers, there is little to
choose between them’ [Civil Aviation a device fitted to aircraft with constant
Training] speed propellers. Abbreviation CSDU
constant speed propeller

considerable /kənsd(ə)rəb(ə)l/
considerable

|
constant speed propeller
adjective a lot of, quite large 쑗 The /kɒnstənt spid prəpelə/ noun a pro- |

required range of trim change is consid- peller with a control system which auto-
erable. (NOTE: Considerable does not matically adjusts pitch to maintain
mean that something should be selected rpm
constant speed unit

thought about, as the meaning for the constant speed unit / kɒnstənt
verb consider might suggest.) 왍 a con- spid junt/ noun a device that auto-
siderable amount of fuel a lot of fuel, matically keeps a propeller at a speed
a large amount of fuel 왍 a considerable set by the pilot. Abbreviation CSU
 55 contaminate
constituent

constituent /kənsttjυənt/ noun |

engines, which in turn consume fuel. 2.
any one of the various parts that make to eat
up a whole 쑗 Water, whether in the form consumption
consumption

/kənsmpʃ(ə)n/
|

of vapour, liquid or ice, is a very impor- noun 1. the amount used up in a given
tant constituent of the atmosphere. time 쑗 Fuel consumption is higher in
constitute

constitute /kɒnsttjut/ verb to bigger, more powerful engines. 2. the

make up, to form 쑗 Oxygen and nitro- process of using up fuel or other
gen together constitute most of the resources 3. the amount eaten 4. the act
atmosphere. of eating
contact /kɒntkt/ noun 1. touch 왍 in
contact
constrain

constrain /kənstren/ verb 1. to pre-

|

vent somebody from being completely contact with touching 쑗 The air in con-
free or from doing something they want tact with the Earth’s surface cools. 2. 왍
to do 쑗 The airline was constrained in to be in contact with to communicate
its purchase of new aircraft by lack of with e.g. by telephone or radio 왍 to be
financial resources. 2. to force some- in visual contact to see 왍 to make con-
body to do something 쑗 Lack of finan- tact to communicate 왍 to lose contact
cial resources constrained the airline to to stop communicating 쑗 ATC lost con-
cancel the purchase of new aircraft. tact with the aircraft. 3. a person who
constraint can be contacted in order to get some-
constraint /kənstrent/ noun some-
|
thing done 왍 I have a contact in
thing that reduces freedom of action 쑗 Madrid who can help I know some-
The number of landings per 24-hour body in Madrid who can help 4. an elec-
period is subject to constraint. trical connection 쑗 Dirty contacts were
the cause of the problem. 쐽 verb to get
constrict

constrict /kənstrkt / verb to make

|

something narrower, especially to make in touch with somebody e.g. by radio or

the flow of gas or liquid more difficult telephone 쑗 The captain couldn’t con-
by narrowing the passage through tact ATC.
which it flows 쑗 In the carburettor ven- contact
contact breaker

breaker /kɒntkt
turi, the flow of air is constricted. brekə/ noun a mechanically operated
switch which is timed to break the pri-
constriction

constriction /kənstrkʃən/ noun |

the act of constricting, or a place where mary circuit when maximum current is
something is particularly narrow 쑗 A flowing
thermometer has a constriction in the contact flight /kɒntkt flat/ noun
contact flight

base of the tube between the bulb and a method of navigation for aircraft in
the beginning of the scale. which the pilot or crew use no naviga-
construct

construct /kənstrkt/ verb 1. to put

|
tional aids, but find their way by
together 쑗 The table on page 4 can be observing visible features of the ground
contact number
contact number

used to construct the low level forecast /kɒntkt

for the route. 2. to build 왍 to construct nmbə/ noun a telephone number
an aircraft to manufacture or build an where information can be obtained
aircraft 쑗 Wings are constructed of light contain / kənten/ verb to hold, to
contain

alloy pressed ribs and an outer skin. have inside 쑗 Most clouds contain some
super-cooled water droplets. 쑗 The
construction

construction /kənstrkʃən/ noun |

1. the act of putting things together, or booklet contains details of the airline’s
the way in which something is put flight schedule.
together 쑗 The basic construction of the container /kəntenə/ noun a box,
container

lead-acid cell consists of a positive bottle, etc., which holds something else
electrode and negative electrode. 2. a 쑗 A smouldering fire in a waste con-
building 쑗 The construction of the tainer could become very active due to
home-built aircraft took two years. pressure changes during ascent.
consume

consume /kənsjum/ verb 1. to use contaminate /kəntmnet/ verb

contaminate

| |

up in a given time 쑗 Drag must be over- to make something impure, harmful or

come with thrust, which requires dangerous 쑗 If contaminated air enters
contaminated fuel 56
the cabin, the dump valve can be contour / kɒntυə/ noun the shape of
contour

opened. something
contour chart /kɒntυə tʃɑt/ noun
contaminated fuel

contaminated fuel
contour chart

/kən |

tmnetd fjuəl/ noun fuel which chart which shows areas of high and
contains an unwanted substance, such low ground
as water, and is therefore dangerous to contour
contour gradient

gradient /kɒntυə
use DZrediənt/ noun steepness of change
contamination

contamination /kəntm | |

in elevation
neʃ(ə)n/ noun a process by which a contour line /kɒntυə lan/ noun a
contour line

liquid, gas or object is made unusable line on a map or chart joining points of
because impurities or foreign matter are equal elevation
allowed into or onto it 왍 contamination contract /kəntrkt/ verb to become
contract

of air air pollution 왍 fuel contamina- smaller in volume 쑗 Liquids will expand
tion a situation in which fuel becomes or contract as a result of temperature
unusable because an unwanted sub- changes. Opposite expand
stance such as water gets into it 왍 contraction /kəntrkʃən/ noun the
contraction

nuclear contamination damage done decrease in volume of a substance

to an object, person or substance brought about by cooling 쑗 Due to con-
because of contact with nuclear radia- traction, the length of a mercury column
tion shortens. Opposite expansion
content

content /kɒntent/ noun the amount contrail /kɒntrel/ noun same as

contrail

of a substance that is contained within vapour trail

something, often expressed as a per- contrast /kɒntrɑst / noun 1. the
contrast

centage 쑗 The stratosphere is a layer in amount of light and dark in something

which the water vapour content is low. seen 쑗 Contrast and colour enable a
왍 the moisture content of the atmos- pilot to identify ground features. 2. the
phere the amount of water vapour in the difference between two things 쑗 There
air is an enormous contrast between the
continent

continent /kɒntnənt/ noun one of performance of the two aircraft. 왍 in

the seven great land masses of the Earth contrast to when compared with 쑗 Air
쑗 the continent of Europe at altitude is cold in contrast to air at
COMMENT : The seven continents are: the surface.
Asia, Africa, North America, South contribute /kəntrbjut/ verb to
contribute

America, Australia, Europe and give or provide as part of the whole 쑗

Antarctica. Exhaust gases contribute to engine
continental

continental /kɒntnent(ə)l/ adjec- |

power. 왍 although the weather was
tive referring to a continent bad, pilot error contributed to the
continental climate

continental climate accident pilot error was partly respon-

/kɒntnent(ə)l klamət/ noun the
sible for the accident
contribution /kɒntrbjuʃ(ə)n/
contribution

type of climate found in areas where |

there is no effect from the sea noun 1. the part that something plays in
making or causing something 쑗 The dif-
contingency /kəntndȢənsi/ noun
contingency

ferences in the effect of solar radiation

something which might happen in the on land and sea make the biggest con-
future and therefore must be planned tribution to weather and climate. 2. the
for act of contributing or something, espe-
contingency reserve fuel

contingency reserve fuel /kən | cially money, that is given or provided

tndȢənsi rz%v fjuəl/ noun fuel
|
contributor /kəntrbjυtə/ noun a
contributor

which would only be used in an unusual person or thing that contributes to

situation such as a diversion something 쑗 There are other factors
continuity

continuity /kɒntnjuti/ noun con-

| which cause the division of the lower
tinuing 왍 continuity of precipitation atmosphere into two layers but the
continuing rain, snow or hail ozone effect is a major contributor.
 57 conventional
control tower /kəntrəυl taυə/
control control tower

control / kəntrəυl/ noun 1. the

| |

authority or ability to direct somebody noun a tall building on an airfield from

or something 2. 왍 crowd control the which air-traffic controllers organise
management of the movements of large incoming and outgoing aircraft by
numbers of people 3. checking or exam- speaking to their pilots by radio
ining 쐽 verb to direct, to manage or to control zone /kəntrəυl zəυn / noun
control zone

make a machine, system, procedure, a designated ATC area. Abbreviation

etc., work in the correct way 쑗 The pur- CTR
pose of the centrifugal switch is to con- convection /kənvekʃ(ə)n/ noun the
convection

trol the starting and ignition circuits. process by which hot air rises and cool
(NOTE: The word control in English is air descends 쑗 Heat is transferred from
used in a different way to similar words the Earth’s surface upwards largely by
in other languages. In English, the verb convection.
check is more often used to mean ‘look
convective /kənvektv/ adjective
convective

at and verify’ while control is used in

referring to convection, or something
the sense of ‘to make something work which is affected by the vertical circula-
in a particular way’: the yoke and rud- tion of air 왍 convective movement
der pedals are used to control the movement caused by warm air rising
movement of the aircraft. Note also: and cool air descending
controlling – controlled.)
convective clouds /kənvektv
convective clouds

control area |

control area /kəntrəυl eəriə/ noun

|
klaυdz/ plural noun clouds formed as a
the airspace above a particular area on result of warm moist air rising and con-
the ground, which is controlled by a densing at altitude
particular authority. Abbreviation CTA convenience /kənviniəns/ noun 1.
convenience

|
control column

control column /kəntrəυl kɒləm/ | personal comfort and benefit 쑗 Reading

noun the main hand control used by the lights are provided for passengers’ con-
pilot to control the aircraft in roll and venience. 왍 at your convenience when
pitch it is least troublesome for you 2. ease of
controlled airspace

controlled airspace /kəntrəυld |

understanding 쑗 For convenience we
eəspes/ noun airspace which is gov- will assume that the Earth is round. 3.
erned by rules and regulations which usefulness, or easiness to use
convenient /kən viniənt/ adjective
convenient

pilots must comply with. Abbreviation |

CAS 1. useful 쑗 The circular slide rule has a

controller
convenient scale for converting weights
controller /kəntrəυlə/ noun 1. a
|

and volumes. 2. suitable and unlikely to

device which ensures that something cause problems 쑗 We must arrange a
operates in the correct way 쑗 the propel- convenient time and place for the meet-
ler speed controller 2. a person who ing.
manages systems to ensure the smooth
convention /kənvenʃən/ noun 1. an
convention

operation of procedures |

controls idea which because of long usage has

controls /kəntrəυlz/ plural noun
|
become normal and accepted 쑗 By con-
manual or automatic devices that are vention, wind direction is the direction
used to control a machine, a system, from which the wind blows. 2. a meeting
etc., or to make a machine, a system, involving large numbers of people and
etc., work in a correct way 왍 the pilot at long discussions in order to arrive at an
the controls of the aircraft the pilot agreed course of action often outlined
who is operating the flying controls in a public statement 쑗 the Tokyo Con-
vention
control surfaces

control surfaces / kəntrəυl |

s%fsz/ plural noun moveable aero- conventional /kənvenʃ(ə)n(ə)l/

conventional

foils, usually on the wings and tail- adjective usual or familiar to most peo-
plane, which can be operated from the ple 쑗 Every pilot must know the conven-
cockpit by the pilot, thus changing air- tional symbols used for depicting the
craft attitude various ground features on charts.
converge 58
converge /kənv%dȢ/ verb to come
converge

| cause to become less hot 쑗 The airflow

together at a particular point 쑗 Meridi- is used to cool the oil. 쒁 air-cooled
ans converge towards the poles. 왍 air- coolant /kulənt/ noun a substance,
coolant

craft on converging courses aircraft on usually liquid, used to cool something

courses which may eventually be too such as an engine 쑗 radiator coolant 쑗
close to each other if no corrective The coolant is sprayed into the combus-
action is taken. Opposite diverge tion chamber inlet.
convergence /kən v%dȢəns/ noun
convergence

cooler /kulə/ noun a device for cool-

cooler

the fact of coming together at a particu- ing 쑗 A self-contained system, consist-

lar point 쑗 The inter-tropical conver- ing of an oil tank, pump, filter, cooler,
gence zone is the zone in which the and oil jets, lubricates the auxiliary
trade winds from the two hemispheres power unit.
approach each other. 쑗 There is conver- cooling /kulŋ/ noun the action of
cooling

gence of meridians of longitude at the making something cool 쑗 the cooling of

north and south poles. Opposite diver- the oil by the airflow 쐽 adjective reduc-
gence ing the temperature of something 왍
converse /kɒnv%s/ noun the oppo-
converse

cooling medium a substance which

site 쑗 The converse of port is starboard. reduces the temperature of another sub-
왍 warm air rises – the converse is also stance or material
true in other words, cool air descends coordinate /kəυ ɔdnət/ verb 1. to
coordinate

conversion /kənv%ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a

conversion

| bring together the various parts of a pro-

change to a different system or set of cedure or plan to ensure that the opera-
rules 쑗 The conversion of km into nm is tion works correctly 쑗 It is the task of
not difficult. 2. 왍 conversion course air traffic controllers to coordinate the
flying training which enables and qual- movement of traffic in and out of a ter-
ifies a pilot to fly a different aircraft minal. 2. to make different parts of the
type body work well together 쑗 During a
convert /kənv%t/ verb to change to a
convert

|
hover, helicopter pilots must be able to
different system or set of rules 쑗 to con- coordinate movements of both hands
vert km into nm 쑗 How do you convert and feet.
coordinated flight /kəυ ɔdnetd
coordinated flight

degrees C into degrees F? |

converter /kənv%tə/ noun a device

converter

|
flat/ noun flight, especially during
which alters the form of something 쑗 A turns, in which the horizontal and verti-
backup converter converts the alternat- cal forces acting on the aircraft are in
ing current power into direct current. balance 쑗 In coordinated flight, the ball
convertible /kən v%təb(ə)l/ adjec-
convertible
in the turn coordinator will be in the
centre.
|

tive possible to change easily, e.g. to fit

in with a new system or set of standards COMMENT: The ball in the balance
쑗 The statute mile, unlike the nautical
indicator of the turn coordinator shows
the pilot if the aircraft is in coordinated
mile, is not readily convertible into flight or if it is slipping or skidding.
terms of angular measurements. When the ball moves to the left the
convey /kənve/ verb to carry or
convey

| pilot should apply left rudder pedal

move from one place to another 쑗 A pressure, if the ball moves to the right,
large number of tubes convey the cool- the pilot should apply right rudder
ing medium through the matrix. 쑗 Buses pedal pressure.
are used to convey passengers from the Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time

aircraft to the terminal building. 왍 to /kəυɔdnetd junv%s(ə)l tam/

| |

convey information to pass informa- noun time used in aviation based on the
tion from one person to another, or from 24-hour clock format. 쒁 GMT
one place to another coordinates /kəυɔdnəts/ plural
coordinates

cool /kul/ adjective a little cold 왍 cool

cool

noun values used to locate a point on a

weather weather which is not hot, graph or a map 쑗 The airfield can be
warm nor very cold 쐽 verb to become or seen on the map at coordinates B:12.
 59 corrode
coordination
coordination

/kəυɔdneʃ(ə)n/
| |
tified airspeed is indicated airspeed
noun 1. the process of bringing together corrected for instrumentation and
the various parts of a procedure or plan installation error. 2. to mark answers
to ensure that it works correctly 쑗 A res- right or wrong, as in an examination 쑗
cue coordination centre is set up to con- The instructor has corrected the stu-
trol the emergency. 2. the ability to use dents’ examination papers.
different parts of the body together well correction /kərekʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an
correction

쑗 A pilot must have good hand/eye adjustment or change made to some-

coordination. thing to make it correct 2. the use of a
cope /kəυp/ verb to manage to do
cope

mathematical formula for adjusting a

something, often with some difficulty 쑗 known inaccuracy of calculation 쑗 In
In heavy rainstorms, the windscreen applying this correction the reading is
wipers may not be able to cope. 쑗 The converted to that which would occur at
aircraft structure must be able to cope mean sea level. 3. an alteration on, e.g.
with increased loads caused by turning a test answer, which provides the right
movement. answer in place of the wrong answer
copilot /kəυpalət/, co-pilot noun a
copilot
given 쑗 I made several corrections to
licensed pilot who is second in com- the text.
corrective /kərektv/ adjective
corrective

mand to the captain of an aircraft 쑗 The |

copilot landed the aircraft. referring to something designed to cor-

copter /kɒptə/ noun same as heli-
copter
rect
corrective action /kərektv
corrective action

copter (informal ) |

cord /kɔd/ noun a strong thread, usu-

cord
kʃən/ noun action taken to put a situ-
ally of nylon 쑗 Tyres are of pure rubber ation right 쑗 If the pilot realises that the
and are either cord-strengthened or plane is too high on the approach, he or
reinforced. (NOTE: Cord is used to rein- she should take corrective action imme-
force tyres.) diately.
correlate /kɒrəlet/ verb to measure
correlate

core /kɔ/ noun the central part, the

core

heart of something 쑗 The primary wind- something against something else in

ings consist of heavy gauge wire order to form a relationship between the
mounted on a soft iron core. 왍 the core two 쑗 Power is measured not by the
of a problem the central, most funda- amount of work done, but by units of
mental part of a problem accomplishment correlated with time.
correlation /kɒrəleʃ(ə)n/ noun a
correlation

Coriolis force /kɒriəυls fɔs/

Coriolis force
|

measurable and predictable relationship

|

noun force which accelerates the move-

쑗 At a given speed, there is a correlation
ment of a rotating mass perpendicular
to its motion and towards the axis of between time and distance.
correspond /kɒrspɒnd/ verb 1. to
correspond

rotation 쑗 The Coriolis force explains |

why wind patterns are clockwise in the fit with or have a direct relationship
northern hemisphere and anti-clock- with 쑗 Movements of the control sur-
wise in the southern hemisphere. faces correspond to movements of the
pilots flying controls. 2. to be similar to
COMMENT: The Coriolis force acts at a
쑗 In the interests of passenger comfort,
right angle to wind direction and is
directly proportional to wind speed. It the ideal cabin conditions to maintain
is named after G. G. Coriolis, a French would be those corresponding to sea
engineer who died in 1843. level.
corridor / kɒrdɔ/ noun same as air
corridor

correct /kərekt / adjective right 왍

correct

correct tyre pressure the pressure at corridor

corrode /kərəυd/ verb 1. to destroy
corrode

which the tyres should be maintained 쐽 |

verb 1. to adjust in order to make right by a slow chemical process such as rust
쑗 A servo-motor fitted in the elevator 쑗 The sulphur and water content of tur-
trim system will automatically correct bine fuels tend to corrode the compo-
for loads. 쑗 Calibrated airspeed or rec- nents of the fuel and combustion sys-
corrosion 60
tems. 2. to be destroyed by a slow course to change direction or to follow
chemical process such a rust 쑗 Alumin- a different route 2. a formal period of
ium will not corrode easily. study 쑗 a meteorology course 3. contin-
corrosion /kərəυȢ(ə)n/ noun the
corrosion

|
uing time 왍 in the course of the brief-
destruction of a material by chemical ing during the briefing
processes 쑗 Aluminium has a high course correction

course correction /kɔs kə |

resistance to corrosion. 쒁 anti-corro- rekʃ(ə)n/ noun same as heading cor-

sion rection
corrosion protection /kərəυȢ(ə)n
corrosion protection
course deviation indicator
|

course deviation indicator /kɔs

prətekʃən/ noun action and/or meas-
|

divieʃ(ə)n ndketə/ noun a nee-

ures taken to prevent corrosion such as
|

dle in an omni-bearing indicator

rust which indicates if an aircraft is on a
corrosive /kərəυsv/ adjective caus-
corrosive

|
selected course. Abbreviation CDI
ing corrosion 쑗 Sulphuric acid is very cover

corrosive. cover /kvə/ verb 1. to include e.g.

cosine /kəυsan/ noun a trigono-
cosine the complete extent of a period of time
or the whole of a particular area 쑗 The
|

metric function defined as the length of

the side adjacent to an angle in a right- restriction covers the period from 4th-
angled triangle divided by the length of 8th July. 왍 the area covered by the
the hypotenuse. Abbreviation cos forecast the area which the forecast
deals with 2. to deal with a subject, as in
counter /kaυntə/ verb to act against
counter

a text 쑗 The subject of central warning

something so as to remove or reduce its systems is covered in the systems book.
effect 쑗 For level flight, lift must counter 3. to be completely over something so
the force of gravity. 쑗 Some people find as to hide what is underneath 쑗 The area
that swallowing hard counters the is covered in snow. 쐽 noun something
effects of changes in pressure. which goes over something else com-
counter- /kaυntə/ prefix against
counter-

pletely 왍 cloud cover the amount of

counterclockwise /kaυntə
counterclockwise

| cloud 왍 snow cover a situation in which

klɒkwaz/ adjective, adverb US same there is a layer of snow on top of the
as anticlockwise earth so that the earth cannot be seen
counter-rotating propellers
counter-rotating propellers
coverage

coverage /kv(ə)rdȢ / noun 1. the

/kaυntə rəυtetŋ prəpeləz/ plural
| |
amount of space or time given to a sub-
noun propellers which turn in opposite ject, an event, etc. 쑗 More complete cov-
directions (NOTE: They are also called erage of the one-in-sixty rule is given in
contra-rotating propellers.) the plotting section of these notes. 2. the
couple /kp(ə)l/ noun two of some-
couple

area within which a radar unit can

thing 왍 a couple of minutes two or detect objects 쑗 glidepath coverage 쑗
three minutes 쐽 verb 1. to connect or to localiser coverage
join, often mechanically 쑗 The auxiliary cowl

power unit is a self-contained unit cowl /kaυl/ noun a covering usually

which normally consists of a small gas made up of hinged or removable panels
왍 cowl flap a removable or hinged panel
turbine engine which is coupled to a
gearbox. 2. to combine 쑗 Pilot error, of a cowl 쑗 Further cooling can be
coupled with poor weather conditions, obtained by the use of controllable cowl
resulted in an accident. flaps which regulate the amount of air
flowing across the cylinders.
coupling /kplŋ/ noun a joining or
coupling

cowling

connecting component 쑗 When not in cowling /kaυlŋ / noun a covering

use, the coupling is sealed by a dust usually made up of hinged or removable
cap. panels 쑗 Access to the engine compart-
course /kɔs/ noun 1. an imaginary
course
ment is normally via hinged cowling
line across the surface of the Earth panels.
CPL

which must be followed in order to CPL abbreviation Commercial Pilot’s

arrive at the destination 왍 to alter Licence
 61 cross-pointer indicator
crab

crab /krb/ noun a manoeuvre in marks on the wheel and tyre indicate
which an aircraft is steered slightly into that there is no creep.
a crosswind to compensate for flying crest

crest /krest/ noun the top of a moun-

slightly off course 쐽 verb to steer an air- tain or wave 쑗 Wind speeds increase
craft slightly into a crosswind to com- with height, the speed of the wind at the
pensate for flying slightly off course crest of a mountain or wave being the
greatest.
craft

craft /krɑft/ noun 1. a boat, etc., for

carrying people or goods on water 2. an crew

crew /kru/ noun two or more people

aircraft or spacecraft for carrying peo- who have responsibility for flight oper-
ple or goods in the air or in space 쑗 An ations
airship is classified as a lighter-than- criteria

air craft.
criteria /kratəriə/ 쏡 criterion
|

criterion

crankcase

crankcase /krŋkkes/ noun the criterion /kratəriən/ noun a stand-

|

part of the engine that houses the crank- ard by which you define, decide or
shaft and also usually the oil pump 쑗 Oil judge something (NOTE: The plural form
is criteria.) 왍 the criterion for promo-
passages in the crankcase allow lubri-
cating oil to pass through. tion is seniority senior staff will be pro-
crankshaft
moted first
crankshaft /krŋkʃɑft/ noun the critical

part of a piston engine connecting the critical /krtk(ə)l/ adjective 1.

pistons, via the connecting rods, to the extremely important, essential 쑗 Tem-
flywheel and gearbox 쑗 Rpm is the perature and oil pressure are critical to
number of revolutions per minute that any type of system. 2. at which an
the engine crankshaft is making. important change occurs 쑗 As the angle
crash
of attack is increased, it reaches the
crash /krʃ/ noun an accident that critical point when the airflow over the
causes damage 쐽 verb to have an acci- upper surface of the wing begins to
dent or collision that causes damage 쑗 break down.
The aircraft crashed into the sea. cross

cross /krɒs/ verb 1. to get from one

crash-dive /krʃ dav/ verb to
crash-dive

side of an area to another 왍 to cross the

move downwards quickly through the Atlantic to go from one side of the
air front first and crash, or cause an air- Atlantic to the other 2. to go across each
craft to do this other at an angle 쑗 Meridians intersect
crash-land

crash-land /krʃ lnd/ verb to at the poles and cross the equator at
land heavily without using the under- right angles.
carriage, so that the aircraft is damaged cross-check

cross-check /krɒs tʃek/ noun veri-

쑗 The aircraft crash-landed short of the
fication, making certain 쐽 verb to verify
runway. or make certain 쑗 Cross-check doors
crash-landing

crash-landing /krʃ lndŋ/ noun closed and locked and escape slides
an act of landing an aircraft heavily, armed. (NOTE: This word is often used
sometimes without the undercarriage 쑗 in brief messages from one crew mem-
The crash-landing did not damage the ber to another, as from the pilot to cabin
aircraft as much as the pilot expected. staff, to confirm that an action has been
create

create /kriet/ verb to make, to pro-

|
carried out.)
cross-country

duce 쑗 The velocity and pressure of the cross-country /krɒs kntri/ noun
exhaust gas create the thrust in the tur- a flight during which the student pilot
bojet engine. must demonstrate navigation skills 쑗
creep

creep /krip/ noun 1. a process of the qualifying cross-country flight for

weakening and slow damage to some- the PPL
cross-pointer indicator

thing 쑗 Creep is a particular feature of cross-pointer indicator /krɒs

components which are subjected to pɔntə ndketə/ noun a display
operation at high temperatures. 2. a with crossing horizontal and vertical
slight movement of a tyre on a wheel bars to indicate aircraft position in rela-
caused by landing 쑗 Aligned white tion to the glideslope
cross-section 62
cross-section /krɒs sekʃən/ noun
cross-section

required speed from top of climb to top

a view of an object seen as if cut of descent usually giving fuel economy
through 쑗 The diagram is a cross-sec- and long engine life 쑗 Cruising power is
tion of a turbojet engine. about 2,300 rpm.
cruising speed /kruzŋ spid/,
cruising speed

crosswind /krɒswnd/ noun a sur-

crosswind

face wind which blows at an angle to cruise speed noun the speed selected
the landing or take-off heading 쑗 On from top of climb to top of descent, usu-
some aircraft, crosswind take-offs ally giving fuel economy and long
should be made with full aileron deflec- engine life 쑗 The cruising speed is 110
tion in the direction from which the knots.
wind is blowing. cruising weight /kruzŋ wet/
cruising weight

COMMENT : A crosswind landing is one noun the weight of an aircraft in flight,

of the most difficult exercises for a consisting of its weight when empty, the
student pilot. The final approach is weight of its payload, and the weight of
usually made with the aircraft yawed the fuel that it has left
into wind, while tracking the extended
crush /krʃ/ verb to damage by pres-
crush

runway centreline. Just before

touchdown, the pilot aligns the aircraft sure 쑗 Excessive load on the beam may
with the direction of flight using the crush the core.
rudder pedals. Correct timing for the crystal /krstəl/ noun a regular geo-
crystal

alignment and accurate airspeed are metric shape formed by minerals, or as

required to achieve positive contact water freezes
with the runway surface otherwise the
CSDU abbreviation constant speed
CSDU

aircraft may depart the runway to one

side. drive unit
CSU abbreviation constant speed unit
CSU

crosswind component
crosswind component

/krɒs |

CTA abbreviation control area

CTA

wnd kəmpəυnənt/ noun that part of

|

the wind force acting at an angle to the CTOT abbreviation calculated take-off
CTOT

direction of flight time

crosswind leg /krɒswnd leDZ/
crosswind leg

CTR /kəntrəυl/ abbreviation control

CTR

noun part of the airfield traffic circuit zone

flown at approximately 90° to the direc- cubic /kjubk/ adjective measured
cubic

tion of take off and climb out, followed in volume, by multiplying length, depth
by the downwind leg and width 왍 cubic centimetres (cc) the
CRT /si ɑ ti/ abbreviation cathode
CRT

usual unit used to measure the capacity

ray tube of an internal-combustion engine 쑗 The
cruise /kruz/ noun the main part of
cruise

engine has a capacity of 2,000cc.

the flight between top of climb after Abbreviation cc 왍 cubic foot, cubic
take-off and descent for landing 쐽 verb inch, cubic metre, cubic yard the vol-
to fly the main part of the flight between ume of a cube whose edge measures
top of climb after take-off and descent one foot, inch, metre or yard, respec-
for landing 쑗 We are cruising at 500 kt. tively
쑗 Cruising speed, cruising power and cumuliform /kjuməlfɔm/ adjec-
cumuliform

cruising altitude are selected to give tive which develop vertically 쑗 cumuli-
maximum engine efficiency and prolong form clouds such as cumulonimbus
engine life. cumulonimbus
cumulonimbus

/kjumjυləυ |

cruising altitude
cruising altitude

/kruzŋ nmbəs/ noun a dark, low cumulus –

lttjud/, cruising level noun the type of cloud associated with thunder-
altitude at which most of a flight is storms 쑗 A cumulonimbus has a charac-
flown en route to a destination, from top teristic anvil shape. Abbreviation CB
of climb to top of descent 쑗 Our cruis- cumulus /kjumjυləs/ noun big,
cumulus

ing altitude will be 35,000 feet. fluffy, white or grey cloud heaped or
cruising power /kruzŋ paυə/
cruising power

piled up, which develops at low altitude

noun engine power used to give 쑗 Cumulus clouds may develop because
 63 cylindrical
of thermal activity resulting from the process of formation, development and
warming of the surface. 쑗 Grey cumulus decay of a thunderstorm
often develop into cumulonimbus. 쒁 cyclic /sklk, saklk/, cyclical
cyclic

altocumulus, stratocumulus /sklk(ə)l/ adjective referring to or

cumulus cloud /kjumjυləs
cumulus cloud

happening in a cycle 쑗 Off-shore and

klaυd/ noun clouds which form only in on-shore wind patterns are cyclic.
an unstable atmosphere and, as the cyclone /sakləυn/ noun a system of
cyclone

name suggests, often build vertically for winds rotating inwards to an area of low
great distances. Also called heap cloud barometric pressure 쑗 These areas of
current / krənt/ adjective present,
current

low pressure are called hurricanes in

actual, happening at the moment 왍 cur- the Atlantic Ocean, cyclones in the
rent weather conditions present Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, and
weather conditions 왍 current position typhoons in the China Sea. Also called
the position now 쐽 noun 1. an electrical low, depression
supply 쑗 alternating current 쑗 direct cyclonic /saklɒnk/ adjective refer-
cyclonic

current 2. flow ring to air movement, which turns in the

curvature /k%vətʃə/ noun a curved
curvature

same direction as the Earth and which,

shape 왍 curvature of the earth the when seen from above, is anticlockwise
curving of the Earth’s surface due to the in the northern hemisphere and clock-
spherical form of the Earth wise in the southern hemisphere 쑗 In
customary /kstəməri/ adjective
customary

winter the sub-tropical high retreats

normal or usual 쑗 It is customary for the and gives way to cyclonic pressure pat-
senior cabin supervisor to introduce terns which produce cool unsettled con-
herself to passengers at the start of a ditions with rain at times.
flight. cylinder /slndə/ noun a device
cylinder

customs /kstəmz/ noun an official

customs

shaped like a tube, in which a piston

department of government concerned moves 쑗 Smaller aircraft have a static
with movement of people and freight hydraulic system similar to a car, with a
across national borders 왍 customs aer- master cylinder and individual brake
odrome an aerodrome, usually near a cylinders at each wheel. 왍 cylinder
border or coast, with customs facilities block the casing containing the cylin-
customs duty /kstəmz djuti/
customs duty

ders in a internal combustion engine 왍

noun same as import duty 쑗 the duty cylinder head the removable top part of
payable on a carton of cigarettes a piston engine cylinder containing
cycle /sak(ə)l/ noun a series of
cycle
plugs, inlet and exhaust connections
actions which end at the same point as and valves
they begin 쑗 With the piston engine, the cylindrical /slndrk(ə)l/ adjective
cylindrical

cycle is intermittent, whereas in the gas with the shape of a cylinder 쑗 The mod-
turbine, each process is continuous. 왍 ern jet engine is basically cylindrical in
life cycle of the thunderstorm cell the shape.
 D
D abbreviation danger area
D

dangerous to the flight of the aircraft.

DA abbreviation danger area
DA
Abbreviation D, DA
danger zone /dendȢə zəυn/ noun
danger zone

DAAIS abbreviation danger area activ-

DAAIS

ity information service an area where danger exists

data /detə/ noun 1. information
data

DACS abbreviation danger area cross-

DACS

ing service made up of numbers, characters and

symbols often stored on a computer in
DADC abbreviation digital air data
DADC

such a way that it can be processed 쑗

computer Airspeed information is supplied from
DADS abbreviation digital air data sys-
DADS

an air data computer. 왍 meteorological

tem data information about weather condi-
DALR abbreviation dry adiabatic lapse tions stored on a computer 2. informa-
DALR

rate tion. 쒁 recorder

datum /detəm/ noun a reference or
datum

damage /dmdȢ/ noun harm that is

damage

caused to something 쑗 If the tempera- base point of a scale or measurement,

ture rises it can cause serious damage e.g. mean sea level
to the engine. 쐽 verb to cause harm to datum shift trim system /detəm
datum shift trim system

something 쑗 Small stones around the ʃft trm sstəm/ noun a trim system
run-up area may damage propellers. which varies the incidence of an all-
damage tolerance /dmdȢ
damage tolerance
moving tailplane without moving the
tɒlərəns/ noun the ability of a material cockpit controls 쑗 In some aircraft, the
or structure to withstand or resist dam- datum shift is operated automatically.
age 쑗 The structural efficiency of dB abbreviation decibel
dB

bonded and machined structure is not DC abbreviation direct current

DC

achieved at the expense of damage tol- DCL abbreviation departure clearance

DCL

erance.
de- /di/ prefix undo, remove or stop 쑗
de-

dampen /dmpən/ verb 1. to

dampen

deactivate 쑗 depressurise
decrease or reduce 쑗 An accumulator is deactivate /diktvet/ verb to
deactivate

fitted to store hydraulic fluid under

|

turn off a system or a piece of equip-

pressure and dampen pressure fluctua- ment thus stopping it being ready to
tions. 2. to make slightly wet operate 쑗 On some aircraft nose wheel
damper /dmpə/ noun a device to
damper

steering must be deactivated prior to

decrease or reduce something 쑗 A yaw retraction.
damper is used for rudder control. dead reckoning /ded rekənŋ /,
dead reckoning

D & D abbreviation distress and diver-

D & D

ded reckoning noun navigation using

sion cell calculations based on airspeed, course,
danger area /dendȢə eəriə/ noun heading, wind direction and speed,
danger area

airspace of a particular length, width ground speed, and time 쑗 In the early
and depth, within which at particular stages of practical navigation, the stu-
times there may be activities which are dent pilot navigates by using dead reck-
 65 deck
oning. Abbreviation DR (NOTE: The decimal

decimal /desm(ə)l/ noun a decimal

term comes from ‘deduced’ reckoning fraction 쐽 adjective 왍 decimal fraction
or ‘ded’ reckoning.) a fraction as expressed in the decimal
system 쑗 0.50 is a decimal fraction that
de-aerate

de-aerate /di eərəet/ verb to

remove gas, especially carbon dioxide is equal to 1/2. 왍 correct to three
or air, from a liquid such as fuel 쑗 The places of decimal or to three decimal
pump helps to de-aerate the fuel before places correct to three figures after the
it enters the engine. decimal point 쑗 2.754 is correct to three
de-aeration /di eəreʃ(ə)n/ noun
de-aeration

|
decimal places, 2.7 is correct to one
the process of removing gas from a liq- decimal place.
decimal notation

uid such as fuel 쑗 Partial de-aeration of decimal notation /desm(ə)l nəυ |

fuel takes place in the pump. teʃ(ə)n/ noun the method of writing a
de-aerator /di eəretə/ noun a
de-aerator

|
number in the decimal system 쑗 The
device to remove gas from a liquid fraction 3/4 can be written as 0.75 in
de-aerator tray decimal notation. 쑗 Prices and number
de-aerator tray /di eəretə tre/ |
are normally written using decimal
noun a device in the lubrication system notation. 쑗 He finds it difficult to under-
to remove air bubbles from oil stand how the computer works because
deal

deal /dil/ noun 왍 a great deal a large it uses binary not decimal notation.
amount of, a lot of 쑗 A great deal of decimal place

decimal place /desm(ə)l ples/

damage was done to the aircraft as a noun the position of a number to the
result of the fire. 쐽 verb to handle or right of the decimal point
manage 쑗 A computer can deal with the decimal point

constant inputs required to control an decimal point /desm(ə)l pɔnt/

unstable aircraft. noun the dot (.) used to separate a whole
debris number from a decimal fraction
debris /debri/ noun scattered broken
pieces 쑗 Before running up the engine, COMMENT: The decimal point is used
check that the aircraft is on firm ground in the USA and Britain. In most
European countries a comma (,) is
and that the area is free of stones and used to show the decimal, so 4,75% in
other debris. 쑗 The aircraft exploded in Germany is written 4.75% in Britain.
mid-air, spreading debris over a wide decimal system

area of the countryside. decimal system /desm(ə)l

decal /dkl/ noun picture, letters or
decal
sstəm/ noun system of counting
based on the number 10 and using the
|

digits printed on adhesive paper, which

is transferred onto a surface and may be digits 0 – 9
decision

peeled away 쑗 A red decal with AVGAS decision /dsȢ(ə)n/ noun the act of
|

100LL in white letters indicates the type deciding or of making up one’s mind 왍
of fuel to be used. to make a decision to choose a course
decelerate

decelerate /diseləret/ verb to slow

|
of action 쑗 The decision to evacuate the
down 쑗 Reverse thrust and brakes help aircraft was made by the captain.
decision height

to decelerate the aircraft after landing. decision height /dsȢ(ə)n hat/

|

Opposite accelerate noun the altitude at which, during an

deceleration
deceleration

/diseləreʃ(ə)n/
| |
ILS landing approach, a pilot must
noun slowing down 쑗 Anti-skid braking decide whether to land or carry out a
systems units are designed to prevent missed approach 쑗 The pilot waited
the brakes locking the wheels during until she was at decision height before
landing, thus reducing the possibility of initiating the missed approach proce-
wheel skid caused by the sudden decel- dure. Abbreviation DH
eration of the wheel. Opposite acceler- COMMENT: An ILS approach generally
ation has a decision height of 200 ft (60 m)
decibel above ground level.
decibel / desbel/ noun a unit for deck

measuring the loudness of a sound. deck /dek/ noun the floor of a ship or
Abbreviation dB aircraft
decode 66
decode

decode /dikəυd/ verb to change

|
word itself 쑗 A sphere is, by definition,
coded information into readable form 쑗 round.
Incorrectly spaced information pulses deflate /diflet / verb to allow air to
deflate

can result in failure by the ground sta- escape from something, so that it
tion to decode the aircraft information. becomes smaller or collapses. Opposite
decoder

decoder / dikəυdə / noun a device

|
inflate 왍 to deflate a tyre to allow the
used to decode signals from the air traf- air to escape from a tyre
deflation /difleʃ(ə)n/ noun the act
deflation

fic control radar beacon system 쑗 The |

aircraft receiver is set to the required of allowing air to escape from some-
frequency and linked to a selective call thing, so that it becomes smaller or col-
system decoder which has a 4-letter lapses 쑗 Deflation of a tyre is done by
code. depressing the valve.
deflect /d flekt/ verb 1. to cause an
deflect
decrease

decrease noun /dikris/ a lessening |

or reduction 쑗 A decrease in power object to move away from a neutral or

results in the aircraft descending. 쐽 central position 쑗 During an out-of-bal-
verb /dkris/ to become less, to fall 쑗
|
ance turn, the ball in the slip indicator
Air density and pressure decrease with will be deflected to the left or right. 2. to
an increase in altitude. 왘 opposite (all move a moving object, gas or liquid
senses) increase away from its intended path 쑗 In an
deduce open-cockpit aircraft, the windshield
deduce /ddjus/ verb to work some-
|
deflects the airflow over the pilot’s
thing out in the mind using information head.
provided 쑗 Sometimes, it is possible to
deflection /dflekʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
deflection

estimate the depth of the layer of mist or |

fog from the ground observations and movement away from a central or neu-
hence to deduce the ground range from tral position 쑗 Full deflection of the
any height. ailerons is sometimes needed on take-
defect off to counteract a crosswind. 2. the
defect /difekt/ noun a fault or error movement of a moving object, gas or
쑗 Low oil pressure or excessive temper-
liquid away from its intended path 쑗 In
ature indicate the development of a pos- the southern hemisphere the deflection
sible defect. of wind at the equator is to the left.
defective

defective /dfektv/ adjective faulty

|
deformation
deformation

/difɔmeʃ(ə)n/ |

or not operating correctly 쑗 Loss of sup- noun a change of the correct shape
ply pressure is caused by either a defec- caused by stress 쑗 Deformation of wing
tive booster pump or lack of fuel. panels may be an indication of serious
define

define /dfan/ verb 1. to give an

|
structural damage.
exact explanation, as in a dictionary 왍 it deg abbreviation degree
deg

is not easy to define the word it is dif- degradation /deDZrədeʃ(ə)n/ noun

degradation

ficult to say exactly what the word a decrease in quality 쑗 Degradation of

means 2. to set the limits of something the radio signal sometimes makes it
쑗 Cloud tops are very difficult to define. impossible to understand the message.
definite

definite /def(ə)nət/ adjective refer- degrade /dDZred/ verb to decrease

degrade

ring to something which is not in doubt, the quality of something 쑗 Interfering

which is certain 쑗 Using a time scale on signals degrade VOR performance.
the track, the pilot should be prepared degree /dDZri/ noun 1. a level,
degree

to look for a definite feature at a definite amount or quantity 왍 the degree of

time. Opposite indefinite compression the amount of compres-
definition

definition /defnʃ(ə)n/ noun an

| sion 왍 a high degree of safety a high
exact explanation of what a word or level of safety 왍 to a greater degree
expression means 쑗 The definition of a more than 왍 to a lesser degree less than
year is the time taken for a planet to 2. a unit of temperature 쑗 twenty
describe one orbit around the sun. 왍 by degrees Celsius (20°C) 쑗 twenty
definition understood by the use of the degrees Centigrade (20°C) 쑗 seventy
 67 density altitude
degrees Fahrenheit (70°F) 3. a unit of delivery /dlv(ə)ri/ noun the act of
delivery

measurement of an angle equal to providing or giving 쑗 On some pumps, a

1/360th of a circle – each degree is depressurising valve is used to block
divided into 60 minutes and each min- delivery to the system.
utes into 60 seconds 쑗 Make a turn to delivery pressure /dlv(ə)ri
delivery pressure

the right at a bank angle of 30°. 왍 an preʃə/ noun the pressure normally
angle of 90° a right angle 4. a unit of expected when fuel is being pumped
direction as measured on a compass 쑗
deluge /deljudȢ/ noun 쏡 fire deluge
deluge

east = 090° 쑗 west = 270°

system
degrees true /dDZriz tru/ noun
degrees true

demand / dmɑnd/ noun 1. a need or

demand

degrees of direction measured from true |

north, not magnetic north. Also called use caused by necessity 왍 high current
true degrees. Symbol °T demand on a generator a situation
requiring the generator to produce a lot
dehydration /dihadreʃ(ə)n/
dehydration

of electricity 2. a request which is made

noun an unwanted and sometimes dan- firmly 왍 on demand when asked for or
gerous loss of water from the body 쑗 ordered 쑗 A computer will produce, on
Dehydration can be avoided by drink- demand, a flight plan giving the opti-
ing plenty of water. mum route, levels and fuel. 쐽 verb 1. to
de-ice /di as/ verb to remove ice 쑗
de-ice

require as a necessity 쑗 Higher operat-

The ground crew de-iced the aircraft ing weights of modern aircraft demand
prior to take-off. an increase in the number of wheels fit-
de-icer /di asə/ noun a device or ted to the landing gear. 2. to ask firmly
de-icer

substance used to remove ice 쑗 De-icer 쑗 He demanded an explanation.

spray should be checked to make sure it demonstrate /demənstret/ verb to
demonstrate

is not harmful to light aircraft wind- show by clear example or explanation 쑗

screens. Torricelli first demonstrated that the
de-icing /di asŋ/ noun the
de-icing

atmosphere has weight. 쑗 It will be

removal of ice 쐽 adjective referring to demonstrated in chapter 12 that turbu-
the removal of ice 쑗 de-icing fluid 쒁 lence is associated with strong winds.
anti-icing, icing demonstration / demənstreʃ(ə)n/
demonstration

delay /dle / noun a period after the

delay

| noun a clear, often visual, description or

expected time that you have to wait explanation 쑗 Your instructor will give a
before something happens, the length of demonstration of the stall-recovery
time by which something is late 쑗 By technique.
day, the presence of cloud can cause a dense /dens/ adjective 1. referring to
dense

delay in clearance of fog. 쐽 verb 1. to a substance which is closely compacted

make late, to cause to be late 쑗 Take-off 왍 dense fog thick fog 2. referring to the
was delayed because of fog. 2. to put amount of mass of a substance for a
something off until later 쑗 He delayed given unit of volume 쑗 Air which con-
telling her the news until they had tains water vapour is less dense than air
landed. which does not.
delayed-action /dled kʃən/
delayed-action

density /densti/ noun a quantity of

density
|

adjective in which there is an unusual mass for a given unit of volume 쑗 air
passing of time between stimulus and density
response 쑗 The door is fitted with a
density altitude
density altitude

delayed-action lock which operates one /densəti

minute after the power has been lttjud/ noun the pressure altitude
switched off. corrected for non-ISA temperature
COMMENT: Density altitude is a very
deliver /dlvə/ verb to provide, to
deliver

important factor in calculating aircraft

give 쑗 The motor will continue to run performance because of its effect on
but will deliver only one-third the rated engine performance, time to reach
power. 쑗 The pump can deliver fuel at takeoff speed (and therefore length of
the rate of 2,000 gph. take-off run) and rate of climb.
density error 68
density error /densəti erə/ noun a
density error deposit

deposit /dpɒzt/ noun a layer of

|

correction to airspeed to give true air- collected matter on a surface 쑗 A

speed deposit of ice crystals causes the air-
DEP abbreviation departure message
DEP
craft surfaces to change their aerody-
depart /dpɑt/ verb to leave 쑗 The
depart
namic characteristics. 쑗 Wheel brakes
should be inspected for snow or ice
|

flight departs at 0200 GMT. Opposite

arrive
deposits.
depreciate

department /dpɑtmənt/ noun a

department

|
depreciate /dpriʃiet/ verb to |

separate part of a complex whole, espe- decrease in value 쑗 The aircraft depre-
cially of an organisation ciated by 100% over the 5 year period.
Opposite appreciate
departure /dpɑtʃə/ noun 1. the act
departure

| depreciation

of leaving 왍 departure time the time depreciation /dpriʃieʃ(ə)n/

| |

when an aircraft becomes airborne 2. noun a decrease in value 쑗 There was a

the distance between two meridians at depreciation of 100% in the value of the
any given latitude aircraft over the 5 year period. Oppo-
site appreciation
departure lounge /dpɑtʃə
departure lounge

|
depress

laυndȢ/ noun a room at an airport depress /dpres / verb to push down

|

where passengers wait to board their 쑗 Switches on the control columns

aircraft instantly disengage the autopilot when

departure point /dpɑtʃə pɔnt/
departure point

|
depressed.
depression

noun a place on the map representing depression /dpreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an

|

the place from which a flight begins area of low atmospheric pressure 쑗 In
departures /dpɑtʃəz/ noun the
departures

|
the northern hemisphere, the wind
part of an airport that deals with passen- blows anticlockwise round a depression
gers who are leaving and clockwise round an anticyclone and
vice versa in the southern hemisphere. 왍
depend /dpend/ verb 1. to be con-
depend

|
deep depression area of very low rela-
trolled or affected entirely by some- tive atmospheric pressure 2. a lower
thing 쑗 Whether or not an object can be area on a surface, which is often diffi-
seen by aircrew at a given distance will cult to see 쑗 A depression on the wing
depend on factors such as size, shape surface must be investigated in case it is
and colour of the object. 쑗 If an aircraft an indication of more serious structural
ditches in the sea, early rescue depends damage.
on rapid location of survivors. 2. to rely depressurisation

on 쑗 Pilots depend on air traffic con- depressurisation /dipreʃəra | |

trollers to help them conduct a safe zeʃ(ə)n/, depressurization noun a

flight. loss, especially sudden, of cabin pres-
sure 쑗 Emergency oxygen must be avail-
dependable /d pendəb(ə)l/ adjec-
dependable

able in the event of depressurisation.

tive reliable, trustworthy 쑗 Mercury depressurise

barometers have largely been replaced depressurise /dipreʃəraz/, |

by precision aneroid barometers which depressurize verb to lose pressure

are smaller, simpler to use, and more suddenly, or to cause to lose pressure 쑗
dependable. The aircraft began to depressurise at
dependent /dpendənt/ adjective
dependent

|
20,000 feet.
depth

relying on or unable to do without depth /depθ/ noun the distance from

something 쑗 The height indicated by an the top surface of something to the bot-
altimeter is dependent on the pressure tom 쑗 The troposphere’s depth is varia-
which is set on the sub-scale. ble in temperate latitudes.
derive

deploy /dplɔ/ verb to come into derive /d rav/ verb to get or to obtain
deploy

| |

action, to become ready to be used 쑗 쑗 Performance data is derived from

Slide rafts are door-mounted and auto- flight tests. 쑗 Kepler derived the laws
matically deploy and inflate when the which relate to the motion of planets in
door is opened in the armed position. their orbits.
 69 detachable wheel spats
designer /dzanə/ noun a person
descend designer

descend /dsend/ verb to lose alti-

| |

tude, usually in a planned manoeuvre 왍 who has the idea for, and makes plans to
the aircraft descended to 10,000 feet produce, something 쑗 Rutan is a
the pilot reduced altitude until the air- designer of unusual-looking aircraft.
craft was at 10,000 feet. Opposite ‘…test-pilot’s tip for a safe first flight –
climb, ascend take the designer with you’ [Flight
descent

descent /dsent/ noun a planned loss

|
International 9–15 Oct. 1996]
desirable /dzaərəb(ə)l/ adjective
desirable

of altitude 쑗 The descent from cruise |

altitude took 40 minutes. 왍 in the preferred or wanted 쑗 Equalisation of

descent during planned loss of altitude, the air pressure across the eardrum is
usually in preparation for landing more difficult to achieve during
‘…a search of radar recordings showed
descents than ascents, and a minimum
that a DC-10 had tracked within a few rate of pressure change is desirable.
despite /d spat/ preposition in spite
despite

hundred metres of the house while |

passing 9,500 feet in the descent to of 쑗 Many beacons and aids which are
Gatwick’ [Pilot] provided for low operations are left out
describe

describe /dskrab/ verb 1. to give to keep the chart clear – despite this, the
charts still look very difficult to under-
|

the particular features of something 왍 to

describe what happened put into stand. 왍 despite the weather, we took
words exactly what happened 2. to draw off although the weather was bad, we
a geometric figure or to move in a line took off
DEST abbreviation destination
DEST

that forms a geometric figure 쑗 The def-

destination /destneʃ(ə)n/ noun
destination

inition of a year is the time taken for a |

planet to describe one orbit around the the place to which somebody or some-
sun. 왍 to describe an arc to draw or thing is going 쑗 Aerodrome forecasts
move in an arc are normally given in code form for
description
destination and alternates.
description /dskrpʃən/ noun 1.
|

destroy /dstrɔ/ verb to damage so

destroy

the act of giving the particular features |

of something 쑗 a detailed description of much as to make useless 쑗 The aircraft

world climate 2. the drawing or making was destroyed in the accident.
destruction /dstrkʃən/ noun an
destruction

of a geometric figure 왍 the description |

of a triangle the drawing of a triangle act or instance of making completely

desert useless by breaking 쑗 By testing
desert /dezət/ noun a large area of selected parts to destruction, a safe life
dry often sandy country 쑗 Over desert can be assessed for all structures and
areas the lack of water vapour produces components.
cold nights.
destructive /dstrktv/ adjective
destructive

|
design

design /dzan/ noun a plan or draw-

|
referring to something which destroys 왍
ing of something before it is made 쑗 The the winds of a tornado are extremely
design and testing of aircraft are impor- destructive tornadoes cause a lot of
tant stages in the development pro- serious damage
gramme. 쐽 verb to draw plans using detach /dttʃ/ verb to remove a part
detach

accurate information in preparation for from something, or to be removed 쑗 A

constructing something 왍 to design an fuselage panel became detached and
aircraft to have the idea, make draw- had to be replaced. 쑗 The parachute
ings, calculate data, etc., with the inten- flare is a device which is fired to a
tion of producing an aircraft height of 1,200 ft where a red flare and
designate

designate /dezDZnet/ verb to parachute detach.

choose for a special purpose 쑗 This detachable /dttʃəb(ə)l/ adjective
detachable

region is designated as a fire zone. referring to something which can be

designator

designator /dezDZnetə/ noun a unfixed and removed

group of letters and/or numbers that detachable wheel spats /d
detachable wheel spats

identify something ttʃəb(ə)l wil spts/ plural noun

detail 70
streamlined coverings for the wheels of the safety of hundreds of passengers is
light aircraft which can be taken off to involved, and regulations determine the
allow inspection and repairs of tyres minimum crew that must be carried.
detail /ditel/ noun the important and
detail detonation

detonation /detə neʃ(ə)n/ noun a

|

less important facts about something 쑗 sudden, explosive burning of the

The amount of detail which appears on air/fuel mixture 쑗 Prior to the accident,
a topographical chart depends upon the engine detonation could be heard by
scale. people on the ground.
detect /dtekt / verb to discover the
detect

|
COMMENT: Detonation imposes
presence of something 쑗 Apart from excessive loads on the pistons and
sensing the abnormal rate of descent of other engine components, possibly
a false glide slope, the pilot can detect causing engine damage and resulting
an error by comparing height with dis- in engine failure.
tance to go. develop

develop /dveləp/ verb 1. to come

|

detection /dtekʃən/ noun the dis- into being 쑗 Carburettor icing may
detection

covery of the presence of something develop in any type of carburettor in

detector /d tektə/ noun a device for
detector

|
relatively warm air temperatures. 쑗
discovering the existence of something Vertical motion and therefore turbu-
왍 ice detector a device for detecting the lence suggest that thunderstorms may
presence of ice on the airframe 쑗 When develop. 2. to get bigger, to grow and
ice forms on the vibrating rod ice detec- change 쑗 During the day, light breezes
tor head, the probe frequency may develop into strong winds.
development

decreases. development /dveləpmənt/ noun

|

deteriorate /dtəriəret/ verb to

deteriorate

|
1. something new, made as an improve-
become or make bad or worse 쑗 The ment on something older 쑗 Satellite
electrolyte in the cells of a nickel-cad- navigation aids for light aircraft are a
mium battery does not chemically react recent development. 2. growth and
with the plates and so the plates do not change 쑗 To study weather and its
deteriorate. 왍 deteriorating weather development, the meteorologist has to
worsening weather be aware of the horizontal changes in
deterioration
deterioration

/dtəriəreʃ(ə)n/
atmospheric pressure both in space and
time.
| |

noun worsening 왍 a deterioration in deviate

the situation a worsening of the situa- deviate /diviet / verb to move away
tion from the normal position or path 쑗 If the
determination /dt%mneʃ(ə)n/
determination

| |
aircraft deviates beyond the normal ILS
noun 1. the act of finding out by calcu- glide slope, the flight crew are alerted.
deviation

lation 쑗 Structure design for a given deviation /divieʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the

|

safe life has led to the determination of process of moving away from the nor-
the minimum number of flying hours mal position or path 쑗 On final
which should pass before major failure approach, any deviation from the
occurs. 2. the strength of mind to do extended centreline of the runway
what is required 쑗 Determination was a should be corrected immediately. 2. a
major factor in the trainee passing his magnetic compass error in a particular
exams. aircraft caused by magnetic influences
determine /dt%mn/ verb 1. to find
determine

|
in the structure and equipment of the
out by calculation 쑗 To determine the aircraft itself 쑗 Deviation is not a con-
average age, divide the total number of stant value but varies from one aircraft
years by the number of people. 쑗 When to another.
device

we wish to fly from one place to another, device /dvas/ noun an object, espe-
|

it is first necessary to determine the cially mechanical or electrical, which

direction of the destination from the has been made for a particular purpose
departure point. 2. to set or to fix pre- 쑗 A capacitor is a device with the ability
cisely 쑗 On a large transport aircraft, to temporarily store an electric charge.
 71 diffusion
dew /dju/ noun drops of condensed diaphragm /daəfrm/ noun a thin
dew diaphragm

moisture left on the ground overnight in sheet of material used to separate parts
cool places or chambers 쑗 Some switches are oper-
dew point /dju pɔnt/ noun the
dew point
ated by a diaphragm which flexes under
temperature at which air is saturated fluid or air pressure.
with water vapour and condensation differ /dfə/ verb to be unlike 쑗 Track
differ

begins and heading differ by the amount of

COMMENT: Weather reports usually drift. 쑗 Because the chart time and the
include the air temperature and dew departure/arrival times differ, it is nec-
point temperature. When the essary to consider the movement of any
difference between temperature and weather system which might affect the
dew point is small, there is a strong route.
possibility of fog, clouds, or
differential /dfərenʃəl/ adjective
differential

precipitation. |

referring to things which react differ-

DF abbreviation direction finding
DF

ently when measured against a norm or

DFDR abbreviation digital flight data
DFDR

standard 왍 differential heating of the

recorder atmosphere the heating of the atmos-
DFR abbreviation departure flow regu-
DFR

phere to varying temperatures depend-

lation ing on the relative warmth of the land at
DFTI abbreviation Distance from
DFTI

the equator and the poles

touchdown indicator differential expansion switch
differential expansion switch

DH abbreviation decision height /dfərenʃəl kspnʃ(ə)n swtʃ/

DH

DI abbreviation direction indicator

DI
noun a switch which operates on the
diagonal / daDZən(ə)l/ adjective 1.
diagonal

|
principle that the coefficients of expan-
joining two opposite corners of a rec- sion of dissimilar metals are different
differentiate /dfərenʃiet/ verb to
differentiate

tangle 2. sloping halfway between the |

vertical and horizontal 쑗 Early aircraft recognise the difference between two
were of the wire braced type of con- things; to show two things to be differ-
struction, the wire being superseded by ent 쑗 Some types of colour blindness
tubular diagonal struts. 쐽 noun a line make the sufferer unable to differentiate
joining two opposite corners of a rec- between blue and red.
tangle diffraction /dfrkʃ(ə)n/ noun the
diffraction

diagram /daəDZrm/ noun an often

diagram
breaking down of a beam of radiation 쑗
simplified drawing showing the struc- Diffraction produces a surface wave
ture or workings of something 쑗 The which follows the curvature of the
diagram shows a simple open-circuit earth.
system. diffuse / dfjus/ adjective spread out
diffuse

diagrammatic
diagrammatic

/daəDZrəmtk/
|
in every direction 쑗 Glare caused by dif-
adjective referring to something which fuse reflection of sunlight from the top
is shown as a drawing of a system or of a layer of fog or haze can seriously
structure 왍 diagrammatic format in reduce air-to-ground visibility. 쐽 verb to
the form of a diagram spread out in every direction 쑗 Light dif-
dial /daəl/ noun the face of an instru-
dial
fuses as it passes through fog.
diffuser /dfjuzə/ noun a device in a
diffuser

ment showing a scale 쑗 A cup anemom- |

eter is connected to an instrument with jet engine that alters the direction of
a dial showing wind speed in knots. flow of the air entering the engine as
diameter /damtə/ noun the dis-
diameter

|
part of the process of compressing it
tance from one side of a circle to the before it reaches the combustion cham-
other, passing through the centre 왍 ber
equatorial diameter the distance from diffusion /dfjuȢ(ə)n/ noun the
diffusion

the equator, through the centre of the process of spreading out 쑗 Gas from the
Earth to the equator on the opposite side turbine enters the exhaust system at
of the globe high velocities but, because of high fric-
digit 72
tion losses, the speed of flow is direct current /darekt krənt/
direct current

decreased by diffusion. noun an electric current flowing in one

digit

digit /ddȢt/ noun any number from direction only 쑗 An electric starter is
0 to 9 쑗 Information is provided in a usually a direct current electric motor
four-digit group. coupled to the engine, which automati-
digital cally disengages after the engine starts.
digital /ddȢt(ə)l/ adjective referring Abbreviation DC
to a system or device which uses signals
direction /da rekʃən/ noun the
direction

or information in the form of numbers |

dihedral course taken by somebody or some-

dihedral / dahedr(ə)l/ noun the
|
thing 쑗 The Earth rotates about its own
angle between an upward sloping air- axis in an anticlockwise direction.
craft wing and a horizontal line directional /darekʃən(ə)l/ adjec-
directional

|
diluted

diluted /dalutd/ adjective made

|
tive referring to the course taken by
weaker by adding water or some other somebody or something
fluid 쑗 Spillage from a lead acid battery directional gyro / darekʃ(ə)n(ə)l
directional gyro

may be neutralised by washing with a dȢarəυ/ noun a gyroscopic instrument

diluted solution of sodium bicarbonate. which indicates direction but does not
diluter

diluter / dalutə/ noun a device for

| have a north-seeking magnet 쑗 The
decreasing the strength or concentration directional gyro should be set to corre-
of a liquid or gas 쑗 Most flight decks use spond with the magnetic compass. 쒁
the diluter demand system in which the heading indicator
oxygen is diluted with cabin air. directional radar beam /da
directional radar beam

rekʃ(ə)n(ə)l redɑ bim/ noun a sig-

dimension

dimension /damenʃən/ noun a |

measurable distance such as height, nal from a directional beacon enabling

length, etc., or a measurement of height, the pilot to determine a bearing from the
length, etc. 쑗 Variations of atmospheric beacon with a communications receiver
pressure produce changes in the dimen- direction indicator /darekʃən
direction indicator

sion of the capsule chamber. ndketə/ noun an instrument which

diminish

diminish /dmnʃ/ verb to decrease

|
gives direction information. Abbrevia-
or to reduce in size or importance 쑗 tion DI
directive /darektv / adjective refer-
directive

Friction is greatest near the ground and |

diminishes with height. 쑗 At higher alti- ring to the ability of a device to send or
tudes, ground objects are less easily receive signals in straight lines 쑗 The
seen because of diminished size. antenna is highly directive in transmis-
diode

diode /daəυd/ noun an electronic sion and reception. 쐽 noun general or

component that allows an electrical cur- detailed instructions from management
rent to pass in one direction and not the to staff to guide them in their work 쑗
other According to the management directive,
dioxide all late arrivals should be logged.
dioxide /daɒksad/ noun an oxide
|

director /darektə/ noun 1. a device

director

containing two atoms of oxygen. 쒁 car-

|

with a central controlling function 쑗

bon dioxide
dip
EFIS is a highly sophisticated type of
dip to move e.g. the wing or nose of an flight director system. 2. a person who
aircraft so that it points downwards is a member of the board that controls
direct

direct /darekt/ adjective 1. in a

|
the activities of a company 쑗 managing
straight line; by the shortest route 쑗 a director
direct flight 2. complete 쑗 the direct disadvantage /dsədvɑntdȢ/
disadvantage

opposite 쐽 verb to guide or control the noun an unwanted situation or condi-

movement of something 쑗 Clamshell tion, or a factor which makes somebody
doors are hydraulically or pneumati- or something less likely to succeed 쑗
cally opened, and direct the exhaust The disadvantage of a booster pump is
gases forwards to produce reverse that the output is constant so that when
thrust. engine demand is high, fuel pressure
 73 dispense
tends to be low and vice versa. Opposite discuss /dsks/ verb to write about
discuss

advantage or talk about a subject 쑗 This chapter

disadvantaged

disadvantaged /dsədvɑntdȢd/ |
will discuss HF and VHF voice commu-
adjective 왍 physically disadvantaged nications.
disembark /dsmbɑk/ verb to
disembark

(person) a person who has a physical |

disability leave the aircraft after landing 쑗 The

passengers finally disembarked at
COMMENT: The word ‘disadvantaged’
may be regarded by some people as a 20.00 hours.
disembarkation /dsmbɑ
disembarkation

politically correct term for ‘disabled’. |

With the help of specially-adapted keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of leaving the
controls, more and more disabled aircraft after landing 쑗 The exits are
people are learning to fly. used as conventional doors for disem-
disappear

disappear /dsəpə/ verb 1. to van-

|
barkation.
disengage / dsnDZedȢ/ verb to
disengage

ish 쑗 If air blew at right angles to iso- |

bars, the horizontal pressure differ- switch off a system or device 쑗 Switches
ences would eventually disappear. 2. to on the control columns instantly disen-
pass out of sight 쑗 The aircraft took off, gage the autopilot when depressed.
climbed out and soon disappeared from dish /dʃ/ noun a shallow container for
dish

view. food
dish antenna /dʃ ntenə/ noun a
disarm dish antenna

disarm /dsɑm/ verb 1. to switch off

|
|

an active or live system 쑗 On the ground circular antenna with a shape like a
approaching the terminal, the flight shallow bowl
disintegration /dsntDZreʃ(ə)n/
disintegration

deck will instruct the cabin crew to dis- | |

arm the escape devices. 2. to forcibly noun the falling apart or destruction of
remove a weapon from somebody 쑗 The something 쑗 Electromagnetic radia-
hijacker was disarmed by security tions resulting from the disintegration
forces. of radioactive materials are known as
disc

disc /dsk/ noun a circular flat plate 쑗 gamma rays.

dismantle /dsmnt(ə)l/ verb to
dismantle

A turbine consists of a disc on which is |

mounted a number of blades. take apart into single components 쑗 One

discharge type of inspection is able to reveal
discharge / dstʃɑdȢ/ noun a|
fatigue cracks, corrosion, internal dam-
release of power from a source such as age, the presence of loose articles and
a battery 쑗 A lightning flash is a large- mercury spillage without the need to
scale example of an electrical spark, or dismantle the aircraft. Opposite
discharge. 왍 battery discharge the loss assemble (NOTE: The verb ‘mantle’ is
or release of electrical supply from a not used.)
battery 쐽 verb to release electrical sup- disorientation /dsɔriənteʃ(ə)n/
disorientation

ply from a source such as a battery 쑗

|

noun a state of confusion in which there

The battery discharged overnight. is loss of understanding of where one is
disconnect

disconnect /dskənekt/ verb to | or which direction one is facing, etc. 쑗

separate two things attached to one When the cabin is rapidly and com-
another 쑗 The electrical supply can be pletely filled by smoke and fumes pas-
disconnected by pulling out the plug. sengers will suffer from disorientation.
dispensation /dspenseʃ(ə)n/
discrimination dispensation

discrimination /dskrm | |

|

neʃ(ə)n/ noun the ability to know or noun permission not to have to do

see the difference between two similar something 쑗 At very high altitudes the
things 쑗 Targets on the same bearing flying pilot must be on oxygen at all
which are separated radially by less times, unless an aircraft dispensation
than half a pulse length distance will has been obtained.
appear at the receiver as one echo, so dispense /dspens/, dispense with
dispense

good target discrimination requires verb not to include or not to use some-
short pulses. thing 쑗 In some cases the rivets are dis-
dispersal 74
pensed with and the skin is fixed to the ential expansion switches operate on
internal members by the redux process. the principle that the coefficients of
dispersal /dsp%s(ə)l/ noun 1. the
dispersal

|
expansion of dissimilar metals are dif-
act of leaving an area and going in dif- ferent.
ferent directions 왍 the dispersal of a
dissipate

dissipate /dspet/ verb to spread

crowd the disappearance of a crowd 2. out and lose power or strength, or to
the clearing away of something such as cause something to do this 쑗 Tropical
mist, e.g. by the wind 쑗 the dispersal of storms often dissipate as they pass from
hill fog 쑗 Dispersal of cloud takes place sea to land.
when surface heating lifts the cloud dissipation

base or drier air is advected.

dissipation /dspeʃ(ə)n/ noun the |

process of spreading out and losing

disperse /dsp%s/ verb 1. to leave an
disperse

|
power or strength 쑗 The rubber used on
area going in different directions 왍 the nose or tail wheels is usually con-
crowd dispersed the people in the structed to form a good electrical con-
crowd left the area, going in different ductor for the safe dissipation of static
directions, so that eventually the crowd electricity.
disappeared 2. to clear away 쑗 The fluo- dissolve

rescent green dye will disperse slowly in dissolve /dzɒlv/ verb to become or
|

a calm sea but quickly in a moderate to to cause to become part of a liquid and
rough sea. form a solution 쑗 Sugar dissolves in
water. 쑗 There is a possibility that in
displace /dsples/ verb to move
displace

|
some types of accumulator, gas may be
something out of its normal position 쑗 dissolved into the fluid and thus intro-
The atmosphere is said to be stable if, duced into the system.
when a parcel of air is displaced verti- dissolved

cally, it tends to return to its original dissolved /dzɒlvd/ adjective that|

level. has melted and become of a liquid 왍

dissolved water water in solution in
displacement /dsplesmənt/ noun
displacement

fuel
|

movement away from the normal posi- distance

tion 쑗 The ILS is a cross-pointer indica- distance /dstəns/ noun a space

tor which shows the aircraft horizontal between two places or points, or the
displacement from the localiser and measurement of such a space 쑗 The dis-
vertical displacement from the glide tance from point A to point B is 100 nm.
path. 쑗 The distance from point A to point B

display /dsple/ noun 1. the appear-

display

|
on the diagram is 2 cm. 쑗 The height of
ance of information on a monitor screen the aircraft is the vertical distance,
or on the panel of an instrument or of an measured in feet, of the aircraft above
indicator 쑗 There are three different the surface of the Earth.
distance measuring equipment

types of electronic display systems: distance measuring equipment

EFIS, EICAS and ECAM. 왍 digital dis- /dstəns meȢ(ə)rŋ kwpmənt/ |

play information shown as numbers 쑗 noun an airborne secondary radar

The clock uses a digital display to show whose signal is converted into distance
the time of 12:33. 2. a show or demon- 쑗 It is quite common to find a VOR
stration 쐽 verb to show, e.g. on a panel located together with DME (Distance
or a screen 쑗 Alerting and warning Measuring Equipment) to give simulta-
information is displayed. neous range and bearing from the same
disseminate /dsemnet/ verb to
disseminate

|
point on the ground. Abbreviation DME
send out or spread 쑗 Meteorological COMMENT: DME equipment is usually
stations make routine weather observa- located in a VOR station. Other
tions at fixed intervals and disseminate equipment in the aircraft transmits a
this information locally. signal to the VOR station, which
replies. The equipment in the aircraft
dissimilar /dsmlə/ adjective refer-
dissimilar

|
converts the signal into distance and
ring to something which is not the same also calculates ground speed and the
as, or is unlike, something else 쑗 Differ- time needed to reach the station.
 75 diurnal
distillation

distillation /dstleʃ(ə)n/ noun the |

provides immediate assistance to air-
process by which a liquid is heated and craft in difficulty
the resulting vapour is then condensed distress signal

distress signal /d stres sDZn(ə)l/ |

and collected 쑗 With kerosene-type noun a signal transmitted by an aircraft

fuels, the volatility is controlled by dis- in danger
tillation. distribute

distribute /dstrbjut/ verb 1. to

|
distinct

distinct /dstŋkt/ adjective clear

|
give or send out 쑗 There are two basic
and easily seen or understood 쑗 When a configurations which are used to dis-
lead-acid battery is fully charged, each tribute electrical power, the parallel
cell displays three distinct indications. system and the split bus system. 2. to
spread over a wide area 쑗 Multiple
distinction

distinction /dstŋkʃən/ noun |

something which makes one thing dif- wheel undercarriage units distribute
ferent from another 쑗 A clear distinc- the weight of the aircraft.
tion is made between showers and gen- distribution

distribution /dstrbjuʃ(ə)n/ noun |

eral precipitation. 1. the act of giving or sending out 쑗 Par-

distinctive /d stŋktv/ adjective allel AC and DC power distribution sys-
distinctive

easily recognised because of particular tems are found on commercial aircraft

features or characteristics 쑗 Concorde is containing three or more engines. 2. the
a very distinctive-looking aeroplane. fact of being spread over an area 쑗
distinguish

distinguish /dstŋDZwʃ/ verb to |

There is a high distribution of used and
know or to see the difference between disused airfields in the south of Eng-
things 쑗 A receiver antenna would be land.
distributor

unable to distinguish between signals distributor /dstrbjυtə/ noun a

|

unless they had some differing charac- device which sends an electrical charge
teristics. to each spark plug in turn 쑗 The distrib-
distinguishable

distinguishable /d |
utor directs the high voltage impulses to
stŋDZwʃəb(ə)l/ adjective easily rec- the cylinders in turn as they reach their
ognised as different from 쑗 Useful ignition point.
disturb

ground features must be easily distin- disturb /dst%b/ verb to upset the
|

guishable from their surroundings. normal condition of something 쑗 Small

distort

distort /dstɔt/ verb 1. to put out of

|
hills can disturb the flow of air.
disturbance

shape 쑗 Stress could cause the body of disturbance /dst%bəns/ noun |

the aircraft to distort or change its something that upsets the normal condi-
shape. 2. to produce a bad radio signal tion of something 쑗 In general, the
쑗 The sound of the transmission is dis- higher the mountain and the faster the
torted if the volume is set too high. air flow the greater is the resulting dis-
distortion

distortion /dstɔʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the |

turbance.
ditch

bending or twisting of something so ditch /dtʃ/ verb to land a plane in the

that it is out of shape 쑗 Difficulty in sea, in an emergency 쑗 Even though air-
closing a door may be caused by distor- craft have ditched successfully, lives
tion of the airframe. 2. alteration of the have been lost because life rafts were
electrical signal that makes a transmis- not launched in time.
sion unclear 쑗 Distortion of the signal ditching

ditching /dtʃŋ/ noun the act of

made it difficult for the controller to landing a plane in the sea, in an emer-
understand what the pilot said. gency 쑗 After all four engines stopped,
distress

distress /d stres/ noun 1. serious | the captain had to seriously consider
danger or difficulty 2. a personal worry the possibility of a ditching in the
or anxiety 쑗 Some passengers were in Indian Ocean.
distress after the incident. diurnal

diurnal /da%n(ə)l/ adjective refer-

|
distress and diversion cell

distress and diversion cell /d | ring to the 24-hour cycle of day and
stres ənd dav%Ȣ(ə)n sel/ noun a | night 쑗 Diurnal changes in surface tem-
unit at an air traffic control centre that perature over the sea are small.
dive 76
dive /dav/ noun a steep nose-down
dive

the calculation of how may times a

attitude of an aircraft 왍 to pull out of or number is contained in another number
from a dive to return the aircraft to 쑗 The division sign is ÷.
level flight after a nose-down flight path DME

DME abbreviation distance measuring

쑗 During manoeuvring of an aircraft, equipment
when banking, turning and pulling out document

document /dɒkjυmənt/ noun a

from a dive, stresses on the airframe are piece of writing, e.g. a memo, letter or
increased. 쐽 verb to put the aircraft into report 쑗 The flight crew route flight plan
a steep nose-down attitude 쑗 The air- is a composite document which also
craft dived to avoid the other aircraft. serves as a navigation log.
(NOTE: diving – dived)
documentation
documentation

/dɒkjυmen
diverge /da v%dȢ/ verb to move fur-
diverge
|

teʃ(ə)n/ noun a collection of letters,

|

ther apart from something else 쑗 Air

diverges at low levels and converges at memos, reports, etc. 쑗 Flight crews are
high levels, causing a sinking or subsid- provided with a full meteorological
ing effect in the atmosphere. Opposite briefing, backed by documentation, a
converge
short time before ETD.
domestic

divergence /dav%dȢəns/ noun the

divergence

|
domestic /dəmestk/ adjective
|

act of moving apart 쑗 Divergence of air referring or belonging to inside a coun-

at high levels leads to rising air at low try 쑗 Domestic flights usually leave
levels with a consequent pressure fall. from Terminal 1.
dominant /dɒmnənt/ adjective
dominant

Opposite convergence
divergent /dav%dȢənt/ adjective
divergent

|
main or most influential 쑗 Both pres-
referring to something which moves sure and temperature decrease with
further apart from something else height but the pressure change is the
dominant one and so, as pressure
divergent duct /dav%dȢənt dkt/
divergent duct

decreases with height, so does density.

noun a duct which has an inlet area dominate

which is smaller than the outlet area dominate /dɒmnet/ verb to have
diversion /da v%ʃ(ə)n/ noun a
diversion the most effect or influence on 쑗
Because the chart time and the depar-
|

change in route or destination caused by

bad weather, technical problem, etc. 쑗 ture/arrival times differ, it is necessary
to consider the movement of any
The aircraft had to make a diversion to
weather system which will dominate the
another airport due to fog.
route.
divert /dav%t/ verb to turn away
divert

Doppler radar /dɒplə redɑ/ noun

| Doppler radar

from a course or a destination 쑗 An

automatic cut-out valve is fitted to radar which can distinguish between
divert pump output to the reservoir fixed and moving targets or provide
when pressure has built up to normal ground speed and track information
operating pressure. 쑗 The aircraft was from an airborne installation
Doppler VOR

diverted to Manchester airport because Doppler VOR /dɒplə vi əυ ɑ/

of fog. noun an adaptation of VOR to reduce
divide /dvad/ verb 1. to separate
divide

|
errors caused by location
dot /dɒt/ noun a small circular mark on
dot

into parts 쑗 Air masses are divided into

two types according to source region paper 쑗 The highest point in a locality is
and these are known as polar and trop- marked by a dot with the elevation
ical air masses. 2. to calculate how marked alongside.
many times a number is contained in downdraught /daυndrɑft/ noun 1.
downdraught

another number 쑗 Eight divided by four cool air which flows downwards as a
equals two (8 ÷ 4 = 2). rainstorm approaches. Opposite
division /dvȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. separa- updraught 2. air which flows rapidly
division

tion into parts 왍 the division of the down the lee side of a building, moun-
lower atmosphere the separation of the tain, etc. (NOTE: It is also written down-
atmosphere into its component layers 2. draft in US English.)
 77 drive
downstream /daυnstrim/ adverb
downstream

|
in the lower skin of the cabin are open
in the direction of flow, or further along when the cabin is unpressurised, allow-
the line of flow 쑗 Internally driven ing moisture to drain.
superchargers are generally used on drainage

drainage /drendȢ/ noun 1. the act

medium and high powered engines and of allowing a fluid to escape from its
are fitted downstream of the throttle container 쑗 Drainage of water from the
valve. fuel system should be carried out before
downward /daυnwəd/ adjective
downward

the first flight of the day. 2. a system of

moving to a lower level 쑗 When flying in outlets for fluid such as water or fuel to
turbulent air conditions, an aircraft is pass out of a closed area
subjected to upward and downward draught

gust loads.
draught /drɑft/ noun a local current
of air 쑗 a down draught or an updraught
downwards /daυnwədz/ adverb to
downwards

(NOTE: This word is written draft in US

a lower level, towards the bottom 쑗 Pull English.)
the toggles downwards to inflate the life draw

jacket. Opposite upwards (NOTE: In US draw /drɔ/ verb 1. to make a picture as

English, downward is used as an with a pencil, on paper, etc. 쑗 Because
adverb and as an adjective.) there is a temperature gradient across
each front it is possible to draw iso-
downwind /daυnwnd/ adjective,
downwind

therms which reduce in value from

|

adverb in the same direction as the wind

is blowing 왍 turn downwind turn the warm to cold air. 2. to pull or to take 쑗
aircraft so that it is flying in the same Fluid is drawn into the pump body. 3. to
direction as the wind is blowing. Oppo- pull towards oneself (NOTE: drawing –
site upwind drew – drawn)
drift

downwind leg /daυnwnd leDZ/

downwind leg
drift /drft/ noun movement away
noun part of the airfield traffic circuit from the desired course, created by
which runs parallel to, but in the oppo- wind blowing at an angle to the
site direction to, the approach to land intended direction of flight 쑗 If the wind
which is made into wind direction is not the same as the aircraft
DR abbreviation dead reckoning
DR
track or its reciprocal, then the aircraft
will experience drift. 쐽 verb to move
draft /drɑft/ noun US same as
draft

away from the desired course 쑗 When

draught 쑗 a down draft or an updraft landing, a cross-wind from the right
drag /drDZ/ noun the resistance of the
drag

will cause the aircraft to drift to the left.

air created by moving the aircraft drill

through the air 쑗 To reduce the effect of drill /drl/ noun 1. a short series of
drag on an aircraft by the fixed under- actions carried out in a particular
carriage a retractable type was intro- sequence 쑗 The starting drill varies
duced. 쑗 If an engine failure occurs, the between different aircraft types and a
windmilling propeller may cause con- starting check procedure is normally
siderable drag. used. 2. a tool, often electrically pow-
ered, for making holes in metal, wood,
COMMENT: There are two basic types etc.
of drag called parasite drag and drive

induced drag. Parasite drag is caused drive /drav/ noun a series of con-
by friction between the air and the nected devices that transmit power to
aircraft surface, aerials, landing gear, the wheels, propellers, etc. 쑗 Rotation
etc. Induced drag is produced by lift. of the engine for starting is done by an
drain /dren/ noun a device to allow electric starter motor connected to a
drain

fluid to escape from its container 쑗 drive shaft in the accessories gearbox. 쐽
When the cabin is pressurised the verb 1. to make something move or turn
drains close, preventing loss of pres- 왍 shaft-driven using a rotating shaft as
sure. 쐽 verb to allow fluid to escape by a means of transmitting power from one
providing a hole or tube, etc., through part to another, e.g. from a turbine
which it can pass 쑗 The moisture drains engine to a helicopter rotor 2. to control
driven 78
and guide 쑗 He’s learning to drive. wind speed increases. 쐽 adverb exactly
(NOTE: driving – drove – driven) and directly 쑗 The aircraft flew due
driven /drv(ə)n/ 쏡 drive
driven
east.
dump

drizzle /drz(ə)l/ noun precipitation,

drizzle

dump /dmp/ verb to offload quickly

often persistent, in the form of very 쑗 Normal operating cabin pressure can
small drops of water 쑗 Drizzle is the be reduced rapidly in the event of emer-
lightest form of precipitation consisting gency landings, by dumping air. 쑗 The
of fine water droplets. aircraft flew out to sea in order to dump
COMMENT : In weather reports and
fuel before landing.
duplication /djuplkeʃ(ə)n/ noun
duplication

forecasts, drizzle is abbreviated to DZ. |

drogue
drogue parachute

parachute /drəυDZ the act of copying or doubling 쑗 Control

prəʃut/ noun a small parachute used surfaces are divided into sections oper-
in releasing a larger parachute from its ated by a separate control unit, thus
pack providing duplication to guard against
failure of a unit.
drone /drəυn/ noun an aircraft whose
drone

durability

flight is controlled from the ground durability /djυərəblti/ noun the

|

drop /drɒp/ noun 1. a small amount of

drop
ability of a substance or device to last a
liquid that falls 쑗 a drop of water 쑗 a few long time 쑗 High quality components
drops of rain 2. a sudden lowering 쑗 The have good durability.
duration /djυreʃ(ə)n/ noun the
duration

passage of a cold front is usually fol- |

lowed by a drop in temperature. 쑗 A length of time for which something

sudden drop in oil pressure is normally continues 쑗 The duration of the exami-
an indication of serious engine trouble. nation is two hours. 쑗 The duration of
쐽 verb to become lower or to decrease the flight was three hours.
suddenly 쑗 The temperature dropped by
dust

dust /dst/ noun a fine powdery sub-

several degrees. stance blown by the wind and found on
droplet /drɒplət/ noun a small drop surfaces 쑗 Solid particles in the air
droplet

of liquid 쑗 Experiments show that include dust, sand, volcanic ash and
smaller droplets of rain can remain atmospheric pollution.
super cooled to much lower tempera- duty

duty /djuti/ noun 1. a period of work

tures than large droplets. 왍 on duty at work 왍 off duty not at
drove /drəυv/ 쏡 drive work 2. same as import duty 쑗 the duty
drove

drum /drm / noun a cylindrical

drum
payable on a carton of cigarettes
device, often with closed ends dye /da/ noun a material used to
dye

dry /dra/ adjective containing no

dry

change the colour of something 쑗

water or no moisture 쑗 dry air 쒁 lapse Minute surface cracks which are diffi-
rate cult to detect by visual means may be
dry ice /dra as/ noun solidified car-
dry ice
highlighted by using penetrant dyes.
dynamic

bon dioxide dynamic /danmk/ adjective

|

dual /djuəl/ adjective double, in pair

dual
referring to something in motion 왍
쑗 Most light aircraft with side-by-side dynamic pressure pressure created by
seating have dual controls. the forward movement of the aircraft 쑗
duct /dkt / noun a channel or tube
duct
If the dynamic pressure increases due to
through which fluids or cables can pass an increase in forward speed, the force
쑗 The modern jet engine is basically a
required to move the control column
duct into which the necessary parts are will increase. Opposite static pressure
dynamic seal /danmk sil/
dynamic seal

fitted. |

due /dju/ adjective 1. expected to

due
noun a seal which is part of a moving
arrive 왍 the flight is due at 10 o’clock component, e.g. in a hydraulic system 쑗
the flight should arrive at 10 o’clock 2. dynamic seals require lubrication to
왍 due to because of 쑗 Due to daytime remain effective
DZ

heating, the stability decreases and the DZ /di zed/ abbreviation drizzle
 E
E abbreviation east easterly direction to move towards the
E

ear /ə/ noun the hearing organ

ear
east 쐽 noun a wind which blows from
ear defenders /ə dfendəz/ plural
ear defenders

|
the east
eastern

noun same as acoustic ear muffs eastern /ist(ə)n/ adjective situated

eardrum /ədrm/ noun a membrane
eardrum
in the east 쑗 one of the eastern prov-
inside the ear which vibrates with sound inces of Canada
and passes the vibrations to the inner
Eastern Standard Time

Eastern Standard Time /istən

ear 쑗 Equalisation of the air pressure stndəd tam/ noun the time zone of
across the eardrum is more difficult to the eastern USA and Canada, 5 hours
achieve during descents than ascents. behind GMT. Abbreviation EST
ear muffs /ə mfs/ plural noun 쏡
ear muffs
eastward

eastward /istwəd/ adjective going

acoustic ear muffs towards the east 쐽 adverb US same as
ear protectors /ə prə tektəz/ plu-
ear protectors

| eastwards
ral noun same as acoustic ear muffs eastwards

eastwards /istwədz/ adverb

earth /%θ/ noun 1. 왍 (the planet)
earth

towards the east 쑗 Flying eastwards or

Earth the planet where we live 2. westwards for long periods of time
ground or soil 쐽 verb to connect an elec- affects sleep patterns.
trical appliance to a position of zero east wind

potential 쑗 When refuelling a light air- east wind /ist wnd/ noun a wind
craft, ensure that the aircraft is properly blowing from or coming from the east
earthed. (NOTE: The US expression is (NOTE: A wind is named after the direc-
to ground.) tion it comes from.)
EAT

east /ist / noun 1. a compass point on

east
EAT abbreviation expected approach
the mariner’s compass 90° clockwise time
EATMP

from due north and directly opposite EATMP abbreviation European air
west 쑗 London is east of New York. 2. traffic management programme
the direction in which the Earth rotates, ECAC

ECAC abbreviation European civil

the direction of the rising sun 쐽 adjec- aviation conference
tive 1. referring to areas or regions lying ECAM

in the east 쑗 the east coast of Canada 2. ECAM abbreviation electronic central-
the eastern part of a region 쑗 East Africa ised aircraft monitor
echo

쐽 adverb towards the east 쑗 The aircraft echo /ekəυ/ noun 1. the repetition of
was flying east. a sound by reflection of sound waves
eastbound /istbaυnd/ adjective
eastbound
from a surface 2. the return of a signal
travelling towards the east 쑗 an east- back to the source from which it was
bound flight transmitted 쑗 The strength of the return-
easterly /istəli/ adjective 1. situated
easterly
ing echo from a radar transmission
towards the east 2. 왍 easterly compo- depends on a number of factors.
economic

nent one part of the wind direction economic /ikənɒmk/ adjective

|

coming from the east 3. 왍 to move in an financially rewarding 쑗 It was no longer

economical 80
economic to keep the maintenance efficiency /fʃ(ə)nsi/ noun 1. the
efficiency

operation going. fact of being able to act or produce

economical /ikənɒmk(ə)l/ adjec-
economical

| something with a minimum of waste,

tive referring to a substance or device expense, or unnecessary effort 쑗 Effi-
for which input is minimised and output ciency is a key component of a success-
maximised (thereby saving costs) 왍 ful business. 2. the ratio of the energy
economical engine an engine which delivered by a machine to the energy
uses less fuel to produce the same supplied for its operation 쑗 mechanical
power as comparable engines 쑗 Jet efficiency 쑗 propeller efficiency 왍 ther-
engines are more efficient and econom- mal efficiency the efficiency of conver-
ical when operated at high altitudes. sion of fuel energy to kinetic energy
efficient /fʃ(ə)nt/ adjective able to
efficient

ECS abbreviation environmental con-

ECS

trol system act or produce something with a mini-

EDDUS abbreviation electronic data
EDDUS
mum of waste, expense, or unnecessary
display and update system effort 쑗 At some speeds and altitudes
eddy /edi/ noun a current of air mov-
eddy the pure jet engine is less efficient than
ing in the opposite direction to the main a piston engine. 왍 efficient combustion
current, especially in a circular motion combustion in which fuel energy is used
쑗 When wind flows over an obstruction
to its maximum capability
effort /efət/ noun 1. the use of physi-
effort

such as a building, an eddy is formed on

the lee, or downwind side. cal or mental energy to do something 쑗
edge /edȢ/ noun a line of intersection
edge
In order to qualify for a licence, it is
or joining of two surfaces necessary to put some effort into the
training course. 쑗 Flying a high per-
EET abbreviation estimated elapsed
EET

formance aerobatic light aircraft to its

time limits requires a lot of physical effort on
effect /fekt/ noun 1. something
effect

|
the part of the pilot. 2. force applied
which results from a cause 쑗 Ultra-vio- against inertia 쑗 Actuators are capable
let radiation has the effect of warming of exerting low-speed turning effort.
the atmosphere. 쑗 Pressure patterns EFIS abbreviation electronic flight
EFIS

have an effect on weather. 2. the condi- instrument system

tion of being in full force 왍 in effect in
eggbeater /eDZbitə/ noun a rotary-
eggbeater

operation 왍 to take effect, to come into

effect to start to operate 쑗 A new regula- wing aircraft (informal)
EGNOS noun a European system that
EGNOS

tion comes into effect tomorrow. 왍 with

effect from starting from 쐽 verb to improves the quality of data from exist-
cause or carry out 왍 to effect a change ing satellite navigation systems to make
to make a change 왍 modifications were the data suitable for use by aircraft. Full
effected modifications were carried form European Geostationary Navi-
out. Compare affect gation Overlay Service (NOTE: The
effective /fektv/ adjective 1. hav-
effective

|
US equivalent is WAAS.)
EICAS noun a cockpit display for
EICAS

ing an expected and satisfactory result 왍

the new cleaning fluid was very effec- monitoring the engines and warning of
tive it cleaned well 2. operative, in malfunction. Full form engine indicat-
effect 쑗 The regulation is effective ing and crew alerting system
eject /dȢekt/ verb to throw out force-
eject

immediately. |

effectiveness /fektvnəs/ noun

effectiveness

|
fully 쑗 On depressurisation the oxygen
how well something works 쑗 Ice cover- mask is ejected automatically from the
ing reduces the effectiveness of an aer- service panel.
ejection /dȢekʃən / noun an act of
ejection

ial. |

effective pitch /fektv ptʃ/ noun

effective pitch

|
throwing out forcefully 쑗 ejection seat
the distance the aircraft moves forward ejection seat /dȢekʃən sit/, ejec-
ejection seat

in flight for one 360° rotation of the tor seat /dȢektə sit/ noun an emer-
|

propeller gency escape seat in military aircraft

 81 electronic
which is fired out of the aircraft while ductive when dissolved or molten 쑗 The
the crew-member is still in it electrolyte in a lead-acid battery con-
ejector /dȢektə/ noun 1. a device to
ejector

|
sists of sulphuric acid diluted with dis-
throw something out forcefully 2. a tilled water.
device using a jet of water, air, or steam electrolytic /lektrəltk / adjective
electrolytic

| |

to withdraw a fluid or gas from a space 왍 electrolytic cell a cell consisting of

쑗 A jet transfer pump or fuel ejector is electrodes in an electrolyte solution
used to transfer fuel. electro-magnet
electro-magnet

/lektrəυ |

elapse /lps/ verb to pass 쑗 The

elapse

| mDZnt/ noun a magnet consisting of

radio altimeter works on the principle a coil of insulated wire wrapped around
that, if the path followed by the radio a soft iron core that is magnetised only
wave is straight down and up, then the when current flows through the wire
elapsed time between the outgoing and electro-magnetism
electro-magnetism

/lektrəυ |

incoming signal is a function of the air- mDZnətz(ə)m/ noun a force exerted

|

craft’s height. by a magnetic field found around any

elastic /lstk / adjective flexible,
elastic

| conductor carrying current, the strength

easily returning to its original shape of which will depend on the amount of
after being stretched or expanded 쑗 At current flow
low values of stress, if the plot of stress electromotive
electromotive force

force / |

and strain is a straight line, this indi- lektrəυməυtv fɔs/ noun a source of
cates that the material is elastic within electrical energy required to produce an
this range. electric current, produced by devices
elasticity / lststi/ noun the prop-
elasticity

| such as batteries or generators and

erty of returning to an original form or measured in volts. Abbreviation emf
state following deformation 쑗 Titanium electron /lektrɒn/ noun a sub-
electron

falls between aluminium and stainless atomic particle that has a negative elec-
steel in terms of elasticity, density and trical charge 쑗 Electrons in the outer
elevated temperature strength. orbits of an atom may not be strongly
electric /lektrk/ adjective powered
electric

| attracted to the nucleus and may be lost.

or worked by electricity electronic /elektrɒnk/ adjective
electronic

electrical /lektrk(ə)l/ adjective 1.

electrical

| referring to, based on, operated by, or

referring to electricity 쑗 an electrical involving the controlled conduction of
fault 2. powered or worked by electric- electrons especially in a vacuum, gas, or
ity 쑗 Activation may be mechanical or semi-conducting material 쑗 Lightning
electrical. does not often seriously damage air-
electric current /lektrk krənt/
electric current

|
craft but it may affect sensitive elec-
noun the mass movement of electric tronic equipment.
charge in a conductor electronic centralised aircraft
electronic centralised aircraft monitor

electricity /lektrsti/ noun an

electricity

| |
monitor /elektrɒnk sentrəlazd
electric current used to provide light, eəkrɑft mɒntə/ noun a display on
heat, power two cathode ray tubes giving pilots
electric power /lektrk paυə/
electric power

|
engine and systems information.
noun electricity used to drive machines Abbreviation ECAM
electronic flight instrument
electronic

or devices
electro- /lektrəυ/ prefix electricity
electro-

|
system /elektrɒnk flat
nstrυmənt sstəm/ noun primary
electrode /lektrəυd/ noun a solid
electrode

|
flight and navigation information on a
electrical conductor through which an cathode ray tube. Abbreviation EFIS
electric current enters or leaves an elec-
trolytic cell 쑗 A battery has a positive COMMENT: The electronic flight
and a negative electrode. instrument system can show basic
flight information and engine
electrolyte /lektrəlat/ noun a
electrolyte

|
performance information, as well as
chemical compound that becomes con- moving maps and checklists.
element 82
elliptical / lptk(ə)l/ adjective hav-
element elliptical

element /elmənt / noun 1. a sub- |

stance composed of atoms with an iden- ing an oval shape 쑗 the elliptical path of
tical number of protons in each nucleus the Earth around the sun
쑗 Elements cannot be reduced to sim- ELR abbreviation 1. environmental
ELR

pler substances by normal chemical lapse rate 2. extra long range (ICAO)
methods. 2. the resistance coil in an embarkation
embarkation

/embɑkeʃ(ə)n/ |

electrical device such as a heater 3. a noun the act of going onto an aircraft 쑗
removable component or removable Embarkation will start in ten minutes.
part, such as in an air filter or oil filter (NOTE: Boarding is usually preferred.)
elevate

elevate /elvet/ verb to move some- 왍 embarkation time the time at which
thing to a higher place or position from passengers will be asked to go onto the
a lower one; to lift 쑗 In some light air- aircraft
craft the magnetic compass is elevated embed /mbed/ verb to fix firmly in a
embed

to a position as far away from the inter- surrounding mass 쑗 A temperature

fering effect of other components as probe is embedded into the stator of the
possible. generator. 쑗 Water outlets have heater
elevated

elevated /eləvetd/ adjective 왍 ele-

|
elements embedded in rubber seals in
vated temperature increased or raised the outlet pipe.
emergency /m%dȢənsi/ noun a
emergency

temperature |

elevation

elevation /eləveʃ(ə)n/ noun the serious situation that happens unexpect-

edly and demands immediate action 쑗
|

height at which something is above a

point of reference such as the ground or to deal with or to handle an emergency
emergency descent /m%dȢənsi
emergency descent

sea level 쑗 The highest point in a local- |

ity is marked by a dot with the elevation dsent/ noun a planned rapid losing of
|

marked alongside. 왍 aerodrome eleva- altitude because of a serious situation

emergency equipment
emergency equipment

tion distance in feet of the aerodrome noun

above sea level 쑗 Elevation is indicated devices for use only in serious situa-
on charts by means of contour lines, tions
spot heights, etc. emergency
emergency exit

exit /m%dȢənsi |

elevator

elevator /elvetə/ noun 1. a mova- eDZzt/ noun a way out only to be used
ble control surface, usually attached to in case of an emergency 쑗 How many
the horizontal stabiliser of an aircraft, emergency exits are there in the air-
used to produce the nose up/down craft?
emergency frequency /
emergency frequency

motion of an aircraft in level flight |

known as pitch 쑗 Elevators should be m%dȢənsi frikwənsi/ noun 121.5

checked for full and free movement MHz, the frequency on which aeronau-
immediately prior to take-off. 2. US tical emergency radio calls are made
same as lift noun 2 emergency landing /m%dȢənsi
emergency landing

COMMENT : Some aircraft have an all- lndŋ/ noun a landing made as a

moving tailplane called a ‘stabilator’ (a result of an in-flight emergency
combination of the words stabiliser emergency procedures plural
emergency procedures

and elevator). noun a set of actions pre-planned and

eliminate

eliminate /lmnet/ verb to get rid

|
followed in the event of a serious situa-
of or remove 쑗 Air dryers are provided tion
emergency services /m%dȢənsi
emergency services

to eliminate the possibility of ice form- |

ing. 쑗 To eliminate the need for complex s%vsz/ plural noun the fire, ambu-
mechanical linkage, the selector is lance and police services 쑗 The alarm
operated electrically. 왍 to eliminate a will activate the emergency services.
danger to remove a danger emf abbreviation electromotive force
emf

ellipse

ellipse /lps/ noun an oval-shaped emission /mʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the

emission

| |

line 쑗 Each planet moves in an ellipse process of sending out e.g. matter,
and the sun is at one of the foci. energy or signals 쑗 light emissions 쑗
 83 engine block
radio emission 쑗 One factor on which encounter

encounter /nkaυntə/ verb to meet

|

the operational range of a radio emis- something unexpected or unwanted 쑗

sion depends is the transmitted power. Severe icing can be encountered in
2. a substance discharged into the air, as wave cloud.
by an internal combustion engine 쑗 endurance

Exhaust emissions contain pollutants. endurance /n djυərəns/ noun the

|

emit length of time an aircraft can stay in the

emit /mt/ verb to send out e.g. mat-
|
air without refuelling 쑗 The flight time
ter, energy or radiation 쑗 radiation emit- to the PNR and back will equal the
ted by the sun 쑗 An X-ray tube emits endurance of the aircraft.
radiation. 쑗 Latent heat is emitted when energy

condensation takes place. (NOTE: emit- energy /enədȢi/ noun 1. the ability of
ting – emitted) a physical system to do work 2. power
empennage

empennage /em pendȢ/ noun the from electricity, petrol, heat, etc. 쑗 The
engine converts heat energy into
|

tail assembly of an aircraft 쑗 The

empennage usually includes the fin, mechanical energy. 쑗 The generator
rudder, horizontal stabiliser (or tail- converts mechanical energy into elec-
plane), and elevator. trical energy.
engage
emphasis

emphasis /emfəss/ noun force of engage /nDZedȢ/ verb 1. to switch

|

expression that gives importance to on and use 쑗 The autopilot may be

something 쑗 It is only in recent years engaged during climb or descent.
that much emphasis has been placed on Opposite disengage 2. 왍 engaged in
determining the causes of metal fatigue. working on a particular job or task 쑗
emphasise
Personnel engaged in ground running
emphasise /emfəsaz/, emphasize must ensure that any detachable cloth-
verb to give importance to something 쑗
On some maps, different elevations are ing is securely fastened and they should
emphasised by colouring. wear acoustic ear muffs.
engine
employ

employ /mplɔ/ verb 1. to use 쑗

|
engine /endȢn/ noun a machine that
There are two methods employed to converts energy into mechanical force
cool the cylinders down. 쑗 In some air- or motion, different from an electric or
craft, particularly those employing hydraulic motor because of its use of a
nickel-cadmium batteries, temperature fuel 쑗 jet engine 쑗 piston engine 쑗 inter-
sensing devices are located within the nal combustion engine 쒁 combustion,
batteries to provide a warning of high jet, piston 왍 engine-driven referring to
battery temperatures. 2. to give some- equipment and devices which take their
body regular paid work power from the engine when it is run-
empty weight

empty weight /empti wet/ the ning 쑗 engine-driven generator 쑗

weight of a plane without fuel, people engine-driven pump 왍 engine running
or freight engine operating or working 왍 the
enable
engine is running the engine is work-
enable /neb(ə)l/ verb to make
|
ing 쑗 The accident investigation demon-
something possible or easier 쑗 Isolation strated that the engine was running at
valves are fitted to enable servicing and full power when the aircraft hit the
maintenance to be carried out. ground.
enclose

enclose /nkləυz/ verb to surround

|
COMMENT: In British usage, there is a
on all sides 쑗 The housing encloses the clear distinction between the terms
various mechanical parts. 쑗 Fuses form ‘engine’ and ‘motor’, the term ‘motor’
a weak link in a circuit and are usually only being used for electric power
made of a strip of tinned copper units. In American usage, however,
enclosed in a glass tube. ‘motor’ is used for all types of power
encode
unit including the internal-combustion
encode /nkəυd/ verb to put into
|
engine.
code 쑗 Weather information is encoded engine block

to allow large amounts of information engine block /endȢn blɒk/ noun a

to be given in a short space of time. cylinder block with integral crankcase
engine capacity 84
engine capacity /endȢn kə the crew, not replace them’
engine capacity

| |

psti/ noun the swept volume of an [INTER PILOT]

engine enhancement /n hɑnsmənt/ noun
enhancement

engine compartment /endȢn

engine compartment
the process of making greater, better or
kəmpɑtmənt / noun a space in the air-
|
clearer 왍 enhancement of an image on
frame where the engine is located a screen the improvement of an image
engineer /endȢnə/ noun a person
engineer

|
on a screen
enlarge /nlɑdȢ/ verb to make big-
enlarge

who is qualified to design, build and |

repair machines 왍 aircraft engineer an ger or larger 왍 enlarge the hole make
engineer who specialises in the mainte- the hole bigger
enplane /enplen/ verb to board or
enplane

nance and repair of aircraft |

engineering /endȢnərŋ/ noun

engineering

|
allow somebody to board an aircraft
en route /ɒn rut/ adverb, adjective
en route

the use of scientific and mathematical

principles for practical reasons such as on or along the way 왍 en route from
the design, manufacture, and operation New York to London on the way from
of machines and systems, etc. 왍 aircraft New York to London 왍 en route alter-
engineering the branch of aviation con- nate an airfield where it is possible to
cerned with the maintenance and repair land if there is an in-flight problem 왍 en
of aircraft 쑗 Reinforced plastics or com- route weather conditions a description
posites are being used in aircraft engi- of the weather along the path of flight
neering instead of metals because they ensure /nʃυə/ verb to make certain,
ensure

are much lighter. to make sure 쑗 The generator cut-out

engine failure / endȢn feljə/
engine failure

ensures that the battery cannot dis-

noun a situation in which an engine charge. 쑗 Before the engine is stopped,
stops during running it should normally be allowed to run for
engine indicating and crew
engine indicating and crew alerting system
a short period at idling speed, to ensure
alerting system /endȢn gradual cooling.
enter /entə/ verb 1. to come or go into
enter

ndketŋ ən kru əl%tŋ sstəm/ |

noun full form of EICAS 쑗 Air enters at the front of the cabin and

engine instruments /endȢn

engine instruments
leaves at the rear. 2. to write down e.g.
nstrυmənts/ plural noun instruments information 쑗 Enter the rectified air-
which give the pilot information about speed in the log. 쑗 Enter your name in
engine temperature, speed, etc. the correct place in the form. 3. to put
data into a computer, especially by
engine intake /endȢn ntek/
engine intake

using the keyboard to type it in 쑗 Enter

noun the front part of the engine where the data into the computer.
air enters the engine
entire /ntaə/ adjective whole, hav-
entire

engine malfunction /endȢn ml

engine malfunction

|
ing no part excluded or left out 왍 the
fŋkʃən/ noun a situation in which the entire life of a thunderstorm the com-
engine does not work as it should plete life of a thunderstorm
engine oil /endȢn ɔl/ noun oil used
engine oil

entry /entri/ noun 1. the act or

entry

especially to lubricate engines instance of going in 쑗 the flow of traffic

engine performance /endȢn pə
engine performance

| at entry points to the airfield. 2. the

fɔməns/ noun a description of how writing in of an item, as in a record or
well the engine works or detailed statis- log 쑗 An entry should be made in the
tical information about the capabilities technical log.
of the engine entry point /entri pɔnt/ noun a
entry point

enhance /nhɑns/ verb to make position on the ground above which an

enhance

greater or better or clearer 쑗 Chances of aircraft entering a control zone crosses

survival are enhanced if passengers the boundary
know where the emergency exits are. envelop /nveləp/ verb to surround
envelop

‘…any automation must be designed to and cover 쑗 The atmosphere envelops

enhance the decision making abilities of the earth.
 85 equivalent shaft horsepower
envelope

envelope /envələυp / noun 1. the set pressure equalise at normal system

of limitations within which a techno- pressure.
logical system, especially an aircraft, equate

equate /kwet/ verb to be the same

|

can perform safely and effectively 쑗 as 쑗 In an electrical circuit, an increase

The boundaries of flight envelopes vary in length equates to an increase in
between aircraft categories and per- resistance.
formance groups but in each case, there equation

is a speed which must not be exceeded equation /kweȢ(ə)n/ noun a state- |

which is called the Vne (never-exceed ment, usually in symbols, that two
speed). 2. a cover 쑗 The atmosphere is quantities or mathematical expressions
the gaseous envelope surrounding the are equal 쑗 X2 + Y2 = Z2. 쑗 The equa-
earth. tion Vg = P can be used to find the geos-
environment
trophic wind.
environment /nvarənmənt/ noun
|
equator

equator /kwetə/ noun the imagi-

1. nearby conditions or circumstances 쑗
|

nary great circle around the Earth’s sur-

A body of air warmer than its environ-
face, equidistant from the poles and per-
ment will rise. 왍 a non-computer envi-
pendicular to the Earth’s axis of rotation
ronment a computer-free working situ-
which divides the Earth into the north-
ation 2. the natural world in which
ern hemisphere and the southern hemi-
people, animals and plants live 쑗 People
sphere 쑗 Every point on the equator is
are interested in issues to do with the
equidistant from the poles.
environment, such as global warming. equatorial

environmental
equatorial /ekwətɔriəl/ adjective
environmental /nvarən
|

| |

referring to the equator or to conditions

ment(ə)l/ adjective referring to the that exist at the Earth’s equator 쑗 equa-
immediate surroundings 쑗 environmen- torial heat 쑗 equatorial climate
tal conditions equilibrium

environmental control system

equilibrium /ikwlbriəm/ noun a
environmental control system
|

state of physical balance 쑗 When an air-

/nvarənment(ə)l kəntrəυl
| |

craft is in unaccelerated straight and

sstəm/ noun an air-conditioning sys- level flight at a constant speed, the
tem for the aircraft. Abbreviation ECS forces of lift, thrust, weight and drag
environmental lapse rate

environmental lapse rate are in equilibrium.

/nvarənment(ə)l lps ret/ noun equipment

equipment /kwpmənt/ noun

the rate at which the temperature of the
|

devices, systems, machines, etc., that

air falls as one rises above the earth 쑗 are needed for a particular purpose
Although there is an average ELR of (NOTE: Equipment has no plural form;
1.98°C per 1,000 feet, in practice the for one item say: a piece of equipment.)
ELR varies considerably with space 왍 electrical equipment devices, com-
and time. Abbreviation ELR ponents, systems, etc., which use elec-
epoxy-based primer

epoxy-based primer /pɒksi | tricity

best pramə/ noun a primer contain- equivalent

equivalent /kwvələnt/ adjective |

ing epoxy resin, a substance which, having the same purpose or value as
with the addition of hardeners, becomes something else 쑗 The function of a logic
very strong and hard after a time at nor- gate is equivalent to that of a switch. 쑗
mal temperatures A metal part could be as much as 25
equal

equal /ikwəl/ adjective having the times heavier than an equivalent plastic
same quantity, measure, or value as part.
another 쑗 For every action, there is an equivalent shaft horsepower

equivalent shaft horsepower / |

equal and opposite reaction. 쐽 verb to kwvələnt ʃɑft hɔspaυə/ noun the
be the same in value as 쑗 Two plus two unit used for stating the total power of a
equals four (2 + 2 = 4). turboprop engine, consisting of the
equalise

equalise /ikwəlaz/, equalize verb shaft horsepower of the engine plus

to become the same in quantity, meas- the thrust from the engine. Abbrevia-
ure or value 쑗 Fluid pressure and gas tion ESHP
error 86
error /erə/ noun 1. a mistake or incor-
error

will take about two hours for us to reach

rect calculation 쑗 an error in some- our destination. 쑗 Cloud heights may be
body’s work 쑗 errors caused by location measured or estimated. 2. to form a
2. the known inaccuracy of an instru- judgement about 왍 to estimate the
ment or system which has to be cor- chances of something to weigh the
rected by calculating the true value possibilities and form an opinion
estimated take-off time

escape /skep/ noun the act of get- estimated take-off time

escape

ting away from or out of a place after /estmetd tek ɒf tam/ noun the
being held 왍 escape of fuel or oil time when an aircraft is expected to take
unwanted loss of fuel or oil 왍 escape off. Abbreviation ETOT
from danger getting to a safe place 쐽 estimated
estimated time of arrival

time of arrival
verb to get away from or out of after /estmetd tam əv ərav(ə)l/ noun |

being held 쑗 If there is a hole in the the time when an aircraft is expected to
fuselage of a pressurised aircraft, air arrive. Abbreviation ETA
escapes from the cabin to the atmos- estimated time of departure

phere. estimated time of departure

/estmətd tam əv dpɑtʃə/ noun |

escape hatch /skep htʃ/ noun a

escape hatch

|
the time when an aircraft is expected to
small doorway only used in emergen- take off. Abbreviation ETD
cies estimation

estimation /estmeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.

escape route /skep rut/ noun the
escape route |

an approximate calculation 쑗 an estima-

passengers’ way out of an aircraft after tion of ground speed 쑗 Estimation of
an emergency landing visibility is achieved by noting the dis-
escape slide /skep slad/ noun a
escape slide

|
tances at which lights of known candle
device which allows passengers to exit power can be observed and relating
the aircraft safely in an emergency, these distances to visibility-by-day val-
when no steps are available ues. 2. an opinion 왍 in my estimation in
ESHP abbreviation equivalent shaft
ESHP

my opinion
horsepower ETA

ETA abbreviation estimated time of

essential /senʃəl/ adjective abso-
essential

|
arrival
lutely necessary 쑗 Teamwork within the ETD

ETD abbreviation estimated time of

crew is essential. 쑗 A knowledge of the departure
tropopause is essential. 왍 non-essential
ETOT abbreviation estimated take-off
ETOT

not necessary
EST abbreviation 1. Eastern Standard
EST time
Eurocontrol
Eurocontrol

Time 2. estimate (ICAO) 3. estimated /jυərəυkəntrəυl/ |

(ICAO) noun the European organisation for the

establish /stblʃ/ verb 1. to be
establish

|
safety of air navigation (NOTE: Eurocon-
confirmed as stable in a particular flight trol operates the ATC centre at Maas-
condition, such as a flight level or tricht in the Netherlands and the Cen-
glideslope, etc. 쑗 Once established on tral Flow Management Unit in
the downwind leg, the pilot should per- Brussels.)
European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service

form the checks. 2. to work out or to cal- European Geostationary Navi-

culate 왍 establish your position find gation Overlay Service
out where you are 3. to position 쑗 Low- /jυərəpiən dȢiəυsteʃ(ə)n(ə)ri
power NDBs (Non-Directional Radio nvDZeʃ(ə)n əυvəle s%vs/ noun
Beacons) are often established at the full form of EGNOS
outer or middle marker sites. 4. 왍 to evacuate /vkjuet/ verb 1. to
evacuate

establish communication to make remove all the people from somewhere

contact with 왍 to establish control to in the event of an emergency 쑗 to evac-
get control uate all passengers from the airport 2.
estimate /estmet/ verb 1. to calcu- to empty somewhere of all people in it
estimate

late approximately the cost, value or because of an emergency 쑗 to evacuate

size of something 쑗 I estimate that it the aircraft 3. to create a vacuum 왍
 87 examination
evacuate a glass jar remove all the air event

event /vent/ noun a happening 쑗 The

|

from a glass jar Paris air show is a major event. 왍 in the

evacuation

evacuation / vkjueʃ(ə)n/ noun

| |
event of if something should happen 쑗
1. the act of removing all people from Passengers should fasten their seat
somewhere in the event of an emer- belts in the event of turbulence. 왍 in the
gency 쑗 The evacuation of the passen- event of main pump failure if there
gers from the airport was not ordered. should be a failure of the main pump 왍
2. an act of emptying somewhere of all in the event of fire if there should be a
people in it because of an emergency 쑗 fire
eventual

The evacuation of the aircraft did not eventual /ventʃuəl/ adjective hap-
|

take long. 왍 evacuation command an pening at an unspecified time in the

evacuation order from the captain 왍 future 쑗 Water in the fuel may lead to
ditching evacuation an evacuation eventual engine stoppage.
after the aircraft has force-landed on eventually

eventually /ventʃuəli/ adverb at an

|

water unspecified time in the future 쑗 Vapour

evaluate

evaluate /vljuet/ verb to examine

| cools and eventually condenses.
and judge carefully 쑗 Deposits of ice evidence

evidence /evd(ə)ns/ noun an out-

are detected and continuously evalu- ward sign 왍 external evidence of
ated to operate a warning system. cracks something which can be seen on
evaluation

evaluation / vljueʃ(ə)n/ noun

| | the surface which suggests that there is
the examination and judgement of a deeper structural problem 쑗 Deformed
something 쑗 The ice detector system wing panels may be evidence of an
provides continuous evaluation of con- over-stressed airframe.
ditions conducive to the formation of evident

evident /evd(ə)nt/ adjective obvi-

ice. ous, easily seen or understood 쑗 It is
evaporate

evaporate /vpəret/ verb to con-

| evident from the information available
vert or change a liquid into a vapour 쑗 In that language problems played a part in
the heat of the day, water evaporates the cause of the accident. 왍 self-evident
from the surface of the earth. Opposite clear in itself, without further explana-
condense tion
exact

exact /DZzkt/ adjective completely

evaporation

evaporation /vpəreʃ(ə)n/ noun

| |
|

the changing of a liquid into vapour, accurate or correct 쑗 The exact fuel flow
vaporisation 쑗 Carburettor icing can be and pressure is adjusted. 왍 the calcula-
caused by the expansion of gases in the tion is not exact the calculation is not
carburettor and the evaporation of liq- 100% correct
uid fuel.
exactly

exactly /DZzktli/ adverb 1. accu-

|

even

even /iv(ə)n/ adjective 1. flat or rately, correctly 쑗 Measure the quantity

smooth, with no bumps or dents 2. the exactly. 2. absolutely, completely 쑗 A
same in all parts of an area or over a fuel injection system performs exactly
whole surface 쑗 an even distribution of the same function as a carburettor.
passengers 쑗 an even application of
examination

examination /DZzmneʃ(ə)n/

| |

paint 3. 왍 even numbers exactly divis- noun 1. a set of questions or exercises

ible by 2, e.g. 4, 6, 20 쐽 adverb 1. yet testing knowledge or skill 쑗 The exami-
more 쑗 It will be even higher than the nation includes a flight plan. 2. 왍 med-
new building. 왍 even faster not just as ical examination medical check-up 3. a
fast as, but more 2. 왍 even if whether or careful observation or inspection 쑗 the
not 쑗 Stop at the holding point even if examination of a faulty component
there are no other aircraft on the ‘…the pilot of a Grumman Cheetah
approach. 왍 even though in spite of the refused to be breathalysed, and was taken
fact that 쑗 He gained his private pilot’s to a police station for examination by a
licence even though he was 73 years police surgeon, who confirmed that he
old. had been drinking’ [Pilot]
examine 88
examine /DZzmn/ verb 1. to find
examine

| the direct current for the motor of the

out how much knowledge or skill some- alternating current generator.
body possesses by means of questions exciter

exciter /k satə/ noun the source of a

|

or exercises 쑗 Students will be examined small current to supply electrical cur-

in four subjects. 2. to test or check the rent to the windings of larger electrical
condition or health of somebody 쑗 to motors, etc., e.g. a battery 쑗 Pilot exci-
examine a patient 3. to study or analyse tation consists of a pilot exciter and a
something 쑗 to examine charts main exciter, to provide the direct cur-
exceed /ksid/ verb to be greater
exceed

| rent for the motor of the alternating

than 쑗 Vertical velocity of updraughts current generator.
can exceed 50 kt. exclude

exclude /ksklud/ verb to keep out,

|

exception /ksepʃən/ noun some-

exception

|
to prevent from entering 쑗 Joints and
thing or somebody not included 왍 an interfaces should exclude moisture and
exception to the rule an example improve fatigue life.
which does not conform to a general exercise

rule 왍 with the exception of not includ- exercise /eksəsaz/ noun an activity
ing 왍 with the exception of Smith, all that requires physical or mental effort or
the students passed their exams practice 쑗 a classroom exercise 쑗 Swim-
Smith did not pass, but the other stu- ming is good physical exercise for peo-
dents did ple such as pilots who spend a lot of
time sitting down. 쐽 verb to use or to put
exceptional /k sepʃən(ə)l/ adjec-
exceptional

|
into play or operation 쑗 Student pilots
tive 1. being an exception, uncommon 왍 must exercise special care when land-
in exceptional circumstances in unu- ing in a strong crosswind.
sual circumstances 2. well above aver- exert

age, extraordinary 왍 an exceptional exert /DZz%t/ verb 왍 to exert a force

|

pilot a very good pilot to put a force on something 쑗 Pressure

is the force per unit area exerted by the
excess /k ses/ noun an amount or
excess

atmosphere on a given surface area. 왍

quantity beyond what is normal or suf- to exert an influence to have an influ-
ficient 왍 excess power the difference ence 왍 to exert pressure to put pressure
between horsepower available and onto something
horsepower required 왍 in excess of exhaust

more than 왍 a height in excess of exhaust /DZzɔst/ noun 1. the escape

|

50,000 feet a height greater than 50,000 or release of vaporous waste material
feet from an engine 2. a pipe through which
excess baggage /ekses bDZdȢ/
excess baggage
waste gases pass out of the engine 쑗 The
noun an amount, usually expressed as exhaust valve opens to allow for the exit
weight, of baggage which exceeds the of exhaust gases. 쐽 verb to consume or
airline’s limit per passenger use up all of something 쑗 Supplies of
fuel are exhausted. (NOTE: To run out is
excessive /ksesv/ adjective more
excessive

|
less formal.)
than the normal, usual, reasonable, or exhaust gas

proper limit 쑗 Excessive use of power exhaust gas /DZzɔst DZs/ noun gas
|

when taxiing will require excessive use which is the product of the combustion
of brakes. process and which is passed out through
the exhaust system 쑗 Exhaust gases
exchange /kstʃendȢ/ verb to give
exchange

contain carbon monoxide.

|

in return for something received 쑗 exhaust system

Meteorological stations exchange exhaust system /DZzɔst sstəm/ |

information with other meteorological noun a system of pipes, silencers, etc.,

stations. which carry exhaust gases from the
excitation /eksteʃ(ə)n/ noun the
excitation

|
engine to a point where they are
act of supplying a small current to the released into the atmosphere
exhaust valve

windings of larger electrical motors, exhaust valve /DZzɔst vlv/ noun

|

etc. 쑗 Pilot excitation consists of a pilot a valve in a piston engine which allows
exciter and a main exciter, to provide exhaust gases to leave the cylinder
 89 experimental
exhibit /DZzbt / verb to have or to
exhibit

| place 쑗 the expected number of passen-

display 쑗 Composites, due to their con- gers
struction, exhibit good fatigue behav- expected approach time

expected approach time /k |

iour. 쑗 Altocumulus are (usually) white spektd əprəυtʃ tam/ the time at
|

layers or patches of cloud frequently which air traffic control expects an

exhibiting a waved appearance. arriving aircraft to complete its
exist /DZzst/ verb to be present under
exist

| approach for landing, following a delay.

particular circumstances or in a speci- Abbreviation EAT
fied place 쑗 Water can exist in the expedite

expedite /ekspdat/ verb to speed

atmosphere in three forms. 쑗 A fire risk up the progress of 왍 to expedite the
may exist following failure or leakage of evacuation to speed up the evacuation 왍
any component. to expedite the disembarkation to get
existence /DZ zstəns/ noun the fact
existence

|
the passengers off the aircraft quickly
or state of being 쑗 Warning systems are expel

provided to give an indication of a pos- expel /kspel/ verb to force out, to

|

sible failure or the existence of a dan- drive out 쑗 Exhaust gases are expelled
gerous condition. from the cylinder by the upward move-
ment of the piston. 쑗 The piston draws
exit /eDZzt/ noun 1. the act of going
exit

fluid into the cylinders on the outward

out of a place 쑗 The exhaust valve opens stroke and expels fluid into the system
to allow for the exit of exhaust gases. 왍 on the inward stroke.
exit velocity the velocity of exhaust experience

gases from a jet engine 2. a way out experience /kspəriəns/ noun 1.|

the building up of knowledge or skill

exit nozzle /ekst nɒz(ə)l/ noun a
exit nozzle

over a period of time by an active partic-

pipe or opening through which exhaust ipation in events or activities 쑗 a pilot
gases leave a jet engine with 20 years’ experience 2. an event or
exit point / ekst pɔnt/ noun a posi-
exit point

incident 쑗 The first solo is an experi-

tion on the ground above which an air- ence most pilots never forget. 쐽 verb to
craft leaving a control zone crosses the undergo, participate in or find oneself in
boundary a particular situation 쑗 It is not unusual
expand /kspnd/ verb to increase in
expand

|
to experience traffic delays on the
size, volume or quantity, to enlarge 쑗 ground prior to departure. 쑗 Turbulence
Air expands when heated and contracts can be experienced when flying through
when cooled. a trough.
expansion /kspnʃən/ noun an
expansion
experiment
|
experiment noun /kspermənt/ a |

increase in size, volume or quantity 쑗 scientific test, carried out under control-
There is an expansion of the gas when it led conditions, that is made to demon-
is heated. strate or discover something 쑗 Experi-
expansion chamber /k spnʃən
expansion chamber

|
ments have shown that left-handed
tʃembə/ noun a container which people often have better hand/eye coor-
allows for expansion of a fluid caused dination than right handed people. 왍 to
by increase in temperature, etc. conduct an experiment to perform an
expect /k spekt/ verb to hope or to experiment 쐽 verb /k sperment/ 왍 to
expect

| |

assume that something is going to hap- experiment (with) to carry out a scien-
pen 쑗 the weather to be expected along tific test under controlled conditions in
a route 쑗 We expect flight AC 309 within order to demonstrate or discover some-
ten minutes. 왍 as might be expected as thing
people think would happen experimental

experimental /ksperment(ə)l/ | |

‘…by 1959 there were some 40 pilots adjective referring to something still at
past age 60 flying the line with the an early stage of development, not tried
number expected to rise to 250 within the and tested 쑗 the experimental and test-
next few years’ [INTER PILOT] ing stages of a new type of aircraft. 왍 an
expected /kspektd/ adjective experimental aircraft an aircraft
expected

being thought or hoped to be taking designed to be used for experimental

explanatory 90
purposes 쑗 The experimental aircraft Mexico can extend into Canada. 쑗
were used to investigate high-speed Cumulonimbus clouds may extend to
flight. over 50,000 ft. 왍 to extend the dura-
explanatory /ksplnət(ə)ri/ adjec-
explanatory

|
tion of something to prolong the time 쑗
tive referring to something which The visit was extended to allow time for
explains 왍 explanatory paragraph a more discussions.
extensive /kstensv/ adjective
extensive

paragraph of text which explains some- |

thing 왍 self-explanatory something large in range or amount 왍 an extensive

which does not need any further expla- area a large area 왍 extensive cloud a lot
nation of cloud 왍 extensive use is made of
explosion /kspləυȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. a
explosion

|
much use is made of
extent /kstent/ noun a range or
extent

release of energy in a sudden and often |

violent way 쑗 an explosion caused by a amount of something 쑗 The horizontal

bomb 2. an act of bursting as a result of extent of the cloud averages about 50
internal pressure 쑗 tyre explosion due to km. 쑗 Clouds of great vertical extent are
overheating 3. the loud sound made as not uncommon. 왍 to a certain extent, to
a result of an explosion 쑗 The passen- some extent partly 쑗 The accident was
gers heard an explosion. caused, to a certain extent, by the poor
explosive /kspləυsv/ adjective
explosive

|
weather. 왍 to a lesser extent not as
referring to something having the much as something previously stated 쑗
nature of an explosion 왍 an explosive The cloud types which are most likely to
effect having the effect of an explosion affect flying conditions in terms of
쐽 noun a substance, especially a pre- icing, precipitation and turbulence are
pared chemical, that explodes or causes cumulus, cumulonimbus and, to a lesser
explosions, e.g. Semtex extent, nimbostratus.
external /kst%n(ə)l/ adjective refer-
external

expose /k spəυz/ verb to uncover

expose
|
|

something or leave something uncov- ring to, existing on, or connected with
ered so that it is not protected from the outside or an outer part 쑗 The only
something such as rain or sunlight 쑗 external force acting on air is gravity.
When the slope of a hill is exposed to Opposite internal 왍 external appear-
solar radiation, wind currents are set ance the appearance of something from
up. 왍 exposed to the sun in sunlight the outside
external ambient pressure

without covering 왍 exposed surface a external ambient pressure /k |

surface without paint or covering of any st%n(ə)l mbiənt preʃə/ noun pres-
sort sure outside the aircraft
exposure extinguish

exposure /kspəυȢə/ noun 1. the

| extinguish /kstŋDZwʃ/ verb to put |

fact of being exposed, especially to out 쑗 The fire services extinguished the
severe weather or other forces of nature fire.
쑗 After 24 hours in the sea, she was suf-
extinguisher

extinguisher /kstŋDZwʃə/ noun a |

fering from the effects of exposure and portable mechanical device for spray-
was taken to hospital. 2. the fact of ing and putting out a fire with chemicals
being subjected to something 쑗 Expo- 쑗 Hand-operated fire extinguishers are
sure to radio-active substances may provided to combat any outbreaks of
cause cancer. fire in the flight crew compartment and
express /kspres/ verb to put into
express

| passengers’ cabins.
words, symbols or signs 쑗 Bearings extract noun /ekstrkt/ a part taken
extract

may be expressed as true or relative. 쑗 from a longer text 쑗 The following par-
An angle may be expressed in degrees, agraph is an extract from a flight man-
minutes and seconds. 쑗 Pressure alti- ual. 쐽 verb /kstrkt/ 1. to obtain from
|

tudes are expressed in hundreds of feet. a substance by chemical or mechanical

extend / kstend/ verb to stretch or
extend

| action 쑗 A dehumidifier extracts mois-

spread from one point to another in ture from the atmosphere. 2. to take out
space or time 쑗 Air from the Gulf of or to obtain information from some-
 91 eye
thing 쑗 Extract the important informa- degree, very great 왍 extreme care must
tion from a text. be taken the greatest care must be taken
extrapolate /kstrpəlet/ verb to
extrapolate

|
왍 extreme difficulty great difficulty 쐽
estimate by using known facts 쑗 Infor- noun either of the two things, values,
mation given on a synoptic chart can be situations, etc., situated at opposite ends
extrapolated, by the use of some simple of a range 쑗 the extremes of boiling and
guidelines. freezing 쑗 The region experiences
extreme /kstrim / adjective 1. most
extreme

|
extremes of temperature.
eye

distant in any direction, the outermost eye /a/ noun an organ in the head
or farthest 쑗 the most extreme point on which lets you see. 쒁 coordination,
the map 2. to the greatest or highest vision
 F
F symbol 1. Fahrenheit 2. farad
F

thing 왍 a facility in learning to fly a

FAA abbreviation US Federal Aviation
FAA
good natural ability for flying 2. an
Administration installation or building which provides
specific operating assistance 쑗 DME
fabric /fbrk / noun material or cloth
fabric

(Distance Measuring Equipment)

produced especially by knitting or ground facility 3. a mode of operation
weaving 쑗 A breathing mask has a fab- which allows the user of equipment to
ric carrying bag. do something 쑗 The printer has a self-
fabricate /fbrket/ verb to make
fabricate

test facility. 4. 왍 facilities things, espe-

or manufacture 쑗 Selected wing panels cially buildings or equipment, that peo-
are fabricated entirely from magnesium ple can use 왍 a clubhouse with good
alloys. 쑗 The ease with which alumin- facilities a clubhouse with a number of
ium can be fabricated into any form is features which can be used by members
one of its most important qualities. and guests, e.g. restaurant, bar, reading
face /fes / noun 1. the surface of an
face

room, swimming pool 왍 medical facili-

object 쑗 the face of the earth 쑗 The ties hospitals, clinics, etc.
exhaust cone prevents the hot gases facsimile

facsimile / fksmli/ noun same as

from flowing across the rear face of the
|

fax
turbine disc. 왍 the north face of the fact

mountain the vertical or near-vertical fact /fkt/ noun information pre-

side facing north 2. the front part with sented as real 쑗 Temperature changes
dial, indicators, etc. 쑗 the face of an are an important fact in meteorology. 왍
instrument 왍 the face of a clock the in (point of) fact in reality, in truth
front part of the clock with numbers 3. factor

factor /fktə/ noun 1. an important

the front of the head, including the eyes, part of a result, a process, etc. 쑗 Visibil-
nose, mouth 왍 full face smoke mask a ity remains a very important factor in
protective mask for fighting fires which aviation. 왍 critical factor extremely
covers the whole face 쐽 verb to be important factor 왍 dominant factor
turned towards a particular direction 쑗 most important factor 왍 safety factor
Hills and mountains which face the sun something which plays an important
receive more intense radiation. 왍 the part in safety 2. 왍 by a factor of quan-
building faces north the building has tity by which a stated quantity is multi-
its front towards the north plied or divided, so as to indicate an
facilitate /fəsltet/ verb to enable
facilitate

|
increase or decrease in a measurement 왍
something to happen more easily or by a factor of ten ten times 쑗 The rate
quickly 쑗 A ramp is used to facilitate is increased by a factor of 10. 왍 conver-
access to the wing. 쑗 Clearly marked sion factor a formula or figure used for
exits facilitate rapid evacuation of pas- conversion of temperatures, distances,
sengers. etc., from one system to another 쑗 The
facility /fəslti/ noun 1. ability or
facility

| conversion factor for converting UK

ease in moving, acting, or doing some- gallons to litres is: x 4.546.
 93 false
fade

fade /fed/ noun 1. a periodic reduc- emergency situation worse. 3. the fact
tion in the received strength of a radio of not passing a course, a test, or an
transmission 쑗 Surface wave at night examination 쑗 His failure in the GFT
causes fade of the signal. 2. a periodic (General Flying Test) meant that he
reduction in braking power 쑗 Hard didn’t finish the course.
braking can cause fade and tyre burst fair

fair /feə/ adjective 1. free of clouds or

through overheating. 쐽 verb to lose storms, clear and sunny 왍 fair weather
strength, brightness, loudness, or bril- good weather 2. just, reasonable, free of
liance gradually 왍 the lights faded the favouritism or bias 왍 a fair exam an
lights became less and less bright, the exam which tested students on what
lights dimmed 왍 the radio signal faded they had been taught, was of reasonable
the radio signal became weaker and difficulty and duration and which did
weaker not trick the candidates 왍 it is fair to
Fahrenheit

Fahrenheit /frənhat/ noun a scale say that he should have done better it
of temperatures where the freezing and is reasonable to say that he should have
boiling points of water are 32° and 212° done better 쐽 verb to join pieces so as to
respectively. Compare Celsius, centi- be smooth, even, or regular 쑗 The air-
grade (NOTE: Used in the USA but now craft’s wing is faired into the fuselage.
less common in the UK; usually written fairing

as an F after the degree sign: 32° F.) fairing /feərŋ/ noun a device to
fail
improve the flow of air over a surface 쑗
fail /fel/ verb 1. to stop working prop- There is a dorsal fairing at the base of
erly 왍 the brakes failed the brakes did the fin or vertical stabiliser. 쑗 Wheel
not work 왍 the wing failed during a fairings, called spats, are fitted to light
high-speed turn the wing broke during aircraft to reduce drag. 쒁 spat, nacelle
a high-speed turn 2. to receive an aca- fairly

demic grade below the acceptable min- fairly /feəli/ adverb moderately,
imum in an examination or a course of rather, quite 왍 fairly high levels moder-
study 왍 the trainee failed his naviga- ately high levels 왍 fairly simple moder-
tion examination the trainee did not ately simple
pass her navigation exam 왍 without fail fall

fall /fɔl/ noun 1. a drop or lessening in

certainly, definitely 쑗 Be here at 8 amount 왍 fall in pressure a drop in
o’clock without fail. pressure 2. the amount of rain or snow
which comes down at any one time 쑗 an
fail safe

fail safe /fel sef/ noun the principle

of designing a structure so that the fail- overnight fall of snow 3. US autumn 쐽
ure of one part does not affect the safety verb 1. to become less in amount 왍
of the whole atmospheric pressure is falling atmos-
fail safe system

fail safe system /fel sef sstəm/ pheric pressure is decreasing 2. to be

noun a system or device which has in- included within the range of something
쑗 Aircraft fall into a number of type cat-
built safeguards against total failure 쑗
The term fail safe means that the struc- egories. 쑗 Design methods fall into four
ture, though damaged, is capable of groups. 쑗 Long-range high-frequency
supporting a reasonable percentage of communications fall in the frequency
its design load. bracket 2–25 MHz. 3. to drop or come
failure down freely because of gravity 쑗 Light
failure /feljə/ noun 1. a stoppage or rain may fall occasionally. 4. to occur at
a breakdown 쑗 bearing failure 쑗 Engine
a particular time 쑗 New Year’s Day falls
failure is sometimes accompanied by
fire. 왍 power failure loss of engine on a Thursday this year. (NOTE: falling
– fell – fallen)
power, or loss of electrical power sup- false

ply 2. the fact of not achieving the false /fɔls/ adjective not true, incor-
desired goal or result 쑗 the failure of an rect 쑗 Lightning may cause false read-
experiment 왍 failure to do something ings from sensitive instruments. 왍 false
not doing something 쑗 The steward’s glide path information incorrect glide
failure to remain at his station made the path information
familiar 94
familiar /fəmliə/ adjective 1. often
familiar

|
and received by a fax machine con-
seen, common 쑗 Clouds are the most nected to a telephone link 2. an elec-
familiar visible meteorological feature. tronic apparatus linked to a telephone
2. known 쑗 Symbols and abbreviations used to send and receive a fax 쑗 Charts
which are strange at present become are transmitted by fax to meteorological
familiar after a time. 왍 to be familiar offices. 쒁 CAMFAX 쐽 verb to send a fax
with to have some knowledge of some- 쑗 Charts are faxed to meteorological
thing 쑗 He is familiar with the proce- offices.
dure. FDPS abbreviation flight data process-
FDPS

familiarise /fəmliəraz/, familiar-

familiarise

|
ing system
FDR abbreviation flight data recorder
FDR

ize verb 왍 to familiarise yourself with

to get to know something well FDS abbreviation flight director sys-
FDS

fan /fn/ noun a circular device with tem

fan

rotating blades, powered by an engine feather /feðə / verb 왍 to feather a

feather

or motor, for moving a gas such as air 쑗 propeller to turn the blades of a
The compressor has large rotating fan stopped propeller edge on to the airflow
blades and stator blades. in order to reduce drag or wind resist-
fanjet /t%bəυfn/ noun US same as
fanjet

ance 쑗 The feathered position not only

turbofan reduces drag, but also minimises engine
FANS abbreviation future air naviga-
FANS
rotation, thus preventing any additional
tion systems damage to the engine.
feathering /feðərŋ/ noun the act of
feathering

FAR abbreviation US Federal Aviation

FAR

Regulation turning the blades of a stopped propel-

ler edge on to the airflow in order to
farad /frd/ noun the SI unit of
farad

reduce drag 쑗 Feathering is accom-

capacitance. Symbol F plished by moving the pilot’s control
fasten /fɑs(ə)n/ verb to secure or to
fasten

lever.
close, as by fixing firmly in place 왍 fas- feathering gate /feðərŋ DZet/
feathering gate

ten your seat belt put on and attach noun a device on the propeller pitch
your seat belt 쑗 If in-flight conditions control to prevent unwanted selection
require the captain to activate the fas- of the feathering position
ten seat belt sign, all cabin service feathering position /feðərŋ pə
feathering position

ceases and cabin crew take up their

|

zʃ(ə)n/ noun a position of the propel-

assigned seats and strap in. ler pitch control in which the blades are
fatigue /fətiDZ/ noun 1. physical or
fatigue

|
feathered
mental tiredness resulting from exertion feature /fitʃə/ noun 1. an important,
feature

쑗 Pilot fatigue was a contributing factor

noticeable or distinctive aspect, quality,
in the accident. 2. the weakening or fail- or characteristic 쑗 Sea breeze is a regu-
ure of a material such as metal, result- lar feature of coastal climates. 2. 왍
ing from stress 쑗 Fan blades must be ground features noticeable, important
resistant to fatigue and thermal shock. 쑗 objects in the landscape which are use-
Titanium has good fatigue resistance. 왍 ful aids to navigation, e.g. bridges, riv-
fatigue crack crack due to material ers, railway lines, etc. 쐽 verb to have as
fatigue a particular characteristic 쑗 Many Rutan
fault /fɔlt/ noun a defect in a circuit or
fault

designs feature a canard wing.

wiring caused by bad connections, etc. Federal Aviation Administra-
Federal Aviation Administration

쑗 A fault in the automatic boost control

tion /fed(ə)rəl evieʃ(ə)n |

unit was repaired. dmnstreʃ(ə)n/ noun the body

faulty /fɔlti/ adjective containing a
faulty

responsible for the regulation of avia-

fault or defect, imperfect 쑗 The faulty tion in the United States 쑗 The FAA
component was replaced. issues licenses. Abbreviation FAA
fax /fks / noun 1. an exact copy of a Federal Aviation Regulation
fax Federal Aviation Regulation

document, drawing, etc., transmitted /fed(ə)rəl evieʃ(ə)n reDZjυ |

 95 fine
leʃ(ə)n/ noun a regulation governing unwanted substances 쑗 fuel filter 쑗 oil
aviation in the United States. Abbrevia- filter 2. an electric, electronic, acoustic,
tion FAR or optical device used to reject signals,
feed /fid / noun a supply of fuel,
feed
vibrations, or radiations of particular
energy, etc. provided for use frequencies while passing others 쑗 The
feedback /fidbk / noun 1. the
feedback
tuner is a band pass filter which con-
return of part of the output of a process fines the bandwidth passed to the
or system to the input, especially when receiver to that required. 쐽 verb to pass
used to maintain performance or to con- a liquid or gas through a filter in order
trol a system 쑗 The LC ensures that a to remove unwanted substances 쑗 Fuel
feedback signal of the monitored output is filtered before entering the carburet-
frequency is sent back to the CSDU. 2. a tor.
filter cartridge

feedback mechanism filter cartridge /fltə kɑtrdȢ/

ferry /feri/ verb to make a delivery of
ferry
noun same as filter element
an aircraft by flying it to its operator
filter element

filter element /fltə elmənt/ noun

fibre /fabə/ noun a natural or syn- a removable paper or metal component
fibre

thetic filament like cotton or nylon in a filter housing which must be

(NOTE: The US English is fiber.) replaced periodically 쑗 From time to
FIC abbreviation flight information
FIC
time the filter element must be removed
centre and cleaned or replaced. Also called fil-
field /fild/ noun 1. an area of grass on
field
ter cartridge
fin

farmland, in the countryside 쑗 In the fin /fn/ noun a fixed vertical aerofoil at
event of a power failure, it is important the rear of a plane, the vertical stabiliser
to select the most suitable field for a 쑗 The fin provides directional stability
forced landing. 2. an imaginary area about the vertical axis. Also called ver-
field of vision /fild əv vȢ(ə)n/
field of vision
tical stabiliser
noun the area in which something can
final

final /fan(ə)l/ noun the end part of a

be seen without moving the head or the series or process 쐽 adjective coming at
eyes the end 왍 final assembly the last in a
fighter /fatə/ noun small, single-seat
fighter

series of stages of construction of an

or two-seat aircraft for use in military aircraft when all the pre-assembled
conflict 쑗 The F16 is an American-built parts are put together
fighter. final approach

final approach /fan(ə)l əprəυtʃ/

|

figure /fDZə/ noun 1. a diagram or noun 1. a flight path in a direction along

figure

drawing 쑗 Figure 1 shows a cross-sec- the extended centre line of the runway
tion of an internal combustion engine. on which a plane is about to land 쑗 The
2. a number, especially in mathematical aspect of the runway on final approach
calculations 왍 a head for figures good helps the pilot to judge height and
at figures, arithmetic, accounting, etc. 왍 progress. 2. the last stage of an aircraft’s
a two-figure code a code with two descent before landing, from when it
numbers between 0 and 9 3. a form con- turns into line with the runway to the
sisting of any combination of points or procedures immediately before it lands
lines, e.g. a triangle fine

fine /fan/ adjective 1. of superior

film /flm/ noun 1. a thin skin or layer
film

quality, skill, or appearance 왍 a fine day

쑗 An electrical element made of gold a day when the weather is good 왍 fine
film is sandwiched between the layers of weather good weather 2. very small in
glass. 2. a thin covering or coating 쑗 size, thickness or weight 쑗 Cirrus cloud
There is a film of oil between the piston has a fine, hair-like appearance. 왍 fine
and cylinder wall. powder powder consisting of very
filter /fltə/ noun 1. a material or small particles 왍 fine spray a spray con-
filter

device through which a liquid or a gas is sisting of very small drops of liquid 3. 왍
passed in order to separate the fluid fine wire very thin wire 4. referring to
from solid matter or to remove the pitch or blade angle setting of the
FIR 96
propeller 쑗 Fine pitch enables full exercise. 쐽 noun the exactness with
engine speed to be used on take-off and which surfaces are adjusted to each
coarse pitch allows an economical other in a machine 쑗 There should be a
engine speed to be used for cruising. loose fit between the cylinder and the
FIR abbreviation flight information
FIR
piston, the difference being taken up by
region the piston rings. 쐽 verb 1. to be the cor-
fire /faə / noun an area of burning 쑗 To
fire
rect size and shape for 쑗 Oxygen masks
guard against the risk of fire, passen- should fit the wearer properly. 2. to put
gers are requested not to smoke in the on or attach 쑗 Wheel fairings, called
toilets. 왍 an engine fire a fire in an spats, are fitted to some light aircraft to
engine 쐽 verb to shoot a gun, or to reduce drag. (NOTE: fitting – fitted)
fitment /ftmənt/ noun an act of
fitment

launch something such as a flare or a

rocket attaching or fixing 쑗 Attachment points
fire deluge system /faə deljudȢ
fire deluge system
are supplied for the fitment of heavy
sstəm/ noun a system which extin- equipment.
fitness /ftnəs/ noun the state or con-
fitness

guishes fire by spraying large quantities

of water on it 쑗 A lever actuates the fire dition of being physically fit, especially
deluge system. as the result of exercise and proper eat-
fire detection system /faə d
fire detection system
ing habits 쑗 The age and physical fit-
ness of some passengers can be a limit-
|

tekʃən sstəm / noun a system to

detect the presence of fire in an aircraft ing factor in an evacuation. 왍 fitness to
fly description of the physical or mental
fire extinguisher /faər k
fire extinguisher

|
capabilities a person needs to fly an air-
stŋDZwʃə/ noun a portable device full craft
of foam, water, powder, etc., for putting
fixed-wing /fkst wŋ/ adjective
fixed-wing

out fires
referring to an aircraft that has wings
fireproof
fireproof

/faəpruf/ adjective that do not move, rather than rotor

designed to resist the effect of fire 쑗 A blades
fireproof bulkhead is provided to sepa-
FL abbreviation flight level
FL

rate the cool area of the engine from the

flag /flDZ/ noun 1. a usually square or
flag

hot area.
rectangular piece of cloth with a sym-
fire triangle /faə traŋDZəl/ noun
fire triangle

bolic design or colour 쑗 Flags are flown

the illustration of the chemistry of fire from the signal mast. 2. a small visual
as the three sides of a triangle represent- warning or indicating device on the face
ing fuel, oxygen and heat 쑗 If fuel, oxy-
of an instrument 쑗 There is a warning
gen or heat is removed from the fire tri-
flag on the instrument if there is a prob-
angle, combustion will cease.
lem.
first aid kit /f%st ed kt/ noun a
first aid kit

flame /flem/ noun the usually yellow

flame

small pack containing plasters, band- area of burning gases seen when some-
ages, antiseptic cream, etc., to be used thing is burning 쑗 Flames were seen
in case of an emergency
coming from number 2 engine.
first officer /f%st ɒfsə/ noun the
first officer

flame arrester /flem ərestə/ noun

flame arrester

officer who is second-in-command to

|

a device to prevent flame from an exter-

the captain of an aircraft nal source from entering a fuel tank
FIS abbreviation flight information
FIS

flame out /flem aυt/ verb to cease

flame out

service from some cause other than the shutting

fishtail /fʃtel/ verb to move the tail
fishtail

off of fuel 쑗 Air in the fuel line can

of an aircraft from side to side as a way cause an engine to flame out or stop.
of reducing speed flame-out /flem aυt/ noun the ceas-
flame-out

FISO abbreviation flight information

FISO

ing of combustion in a gas turbine

service operator engine from some cause other than the
fit /ft/ adjective in good physical con-
fit

shutting off of fuel (NOTE: The word is

dition, healthy 쑗 Keep fit with diet and also written flameout.)
 97 flight attendant
flammable

flammable /flməb(ə)l/ adjective trical charge left in it 쑗 The engine

easily ignited and capable of burning wouldn’t start because the battery was
fiercely and rapidly, and therefore haz- flat.
ardous 쑗 Aviation gasoline is a flamma- flat spin /flt spn/ noun a descent
flat spin

ble liquid. (NOTE: Flammable and in small circles by an aircraft flying in a

inflammable mean the same thing.) nearly horizontal position
flange

flange /flndȢ/ noun the outside edge flatten /flt(ə)n/, flatten out verb to
flatten

or rim of a part such as a beam or wheel make flat 쑗 As altitude increases, the
쑗 The web connects the upper and lower countryside appears to flatten out. 쑗
flanges of a beam. The Earth is spherical in shape but it is
flap /flp/ noun a movable control sur-
flap
flattened at the poles.
flaw /flɔ/ noun an imperfection in a
flaw

face on the trailing edge of an aircraft

wing, used primarily to increase lift and material, often hidden, that may be an
drag during final approach and landing indication of future structural failure 왍
쑗 Flaps should be retracted immedi- flaw detection a process or system by
ately after landing to decrease lift and which small weaknesses in metal struc-
therefore increase brake effectiveness. 쒁 tures are found
cowl flew /flu/ 쏡 fly
flew

flexibility /fleksblti/ noun 1. the

flexibility

COMMENT: Flaps are not usually used |

for take-offs in light aircraft except amount or extent to which something

when a short take-off run is required. can be bent or flexed 쑗 Wing structures
Flaps are not primary control surfaces must have flexibility in order to absorb
of an aircraft.
sudden changes in loading. 2. the extent
flare /fleə/ noun 1. a stage of the flight
flare

to which a system or device can change

immediately before touchdown when or respond to a variety of conditions or
the nose of the aircraft is raised into the situations 쑗 The more reliable and quick
landing attitude 쑗 The approach, flare fly-by-wire system allows a much
and landing can be carried out by auto- greater degree of flexibility with aircraft
matic systems. 2. a small rocket-like stability. Opposite rigidity
device with a bright light, for attracting flexible /fleksb(ə)l/ adjective 1. not
flexible

attention rigid, not stiff 왍 flexible pipes pipes

made of soft material such as rubber or
flash

flash /flʃ/ noun giving off light in

sudden or periodic bursts 쑗 Lightning is plastic 2. capable of responding to a
accompanied by a brilliant flash. 쑗 Loss variety of conditions or situations;
of vision may occur due to lightning adaptable 쑗 AC electrical energy is
flashes especially at night. 쐽 verb 1. to more flexible and more efficient than
give off light in regular bursts 왍 warn- DC. Opposite rigid
ing lights flash warning lights go on flier /flaə / noun 1. the pilot of an air-
flier

and off rapidly 2. to appear or to happen craft 2. a passenger on an aircraft

suddenly 쑗 The image flashed onto the flight / flat/ noun 1. the motion of an
flight

screen. object in or through the Earth’s atmos-

flash point

flash point /flʃ pɔnt/ noun tem- phere or through space 2. the distance
perature at which fuel vapour or oil covered by a body, e.g. an aircraft, as it
vapour will burst into flame flies through the atmosphere 쑗 The
flat /flt/ adjective 1. having a hori-
flat
flight from London to Paris took 55 min-
zontal surface without a slope, tilt or utes. 3. a scheduled airline journey 쑗
curvature 쑗 It has been shown that the Passengers for flight GF 008 to Amman
flat chart misrepresents the globe- should proceed to gate number 4.
shaped earth. 왍 flat country country flight attendant /flat ətendənt/
flight attendant

with no hills or mountains 2. having no noun a member of the flight crew who
air inside 쑗 The flat tyre had to be looks after passengers, serves food, etc.
changed because it had a puncture. 3. 쑗 If you need something, press the call
electrically discharged or with no elec- button and a cabin attendant will
flight bag 98
respond within a few minutes. Also flight operations
flight operations

/flat
called cabin attendant ɒpəreʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun the use of
flight bag /flat bDZ/ noun a bag
flight bag

aircraft
used by flight crew to carry manuals, flight path /flat pɑθ/ noun a line,
flight path

documents, headset, etc. course or track along which an aircraft

flight-briefing room /flat brifŋ
flight-briefing room
flies
rum/ noun a room where instructors flight plan /flat plan / noun a writ-
flight plan

talk to trainees immediately before a ten statement that gives details of the
training flight or where a pilot talks to flight that a pilot intends to make
his or her crew immediately before flight progress strip /flat
flight progress strip

boarding the aircraft prəυDZres strp/ a thin cardboard strip

flight crew /flat kru/ noun airline with information on it about a flight,
flight crew

staff responsible for flying the aircraft which is updated by air traffic control-
flight data recorder /flat detə r
flight data recorder

|
lers as the flight progresses
flight simulator /flat smjυletə/
flight simulator

kɔdə/ noun an electronic device

located in the tail section of an aircraft noun a device or computer program
that picks up and stores data about a which allows a user to pilot an aircraft,
flight. Abbreviation FDR. Also called showing a realistic control panel and
black box (NOTE: It is often called the moving scenes, used as training pro-
black box, although it is not black.) gramme
flight-test /flat test/ verb to test the
flight-test

flight deck /flat dek/ noun a place

flight deck

where the flight crew of an airliner sit performance of an aircraft or compo-

while flying the aircraft nent in flight
float /fləυt/ noun 1. a floating ball
float

flight deck instruments plural

flight deck instruments

noun instruments used by the flight attached to a lever to regulate the level
crew when flying an aircraft of a liquid in a tank, etc. 왍 float-oper-
flight engineer /flat endȢnə/
flight engineer
ated switch a shut-off valve operated
noun the member of the crew of a plane by a float 2. a hollow structure fixed
who is responsible for checking that its below an aircraft that allows it to float
systems, including the engines, perform on water. Also called pontoon 쐽 verb to
properly remain on the surface of a fluid without
sinking 쑗 Because of the air-tight
flight envelope /flat envələυp/
flight envelope

nature of the fuselage, most large air-

noun same as envelope craft will float for some time before
flight information region /flat
flight information region

sinking.
nfəmeʃ(ə)n riȢən/ noun airspace
|
float chamber / fləυt tʃembə/
float chamber

with defined limits which has an air noun the part of a carburettor which
traffic control information and alerting houses the float
service. Abbreviation FIR
floatplane /fləυtplen/ noun a sea-
floatplane

flight level /flat lev(ə)l/ noun 1.

flight level

plane that has hollow structures

the level of constant atmospheric pres- attached underneath its wings and
sure related to a reference datum of sometimes its fuselage on which it
1013.25 mb 쑗 FL 250 = 25,000 ft. floats so that the main body of the plane
Abbreviation FL 2. the height at which is not in contact with the water. Com-
a particular aircraft is allowed to fly at a pare flying boat
particular time flow /fləυ/ verb 1. to move or run
flow

flight line /flat lan/ noun the area

flight line

smoothly with continuity, as a fluid 쑗

of an airfield, especially a military air- Air flows over the wing surfaces and lift
field, where aircraft are parked, serv- is produced. 2. to circulate 쑗 Liquid
iced, and loaded or unloaded coolant flows around the engine. 쐽 noun
Flight Manual /flat mnjυəl/
Flight Manual

continuous movement in a particular

noun same as Pilot’s Operating Hand- direction 쑗 The flow of fuel from the fuel
book tanks to the engines.
 99 fog
flying conditions /flaŋ kən
flowmeter flying conditions

flowmeter /fləυmitə/ noun a device |

for measuring the flow of a liquid or gas dʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun the weather and
쑗 The oxygen flowmeter should blink its suitability for flying
once for each breath. flying controls /flaŋ kəntrəυlz/
flying controls

fluctuate

fluctuate /flktʃuet/ verb to vary or plural noun the yoke or control column,
change irregularly 쑗 The magnetic field rudder pedals and other devices used by
will fluctuate at the supply frequency. the pilot in order to manoeuvre the air-
fluid craft
fluid /flud/ noun a substance which flying field /flaŋ fild/ noun a
flying field

is not solid, whose molecules move small airfield from which light aircraft
freely past one another and that takes can operate
the shape of its container 왍 de-icing
flying instructor / flaŋ n
flying instructor

fluid a liquid for removing ice |

fluorescent
strktə/ noun a trained person, a pilot,
fluorescent /flυəres(ə)nt / adjective
|
who teaches people how to fly an air-
referring to the emission of electromag- craft
netic radiation of visible light 쑗 The flu- fly-past /fla pɑst/ noun the flight of
fly-past

orescent penetrant process of flaw an aircraft or group of aircraft over a

detection uses a penetrant containing a place as a spectacle for people on the
fluorescent dye which fluoresces in ground
ultra-violet light. FMS /ef em es/ abbreviation flight
FMS

fly

fly /fla/ verb to move through the air or management system

to cause an aircraft to move through the foam /fəυm/ noun 1. a mass of bub-
foam

air in a controlled manner 쑗 An aero- bles of air or gas in a liquid film 쑗 foam
plane may not fly over a city below such fire extinguishers 쑗 Airport fire crews
a height as would allow it to alight in covered the fuselage with foam to con-
the event of an engine failure. 쑗 He’s trol the fire. 2. any of various light,
learning to fly. (NOTE: flying – flew – porous, semi-rigid or spongy materials
flown) 왍 to fly in formation to fly as a used for thermal insulation or shock
group which maintains a particular pat- absorption 쑗 Polyurethane foam is used
tern or arrangement in the air in packaging.
focal point /fəυk(ə)l pɔnt/ noun
fly-by-wire focal point

fly-by-wire /fla ba waə/ noun

technology which interprets move- same as focus
ments of the pilot’s controls and, with focus /fəυkəs/ noun the point at
focus

the aid of computerised electronics, which rays of light or other radiation

moves the control surfaces accordingly converge 쑗 The focus of a lens is also
쑗 Using fly-by-wire technology, the called the focal point. (NOTE: The plural
stalling angle cannot be exceeded form is foci. /fəυsa/) 왍 to come into
regardless of stick input. 쑗 The more focus to become clearer as through the
reliable and quick fly-by-wire system viewfinder of a camera 쐽 verb 1. to
allows a much greater degree of flexi- make things such as light rays converge
bility with aircraft stability. on a central point 쑗 A parabolic reflec-
COMMENT: Fighters like the General
tor focuses the transmission into a nar-
Dynamics F16 and large transport row beam. 2. to give an object or image
aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and a clear outline or detail by adjustment of
Airbus A320 have fly-by-wire systems. an optical device 쑗 Focus the micro-
flying scope in order to make the image easier
flying /flaŋ/ noun the act of making to see. 3. to direct toward a particular
an aircraft move through the air in a point or purpose 쑗 The crew focused all
controlled manner their attention on finding a solution to
the problem.
flying boat

flying boat /flaŋ bəυt/ noun a sea-

plane with a body that acts like a boat’s fog /fɒDZ/ noun condensed water
fog

hull and allows the plane to float on vapour in cloud-like masses lying close
water. Compare floatplane to the ground and limiting visibility 쑗
föhn 100
When visibility is less than 1,000 m force-land

force-land /fɔs lnd / verb to land

owing to suspended water droplets in an aircraft before it gets to its destina-
the atmosphere, the condition is known tion because of an emergency situation,
as fog. 왍 evaporation fog steam fog 쑗 or land in these circumstances
Evaporation fog is usually confined to forces of flight

water surfaces and adjacent areas of forces of flight /fɔsz əv flat/

land. plural noun the aerodynamic forces, lift,
föhn drag, weight and thrust, which act on an
föhn /f%n/ noun a warm dry wind that object that is travelling though the air
blows down the lee side of a mountain, fore

particularly in the Alps (NOTE: The fore /fɔ/ adjective located at or

word is also written foehn.) towards the front 왍 the fore and aft axis
foil of the aircraft the longitudinal axis of
foil /fɔl/ noun same as aerofoil the aircraft 왍 to come to the fore to
foot

foot /fυt/ noun a unit of length in the become important or to start to play a
US and British Imperial Systems equal leading role 쑗 The jet engine came to
to 12 inches or 30.48 centimetres. Sym- the fore in the late forties. 쒁 aft
bol ft (NOTE: The plural form is feet; foot forecast

forecast /fɔkɑst/ noun a statement

is usually written ft or ’ after figures: of what is likely to happen in the future
10ft or 10’.) or describing expected events or condi-
foot-pound

foot-pound / fυt paυnd/ noun the tions 쑗 weather forecast 왍 forecast

ability to lift a one pound weight a dis- weather charts charts with information
tance of one foot. Abbreviation ft-lb about the weather coming to a particu-
force

force /fɔs/ noun 1. the capacity to do lar area 쐽 verb to estimate or calculate
work or cause physical change 쑗 the weather conditions by studying meteor-
force of an explosion 2. power used ological information 쑗 Rain is forecast
against a resistance 쑗 In small aerobatic for this afternoon. (NOTE: forecasting –
aircraft, considerable force is needed forecast or forecasted)
forecast chart

on the control column when performing forecast chart /fɔkɑst tʃɑt/

high-speed manoeuvres. 3. a vector noun same as prognostic chart 쑗
quantity that produces an acceleration Prognostic or forecast charts are pre-
of a body in the direction of its applica- pared, by the central meteorological
tion (NOTE: We say centrifugal force, office of each region, normally for peri-
but the force of gravity.) 왍 the force of ods up to 24 hours ahead.
gravity the natural force of attraction form

which pulls bodies towards each other form /fɔm/ noun 1. a document with
and which pulls objects on Earth blanks for the insertion of details or
towards its centre 쐽 verb 1. to use power information 쑗 insurance form 쑗 appli-
against resistance 쑗 Because of distor- cation form 2. a kind or type 쑗 The
tion to the airframe, the pilot had to ground automatic relief valve is a form
force the door open in order to exit the of discharge valve. 쑗 Drizzle is the
aircraft. 2. 왍 to force someone to do lightest form of precipitation. 3. the
something to use physical or psycho- shape of an object 쑗 Fluids take on the
logical power to make somebody do form of the container in which they are
something they otherwise would not do found. 왍 in the form of a triangle in the
쑗 The hijackers forced the crew to fly to
shape of a triangle 4. the way in which
Athens. a thing exists, acts, or shows itself 쑗
forced landing water in the form of ice 쑗 fuel in the
forced landing /fɔst lndŋ/ form of a spray 쐽 verb 1. to come into
noun an unexpected landing that a pilot being 쑗 In some conditions, ice forms
of an aircraft has to make because of an on the leading edge of the wing. 쑗
emergency situation Cumulus clouds only form in an unsta-
force down

force down /fɔs daυn/ verb to ble atmosphere. 2. to make a shape 쑗

force an aircraft to land, usually Three points on the chart form a trian-
because of an emergency situation gle. 3. to make up or constitute 쑗 The
 101 front
classroom and accommodation build- FPPS abbreviation flight plan process-
FPPS

ing form the main part of the college. ing system

formation

formation /fɔmeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the frame /frem/ noun 1. a structure that

frame

process of coming into being or form- gives shape or support 쑗 Early aircraft
ing 왍 cloud formation the natural pro- fuselages were made of a frame covered
duction and development of clouds 왍 by a fabric. 2. an open structure for
ice formation the natural production holding, or bordering 쑗 a door or win-
and development of ice 2. 왍 to fly in dow frame
formation to fly in a group which FREDA 쏡 mnemonic
FREDA

maintains a particular pattern or

freeze /friz/ verb to pass from the liq-
freeze

arrangement in the air

uid to the solid state by loss of heat 쑗 In
former /fɔmə/ adjective having been
former

some conditions, rain droplets freeze

in the past 왍 a former military pilot a rapidly on striking the aircraft. (NOTE:
pilot who used to be a military pilot 쐽 freezing – froze – frozen)
noun 1. the first of two things men-
freight /fret/ noun anything other
freight

tioned 2. a light secondary structure of

the airframe which gives improved than people transported by a vessel or
shape vehicle, especially by a commercial car-
rier 쑗 Freight holds are usually located
‘…much has changed in the former beneath the passenger cabins.
Eastern European States, especially in
freighter /fretə/ noun an aircraft
freighter

terms of aviation operations and training’

[Civil Aviation Training] designed to carry freight
frequency /frikwənsi/ noun 1. the
frequency
formula

formula /fɔmjυlə/ noun a mathe-

matical rule expressed in symbols 쑗 The number of times or the rate at which
formula for calculating speed is D ÷ T something happens in a given period of
= S (where D = distance, T = time and time 쑗 The frequency of flights to holi-
S = speed). (NOTE: The plural form is day destinations increases during the
formulas or formulae.) summer time. 2. the number of repeti-
forward tions per unit time of a complete wave-
forward /fɔwəd/ adjective at, near, form, as of an electric current frequency
or belonging to the front 쑗 the forward
section of the aircraft 쑗 forward and aft ‘…a Baltimore man adjusted a baby
exits alarm to improve its performance and
forwards
found his youngster’s squawks were
forwards /fɔwədz/ adverb towards being picked up by incoming aircraft
a position in front 쑗 The throttles are tuned to the local NDB frequency’ [Pilot]
moved forwards for take-off. (NOTE: The frequency
frequency bracket

bracket /frikwənsi
US English is forward.) brkt/ noun a range of frequencies 쑗
fouling

fouling /faυlŋ/ noun contamination VHF communications are allocated the

of the spark plugs with oil or petrol so frequency bracket 118–137 MHz.
that they do not fire correctly 쑗 The frequent /frikwənt/ adjective hap-
frequent

engine should be run at a positive idling pening or appearing often 쑗 frequent

speed to prevent spark plug fouling. inspection
four-digit group

four-digit group /fɔ ddȢt friction /frkʃ(ə)n/ noun a force that

friction

DZrup/ noun four single numbers found resists the relative motion or tendency
together to such motion of two bodies in contact
four-stroke combustion engine

four-stroke combustion engine 쑗 Energy is converted to heat through

/fɔ strəυk kəmbstʃ(ə)n endȢn/ | friction.
noun an engine which operates in front /frnt/ noun 1. the forward part
front

accordance with the four-stroke cycle 쑗 or surface 쑗 The entrance is at the front.
Induction, compression, power and 2. the area, location, or position directly
exhaust are the four phases of the four- before or ahead 왍 in front in a forward
stroke combustion engine. position relative to something else 쑗
fpm

fpm abbreviation feet per minute Row 23 is in front of row 24. 3. the
frontal 102
mixed area between air masses of dif- fuel injector /fjuəl ndȢektə/
fuel injector

ferent temperatures or densities noun an injector that sprays fuel into the
frontal

frontal /frnt(ə)l/ adjective 1. refer- combustion chamber of an engine

fuel pump /fjuəl pmp/ noun a
fuel pump

ring to the forward part or surface area

of something 쑗 the frontal area 왍 fron- device which moves fuel along pipes
tal surface the boundary between two from the tanks to the engine
air masses 2. of or relating to a meteor- fumes /fjumz/ plural noun smoke,
fumes

ological weather front 쑗 a frontal storm gas or vapour given off by a substance,
frontal depression

frontal depression /frnt(ə)l d |

often unpleasant or harmful 쑗 When the
preʃ(ə)n/ noun an area of low pressure cabin is rapidly and completely filled by
found together with a weather front smoke and fumes, passengers will suffer
frontal system from disorientation.
frontal system /frnt(ə)l sstəm/
function /fŋkʃən / noun 1. a spe-
function

noun a series of rain-bearing changes in

the weather cific occupation or role 쑗 Rota planning
frost
is one of the functions of the chief
frost /frɒst/ noun a deposit of very instructor. 2. purpose 쑗 Seals perform a
small ice crystals formed when water very important function in a hydraulic
vapour condenses at a temperature system. 쑗 The function of the flaps is to
below freezing 쑗 Frost had to be cleared increase lift and drag. 쐽 verb 1. to act
from training aircraft which had been as, or to serve the purpose of 쑗 The
parked outside overnight. 쒁 hoar escape slide also functions as a life raft.
ft

ft /fυt/ abbreviation foot 2. to operate or to work 쑗 The system

fuel functions well.
fuel /fjuəl/ noun a substance such as
fundamental /fndəment(ə)l/
fundamental

gas, oil, petrol, etc., which is burnt to |

produce heat or power 쑗 Each wing tank adjective 1. of or relating to the founda-
holds 20 gallons of fuel. 쑗 A fuel system tion or base 쑗 the fundamental laws of
includes tanks, fuel lines, fuel pumps, aerodynamics 2. central, forming or
fuel filters and a carburettor or fuel serving as an essential component of a
injection system. system or structure 쑗 Electricity is one
fuel/air mixture of the fundamental types of energy that
fuel/air mixture /fjuəl eə exist in nature.
mkstʃə/ noun a combination of fuel fungal growth /fnDZəl DZraυθ/
fungal growth

and air which is ignited in a piston noun a type of organism which lives
engine to provide power and multiplies in particular fuels 쑗 Fuel
COMMENT : Aircraft engines operate at contains chemicals for the inhibition of
different altitudes and the pilot must fungal growth.
adjust the mixture to produce the most
fuse /fjuz / noun a safety device that
fuse

efficient fuel/air mixture for the

atmospheric density. protects an electric circuit from an
fuel gauge
excessive current 쑗 Circuit breakers
fuel gauge /fjuəl DZedȢ/ noun an perform the same function as a fuse.
instrument indicating fuel contents fuselage /fjuzəlɑȢ/ noun the cen-
fuselage

fuel injection

fuel injection /fjuəl ndȢekʃ(ə)n/,

| tral body of a plane, to which the wings
fuel injection system noun system in and tail assembly are attached and
which fuel is sprayed under pressure which accommodates the crew, passen-
into the combustion chamber of an gers, and cargo 쑗 The fire started in the
engine wing but soon spread to the fuselage.
 G
g

g /dȢi/ symbol the acceleration due to 쑗 The pilot could see the airfield
Earth’s gravity 쐽 abbreviation gram through a gap in the clouds.
gas /DZs/ noun a state of matter other
gas
G

G /dȢi/ abbreviation giga-

GA than solid and liquid 쑗 Oxygen and
GA abbreviation general aviation nitrogen are gases. 왍 gas turbine
gain

gain /DZen/ noun 1. an increase 쑗 engine an engine with a turbine which

There is a gain of heat by the Earth due is rotated by expanding hot gases
to solar radiation. 왍 a gain in altitude gaseous /DZsiəs/ adjective relating
gaseous

an increase in altitude 2. an increase in to, or existing as a gas 쑗 The atmosphere

signal power, voltage, or current 쑗 The is the gaseous envelope surrounding the
amplifier boosts the gain of the incom- earth.
ing signal. 3. a benefit or advantage 쐽
gasket /DZskt/ noun any of a wide
gasket

verb 1. to increase 쑗 He failed the test

because the aircraft gained 100 ft in the variety of seals or packings used
360° level turn. 2. to get or obtain 쑗 She between matched machine parts or
gained a pass in her meteorology exam. around pipe joints to prevent the escape
gale of a gas or fluid 쑗 Seals, gaskets and
gale /DZel/ noun a very strong wind packing make a seal by being squeezed
usually blowing from a single direction between two surfaces.
쑗 Gales are forecast for the area.
gasoline /DZsəlin/ noun US a liq-
gasoline

gallon

gallon /DZlən/ noun 1. 왍 imperial uid made from petroleum, used as a fuel
gallon unit of volume in the British in an internal combustion engine
Imperial System, used in liquid meas- GAT abbreviation general air traffic
GAT

ure and sometimes in dry measure,

gate /DZet/ noun 1. a device for con-
gate

equal to 4.546 litres 쑗 The system deliv-

ers fuel at the rate of 100 to 2,000 gal- trolling the passage of water or gas
lons per hour. Abbreviation gal 2. a unit through a pipe 쑗 The waste gate may be
of volume in the US Customary Sys- controlled manually by the pilot. 쑗 Dur-
tem, used in liquid measure, equal to ing a descent from altitude, with low
3.785 litres power set, the turbocharger waste gate
is fully closed. 2. a circuit with many
GAMA abbreviation General Aviation
GAMA

inputs and one output that works only

Manufacturers Association when a particular input is received 쑗 A
gamma rays

gamma rays /DZmə rez/ plural logic gate is almost the same as a
noun electromagnetic radiation given switch. 3. a device to prevent a lever
off by some radioactive substances 쑗 from being moved to an incorrect set-
Gamma rays are given off when radio- ting 쑗 It is necessary to move the rpm
active material breaks down. control lever through a feathering gate
gap

gap /DZp/ noun 1. a space between to the feathering position.

gauge /DZedȢ/ noun 1. an instrument
gauge

objects or points 2. the difference 쑗

Micro switches have a very small gap for measuring or testing 쑗 temperature
between make and break. 3. an opening gauge 쑗 pressure gauge 2. a unit of
GCA 104
diameter or width 왍 heavy gauge wire such as heat or electricity as a result of
thick wire 쐽 verb calculate approxi- a chemical or physical process 쑗 The
mately by using the senses 쑗 In fog, it is passage of air around the wing gener-
difficult to gauge horizontal distances. ates lift.
(NOTE: gauging – gauged) generation /dȢenəreʃ(ə)n/ noun
generation

GCA abbreviation ground-control

GCA

1. the act or process of creating or mak-

approach ing 왍 generation of ideas the process of
gear /DZə/ noun 1. a toothed wheel that
gear
producing or getting ideas 왍 generation
turns with another toothed part to trans- of electricity the production of electric-
mit motion or change speed or direction ity 2. a class of objects derived from an
2. 왍 valve gear the mechanism for earlier class 왍 a new generation of
opening and closing valves 3. equip- computers computers which share a
ment and/or clothing recent development in computer tech-
‘…as pilots, we understand the need for a nology which separates them as a class
convenient way to transport flight gear. from earlier computers
generator /dȢenəretə/ noun a
generator

That’s why we custom-designed this line

of soft-sided flight bags in a variety of power-operated device for making elec-
styles’ [Advertisement in Pilot] tricity 쑗 Starter generators are a combi-
gearbox /DZəbɒks/ noun a device to
gearbox
nation of a generator and a starter
allow changes in the ratio of engine housed in one unit.
speed to final drive speed 쑗 The auxil- genus /dȢinəs/ noun a class, group,
genus

iary power unit (APU) is a small gas or family 쑗 Various types of cloud are
turbine engine which is connected to a grouped into ten basic cloud genera.
gearbox. (NOTE: The plural form is genera.)
GEM abbreviation ground-effect
GEM

geographic /dȢiəDZrfk/, geo-

geographic

machine graphical /dȢiəDZrfk(ə)l/ adjective

|

genera /dȢenərə/ plural of genus

genera

referring to geography 쑗 a specific geo-

general /dȢen(ə)rəl/ adjective con-
general
graphical area 쑗 the north geographic
cerned with or applicable to a whole pole
geography /dȢiɒDZrəfi/ noun 왍
geography

group of people or things 왍 general |

description not a detailed description 왍 physical geography the study of the

general principles main ideas 왍 gen- Earth’s surface and its features
eral purpose switches all-purpose geometric /dȢiəmetrk/ adjective
geometric

switches 왍 general weather situation referring to geometry 쑗 A triangle is a

the overall weather picture without the geometric figure. 쑗 Geometric pitch
detail 왍 as a general rule usually 왍 in (US) is the distance which a propeller
general use used a lot should move forward in one revolution.
general aviation /dȢen(ə)rəl evi
general aviation

geometry /dȢi ɒmətri/ noun 1. the

geometry

|
|

eʃ(ə)n/ noun all aviation other than study of the properties, measurement,
commercial airlines or the military 쑗 and relationships of points, lines,
The number of GA aircraft stolen is angles, surfaces, and solids 쑗 An under-
down sharply since the general aviation standing of geometry is essential to the
community has taken steps to enhance student of navigation. 2. a configuration
security. Abbreviation GA or arrangement 쑗 the geometry of the
general flying test /dȢen(ə)rəl engine nacelle
general flying test

flaŋ test/ noun a test of aircraft-han- geostationary

geostationary

/dȢiəυ|

dling skills for student pilots. Abbrevia- steʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adjective referring to an

tion GFT object, such as a satellite in space,
generate /dȢenəret/ verb 1. to which rotates round the Earth at the
generate

bring into being 쑗 In an emergency, it same speed as the Earth and is therefore
may be necessary for crew to generate a stationary with reference to a point on
little panic in passengers to motivate the Earth 쑗 There are two main types of
them to move. 2. to produce something satellite that are used for collection and
 105 governor
transmission of meteorological data, gliding / DZladŋ/ noun 1. flying in a
gliding

polar and geostationary. glider 왍 gliding club association of

geostrophic wind /dȢiəυstrɒfk
geostrophic wind

members who fly gliders as a pastime 2.

wnd/ noun a wind which blows hori- flying in a powered aircraft with the
zontally along the isobars, across the engine either switched off or idling 쑗
surface of the earth The best gliding speed for the aircraft is
GFT abbreviation general flying test
GFT
75 knots.
GHz abbreviation gigahertz
GHz
COMMENT: On June 24th 1982, a
British Airways 747 flying from Kuala
giga- /DZDZə/ prefix one thousand mil-
giga-

Lumpur to Perth lost all power from all

lion. Symbol G four engines for 13 minutes, yet
gigahertz /DZDZəh%ts/ noun a fre-
gigahertz
landed safely in Jakarta: proof that
quency of 109 Hertz. Abbreviation GHz even a large aircraft is capable of
gliding.
given /DZv(ə)n/ adjective 1. particu-
given

global /DZləυb(ə)l/ adjective world-

global

lar, specified, fixed 쑗 At high altitudes,

less fuel is consumed for a given air- wide, referring to something related to
speed than for the same airspeed at a the whole Earth 왍 global pressure pat-
lower altitude. 2. 왍 given (that) taking terns the pressure patterns of the whole
into account, considering 쑗 Given the planet
global positioning system
global positioning system

condition of the engine, it is surprising

that it starts. /DZləυb(ə)l pəzʃ(ə)nŋ sstəm/ noun
|

glare /DZleə/ noun a strong blinding

glare
a satellite-based navigation system.
light 쑗 Glare can be caused by diffuse Abbreviation GPS
globe /DZləυb / noun an object shaped
globe

reflection of sunlight from the top of a

layer of fog. like a ball 쑗 If the Earth were a uniform
glass fibre reinforced plastic
glass fibre reinforced plastic
globe, the average temperature would
noun a composite material made of vary only with latitude.
GLONASS noun a system of satellite
GLONASS

plastic which is strengthened by glass

fibres, used in the manufacture of air- navigation operated by Russia. Full
frames and other aircraft components. form Global Orbiting Navigation Sat-
Abbreviation GRP ellite System
GMT abbreviation Greenwich Mean
GMT

glide /DZlad/ verb to fly without power

glide

쑗 In the event of an engine failure, it is Time

important to have enough altitude to be GNSS abbreviation global navigation
GNSS

able to glide clear of houses, people, satellite system

etc. go-around /DZəυ əraυnd/ noun a
go-around

glidepath /DZladpɑθ/, glide path

glidepath

climb into the circuit and manoeuvring

noun a path followed by the aircraft into position for a new approach and
down the glide slope 왍 glidepath cov- landing 쑗 Because the plane was too
erage the vertical and horizontal high on the approach, the pilot executed
dimensions of the glide slope radio a go-around.
beam govern /DZv(ə)n/ verb to control or
govern

glider /DZladə/ noun a fixed wing aer-

glider

limit the speed, size or amount of some-

oplane, normally with no power plant thing 쑗 The size and number of valves
propulsion 쑗 Nowadays, gliders are required for a particular type of aircraft
often made of composite materials. is governed by the amount of air neces-
glideslope /DZladsləυp/, glide
glideslope
sary for pressurisation and air condi-
slope noun the part of the ILS which tioning. 쑗 The type of undercarriage fit-
provides a radio beam at an angle of ted to an aircraft is governed by the
approximately 3° to the point of touch- operating weight.
governor / DZv(ə)nə / noun a device
governor

down from the outer marker thus giving

the pilot information about the height of for controlling or limiting the speed size
the aircraft on final approach or amount of something 쑗 Overspeed-
gph 106
ing of the engine is prevented by a gov- graphic

graphic /DZrfk/ adjective 1. 왍

ernor in the fuel system. 쒁 valve graphic solution a technique of using
gph /dȢi pi etʃ/ abbreviation gal- geometric constructions to solve prob-
gph

lons per hour lems 쑗 One side of the calculator has a

GPS abbreviation global positioning
GPS
moveable slide which is used for the
system graphic solution of triangle of velocities
GPWS abbreviation ground proximity
GPWS
problems. 2. described in vivid detail 쑗
warning system The eye witness provided a graphic
description of the events leading to the
GR abbreviation hail
GR

accident. 쐽 noun a picture used in a

grade /DZred/ noun 1. a position in a
grade

computer application 쑗 The instructor’s

scale of size or quality 쑗 Kevlar 49 is the worksheets were greatly improved by
grade used in aircraft composites. 2. a the incorporation of graphics to aid
mark indicating a student’s level of comprehension of the subject matter.
accomplishment 쑗 Students who scored grasshopper /DZrɑshɒpə/ noun a
grasshopper

below a particular grade in the exami- light, unarmed military aeroplane used
nations were not allowed to continue for reconnaissance
the course.
graticule /DZrtkjul/ noun 1. a
graticule

gradient /DZrediənt/ noun the rate at

gradient

which a quantity such as temperature or series of fine lines in an optical instru-

pressure changes relative to change in a ment such as a telescope, used for
given variable, especially distance 쑗 measuring 2. the network of lines
Because there is a temperature gradient formed by the meridians and parallels
across each front it is possible to draw of longitude and latitude of the Earth on
isotherms which reduce in value from a flat sheet of paper 쑗 A graticule of
warm to cold air. 쑗 A pressure gradient lines of latitude and longitude is imag-
occurs aloft from land to sea. ined to cover the Earth.
gravity /DZrvti/ noun 1. a natural
gravity

gradual / DZrdȢuəl/ adjective hap-

gradual

pening slowly but continuously 쑗 Loss force of attraction which pulls bodies
of cabin pressure may be gradual rather towards each other and which pulls
than sudden. 왍 gradual change a objects on Earth towards its centre 쑗 In
change which takes place over a period order for an aeroplane to fly, lift must
of time overcome the force of gravity. 2. seri-
ousness 쑗 Throughout the crisis caused
graduate /DZrdȢuet/ verb 1. to be
graduate

by the engine failure, the passengers

granted an academic degree or diploma were unaware of the gravity of the situ-
쑗 She graduated from Oxford Univer-
ation.
sity with a first class honours degree. 2.
gravity feed /DZrvəti fid / noun a
gravity feed

to advance to a new level of skill,

achievement, or activity 쑗 After 50 feed which uses the force of gravity to
hours of flying the single engine trainer, move the fuel from the tank to the car-
the student pilots graduate to flying the burettor
twin engine aircraft. 3. to divide into
great

great /DZret / adjective 1. large in size,

marked intervals, especially for use in quantity, number, etc. 왍 great distances
measurement 쑗 A thermometer has a long distances 왍 a great deal of money
scale graduated in degrees Celsius. a large sum of money 왍 great impor-
gram /DZrm/ noun a unit of measure-
gram
tance enormous importance 2. very
ment of weight, equal to one thousandth good, enjoyable or exciting
of a kilogram. Symbol g
Greenwich Mean Time

Greenwich Mean Time /DZrentʃ

graph / DZrɑf/ noun a diagram that min tam/ noun local time on the
graph

shows a relationship between two sets Greenwich Meridian. Abbreviation

of numbers as a series of points often GMT
joined by a line 쑗 The graph shows the COMMENT: GMT is now called
relationship between lift and drag at Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
various airspeeds. and is also known as Zulu time. UTC is
 107 guard
expressed in 24-hour format; for on the ground, or any movement on an
example, 7:00 P.M. is 1900 hours airfield by people or surface vehicles
(say: nineteen hundred hours).
ground position /DZraυnd pə
ground position

grid /DZrd/ noun 1. a pattern of equally

grid

zʃ(ə)n/ noun the point on the surface

spaced vertical and horizontal lines, of the Earth immediately beneath the
sometimes used on a map 쑗 Grid lines aircraft
facilitate the quick location of a point of ground proximity warning sys-
ground proximity warning system

reference. 2. a metal cylinder in a cath- tem /DZraυnd prɒksmti wɔnŋ |

ode ray tube 3. a pattern of equally sstəm/ noun a system in aircraft

spaced vertical and horizontal metal which warns pilot, by means of an audi-
rods or bars 쑗 Lead-antimony alloy grid ble signal, that the aircraft is below a
plates are components in a lead-acid preset height. Abbreviation GPWS
battery.
ground-running operation
ground-running operation

ground /DZraυnd/ noun the solid sur-

ground

/DZraυnd rnŋ ɒpəreʃ(ə)n/ noun a

|

face of the earth 쑗 Hail being much procedure of running the engine while
denser and heavier than snow, falls at a the aircraft is stationary on the ground
much faster rate and can reach the to check engine performance
ground even with the 0° isotherm at
ground signal /DZraυnd sDZn(ə)l/
ground signal

10,000 ft. 쐽 verb 1. to prohibit an air-

craft or member of an aircrew from fly- noun a visual signal displayed on an air-
ing 쑗 The pilot was grounded after fail- field to give information about local
ing a medical examination. 2. US to traffic rules to aircraft in the air
ground speed /DZraυnd spid/ noun
ground speed

connect an electrical circuit to a posi-

tion of zero potential 쑗 While refuelling the speed of the aircraft in relation to
a light aircraft it is important to ground the ground over which it is flying.
the airframe to prevent sparking caused Abbreviation GS, G/S
by static electricity. (NOTE: To earth is ground temperature /DZraυnd
ground temperature

preferred in British English.) temprtʃə/ noun the temperature

ground crew /DZraυnd kru/ noun a
ground crew

recorded by a thermometer placed at

team of employees who service and ground level
maintain the aircraft while it is on the ground
ground visibility

visibility /DZraυnd
ground vzblti/ noun horizontal visibility
ground-effect machine /DZraυnd  near the surface of the earth
ground-effect machine

fekt məʃin/ noun a hovercraft.

|
group /DZrup/ noun 1. a number of
group

Abbreviation GEM individual items or people brought

ground elevation /DZraυnd together because of similarities 2. a col-
ground elevation

eləveʃ(ə)n/ noun the vertical dis- lection of letters, numbers or symbols

tance, in feet, of the ground above sea used in weather forecasting, etc.
level growth /DZrəυθ/ noun an increase in
growth

ground instructor /DZraυnd n size, number, amount, etc. 쑗 the growth

ground instructor

strktə/ noun a trained person who of ice crystals 쑗 the growth of air travel
teaches support subjects such as mete- GRP abbreviation glass fibre rein-
GRP

orology in a classroom forced plastic

groundling /DZraυndlŋ/ noun a
groundling

GS, G/S abbreviation ground speed

GS

member of the ground crew at an airport guard /DZɑd/ noun 1. a device to pre-
guard

or air force base vent injury or loss, etc. 쑗 The thermo-

ground loop /DZraυnd lup/ noun a
ground loop

couple probes consist of two wires of

sharp unplanned turn made by an air- dissimilar metal that are joined
craft that is taxiing, taking off, or land- together inside a metal guard tube. 2. a
ing, caused by unbalanced drag person who protects or keeps watch 쑗 a
ground movement /DZraυnd
ground movement

security guard 쐽 verb to protect from

muvmənt/ noun a manoeuvre such as harm by watching over 왍 to guard
taxiing carried out by an aircraft while against to take steps to ensure that
guidance 108
something does not happen 쑗 To guard magnetic compass and reset if neces-
against the risk of fire, passengers are sary.
requested not to smoke in the toilets. gyroplane /dȢarəυplen/ noun an
gyroplane

guidance /DZad(ə)ns/ noun 1. help-

guidance

aircraft fitted with an unpowered rotor

ful advice 쑗 Guidance is provided to for producing lift
assist people in filling in the form. 쑗 The gyroscope

gyroscope /dȢarəskəυp/ noun a

booklet contains guidance on the advis- device consisting of a spinning wheel,
ability of flying with a cold. 2. the action mounted on a base so that its axis can
of giving directions to an aircraft turn freely in one or more directions and
guidance system /DZad(ə)ns
guidance system

thereby maintain its own direction even

sstəm/ noun a system which provides when the base is moved 쑗 The tradi-
signals to the flight control system for tional attitude indicator, heading indi-
steering the aircraft cator and turn-coordinator contain
guide /DZad/ noun something that
guide

gyroscopes. 쒁 directional (NOTE: The

directs or indicates 왍 rough guide a word is often shortened to gyro.)
simple explanation to help a person to COMMENT: A spinning gyro maintains
find his or her own way through more its position even when an aircraft
complex information 쐽 verb to direct or banks, climbs, or dives. Gyros drive
to indicate 쑗 If there is smoke in the the attitude indicator, direction
cabin, clear commands from the crew indicator and turn coordinator to help
will help to guide passengers to the pilots control an aircraft while flying in
emergency exits. cloud or in poor visibility.
gyroscopic /dȢarəskɒpk/ adjec-
gyroscopic

gust /DZst/ noun a strong, sudden rush

gust

of wind 쑗 a gust of 30 feet per second 쑗 tive referring to a gyroscope or using the
On final approach, the pilot must be properties of a gyroscope
prepared to counteract the effect of gyroscopic compass

gyroscopic compass
gusts in order to maintain a smooth /dȢarəskɒpk kmpəs/ noun a com-
descent along the extended centreline of pass which uses gyroscopic directional
the runway. 왍 gust load an increased stability rather than magnetism to indi-
load to the airframe caused by a sudden cate directions. Also called gyrocom-
increase in wind strength 쐽 verb to pass
increase in strength suddenly 쑗 Wind is gyroscopic
gyroscopic precession

precession
at 10 knots gusting to 20 knots. /dȢarəskɒpk priseʃ(ə)n/ noun a
|

gyro /dȢarəυ/ noun same as gyro-

gyro

characteristic of a gyroscope, that the

scope force applied to a spinning gyroscope
gyro- /dȢarəυ/ prefix gyroscopic
gyro-

will act at a point 90° in the direction of

gyrocompass /dȢarəυkmpəs/ rotation, not at the point where the force
gyrocompass

noun a compass which uses gyroscopic is applied 쑗 Forces of gyroscopic pre-

directional stability rather than magnet- cession act on the direction indicator to
ism to indicate direction 쑗 The gyro- keep it aligned vertically and horizon-
compass should be checked against the tally.
 H
hail /hel/ noun precipitation as small handling /hndlŋ/ noun 1. the act
hail handling

pellets of ice 쑗 Precipitation is the fall- of touching with the hands 2. the use of
ing of water, as rain, sleet, snow or hail the hands to move or operate something
onto the surface of the earth. 쑗 왍 aircraft handling the act of manoeu-
Although hail, and in particular, heavy vring the aircraft in the desired manner
hail is rare and of short duration, dam- 3. the act of dealing with or managing
age to an aircraft may be severe. something 쑗 Her handling of a difficult
COMMENT: In weather reports and situation won the admiration of the
forecasts, hail is indicated by the whole crew.
abbreviation ‘GR’. hand luggage

hand luggage /hnd lDZdȢ/ noun

hailstone /helstəυn/ noun a small
hailstone

small bags that passengers can take

pellet of ice which falls from clouds 쑗 A with them into the cabin of an aircraft 쑗
hailstone starts as a small ice particle The amount of hand luggage is limited
in the upper portion of a cumulonimbus to one bag.
cloud.
hand signals

hand signals /hnd sDZn(ə)lz/ plu-

hailstorm /helstɔm/ noun a storm, ral noun same as marshalling signals
hailstorm

where the precipitation is hail instead of hands off

hands off /hndz ɒf/ adjective,

rain or snow 쑗 Flying through the hail- adverb where the operator does not
storm damaged the leading edges. control the operation, which is auto-
hand flying /hnd flaŋ/ noun fly- matic 쑗 Automatic flight control system
hand flying

ing an aircraft by moving the flight con- capable of landing an aircraft hands
trols with the hands rather than by using off.
the autopilot hangar

hangar /hŋə/ noun a large shelter

hand-held /hnd held/ adjective
hand-held

for housing and maintaining aircraft 쑗

possible to hold in the hand 쑗 Nowa- Light aircraft should be left with park-
days, headsets are usually used in pref- ing brakes off so that they can be moved
erence to hand-held microphones. 쒁 quickly in the event of a fire in the
hold hangar.
handle /hnd(ə)l/ noun a device for
handle hard landing

hard landing /hɑd lndŋ/ noun

holding, or being operated, by the hand an uncontrolled landing by an aircraft
쑗 a door handle 쑗 a fire control handle that results in its being damaged or
쐽 verb 1. to touch with the hands 쑗 destroyed
Cabin staff should not handle HASELL

HASELL 쏡 mnemonic
unwrapped food which is to be served to haul

passengers. 2. to move or operate by haul /hɔl/ noun 쏡 long-haul, short-

hand 쑗 The student pilot handled the haul
hazard

aircraft well in the turbulent conditions. hazard /hzəd/ noun a possible dan-
3. to deal with, or to manage 쑗 Flight ger 쑗 Thunderclouds are of special
crew must be able to handle any emer- interest to aircrew because of the haz-
gency when it occurs. ards they may pose to aircraft in flight.
hazardous 110
hazardous /hzədəs/ adjective pos- headphones
hazardous headphones

/hedfəυnz/ noun
sibly risky or dangerous 쑗 Flying over small speakers with padding, worn over
mountainous terrain can be hazardous. a person’s ears, used for private listen-
쑗 Structural icing is a hazardous phe- ing 쑗 Headphones are used to monitor
nomenon for rotary wing as well as the signal.
fixed wing aircraft. headset /hedset/ noun headphones
headset

haze /hez/ noun dust or smoke in the

haze

with a microphone attached, used for

atmosphere 쑗 Haze can seriously RT communications 쑗 Headsets are
reduce air-to-ground visibility. usually used in preference to hand-held
head /hed/ noun 1. the top part of the
head

microphones.
body above the shoulders 2. a person 왍 head-up display noun a cockpit sys-
head-up display

head count an easy way of counting tem where data from flight instruments
large numbers of people 3. a main end is projected onto a screen or the wind-
part or top of something 4. a leader, screen so that the pilot can see it with-
chief or director 왍 head of department out having to look down. Abbreviation
the most senior person in the depart- HUD
ment 쐽 verb to fly in a particular direc- headwind /hedwnd/ noun a wind
headwind

tion 왍 head north to fly towards the which is blowing in the opposite direc-
north tion to the direction of movement or
heading /hedŋ/ noun the direction
heading

flight. Compare tailwind (NOTE: The

in which the longitudinal axis of the air- word is also written head wind.)
craft is pointing, expressed in degrees headwind component /hedwnd
headwind component

from north kəmpəυnənt/ noun one of the three

|

COMMENT : Wind affects an aircraft in possible components of a wind, the

flight, therefore heading does not other two being crosswind and tailwind
always coincide with the aircraft’s
heap /hip/ noun a group of things
heap

track. The pilot must head the aircraft

slightly into the wind to correct for drift. piled or thrown one on top of another
heap cloud /hip klaυd/ noun same
heap cloud

heading bug /hedŋ bDZ/ noun a

heading bug

movable plastic marker on the horizon- as cumulus cloud

heat /hit/ noun warmth, being hot 쑗
heat

tal situation indicator

heading correction /hedŋ kə
heading correction

|
The heat generated by combustion is
rekʃ(ə)n/ noun a change of heading in considerable. 쐽 verb to make warm or
order to deal with a new situation. Also warmer 쑗 The air leaving the turbo-
called course correction charger is very warm and can be used to
heading
heading indicator

indicator /hedŋ heat the cabin.

heater /hitə/ noun a device for heat-
heater

ndketə/ noun an instrument which

gives course or direction information ing 쑗 Pitot heads contain heater ele-
e.g. a horizontal situation indicator ments to prevent icing.
(HSI) or direction indicator (DI) heating /hitŋ/ noun the process of
heating

COMMENT : The heading indicator is making something warmer 쑗 the heat-

driven by a gyro and provides steady, ing action of the sun 쒁 kinetic
exact indications of heading. heavier-than-air /heviə θən eə/
heavier-than-air

heading to steer /hedŋ tə stə / adjective weighing more than the air it
heading to steer

noun a gyro-compass point in which to displaces, and so needing power to fly

direct the aircraft heavy /hevi/ adjective having a lot of
heavy

head-on /hed ɒn/ adjective, adverb weight 왍 a heavy load a load of great
head-on

왍 to approach head-on to approach weight 왍 heavy rain rain which is dense

from opposite directions and distributes a lot of water over the
head-on collision /hed ɒn kə
head-on collision

|
surface of the Earth in a relatively short
lȢ(ə)n/ noun a collision between two time
heavy-duty /hevi djuti/ adjective
heavy-duty

things or vehicles coming from oppo-

site directions referring to something designed for
 111 hill
hard wear or use 쑗 a heavy-duty battery hemisphere /hemsfə/ noun half a
hemisphere

쑗 Longerons are heavy-duty steel mem- sphere

bers. Hertz /h%ts/ noun the SI unit of fre-
Hertz

heavy landing /hevi lndŋ/ noun

heavy landing

quency, defined as the number of cycles

a routine landing in which the aircraft per second of time. Abbreviation Hz
makes contact with the surface with HF abbreviation high frequency
HF

more force than usual, thereby possibly high /ha/ adjective 1. having great
high

causing damage to the undercarriage 쑗 vertical distance 쑗 a high mountain 2.

The pilot reported a heavy landing. great, large, a lot 왍 high engine rpm
hedgehop /hedȢhɒp/ verb to fly at
hedgehop

fast engine speed 왍 high pressure a lot

very low height above the ground of pressure 왍 high reliability good reli-
height /hat/ noun the vertical dis- ability 왍 high speed a fast speed 왍 high
height

tance of a point, level or object meas- temperature a hot temperature 쐽 noun

ured from a particular point, e.g. sea an area of high atmospheric pressure 쑗
level 쑗 Pressure decreases with increas- There is a high over the British Isles.
ing height. 왍 height of the aircraft the high frequency /ha frikwənsi/,
high frequency

vertical distance, measured in feet, of high frequency band /ha

the aircraft above the surface of the frikwənsi bnd/ noun a radio com-
earth munications range of frequencies
held /held/ 쏡 hold between 3–30 MHz. Abbreviation HF
held

heli /heli/ noun a rotary-wing aircraft high-performance /ha pə

heli high-performance

heliborne /helibɔn/ adjective trans-

heliborne
fɔməns/ adjective a system which
ported by helicopter provides better-than-usual output 쑗 an
helicopter /helkɒptə / noun an air-
helicopter
engine with a high performance 쑗 Some
craft with one or more rotors rotating high-performance engines have coolant
around vertical axes which provide lift and oil system thermostats which aid
and control 쑗 Helicopter operations are warming-up.
high performance aircraft /ha
high performance aircraft

carried out at the airport.

pəfɔməns eəkrɑft/ noun an aircraft
helicopter rotor /helkɒptə rəυtə/
helicopter rotor |

noun two or more rotating blades,

capable of flying faster, higher or with
known as the main rotor, which provide more manoeuvrability than normal air-
lift and thrust for a helicopter; craft
hijack /hadȢk/ verb to take over
hijack

helideck /helidek/ noun a deck on

helideck

control of an aircraft by one or several

something such as a ship or offshore oil
unauthorised person or persons with the
platform that is used as a landing area
intention of forcing the crew to fly it to
for helicopters a different destination 쑗 The airliner
heliograph /hiləDZrɑf/ noun an
heliograph

|
was hijacked on its way to Paris.
instrument with a mirror to send mes- hijacker /hadȢkə/ noun a person
hijacker

sages by reflecting the sun 쑗 Helio- who hijacks an aircraft or other vehicle
graphs enable reflected sunlight to be
hijacking /hadȢkŋ/ noun the act
hijacking

directed to a ship or aircraft in periods

of direct sunlight. of taking over control of an aircraft by
one or several unauthorised person or
helipad /helipd/ noun an area
helipad

persons with the intention of forcing the

where helicopters take off and land crew to fly it to a different destination 쑗
heliport /helipɔt/ noun an airport
heliport

The crew must be alert at all times to the

designed for helicopters possibility of hijacking, bombs and
helistop /helistɒp/ noun a place
helistop

stowaways.
where helicopters can take off and land, hill /hl/ noun an easily-seen, natural
hill

but usually one that does not have the elevation, smaller than a mountain 쑗
support facilities found at a heliport Slopes on the side of a hill or mountain
helo /hiləυ/ noun 1. a rotary-winged
helo

facing away from the sun receive less

aircraft 2. same as heliport intense radiation. 쑗 Hill shading is pro-
hinder 112
duced by assuming that bright light is holds an IMC rating he has an IMC
shining across the chart sheet so that rating
shadows are cast by the high ground. holder /həυldə/ noun 1. a device for
holder

hinder

hinder / hndə/ verb to make it diffi- holding something 쑗 a holder for a fire
cult for something to happen 쑗 Free extinguisher 2. a person who has a par-
flow of fuel may be hindered by a block- ticular title or qualification 쑗 a holder of
age in the fuel line. 쑗 Her illness hin- two awards for distinguished service
holding fuel /həυldŋ fjuəl/ noun
holding fuel

dered his progress on the course.

hinge

hinge /hndȢ/ noun a device which extra fuel carried by an aircraft to allow
allows a door, flap or lid to open and for time spent in the hold waiting for air
close on a stationary frame 쑗 Flying traffic control clearance
holding pattern noun a racetrack-
holding pattern

control hinges should be inspected

before flight. 쐽 verb to move against a shaped flight pattern with two parallel
stationary frame 쑗 Access to the engine sides and two turns, flown usually while
compartment is normally via hinged an aircraft is waiting for clearance to
cowling panels. land
holding point /həυldŋ pɔnt/ noun
holding point

HIRF

HIRF abbreviation high-intensity radi- 1. a particular location, in the air or on

ated fields the ground where aircraft spend time,
HMR

HMR abbreviation helicopter main waiting for further clearance from air
route traffic control 2. a place, often desig-
hoar

hoar /hɔ /, hoar frost noun a frozen nated Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc., where
dew which forms on outside surfaces aircraft wait before entering the runway,
when the temperature falls below freez- as instructed by air traffic control
holding stack /həυldŋ stk/ an
holding stack

ing point 쑗 Rapid descent from cold

altitudes into warm moist air may pro- area of airspace where planes are
duce hoar frost on the aircraft. instructed to wait before landing if there
hold are delays (NOTE: Aircraft circle and
hold /həυld/ noun an area or compart- descend according to the controller’s
ment within the aircraft for carrying instructions until they are released from
freight 쑗 Carry-on baggage is limited the lowest height in the stack for their
by regulations as to size and weight and final approach to the airport.)
items in excess of this should be stowed
hollow /hɒləυ/ adjective having a
hollow

in the luggage hold. 쐽 verb 1. to keep

space within, not solid 쑗 a hollow drive
and prevent from moving 쑗 The func- shaft Opposite solid
tion of the autopilot system is to hold
home /həυm/ noun the home airfield 왍
home

the aircraft on a desired flight path by

means of gyroscopes and/or accelerom- home airfield the airfield which one
eters. 쑗 If the operating pressure falls or returns to after a two-leg flight
homeward /həυmwəd/ adjective
homeward

fails, a mechanical lock holds the

reverser in the forward thrust position. going towards home 쑗 homeward jour-
2. to keep an aircraft in a particular ney 쐽 adverb 왍 homeward bound
position on the ground or in the air heading towards home
homewards /həυmwədz/ adverb
homewards

while waiting for further clearance from

air traffic control 쑗 It is normal practice towards home 쑗 They were heading
for ATC to hold taxiing aircraft well homewards when the accident hap-
clear of the glide path and localiser pened.
antenna when visibility is poor. 3. to homing /həυmŋ/ noun a flight
homing

have and keep in the hand 쑗 Hold the towards or away from a radio station
microphone in your right hand. 왍 hand- while using direction finding equip-
held possible to hold in the hand 쑗 ment 쑗 Where an RBI is fitted, homing
Nowadays, headsets are usually used in to an NDB can be made by initially
preference to hand-held microphones. turning the aircraft until the relative
4. to have (NOTE: holding – held) 왍 he bearing is zero.
 113 hub
homogeneous /həυməυdȢiniəs/
homogeneous

| 33,000 foot-pounds of work done in one

adjective of the same kind If the air
쑗 minute. Abbreviation h.p., HP
over a large region were homogeneous, hose /həυz/ noun a long, flexible pipe
hose

there would be no horizontal differ- usually made of fabric, plastic or rubber

ences in surface temperature. 쑗 The for pumping gases or liquids 왍 refuel-
atmosphere is not homogeneous – pres- ling hose a flexible pipe used to pump
sure, temperature and humidity can all fuel from the bowser to the aircraft
change with height. hot /hɒt/ adjective very warm, having
hot

hop /hɒp/ noun a flight or section of a

hop

a high temperature 쑗 hot weather 왍 hot

flight in an aircraft (informal ) air air introduced to melt ice forming in
horizon /həraz(ə)n/ noun the line
horizon

| the carburettor in a piston engine air-

where the sky and the ground appear to craft
join 왍 visual horizon a horizon which hour /aυə/ noun 1. a period of time
hour

can be seen which lasts sixty minutes 쑗 It’s a three-

horizontal /hɒrzɒnt(ə)l/ adjective
horizontal

|
hour flight to Greece from London. 2. a
parallel to the horizon, or at right angles method of indicating time 쑗 Flight BA
to the vertical 쑗 The horizontal motion 321 landed at Heathrow at 10.30 hours.
of air is known as wind. house /haυz/ verb to contain or
house

horizontal axis /hɒrzɒnt(ə)l

horizontal axis

accommodate 쑗 The areas between the

kss/ noun a horizontal reference line ribs in the wings are utilised to house
of a graph 쑗 The plot shows the effect of fuel tanks. 쑗 The wing tips house the
airspeed on lift with airspeed shown on navigation lights.
the horizontal axis and lift on the verti- housing /haυzŋ/ noun a compart-
housing

cal axis. ment or container 쑗 The crankcase is

horizontal situation indicator
horizontal situation indicator

the housing that encloses the various

/hɒrzɒnt(ə)l stʃu eʃ(ə)n |
mechanical parts surrounding the
ndketə/ noun a cockpit instrument crankshaft. 왍 engine housing engine
which gives the pilot information about compartment
the direction of the aircraft’s flight path
hover /hɒvə/ verb to remain station-
hover

쑗 On the aircraft, the horizontal situa-

tion indicator is located on the instru- ary, relative to the earth, while in the air
쐽 noun a period of stationary flight 쑗
ment panel below the attitude indicator.
Abbreviation HSI During a hover, helicopter pilots must
be able to coordinate movements of
COMMENT: The horizontal situation both hands and feet.
indicator combines the function of the
hovercraft /hɒvəkrɑft/ noun a
hovercraft

heading indicator and a VOR/ILS

display. vehicle that can travel over land and
horizontal
horizontal stabiliser

stabiliser water supported on a cushion of air that

/hɒrzɒnt(ə)l stebəlazə/ noun a
is produced by a powerful engine that
tailplane 쑗 The horizontal stabiliser blows air downwards. Also called air
cushion vehicle, ground effect
provides stability about the lateral axis
machine
of the aircraft. however

horn /hɔn/ noun a device for project-

horn
however /haυevə/ adverb but
| 쑗 The

ing sound 왍 warning horn device wind was gusty, however the landing
which emits a loud warning noise was good. 쑗 The incident was serious,
however she escaped with only a warn-
horn balance /hɔn bl(ə)ns/
horn balance

ing.
noun part of a control surface forward
hrs abbreviation hours
hrs

of the hinge line which reduces the

HSI abbreviation horizontal situation
HSI

force needed by the pilot to move the

surface indicator
horsepower /hɔspaυə/ noun the hub /hb/ noun a major airport where
horsepower hub

accepted unit for measuring the rate of international or long-distance flights

doing work 쑗 Horsepower is defined as take off and land
hub airport 114
hub airport /hb eəpɔt/ noun
hub airport hydraulic pressure

hydraulic pressure /hadrɔlk |

same as hub preʃə/ noun the pressure exerted by

HUD abbreviation head-up display
HUD

hydraulic fluid
human factors /hjumən fktəz/
human factors
hydraulic tubing

hydraulic tubing /hadrɔlk |

noun the study of the way in which tjubŋ/ noun system of tubes or thin
humans handle, and react to, things in
their environment. It is used in aviation pipes connecting the main components
to develop safer systems and proce- of a hydraulic system
hydro-

dures. (NOTE: Human factors is followed hydro- /hadrəυ/ prefix water 쑗 a

by a verb in the singular.) hydro-mechanical governor
humid /hjumd/ adjective contain-
humid
hygrometer

hygrometer /haDZrɒmtə/ noun an

|

ing a lot of water vapour 왍 humid instrument used for the measurement of
weather weather which, although
warm, feels damp and uncomfortable humidity 쑗 The most common type of
humidity /hjumdti/ noun a meas-
humidity

|
hygrometer is the wet and dry bulb ther-
urement of how much water vapour is mometer arrangement.
hypoxia

contained in the air 왍 the humidity is hypoxia /hapɒksiə/ noun a medical

|

high there is a lot of moisture or water condition in which not enough oxygen
vapour in the air is supplied to the body 쑗 The symptoms
hydraulic /hadrɔlk/ adjective
hydraulic

|
of hypoxia are sometimes difficult to
referring to any system or device which detect.
uses fluids such as oil to transmit a
force from one place to another using COMMENT: Cabin pressurisation or
pipes 쑗 a hydraulic pump oxygen equipment is usually required
for flying at altitudes at or above about
hydraulic fluid /hadrɒlk flud/
hydraulic fluid

|
10,000 ft (3,048 m).
noun thin oil used in hydraulic braking Hz

systems, etc. Hz abbreviation Hertz

 I
IAS /a e es/ abbreviation indicated
IAS

such as railway lines or bridges, are

airspeed matched with the real feature on the
IATA abbreviation International Air
IATA
ground
identification beacon

Transport Association identification beacon /adentf | |

I-beam /a bim/ a large bar of metal

I-beam
keʃ(ə)n bikən/ noun an aeronautical
or some other strong substance with a beacon which gives out a Morse signal
cross-section shaped like the letter ‘I’ which enables a pilot to establish their
location in relation to the beacon 쑗 Civil
ICAO /akeəυ/ abbreviation Interna-
ICAO

|
and military aerodrome identification
tional Civil Aviation Organization beacons can be distinguished by colour.
ice /as/ noun frozen water
ice
identifier

identifier /adentfaə/ noun a|

ice crystal /as krst(ə)l/ noun a

ice crystal

grouped number/letter code by which a

type of precipitation composed of crys- weather station or beacon can be recog-
tals in the form of needles, plates or col- nised 쑗 When a TAF requires amend-
umns ment, the amended forecast is indicated
icing /asŋ/ noun a process by which by inserting AMD (amended) after TAF
icing

part of the aircraft becomes covered in in the identifier and this new forecast
ice while in flight 쑗 Engine icing can be covers the remaining validity period of
extremely hazardous to flight. 쑗 Air- the original TAF.
frame icing can be encountered in wave identify /a dentfa/ verb to recog-
identify

cloud. 쒁 anti-icing, de-icing nise 쑗 Crew members can be identified

ideal /adəl/ adjective perfect, as by their uniforms. 쑗 In conditions of
ideal

good as can be expected or the best pos- poor visibility, it is sometimes difficult
sible 왍 an ideal situation a very good to identify ground features.
situation 왍 ideal flying conditions very identity / adentti/ noun the name
identity

good flying conditions and details of a person, aircraft, etc. 쑗

ident /adent/ noun a function on the The air traffic controllers are trying to
ident

transponder panel which helps a con- establish the identity of the aircraft. 쒁
troller to identify the aircraft 쑗 The ident ident
is suppressed until the standby VOR is idle

idle /ad(ə)l/ noun the state of an

fully run-up and has passed its monitor engine when it is running but not deliv-
checks. Full form identity ering power to move the vehicle or air-
identical /adentk(ə)l/ adjective craft 쐽 verb to turn over slowly without
identical

exactly the same 왍 identical computers providing enough power to move the
computers which are exactly the same vehicle or aircraft 쑗 After starting a pis-
identification /adentfkeʃ(ə)n/
identification

| |
ton engine from cold, it is good practice
noun the process by which a person, air- to allow it to idle for a short time before
craft, etc., is recognised 왍 identifica- opening the throttle wide.
idle cut-off

tion of ground features means by idle cut-off /ad(ə)l kt ɒf/ noun a
which particular features on a chart, position on the mixture control of a
idle rpm 116
light aircraft which allows the engine to ignition circuit of an aircraft or a vehi-
be shut down without leaving a com- cle
bustible fuel/air mixture in the engine illuminate

illuminate /lumnet/ verb 1. to

|
idle rpm

idle rpm /ad(ə)l ɑ pi em/ noun give light to an otherwise dark area 쑗 A
the speed at which a piston engine turns flare illuminates the ground below it. 2.
when it is not running fast enough to to show a light or become bright 쑗 When
move the vehicle or aircraft, i.e. on a the aircraft is 5 knots above stalling
light aircraft when the throttle is almost speed, a warning lamp illuminates.
closed illumination

illumination /lumneʃ(ə)n/ noun

| |

idling /ad(ə)lŋ/ noun a state in

idling

light 쑗 Batteries provide about 20 min-

which the engine is turning over slowly utes illumination for the lamp. 왍 day-
without providing enough power to light illumination the amount of light
move the vehicle or aircraft in normal daytime conditions
idling speed

idling speed /ad(ə)lŋ spid/ noun

illustrate

illustrate /ləstret/ verb 1. to dem-

the rpm of the engine when it is idling 쑗 onstrate or explain clearly, often by
After start-up, the engine accelerates using pictures 쑗 Contour charts illus-
up to idling speed. 쑗 Before the engine trate the horizontal distribution of
is stopped, it should normally be height above mean sea level. 2. to show
allowed to run for a short period at as an example 쑗 A number of aviation
idling speed to ensure gradual cooling. disasters have illustrated the impor-
IF abbreviation 1. instrument flying 2.
IF
tance of clear, correct use of language
intermediate frequency in R/T (Radiotelephony) communica-
IFR abbreviation instrument flight
IFR
tions.
illustration

rules illustration /lə streʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.

|

ignite

ignite /DZnat/ verb to burn or cause a picture which explains something 쑗

The illustration on page 23 shows a
|

to burn 쑗 The spark plug ignites the

fuel/air mixture. 쑗 The air/fuel mixture cross section of a typical gas-turbine
ignites. engine. 2. an example 쑗 The mechanics
igniter
of the föhn wind provide a good illustra-
igniter / DZnatə/ noun a device for
|
tion of the adiabatic process in action.
starting gas turbine engines 쑗 An elec- ILS

tric spark from the igniter plug starts ILS abbreviation instrument landing
combustion. system
ILS glideslope

ignition /DZnʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the start-

ignition

|
ILS glideslope /a el es
ing of burning of a substance 쑗 Satisfac- DZladsləυp/ noun a radio beam in an
tory ignition depends on the quality of ILS which gives vertical guidance 쑗 The
the fuel. 2. the moment, in an internal angle of the glide slope is usually about
combustion engine, when a spark from three degrees to the horizontal. 쒁
the spark plug causes the fuel/air mix- glideslope
ILS locator beacon

ture to burn 쑗 Ignition should occur just ILS locator beacon /a el es ləυ |

before top-dead-centre. 3. an electrical ketə bik(ə)n/ noun a non-direc-

system, usually powered by a battery or tional beacon used for final approach 쑗
magneto, that provides the spark to Power output can be as little as 15 watts
ignite the fuel mixture in an internal- for an ILS locator beacon.
combustion engine 쑗 Ignition problems IM

IM abbreviation inner marker

are a source of many engine failures. 4. image

a switch that activates the ignition sys- image /mdȢ/ noun a reproduction of
tem 왍 the key is in the ignition the key the form of an object or person 쑗
is in its position in the ignition lock Although difficult to see, the photo-
ignition key graph shows the image of the aircraft
ignition key /DZnʃ(ə)n ki/ noun a
|
with part of the fin missing. (NOTE: It
key used to switch on the ignition suggests that the image has no detail
ignition lock

ignition lock /DZnʃ(ə)n lɒk/ noun a

| and that it is the shape which is impor-
key-operated switch for activating the tant.)
 117 inactive
imaginary /mdȢn(ə)ri/ adjective
imaginary

|
ance will vary with changes in fre-
not real 쑗 The equator is an imaginary quency.
line around the earth. impede /mpid/ verb to hinder or
impede

IMC

IMC abbreviation instrument meteoro- obstruct progress 쑗 Hills and mountains

logical conditions impede the horizontal flow of air.
impeller /m pelə/ noun a rotor used
impeller

immediate /midiət/ adjective 1.

immediate

|
|

happening at once or instantly 쑗 Fire to force a fluid in a particular direction

extinguishers should be ready for imme-
importance

importance /mpɔt(ə)ns/ noun sig- |

diate use in the event of an emergency. nificance, strong effect or influence 쑗

왍 in the immediate future in the very Upper winds are of great importance in
near future 2. nearby, close at hand 쑗 meteorology. (NOTE: The expressions
The immediate area surrounding the of fundamental importance, of great
Earth is known as the atmosphere. importance, of prime importance, of
utmost importance, of vital impor-
immerse

immerse /m%s/ verb to cover com-

|

pletely in liquid, to submerge 쑗 Fuel is tance all mean very important.)

pumped from the main tanks via fully import duty /mpɔt djuti/ noun
import duty

immersed booster pumps mounted on payment made to a government on par-

the base of the fuel tank. ticular goods imported or exported 쑗 the
imminent

imminent /mnənt/ adjective due to duty payable on a carton of cigarettes

happen in a very short time 쑗 The trans- Also called customs duty, duty
mission made it clear that the aircraft impose /m pəυz/ verb 1. to force
impose

was in imminent danger. 쑗 A message something upon a person or thing 쑗 The

from the flight deck informs cabin staff trimmer is used to ease the loads
that take-off is imminent. imposed on the flying controls during
impact

impact /mpkt/ noun the striking of flight. 2. 왍 to impose a fine to require

one body against another, a collision 왍 somebody to pay a sum of money as
on impact as soon as it hit something 쑗 punishment 왍 to impose restrictions to
One of the tyres burst on impact (with place limitations on somebody’s actions
the ground). 쑗 Super-cooled water improve /m pruv/ verb to make or
improve

droplets start to freeze on impact with become better 쑗 Turbochargers improve

an aircraft surface. aircraft performance. 쑗 The trainee’s
impact resistance /mpkt r
impact resistance

|
flying skills improved a lot in a short
zstəns/ noun the ability of a material period of time.
to withstand an impact improvement /m pruvmənt/ noun
improvement

impair

impair /mpeə/ verb to cause to

|
the process of becoming better, or
become less effective 쑗 Constant expo- something that makes a thing better 쑗
sure to very loud noise impairs the An improvement in weather conditions
hearing. 쑗 The pilot’s vision may be enabled the flight to depart.
temporarily impaired by lightning impulse /mpls/ noun a force of
impulse

flashes. 쑗 An incorrect grade of fuel short duration 쑗 A magneto is designed

impairs engine performance. to produce electrical impulses one after
impairment

impairment /mpeəmənt/ noun a |

another at precise intervals, so that
lessening of effectiveness 쑗 De-icing each separate impulse can be used to
equipment is used to prevent impair- provide a spark at a spark plug.
impulse magneto /mpls mDZ
impulse magneto

ment of the lifting surfaces through ice |

formation. nitəυ/ noun a magneto with a mecha-

impart

impart /mpɑt/ verb to give, to pass

|
nism to give a sudden rotation and thus
on 쑗 A rotating propeller imparts rear- produce a strong spark
inability /nəblti/ noun the fact of
inability

ward motion to a mass of air. |

impedance

impedance /m pid(ə)ns/ noun total |

being unable to do something
inactive /nktv/ adjective not
inactive

electrical resistance to current flow in |

an alternating current circuit 쑗 Imped- switched on, in a passive state 쑗 At the

inadvertent 118
time of the accident the autopilot was incline /nklan/ verb to slope or slant
incline

inactive. from the horizontal or vertical, to tilt 쑗

inadvertent

inadvertent /nədv%t(ə)nt/ adjec- |

The runway inclines slightly upwards. 쐽
tive not intended, not meant, accidental noun /nklan/ a slope or slant 쑗 There
쑗 A safety mechanism prevents inad- is a steep incline at the end of the run-
vertent retraction of the undercarriage way.
inclinometer /nklnɒmtə/ noun
inclinometer

while the aircraft is on the ground. |

inboard

inboard /nbɔd/ adverb closer to the the lower part of a turn coordinator, in
centre of an aircraft rather than the sides which a ball in a sealed curved tube
or edges indicates if a turn is coordinated. Also
inbound called rudder ball. 쒁 ball
inbound /nbaυnd/ adverb, adjective
include /nklud/ verb to take in as a
include

towards a destination 쑗 The aircraft flies |

outbound from the beacon along the part, to count along with others 쑗 Solid
airway and inbound to the facility at the particles in the atmosphere include
other end of the leg. 왍 inbound traffic dust, sand, volcanic ash and atmos-
pheric pollution. 쑗 A fuel system
aircraft flying towards an airfield
incapacity
includes tanks, fuel lines, fuel pumps,
incapacity /nkəpsti/ noun the
|
fuel filters and a carburettor or fuel
inability to do what is needed, not hav- injection system. Opposite exclude
ing the necessary power to do some- inclusive /nklusv/ adjective tak-
inclusive

thing 왍 crew incapacity an injury to a ing in the extremes in addition to the

crew member which prevents him or part in between 왍 bearings 180° to
her from performing his or her normal 270° inclusive bearings 180° and 270°
duties 쑗 Accident research has shown are part of the range of bearings men-
that crew incapacity greatly increases tioned
the risk to passengers’ safety.
incoming /nkmŋ/ adjective
incoming

inch

inch / nʃ/ noun a British Imperial Sys- something which is being received, e.g.
tem unit of length, also used in the US, radio waves or solar radiation 쑗 incom-
equal to 25.4 millimetres or 2.54 centi- ing transmissions 쑗 incoming signal 쑗
metres or 1/12 of a foot. Abbreviation There is a fall of temperature until
in (NOTE: The plural form is inches, about one hour after dawn when incom-
usually written in or " with numbers, 5ft ing solar radiation balances outgoing
6in or 5’ 6". Say five foot six inches.) terrestrial radiation. Opposite outgo-
incidence

incidence /nsd(ə)ns / noun the fre- ing

quency of occurrence 쑗 The incidence incorporate /n kɔpəret/ verb to
incorporate

of structural failure has decreased with include as part of something which

the introduction of modern construction already exists 쑗 Some types of outflow
materials and techniques. valve incorporate safety valves. 쑗
incident

incident /nsd(ə)nt/ noun an event Warning lamps often incorporate a

or happening which interrupts normal press-to-test facility.
procedure 쑗 A violent passenger had to ‘…the instrument panel on the Mooney
be removed from the aircraft before Encore has been re-engineered to
departure, and details of the incident incorporate improvements’ [Civil
were reported in the local newspapers. Aviation Training]
incorrect /nkərekt/ adjective not
incorrect

‘…in 1995, a pilot flying above Las |

Vegas was struck by a laser beam and correct, not right 쑗 If the trim position is
incapacitated for more than two hours. It incorrect, a warning horn will sound
was one of over fifty incidents involving when number three thrust lever is
lasers and aircraft reported in the area that advanced.
year’ [Pilot]
increase noun /nkris/ a rise to a
increase

inclination

inclination /nklneʃ(ə)n/ noun a

| greater number or degree 쑗 Decreasing
slope or slant from the horizontal or engine rpm results in an increase in the
vertical rate of descent. Opposite reduction 쐽
 119 inductance
verb /nkris/ to become greater or
indicated airspeed

|
indicated airspeed /ndketd
more, to rise 쑗 As you increase height, eəspid/ noun the airspeed shown by
the countryside below you appears to the cockpit or flight-deck instrument 쑗
flatten out. Opposite reduce 왘 opposite The aircraft stalls at an indicated air-
(all senses) decrease speed of 50 knots. Abbreviation IAS
increment /ŋkrmənt/ noun some-
increment
indication

indication /ndkeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.

|

thing added 쑗 The minimum detection pointing out 쑗 Indication of altitude is

range of a pulse radar system is equal given on the altimeter. 2. a sign or
to half the pulse length plus a small symptom 쑗 A drop in engine rpm is an
increment. indication of ice forming in the carbu-
incur /nk%/ verb to acquire or to
incur

|
rettor. 왍 audible indication a sound
receive something, often something which serves as a warning, e.g. a bleep
unwanted 쑗 Fuel penalties can be indicator

incurred if fuel surplus to requirements

indicator /ndketə/ noun some-
is carried. 쑗 In some aircraft, the datum thing which shows information
individual

shift is operated automatically to cater individual / ndvdȢuəl/ adjective

|

for any large trim changes incurred by existing as a separate thing 쑗 The
operating undercarriage, flaps, etc. hydraulic braking system consists of a
(NOTE: incurring – incurred) 왍 to master cylinder with individual brake
incur a financial loss to lose money, in cylinders at each wheel. 쑗 There is a
a business or commercial sense maintenance manual for each individ-
indefinite /ndef(ə)nət/ adjective
indefinite

|
ual engine. 쐽 noun a separate human
without limits 왍 an indefinite period of being considered as one rather than as a
time a period of time which, in reality, member of a larger group 쑗 The instruc-
may have no end tor regards her trainees as a number of
individuals rather than a group.
independent /ndpendənt/ adjec-
independent

|
induce

tive free from the influence or effects of induce /ndjus/ verb to bring about,
|

other people or things 쑗 Airspeed is to cause to happen 쑗 If a coil carrying a

independent of wind and is the same changing current is placed near
regardless whether the aircraft is flying another coil, the changing magnetic
upwind, downwind or at any angle to field cuts the other coil and induces a
the wind. 왍 independent system a sys- voltage in it. 쑗 Unequal deposits on
tem which can operate by itself moving parts can induce severe vibra-
index /ndeks/ noun an alphabetical
index
tion especially on propellers and heli-
list of references to page numbers found copter rotors.
induced drag

at the end of a book or long document induced drag /ndjust drDZ / |

(NOTE: The plural form is indexes or noun part of total drag, created by lift 쑗
indices /ndsiz/ .) There are two basic types of drag,
index letter

index letter /ndeks letə/, index induced drag and parasite drag.
number /ndeks nmbə/ noun a let- COMMENT: Induced drag is created
ter or number which makes it easier to when high-pressure air below a wing
reference or look up information 쑗 Each rotates around the tip to the low-
observing meteorological station is pressure area above and increases as
shown on the chart as a small circle, airspeed decreases and angle of
identified by its own index number. attack increases.
inductance

indicate /ndket/ verb 1. to show or inductance /ndktəns/ noun a

indicate

point out 쑗 A lamp on the instrument measure of a conductor’s ability to

panel will indicate when the pump is bring a voltage into itself when carrying
operating. 쑗 The needle indicated to a changing current, e.g. during short
zero. 2. to serve as a sign or symptom 쑗 times when the circuit is switched on or
Black smoke from the exhaust may indi- off 쑗 At low frequencies, the rate of col-
cate a rich mixture or worn piston lapse of the magnetic field will be slow
rings. and the inductance will be low.
induction 120
inflammable /nflməb(ə)l/ adjec-
induction inflammable

induction /ndkʃən/ noun 1. the | |

process by which the fuel/air mixture is tive easily set on fire 쑗 Petrol is an
drawn into the cylinders of an internal inflammable liquid. (NOTE: Flammable
combustion engine 쑗 The four strokes of and inflammable mean the same
the engine are induction, compression, thing.) 왍 highly inflammable very eas-
combustion and exhaust. 2. the produc- ily set on fire, and therefore hazardous
tion of electrical current in a conductor inflate /nflet/ verb to blow air into
inflate

by a change of magnetic field 쑗 A trans- something and thereby increase its size
former is a static device that changes 쑗 A sharp pull on the cord will dis-
the amplitude or phase of an alternat- charge the gas bottle and inflate the life
ing voltage or current by electro-mag- jacket. Opposite deflate
netic induction. inflation /nfleʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act
inflation

|
inductive

inductive /n dktv/ adjective refer- | of blowing air into something, e.g. a
ring to the production of electrical cur- balloon or a tyre, and so increasing its
rent in a conductor by a change of mag- size 쑗 Tyre inflation pressures should be
netic field 쑗 One side effect of low maintained within 4% limits. 2. a con-
frequency in an inductive circuit is that tinuing increase in the price of things
excess heat may be produced. and a decrease in the buying power of
inductor

inductor /ndktə/ noun a compo- |

money 쑗 Annual inflation is 4%. Oppo-
nent in the ignition system that pro- site deflation
in-flight /n flat/ adjective taking
in-flight

duces electrical current in itself by a

change of magnetic field place during a flight 쑗 in-flight emer-
inert
gency 쑗 in-flight oil loss
inert /n%t/ adjective not reacting
|

influence /nfluəns/ noun a power

influence

with other substance

inert gas which affects people or things 쑗 The
inert gas /n%t DZs/ noun a gas that |
Atlantic Ocean has a great influence on
does not react with other substances 쑗 the climate of the British Isles. 쐽 verb to
Inert gases, dust, smoke, salt, volcanic have an effect on, to change 쑗 In an
ash, oxygen and nitrogen together con- emergency, a crew member’s power of
stitute 99% of the atmosphere. (NOTE: command will influence the reaction of
The inert gases include helium, neon, passengers.
argon, krypton and xenon.)
inform /nfɔm / verb to tell some-
inform

|
inertia

inertia /n%ʃə/ noun the tendency of

|
body something 쑗 After a particularly
a body at rest to stay at rest or of a mov- heavy landing, the pilot should inform
ing body to continue moving in a an engineer so that checks can be made
straight line unless acted on by an out- to the aircraft structure.
side force 쑗 Inertia switches operate information /nfəmeʃ(ə)n/ noun a
information

automatically when a particular g collection of facts or data 쑗 Meteorolog-

(acceleration due to Earth’s gravity) ical visibility gives information on the
loading occurs. transparency of the atmosphere to a sta-
inertial

inertial /n%ʃ(ə)l/ adjective referring

| tionary ground observer. (NOTE: Infor-
to inertia mation has no plural form.)
infra- /nfrə/ prefix below or beneath
inertial navigation system infra-

inertial navigation system / |

n%ʃ(ə)l nvDZeʃ(ə)n sstəm/ |

infrared / nfrəred/, infra-red adjec-
infrared

noun a navigation system which calcu- tive referring to the range of invisible
lates aircraft position by comparing radiation wavelengths from about 750
measurements of acceleration with nanometres to 1 millimetre 쑗 Solar
stored data, using gyros rather than radiation is short wave and of high
radios. Abbreviation INS intensity while terrestrial radiation is
inferential

inferential /nfərenʃ(ə)l/ adjective |

infra-red.
obtained by deduction 쑗 The inferential infrequent /nfrikwənt/ adjective
infrequent

method of ice detection is used in flight not often 쑗 In northern Europe, thun-
trials for aircraft certification. derstorms are infrequent in winter time.
 121 input
ingest /ndȢest/ verb to take in, or to
ingest

|
members must be able to act collec-
absorb into, something such as a jet tively and with initiative in unusual sit-
engine through the intake 쑗 Jet engines uations.
may be damaged by ingested chunks of inject /n dȢekt/ verb to force or drive
inject

ice. a fluid into something 쑗 An accelerator

ingestion /ndȢestʃən / noun the act
ingestion

|
pump, operated by the movement of the
of taking something into something throttle lever, injects fuel into the choke
such as a jet engine through the intake 쑗 tube.
injection / ndȢekʃən/ noun the forc-
injection

Ingestion of birds may seriously dam- |

age the blades of turbo-fan engines. ing of fluid into something 쑗 Power out-
inherent /nhərənt/ adjective exist-
inherent

|
put can be boosted to a value over
ing as a basic or fundamental character- 100% maximum power, by the injection
istic 쑗 A boiling point of 100°C is an of a water methanol mixture at the com-
inherent characteristic of water. pressor inlet or at the combustion
chamber inlet.
in hg noun the unit for measuring
in hg

injector /ndȢektə/ noun a device

injector

absolute pressure. Full form inch(es) |

of mercury that will force or drive a fluid into

something
inhibit /nhbt/ verb to prevent or to
inhibit

injury /ndȢəri/ noun damage or harm

| injury

limit the effect of something 쑗 Cloud

cover inhibits cooling of the Earth’s done to a person 쑗 Escape slides are
surface at night. designed to minimise the risk of injury
to passengers when leaving the aircraft.
inhibition /nhbʃ(ə)n/ noun the
inhibition

inland /nlənd/ adjective, adverb

| inland

prevention or limitation of the effect of referring to the interior of a country or

something 쑗 Fuel contains chemicals land mass 쑗 Sea fog can extend for con-
for the inhibition of fungal growth. siderable distances inland.
inhibitor /nhbtə/ noun a device or
inhibitor

inlet /nlet/ noun 1. an opening which

inlet
|

substance which prevents or limits the allows an intake of something 쑗 turbine

effect of something 왍 icing inhibitor a inlet 쑗 combustion chamber inlet 쑗 Air
substance added to fuel to prevent fuel enters the cabin through an inlet. 2. a
system icing coastal feature such as at the mouth of a
initial /nʃ(ə)l/ adjective relating to
initial

|
river
or occurring at the beginning, the first 왍 inlet valve /nlət vlv/ noun the
inlet valve

initial climb the period of climb imme- valve in a piston engine which allows
diately after take-off 왍 initial letter the fuel to enter the cylinder
first letter of a word 왍 initial stage first inner /nə/ adjective positioned far-
inner

stage 쐽 noun the first letter of a word ther inside 왍 inner wing the part of the
initials / nʃ(ə)lz / plural noun the
initials

|
wing near the fuselage
first letters of a name 쑗 His name is inner marker /nə mɑkə/ noun an
inner marker

John Smith, his initials are JS. ILS marker beacon placed between the
initiate /nʃiet/ verb to get some-
initiate

|
middle marker and the end of the ILS
thing going by taking the first step, to runway
start 쑗 In a serious emergency, a mem- inoperative /nɒpərətv/ adjective
inoperative

ber of the cabin crew may initiate an not functioning 쑗 To prevent accidental
evacuation of the aircraft. retraction of the undercarriage, a safety
initiation /nʃieʃ(ə)n/ noun the act
initiation

| | switch is fitted in such a way to the oleo,

of getting something going by taking that when it is compressed on the
the first step, starting 쑗 Normally speak- ground, the ‘undercarriage up’ selec-
ing, the captain is responsible for the tion is inoperative.
initiation of emergency procedures. input / npυt/ noun something such as
input

initiative /nʃətv/ noun the power

initiative

| energy, electrical power or information,

or ability to begin or to follow through put into a system to achieve output or a
competently with a plan or task 쑗 Crew result 쑗 Pumps require high input cur-
INS 122
rent. 쑗 If the number of turns on the sec- installation /nstəleʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
installation

ondary winding is greater than the the act of putting equipment or devices
number of turns on the primary, the out- into position and connecting them for
put voltage from the secondary will be use 쑗 The installation of the computer
greater than the input voltage to the pri- took three hours. 2. equipment or
mary. 왍 pilot control input movements devices which are installed 쑗 In some
on the flying controls made by the pilot auxiliary-power-unit installations the
INS

INS abbreviation inertial navigation air intake area is protected against ice
system formation by bleeding a supply of hot
insert air from the compressor over the intake
insert /ns%t/ verb to put in or into 쑗
|
surfaces.
To prevent tyre explosion due to over-
instance /nstəns/ noun an example
instance

heating, fusible plugs are inserted into

the wheel assemblies. 쑗 Insert your tel- which is used to provide evidence of
ephone number in the space provided something 쑗 Failure to check fuel levels
on the form. 쑗 Insert the key in the lock before take-off is an instance of bad air-
and turn it. manship. 왍 for instance e.g.
instant /nstənt/ adjective immedi-
instant

insertion

insertion /ns%ʃ(ə)n/ noun the act

|

ate, happening immediately 쐽 noun a

of putting in or into 쑗 There is a space very short period of time 쑗 The pilot has
on the form for the insertion of a postal to act in an instant to counteract the
address. 쑗 When the contours for a par- severe downdraughts of a microburst.
ticular pressure level have been drawn
instinctive /n stŋktv/ adjective
instinctive

in, the chart is completed by insertion of |

spot temperatures and wind speed natural, rather than thought-out 쑗 In

information. most modern light aircraft, use of the
insignificant trim wheel is instinctive, i.e. forwards
insignificant /nsDZnfkənt/
|
for nose down and backwards for nose
adjective not important, of no conse- up.
quence 쑗 Minor changes in wind speed
instruct /nstrkt/ verb to give infor-
instruct

or direction are insignificant. |

inspect
mation or knowledge, usually in a for-
inspect /nspekt/ verb to look at
|
mal setting such as a lesson or briefing
something closely and to check for 쑗 The safety officer instructs employees
problems or defects 쑗 Propellers should on the use of the breathing equipment. 쑗
be inspected prior to flight. The training captain instructs trainee
inspection

inspection /nspekʃ(ə)n/ noun a|

pilots in the simulator.
careful check for problems 쑗 Before instruction /nstrkʃən/ noun 1. the
instruction

flight, the pilot should carry out a care- act of giving information or knowledge,
ful inspection of the aircraft. usually in a formal setting such as a les-
instability

instability /nstəblti/ noun a con-

|
son or briefing 쑗 Trainees receive first-
dition in which a body or mass moves aid instruction. 2. information on how
easily, and with increasing speed, away something should be operated or used 쑗
from its original position 쑗 Atmospheric You must follow the instructions.
instruction manual /nstrkʃən
instruction manual

instability often results in strong verti- |

cal currents of air. 쑗 The built-in insta- mnjuəl/ noun a book containing
bility of some modern fighter aircraft information on how something should
makes them highly manoeuvrable but be operated or used
difficult to control without fly-by-wire instructor /nstrktə/ noun a person
instructor

technology. who gives information or knowledge,

install

install /nstɔl/ verb to put in posi-

|
usually in a formal setting such as a les-
tion, connect and make ready for use 쑗 son or briefing
instrument /nstrυmənt/ noun a
instrument

Most carburettors are installed in a

warm position to help against icing. 왍 device for recording, measuring or con-
installed battery a battery in position trolling, especially functioning as part
in the aircraft of a control system 쑗 Airspeed is given
 123 intake
on an instrument called the airspeed and distance from cloud ceiling which
indicator. are less than those for visual meteoro-
instrument approach procedure
instrument approach procedure
logical conditions 쑗 The basic licence
/nstrυmənt əprəυtʃ prəsidȢə/ | |
does not permit the pilot to fly in instru-
noun a set of procedures which a pilot ment meteorological conditions. Abbre-
must follow when approaching an air- viation IMC
port under instrument flight rules instrument rating /nstrυmənt
instrument rating

instrumentation
instrumentation

/nstrυmen |
retŋ/ noun an additional qualifica-
teʃ(ə)n/ noun a set of specialised tion added to a licence, such as PPL,
instruments on an aircraft 쑗 Instrumen- allowing a pilot to fly in instrument
tation in some basic light aircraft is meteorological conditions 쑗 He gained
restricted to a few instruments only. 쑗 his instrument rating in 1992. Abbrevi-
Some modern light aircraft have very ation I/R
sophisticated instrumentation. COMMENT: An instrument rating is
instrument error /nstrυmənt
instrument error
required for operating in clouds or
erə/ noun the difference between indi- when the ceiling and visibility are less
than those required for flight under
cated instrument value and true value visual flight rules (VFR).
instrument flight rules
instrument flight rules

insufficient /nsəfʃ(ə)nt/ adjec-

insufficient

/nstrυmənt flat rulz/ plural noun |

regulations which must be followed tive not enough 쑗 Insufficient height

when weather conditions do not meet resulted in the pilot landing short of the
the minima for visual flight 쑗 The flight runway.
insulate /nsjυlet/ verb 1. to prevent
insulate

from Manchester to Prestwick was con-

ducted under instrument flight rules. the passing of heat, cold or sound into
Abbreviation IFR or out of an area 2. to prevent the pass-
instrument flying /nstrυmənt
instrument flying
ing of electricity to where it is not
flaŋ/ noun flying using no references required, especially by using a non-con-
other than the flight instruments 쑗 Some ducting material 쑗 Bus bars are insu-
conditions require instrument flying. 쑗 lated from the main structure and are
When in cloud, instrument flying is normally provided with some form of
required. Abbreviation IF protective covering.
insulating /nsjuletŋ/ adjective
insulating

instrument landing /nstrυmənt

instrument landing

lndŋ/ noun the landing of an aircraft preventing the unwanted passage of

when a pilot is relying on information heat, cold, sound or electricity
insulating tape /nsjυletŋ tep/
insulating tape

obtained from instruments rather than

from what can be seen outside the air- noun special adhesive tape which is
craft used to insulate electrical wires 쑗 Insu-
instrument
instrument landing system

landing system lating tape was used to prevent the elec-

/nstrυmənt lndŋ sstəm/ noun trical wires from touching.
insulation /nsjυleʃ(ə)n/ noun an
insulation

aids for an instrument landing approach |

to an airfield, consisting of a localiser, act of or state of preventing the passing

glide slope, marker beacons and of heat, cold, sound or electricity from
approach lights 쑗 The instrument land- one area to another 쑗 For continuous
ing system provides both horizontal and supersonic flight, fuel tank insulation is
vertical guidance to aircraft approach- necessary to reduce the effect of kinetic
ing a runway. Abbreviation ILS heating.
insulator /nsjυletə/ noun a sub-
insulator

COMMENT: The ILS is the most used

precision approach system in the stance which will insulate, especially
world. which will not conduct electricity 쑗
instrument meteorological con-
instrument meteorological conditions
Wood is a good insulator.
ditions /nstrυmənt mitiərə intake /ntek/ noun an opening
intake

lɒdȢk(ə)l kəndʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun | through which a fluid is allowed into a

meteorological conditions of visibility container or tube
intake guide vane 124
intake guide vane / ntek DZad intercept / ntəsept/ verb to stop or
intake guide vane intercept

ven/ noun a device to direct the flow interrupt the intended path of something
of air at the air-intake 쑗 When a radio transmission is made
intake lip /ntek lp/ noun the rim or
intake lip
from a moving platform, there will be a
edge of the air intake of a jet engine 쑗 As shift in frequency between the transmit-
sonic speed is approached, the effi- ted and intercepted radio signals.
ciency of the intake begins to fall interconnect /ntəkənekt/ verb to
interconnect

because of shock waves at the intake lip. connect together 쑗 The fire extinguish-
intake temperature gauge ers for each engine are interconnected,
intake temperature gauge

/ntek temprtʃə DZedȢ/ noun an so allowing two extinguishers to be

instrument to indicate the temperature used on either engine.
of air entering an engine inter-crew /ntə kru/ adjective 왍
inter-crew

integral / ntDZrəl/ adjective which inter-crew communications commu-

integral

completes the whole or which belongs nications between members of the crew
to a whole 쑗 Meteorology is an integral 쑗 The lack of inter-crew communication
part of a flying training course. 왍 inte- contributed to the accident.
gral fuel tanks tanks which are located interfere /ntəfə/ verb 왍 to inter-
interfere

within the structure of the aircraft fere with to get in the way of something
integrity /nteDZrti/ noun the state of
integrity

| or come between things and thus create

being complete and in good working a problem 쑗 An engine intake close to
condition 쑗 The engine fire warning another surface, such as the fuselage
system is checked to test its integrity. 쑗 tail section, must be separated from that
The integrity of an aid used to conduct surface so that the slower boundary
procedural approaches must be high. layer air does not interfere with the reg-
intend /ntend/ verb to have a partic-
intend

|
ular intake flow.
ular plan, aim or purpose 쑗 A battery is interference /ntəfərəns/ noun
interference

intended to supply only limited amounts the prevention of reception of a clear

of power. 왍 intended track desired radio signal 쑗 Some equipment, such as
course of flight generators and ignition systems, will
intense /ntens/ adjective 1. extreme cause unwanted radio frequency inter-
intense

in amount 왍 intense heat very high heat ference. 왍 precipitation interference

왍 intense wind very strong wind 2. 왍 interference caused by rain, snow or
intense concentration very hard or hail
deep concentration interlock /ntəlɒk/ noun a series of
interlock

intensity /ntensti/ noun the

intensity

| switches and/or relays 쑗 Interlocks

amount or strength of heat, light, radia- operate in a specific sequence to ensure
tion 쑗 Surface air temperatures depend satisfactory engagement of the autopi-
mostly on the intensity and duration of lot. 쐽 verb to connect together parts of a
solar radiation. mechanism, so that the movement or
intention /ntenʃən/ noun the course
intention

|
operation of individual parts affects
of action one means or plans to follow 쑗 each other 쑗 The two parts interlock to
It is not the intention of this chapter to create a solid structure.
give a detailed description of world intermediate /ntəmidiət/ adjec-
intermediate

weather. 쑗 Our intention is to provide tive 1. in a position between two others

safe, cost-effective flying. 2. between beginners and advanced 왍
inter- /ntə/ prefix between he is at an intermediate stage in his
inter-

interact / ntərkt/ verb to act on

interact

|
studies he is in the middle of his course
each other 쑗 Angle of attack and the of study 왍 an intermediate level lan-
profile of the wing section interact to guage student a second language
produce lift. 쑗 Direct and reflected path learner who has reached a level between
signals can interact to cause bending of elementary and advanced level
intermediate approach
intermediate approach

the localiser and/or generation of a

false glidepath. /ntəmidiət əprəυtʃ/ noun the part
|
 125 interrupt
of the approach from arriving at the first international standard atmos-
international standard atmosphere

navigational fix to the beginning of the phere /ntənʃ(ə)nəl stndəd

final approach tməsfə/ noun an internationally
intermediate
intermediate frequency

frequency agreed unit of pressure used in the cali-

/ntəmidiət frikwənsi/ noun the bration of instruments and the measure-
frequency in a radio receiver to which ment of aircraft performance 쑗 For en
the incoming received signal is trans- route weather the datum chosen is
formed. Abbreviation IF international standard atmosphere at
intermittent /ntəmt(ə)nt/ adjec-
intermittent

|
mean sea level. Abbreviation ISA
interphone /ntəfəυn/ an internal
interphone

tive stopping and starting at intervals 쑗

The cycle of induction, compression, telephone communications system
combustion and exhaust in the piston within an aircraft that enables members
engine is intermittent, whereas in the of the crew to speak to one another
gas turbine, each process is continuous. interpolation
interpolation

/nt%pəleʃ(ə)n/ | |

internal /nt%n(ə)l/ adjective refer- noun the estimation of a middle value

internal

ring to the inside or interior of some- by reference to known values each side
thing 쑗 internal damage Opposite 쑗 Spot temperatures at positions other
external than those printed are obtained by
internal combustion engine /n
internal combustion engine

|
interpolation.
interpret /nt%prt/ verb to under-
interpret

t%n(ə)l kmbstʃən endȢn/ noun |

|

type of engine in which the fuel is burnt stand something presented in code or
within the cylinders of the engine, as symbolic form 쑗 Aircrew must be able
opposed to the steam engine to interpret information printed on a
international
international

/ntənʃ(ə)nəl/ |
contour chart.
interpretation /nt%prteʃ(ə)n/
interpretation

adjective between countries 왍 interna- | |

tional call a telephone call between noun an understanding of something

people in two different countries presented in code or symbolic form 쑗
International Air Transport
International Air Transport Association
Synoptic charts require interpretation
Association /ntənʃ(ə)nəl eə in order to understand the information
trnspɔt əsəυsieʃ(ə)n/ noun an |
given.
interrogate /nterəDZet/ verb to
interrogate

international organisation that super- |

vises and coordinates air transport and transmit SSR or ATC signals to activate
to which most major airlines belong. a transponder 쑗 Secondary surveillance
Abbreviation IATA radar interrogates the aircraft equip-
International Calling Frequency
International Calling Frequency
ment which responds with identification
/ntənʃ(ə)nəl kɔlŋ frikwənsi/, and height information.
interrogation /nterəDZeʃ(ə)n/
interrogation

International Distress Frequency | |

/ntənʃ(ə)nəl dstres frikwənsi/ | noun the transmission of a SSR or ATC

noun 2182 kHz or 500 kHz signal to activate a transponder 쑗 A
International Civil Aviation
International Civil Aviation Organization
transponder replies to interrogation by
Organization /ntənʃ(ə)nəl svl passing a four-digit code.
interrogator /nterəDZetə/ noun a
interrogator

evieiʃ(ə)n ɔDZənazeʃ(ə)n/ noun

| |

an organisation established in 1947 by ground-based surveillance radar beacon

governments that ‘agreed on particular transmitter/receiver 쑗 The questioner,
principles and arrangements in order better known as the interrogator, is fit-
that international civil aviation may be ted on the ground, while the responder,
developed in a safe and orderly man- also known as the transponder, is an
ner…’ 쑗 Air navigation obstructions in airborne installation.
the United Kingdom are shown on interrupt /ntərpt/ verb to break
interrupt

ICAO aeronautical charts. Abbrevia- the continuity of something 쑗 The con-

tion ICAO versation was interrupted by a tele-
COMMENT: ICAO is based in Montreal phone call. 쑗 In the northern hemi-
(Canada). sphere, the westerly flow of air is
interruption 126
interrupted by variations which occur inversion /nv%ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an
inversion

in pressure patterns. atmospheric phenomenon where cold

interruption /ntərpʃən/ noun a
interruption

|
air is nearer the ground than warm air 쑗
break in the continuity of something 쑗 Smog is smoke or pollution trapped on
Because of the summer holiday, there the surface by an inversion of tempera-
was an interruption in the flying train- ture with little or no wind. 2. turning
ing course. something upside down 쑗 Inversion of
intersect /ntəsekt/ verb to cut
intersect

|
the aircraft in flight may result in fuel
across each other 쑗 Meridians intersect stoppage.
inversion layer /nv%ʃ(ə)n leə/
inversion layer

at the poles and cross the equator at |

right angles. noun a layer of the atmosphere in which

intersection /ntəsekʃən/ noun the
intersection
the temperature increases as altitude
increases
|

point at which two lines cross each

invert /nv%t/ verb to turn upside
invert

other 쑗 The aircraft came to a stop at |

the intersection between runways 09 down 쑗 A glass tube is sealed at one

and 16. 쑗 The intersection of the drift end, filled with mercury and then
line and the wind vector gives the drift inverted so that the open end is
point. immersed in a bowl containing mer-
intertropical convergence zone cury.
intertropical convergence zone
investigate /nvestDZet/ verb to
investigate

/ntətrɒpk(ə)l kənv%dȢəns zəυn/ |

|

noun the boundary between the trade examine or look into something in great
winds and tropical air masses from the detail 쑗 If the starter engaged light stays
northern and southern hemispheres 쑗 on after starting, it means that power is
The intertropical convergence zone is still connected to the starter and, if it is
the zone in which the trade winds from still on after 30 seconds, the cause must
the two hemispheres approach each be investigated.
investigation /n vestDZeʃ(ə)n/
investigation

other. Abbreviation ITCZ | |

interval /ntəv(ə)l/ noun 1. the

interval
noun a detailed inquiry or close exami-
amount of space between places or nation of a matter 왍 accident investiga-
points 쑗 The intervals at which contours tion process of discovering the cause of
are drawn depends on the scale of the accidents
chart and this interval, known as the ‘…accident investigation by the FAA and
vertical interval, is noted on the chart. the German LBA revealed that the
2. the period of time between two crashed aircraft had been completely
events 쑗 A precise interval is essential repainted in an unauthorized paint shop’
to obtain correct ignition timing on all [Pilot]
investigator /nvestDZetə/ noun a
investigator

cylinders. |

introduction

introduction / ntrədkʃ(ə)n/ noun |

person who investigates 쑗 Accident
1. something written which comes at investigators found poor coordination
the beginning of a report, chapter, etc., between controllers.
invisible /nvzb(ə)l/ adjective
invisible

or something spoken which comes at |

the beginning of a talk 쑗 In his introduc- impossible to see 쑗 Oxygen is an invisi-

tion, the chief executive praised the ble gas.
efforts of the workforce over the previ- involve /nvɒlv/ verb to include 쑗 In
involve

ous 12 months. 2. the act of bringing large transport aircraft, because of the
into use 쑗 The introduction of fly-by- distance and numbers of people
wire technology has made the pilot’s involved, effective and rapid communi-
task easier. cations are required between flight
inverse /nv%s/ adjective reversed in
inverse

|
crew and cabin crew and between cabin
order or effect 쑗 There is an inverse crew and passengers. 쑗 Two aircraft
relationship between altitude and tem- were involved in an accident.
involved /nvɒlvd/ adjective over-
involved

perature, i.e. temperature decreases as |

altitude increases. complex, difficult 쑗 The procedure for

 127 item
replacing a lost passport is very their work irrespective of the weather
involved. conditions.
inward ISA

inward /nwəd/ adjective directed to ISA /asə/ abbreviation international

or moving towards the inside or interior standard atmosphere
쑗 To provide protection against smoke isobar

isobar /asəυbɑ/ noun a line on a

and other harmful gases, a flow of weather chart joining points of equal
100% oxygen is supplied at a positive atmospheric pressure 쑗 Isobars are
pressure to avoid any inward leakage of
analogous to contour lines.
poisonous gases at the mask. isobaric

inwards

inwards /nwədz/ adverb towards isobaric /asəbrk/ adjective refer-

|

ring to or showing isobars 쑗 isobaric

the inside or the interior 쑗 The door
opens inwards. Opposite outwards charts
isolate

ion

ion /aən/ noun an atom or a group of isolate /asəlet/ verb to separate

atoms that has obtained an electric something from other things or some-
charge by gaining or losing one or more body from other people 쑗 The low-pres-
electrons 쑗 negative ion 쑗 positive ion 쑗 sure fuel cock isolates the airframe fuel
Ultra-violet light from the sun can system from the engine fuel system to
cause electrons to become separated enable maintenance and engine remov-
from their parent atoms of the gases in als to be carried out.
isolated

the atmosphere, the atoms left with isolated /asəletd/ adjective sepa-
resultant positive charges being known rate 왍 isolated rain showers well
as ions. spaced out rain showers
ionisation

ionisation /aənazeʃ(ə)n/, ioni-

isolation

|
isolation / asəleʃ(ə)n/ noun the
|

zation noun the process of producing state of being separated from something
ions by heat or radiation 쑗 The intensity or somebody 쑗 Isolation of the air-
of ionisation depends on the strength of craft’s passengers and crew from the
the ultra-violet radiation and the den- reduced atmospheric pressure at alti-
sity of the air. tude is achieved by pressurisation of the
ionosphere

ionosphere /aɒnəsfə/ noun the | cabin.

part of the atmosphere 50 km above the isotach

isotach /asəυtʃ/ noun a line of

|

surface of the earth 쑗 Since the strength equal wind speed on charts (NOTE: Wind
of the sun’s radiation varies with lati- speed is normally given in the form of
tude, the structure of the ionosphere isotachs.)
varies over the surface of the earth. isotherm

ionospheric isotherm /asəυθ%m/ noun a line of

ionospheric /aɒnəsferk/ adjec- | |
equal temperature on charts 쑗 Ascent of
tive referring to the ionosphere stable air over high ground may result
ionospheric attenuation

ionospheric attenuation /a | in a lowering of the 0°C isotherm.

ɒnəsferk ətenjueiʃ(ə)n/ noun loss
| |
issue

issue /ʃu/ noun a number or copy 쑗

of signal strength to the ionosphere The article was in last month’s issue of
ionospheric refraction

ionospheric refraction /a |

the magazine. 쐽 verb 1. to give out 쑗 The
ɒnəsferk rfrkʃən/ noun a change
|
captain issued the evacuate command.
in direction as the wave passes through 2. to publish 쑗 The magazine is issued
an ionised layer monthly. 3. to give out, to grant 쑗 The
Civil Aviation Authority issue licences.
I/R

I/R abbreviation instrument rating

ITCZ

ITCZ abbreviation intertropical conver-

irregular

irregular /reDZjυlə/ adjective not

|

regular 쑗 Pilots of long-haul flights are gence zone

subject to an irregular sleep pattern. item

item /atəm/ noun a single article or

irrespective

irrespective /rspektv /, irrespec- | unit in a collection, on a list, etc. 쑗

tive of preposition taking no account of, Before practising stalls, the pilot should
regardless of 쑗 Rescue flights continue secure all loose items in the cockpit.
 J
J symbol joule
J

takes in air at the front, mixes it with

JAA abbreviation
JAA

Joint Aviation fuel, burns the mixture and the resulting

Authorities expansion of gases provides thrust 쑗
jack /dȢk/ noun a powered device to
jack
The turbo jet engine was invented by
move heavy components, such as con- Frank Whittle in 1941. 3. a type of air-
trol surfaces of large aircraft craft which has jet engines 쑗 The de
Havilland Comet was the first commer-
jacket /dȢkt/ noun 1. a short coat
jacket

cial jet.
with long sleeves worn with trousers or jetbridge

skirt 2. an outer covering or casing 쑗 jetbridge /dȢetbrdȢ/ noun same as

Liquid cooling of a piston engine is loading bridge
jet fighter

achieved by circulating a liquid around jet fighter /dȢet fatə/ noun a

the cylinder barrels, through a passage fighter plane that is powered by a jet
formed by a jacket on the outside. engine or engines
jam /dȢm/ verb to cause moving
jam
jet lag

jet lag /dȢet lDZ/ noun the temporary

parts to become locked and unable to be disturbance of body rhythms such as
moved 왍 a jammed door a door which sleep and eating habits, caused by high-
has become fixed and unmovable 쑗 The speed travel across several time zones 쑗
investigation revealed that the accident When I fly to Canada, it always takes
had been caused by the controls being me a couple of days to recover from jet
jammed due to a spanner caught in the lag.
control cables. jetliner

jetliner /dȢetlanə/ noun a large pas-

JAR abbreviation Joint Aviation
JAR

senger aircraft powered by jet engines

Requirements jet plane

jato /dȢetəυ/ noun an auxiliary jet or

jato jet plane /dȢet plen/ noun an air-
rocket designed to aid the combined craft powered by jet engines
jet-propelled aircraft

thrust of aircraft jet engines during jet-propelled aircraft /dȢet prə |

take-off peld eəkrɑft/ noun aircraft powered

jeopardise /dȢepədaz/, jeopardize
jeopardise
by jet engines
jet propulsion

verb to put in doubt or danger 쑗 Injury jet propulsion /dȢet prəplʃ(ə)n/

|

to a crew member will seriously jeop- noun jet power which provides thrust
ardise the successful evacuation of the for an aircraft 쑗 The first known exam-
aircraft. ple of jet propulsion was when Hero, a
Jeppesen chart /dȢepəs(ə)n tʃɑt/
Jeppesen chart
Greek engineer, made a machine as a
noun a type of aeronautical chart pro- toy in the year 120 BC.
duced by a US company and widely jet stream

jet stream /dȢet strim/ noun 1. a

used in aviation band of strong winds at high altitude 쑗
jet /dȢet/ noun 1. a strong fast stream The occurrence of the equatorial jet
jet

of fluid forced out of an opening 쑗 a jet stream is due to a temperature gradient

of water from a pipe 2. a type of engine with colder air to the south. 2. the flow
used to power modern aircraft which of gases from a jet engine
 129 junction box
jettison /dȢets(ə)n/ verb to throw
jettison
states, including all the countries of the
off or release from a moving aircraft 쑗 European Union.
The undercarriage failed to retract and Joint
Joint Aviation Requirement

Aviation Requirement
the captain had to jettison the fuel over /dȢɔnt evieʃ(ə)n rkwaəmənt/ |

the sea before landing the aircraft. noun a JAA requirement concerning
join /dȢɔn/ verb 1. to connect 쑗 Join design, manufacture, maintenance and
join

the two wires. 쑗 With a pencil and ruler, operation of aircraft. Abbreviation JAR
join point A to point B. 2. to bring (NOTE: JARs of relevance to mainte-
together to make one whole part 쑗 Wing nance staff are JAR-145, JAR-OPS 1
panels are joined by rivets. 3. to and JAR-OPS 3.)
become a member of a club, etc. 쑗 She joule /dȢul/ noun an International
joule

had to pay a membership fee to join the System unit of electrical, mechanical,
gliding club. and thermal energy 쑗 Ignition units are
joint /dȢɔnt/ noun the place at which
joint

measured in joules (1 joule = 1 watt per

two or more things are joined together 쑗 second). (NOTE: It is usually written J
Fuselage frame rings are formed with with figures: 25J.)
only one joint. 쐽 adjective combined, jumbo

jumbo / dȢmbəυ/ noun same as

with two or more things linked together jumbo jet (informal )
or shared by two or more people 쑗 a
jumbo jet /dȢmbəυ dȢet/ noun a
jumbo jet

joint effort
large wide-bodied aircraft capable of
Joint Aviation Authorities
Joint Aviation Authorities

carrying several hundred passengers

/dȢɔnt evieʃ(ə)n ɔθɒrətiz/ noun
| | jump jet

a body, consisting of European repre- jump jet /dȢmp dȢet/ noun a jet air-
sentatives, set up to control and regulate craft with fixed wings that can take off
aspects of civil aviation in Europe 쑗 The and lands vertically
junction

Joint Aviation Authorities is an junction /dȢŋkʃən/ noun a place

arrangement between European coun- where two things meet 쑗 the junction of
tries which has developed since the two wires
1970s. Abbreviation JAA junction box /dȢŋkʃən bɒks/
junction box

COMMENT: The Joint Aviation noun electrical unit where a number of

Authorities currently has 37 member wires can be connected together
 K
kilo /kiləυ/ noun same as kilogram 쑗
K kilo

K symbol kelvin
katabatic /ktəbtk/
katabatic

| adjective This piece of luggage weighs 15 kilos.

kilo- /kləυ/ prefix one thousand
kilo-

referring to a cold flow of air travelling

down hillsides or mountainsides 쑗 Due kilogram /kləDZrm/ noun a meas-
kilogram

to katabatic effects, cold air flows ure of weight equal to one thousand
downwards and accumulates over low grams 쑗 This piece of luggage weighs
ground. Compare anabatic 15 kg. Abbreviation kg (NOTE: It is writ-
katabatic wind /ktə btk wnd/
katabatic wind

| ten kg after figures.)

noun a wind which occurs when the air kilohertz /kləh%ts/ noun a unit of
kilohertz

in contact with the slope of a hill is frequency measurement equal to one

cooled to a temperature lower than that thousand Hertz. Abbreviation kHz
in the free atmosphere, causing it to kilometre /klɒmtə / noun a meas-
kilometre

sink. Compare anabatic wind

|

kelvin
ure of length equal to one thousand
kelvin /kelvn/ noun the base SI unit metres (NOTE: It is written km with fig-
of measurement of thermodynamic ures: 150 km. The US spelling is kilom-
temperature. Symbol K (NOTE: Temper- eter.)
atures are shown in kelvin without a kilowatt /kləwɒt/ a unit of measure-
kilowatt

degree sign: 20K. Note also that 0°C is ment of electricity equal to 1000 watts.
equal to 273.15K.) Abbreviation kW
kerosene / kerəsin/, kerosine noun
kerosene

kilowatt-hour /kləwɒt aυə/ noun

kilowatt-hour

a thin fuel oil made from petroleum 쑗 a unit of 1000 watts of electricity used
Kerosene will only burn efficiently at, or for one hour. Abbreviation kW-hr
close to, a ratio of 15:1.
kinetic /knetk, kanetk/ adjec-
kinetic

| |

Kevlar /kevlə/ noun a trademark for a

Kevlar

tive referring to motion or something

light and very strong composite mate- produced by motion 왍 kinetic heating
rial 쑗 Kevlar and carbon fibre account the heating of aircraft skin by friction
for a large percentage of a modern jet with the air as it moves through it
airliner’s structure.
kinetic energy /kanetk enədȢi/
kinetic energy

key /ki/ noun a piece of metal used to

key

noun energy of motion

open a lock
kit /kt/ noun a set of items used for a
kit

kg

kg symbol kilogram specific purpose 쑗 A physician’s kit

kHz symbol kilohertz
kHz

containing surgical equipment would

kick-back /kkbk/ noun the ten-
kick-back
be available to a qualified doctor
dency of the engine to suddenly reverse assisting crew with major medical
the rotation of the propeller momentar- problems.
knob /nɒb/ noun 1. a rounded handle
knob

ily when being started 쑗 On most mod-

ern engines the spark is retarded to top- 쑗 door knob 2. a rounded control switch
dead-centre, to ensure easier starting or dial 쑗 When the control knob is
and prevent kick-back. moved from the central position, the
 131 kt
ailerons are moved. 3. a round button miles per hour. Knot means ‘nautical
such as on a receiver 쑗 Turn the knob to miles per hour’. It is therefore incorrect
increase the volume. to say ‘knots per hour’.
knot /nɒt/ noun a unit of speed equal
knot knowledge

knowledge /nɒldȢ/ noun familiar-

to one nautical mile per hour, approxi- ity, awareness or understanding gained
mately 1.85 kilometres or 1.15 statute through experience or study 쑗 A knowl-
miles per hour. Abbreviation kt (NOTE: edge of the factors which affect surface
Wind speeds in aviation are usually
temperatures will contribute a great
given in knots.)
deal to the understanding of meteorol-
COMMENT: American light aircraft ogy.
manufactured prior to 1976 had kt

airspeed indicators marked in statute kt abbreviation knot

 L
land /lnd/ noun solid ground, as
label land

label /leb(ə)l/ noun a small piece of

paper or cloth attached to an article with opposed to the sea 쑗 a large land mass
details of its owner, contents, use, desti- such as Greenland 쐽 verb 1. to set an
nation, etc. 쑗 Hydraulic tubing has a aircraft onto the ground or another sur-
label with the word HYDRAULIC. 쐽 face such as ice or water, after a flight 왍
verb 1. to identify by using a label 쑗 to force land the aircraft to land the
Parts are labelled with the manufac- aircraft when it can no longer be kept in
turer’s name. 2. to add identifying the air for any particular reason 2. to
words and numbers to a diagram 쑗 arrive on the ground after a flight 쑗
There is a standard way of labelling the Flight BA321 landed at London Heath-
navigation vector. row at 1030 hours. 쒁 crash-land. Oppo-
lack site take off
lack /lk/ noun the absence of some-
landing /lndŋ/ noun the act of set-
landing

thing or a need for something 쑗 The

engine stopped because of a lack of fuel. ting an aircraft onto the ground or
lag
another surface such as ice or water
lag /lDZ/ noun a delay, especially the after flight 쑗 Take-off and landing are
time interval between an input and the normally made into wind in order to
resultant output 쑗 There is a time lag reduce the length of the take-off and
between the piston moving down and landing run. 쑗 In order to achieve a safe
the mixture flowing into the cylinder. 쒁 landing in a cross wind, the correct
jet lag techniques must be used.
landing beacon /lndŋ bikən/
Lambert’s projection landing beacon

Lambert’s projection /lmbəts

prədȢekʃ(ə)n/ a map projection of the
| noun a radio transmitter at an airfield
earth based around two standard paral- that sends a beam to guide aircraft that
lels of latitude. 쒁 Mercator’s projection are landing
landing beam /lndŋ bim/ noun a
landing beam
laminate

laminate /lmnət/ noun a sheet of

man-made material made up of bonded radio beam from a beacon at a landing
layers 쑗 Direction of the fibres and field that helps incoming aircraft to
types of cloth used in the laminate are make a landing
landing charges /lndŋ
landing charges

all very important factors. 쐽 verb

/lmnet/ to make by using bonded tʃɑdȢz/ plural noun money paid to an
layers of material 쑗 laminated wind- airport authority by an operator or pri-
screens vate pilot for landing an aircraft
landing field /lndŋ fild/ noun a
landing field
lamp

lamp /lmp/ noun a small light 왍

warning lamp a small light, often red, place where aircraft can land and take
which informs of a possible danger by off
landing gear /lndŋ DZə/ noun
landing gear

lighting up 쑗 The switch is connected to

a warning lamp on the instrument panel same as undercarriage
which will illuminate if the oil pressure landing pad /lndŋ pd/ noun
landing pad

falls below an acceptable minimum. same as helipad

 133 latter
landing run / lndŋ rn/ noun the
landing run laser ring gyro

laser ring gyro /lezə rŋ dȢarəυ /

distance on the runway from the touch- noun an instrument that uses beams of
down point to the stopping point or tax- laser light in a closed circuit to detect
iing speed whether something is level or not
landing speed /lndŋ spid/ noun
landing speed

last /lɑst/ adjective coming or placed

last

the lowest speed at which an aircraft after all the others 쐽 verb 1. to continue
must be flying in order to land safely for a period of time 쑗 A gust is a sudden
landing strip /lndŋ strp/ noun a increase in wind speed above the aver-
landing strip

specially prepared area of land for an age speed lasting only a few seconds. 2.
aircraft to land on to stay in good or usable condition 쑗 A
landing weight /lndŋ wet/ noun
landing weight
piston engine lasts longer if it is han-
the weight of an aircraft when it lands, dled carefully and serviced regularly. 앳
which is made up of its empty weight, the last chapter 1. the final chapter in
the weight of its payload, and the a book 2. the chapter before the one
weight of its remaining fuel being read
latent heat

landmark /lndmɑk/ noun some-

landmark

latent heat /let(ə)nt hit/ noun

thing on the ground which enables the heat taken in or given out when a solid
pilot to know where he/she is, e.g. a changes into a liquid or vapour, or when
noticeable building, bridge, coastal fea- a liquid changes into a vapour at a con-
ture, etc. 쑗 Railway lines are usually stant temperature and pressure 왍 latent
useful landmarks. heat of fusion the quantity of heat
landside /lndsad/ noun the part of
landside
required to convert ice, at its melting
an airport farthest from the aircraft point, into liquid at the same tempera-
ture 왍 latent heat of vaporization the
lane /len / noun same as air lane
lane

quantity of heat required to convert liq-

lapse rate /lps ret/ noun the rate
lapse rate

uid to vapour at the same temperature 왍

at which temperature changes accord- latent heat of sublimation the quantity
ing to altitude 왍 adiabatic lapse rate of heat required to convert ice to vapour
the rate at which air temperature at the same temperature
decreases as it rises above the Earth’s
lateral /lt(ə)rəl/ adjective referring
lateral

surface. As the height increases, the

temperature decreases. to the side 쑗 Drift is the lateral move-
ment of the aircraft caused by the wind.
COMMENT: It has been found that
lateral axis /lt(ə)rəl kss/ noun
lateral axis

when dry or unsaturated air rises, its

rate of fall of temperature with height the axis of the aircraft from wing tip to
(i.e. lapse rate) is constant at 3°C per wing tip about which the aircraft
1,000 feet. Similarly, descending air pitches up and down. 쒁 axis, pitch
warms by compression at that rate. latitude

This dry adiabatic lapse rate is latitude / lttjud/ noun the angular
normally referred to as the DALR. Air distance north or south of the Earth’s
rising and cooling often reaches its equator, measured in degrees, minutes
dew point temperature, becomes and seconds, along a meridian, as on a
saturated and any further cooling map or chart, etc. 쑗 Parallels of latitude
results in condensation and the are imaginary circles on the surface of
release of latent heat. Release of the Earth, their planes being parallel to
latent heat delays the cooling process
and the lapse rate at low levels is the plane of the equator. 쑗 The centre of
reduced to 1.5°C per 1,000 feet. This London is latitude 51°30’N, longitude
temperature change is called the 0°5’W. Compare longitude
saturated adiabatic lapse rate and is latter /ltə/ adjective referring to
latter

normally referred to as the SALR. something coming at the end or finish 왍

largely /lɑdȢli/ adverb mainly, the latter part of the take-off run the
largely

mostly 쑗 Heat is transferred from the part of the take-off run immediately
Earth’s surface upwards largely by con- before the aircraft leaves the ground 쐽
vection. 쑗 The southern hemisphere noun the second of two things men-
consists largely of oceans. tioned earlier. Opposite former 왍 of the
launch 134
Airbus A320 and A340, the latter is by going first 쑗 In an emergency situa-
the larger aircraft the A340 is the tion the aircraft commander may lead
larger of the two his passengers to safety. 쑗 In a smoke-
launch /lɔntʃ/ noun a small boat
launch
filled cabin, floor lighting leads passen-
often used to transport people from a gers to the emergency exit. 2. to cause 쑗
larger boat or ship to the shore 쐽 verb 1. In winter, the cold conditions often lead
to slide or drop a boat into the water to to frost and fog. 쑗 Contraction of metal
make it ready for use 쑗 While passen- parts and seals can lead to fluid leak-
gers are fitting life jackets, crew will age. (NOTE: leading – led)
lead-acid battery /led sd
lead-acid battery

open exits and launch the life-rafts. 2. to

force something into motion 쑗 to launch bat(ə)ri/ noun a system of lead plates
a rocket and dilute sulphuric acid, used as a
lavatory /lvətri/ noun same as toi-
lavatory
starter battery or traction battery
leading edge /lidŋ edȢ/ noun the
leading edge

let 2
law /lɔ/ noun 1. a basic principle
law
front part of the wing which meets the
describing a relationship observed to be oncoming air first 쑗 In icing conditions,
unchanging between things while par- ice may build up on the leading edges.
leak /lik/ noun the escape of liquid or
leak

ticular conditions are met 쑗 the law of

gravity 2. a set of agreed rules 쑗 avia- gas from a sealed container, or the
tion law amount of liquid or gas that has escaped
layer /leə/ noun 1. one horizontal 쑗 Any failure of the aircraft structure
layer

part 쑗 The lowest layer of the atmos- may cause a leak of pressurised air
phere is called the troposphere. 2. a which might be very difficult to cure. 왍
thickness of something 쑗 Layers of fluid exhaust leak an escape of exhaust
next to the surface over which it is flow- gases 쐽 verb to escape from a sealed
ing travels more slowly than layers fur- container 쑗 Fuel may leak from a fuel
ther from the surface. tank if the drain plug is not seated cor-
rectly.
layer cloud /leə klaυd/ noun same
layer cloud

leakage /likdȢ/ noun the escape of

leakage

as stratus
liquid or gas from a sealed container 쑗
layout /leaυt/ noun the way in which
layout

Any internal or external leakage of fuel

things are arranged 왍 cockpit layout the will cause a reduction in the operating
design of the cockpit and the particular
period. (NOTE: Leak is normally used
placement of controls, instruments, etc.
for an individual instance while leakage
LC abbreviation load controller
LC

is used more generally: There is a fuel

LCD /el si di/ abbreviation liquid
LCD

leak from the central tank; Fuel leakage

crystal display is a safety hazard.)
LDA abbreviation landing distance lean /lin/ adjective referring to a mix-
LDA lean

available ture in which the ratio of air to fuel is

LDR abbreviation landing distance
LDR
greater than usual 쑗 Moving the mixture
required control lever aft to the lean position
lead1 /led/ noun a very heavy soft
lead
reduces the amount of fuel mixing with
metallic element. Symbol Pb 왍 lead- the air.
lean mixture /lin mkstʃə/ noun a
lean mixture

free not containing lead 쑗 Low-lead or

lead-free fuel is used in most modern fuel/air mixture in which the ratio of air
piston engines. to fuel is greater than usual
LED /el i di/ noun a semiconductor
LED

lead2 /lid/ noun 1. an electrical wire

lead

or narrow cable 쑗 A lead connects the diode that emits light when current is
monitor to the computer. 2. 왍 to take applied. LEDs are used in cockpit dis-
the lead to take control of a situation 쑗 plays. Full form light-emitting diode
lee /li/ adjective, noun which is pro-
lee

It is vital in any emergency situation

that a crew member should take the tected from the wind 쑗 The air on the
lead. 쐽 verb 1. to guide or show the way lee side is drier than that on the wind-
 135 level
ward side. 쑗 The flow of air over and to lengthwise

lengthwise /leŋθwaz / adjective,

the lee of hills and mountains may adverb along the length of something 쑗
cause particularly severe turbulence. in a lengthwise direction
Opposite windward lengthy /leŋθi/ adjective 1. long,
lengthy

leg

leg /leDZ/ noun part of a flight pattern extensive 쑗 He wrote a lengthy report.
that is between two stops, positions, or 2. long, which lasts for a long time
changes in direction 쑗 An airfield traffic (NOTE: Lengthy often suggests a meet-
pattern is divided into take-off, cross- ing or explanation which is longer than
wind leg, downwind leg, base leg and necessary and therefore uninteresting.)
final approach. 왍 lengthy meeting a long meeting 왍
‘…their route was across the States to lengthy explanation a long explana-
Canada, Greenland and the North Pole, tion
lens

into Norway, through Europe, back to lens /lenz/ noun a normally round
Iceland, then two long legs across the piece of glass with curved surfaces
Atlantic via South Greenland and back to found in microscopes, telescopes, cam-
Seattle’ [Pilot] eras, spectacles, etc.
lens-shaped cloud /lenz ʃept
legal lens-shaped cloud

legal /liDZ(ə)l/ adjective lawful or

within the law 쑗 Alcohol concentrations klaυd/, lenticular cloud /len tkjυlə |

of 40 milligrams per 100 millilitres, i.e. klaυd/ noun cloud with slightly out-
half the legal driving limit in the UK, wardly-curved upper and lower sur-
are associated with substantial faces
increases in errors committed by pilots. lessen /les(ə)n/ verb to make less 쑗
lessen

legend

legend /ledȢənd/ noun a list explain- Reverse thrust is used to lessen the
ing the symbols on a chart or a map 쑗 A loads on brakes and tyres. 쑗 Clean fil-
legend is usually to be found at the edge ters lessen the possibility of blockage.
letdown

or on the reverse side of most topo- letdown /letdaυn/ noun the descent
graphical charts. of an aircraft in preparation for landing,
length

length /leŋθ/ noun 1. a measurement before the actual landing approach

level

along something’s greatest dimension 쑗 level /lev(ə)l/ adjective 1. 왍 level with

the length of the aircraft 쑗 The runway at the same height or position as some-
length is 3 kilometres. 2. a piece of thing else 쑗 In most light aircraft, the
something that is normally measured aeroplane will be in a climb if the
along its greatest dimension 쑗 a length engine cowling is level with the horizon.
of pipe 3. the extent from beginning to 2. having a flat, smooth surface 왍 a level
end 쑗 the length of a book 4. extent or runway a runway without bumps, etc.
duration, the distance between two 3. on a horizontal plane 4. steady, refer-
points in space or time 왍 the length of a ring to something with no sudden
briefing how much time the briefing changes 왍 speak in a level voice do not
takes 왍 the length of the working life raise and lower the sound of your voice
of components how long the compo- 왍 the level tone of an engine the
nents last 앳 the length of a flight 1. the unchanging sound of an engine 왍 level
time it takes to complete a flight 쑗 The head clear thinking 쑗 It is essential that
length of the flight meant that there was the crew keeps a level head in an emer-
no time for a meal to be served to the gency. 쐽 noun 1. a position along a ver-
tical axis 쑗 ground level 쑗 reference
passengers. 2. the distance of the flight
level 쑗 The tropopause is the level at
in nautical miles or kilometres 쑗 The which the lapse rate ceases to be so
length of the flight is 100nm. important. 왍 the fluid level in the res-
lengthen

lengthen /leŋθən/ verb to make long ervoir the point where the surface of
or longer 쑗 The mercury column short- the fluid reaches up to 왍 high-level
ens when cooled and, due to expansion, cloud high-altitude cloud 2. a position
lengthens when heated. Opposite on a scale 쑗 an advanced level of study
shorten 3. a relative amount, intensity, or con-
level off 136
centration 쑗 an unsafe level of contami- ‘to put down’ as in ‘lay the book on the
nation 쑗 a reduced level of noise 쑗 A gas table’: lay – laid – laid.)
turbine engine has an extremely low life jacket /laf dȢkt/ noun an
life jacket

vibration level. inflatable device, sometimes resem-

bling a sleeveless jacket, to keep a per-
level off

level off /lev(ə)l ɒf/ verb to start to

fly level with the ground after climbing son afloat in water 쑗 Pull down the tog-
or descending, or make an aircraft do gles to inflate the life jacket.
this life raft /laf rɑft/ noun a small boat-
life raft

lever

lever /livə/ noun 1. a device with a like vessel for use on an emergency
rigid bar balanced on a fixed point and over water
used to transmit force, as in raising a life vest /laf vest/ noun same as life
life vest

weight at one end by pushing down on jacket 쑗 You will find a life vest under
the other 쑗 Push the lever fully up to your seat.
activate the brake mechanism. 쑗 Push lift /lft/ noun 1. a component of the
lift

the button to release the lever. 2. a han- total aerodynamic force acting on an
dle used to adjust or operate a mecha- aerofoil which causes an aeroplane to
nism 쑗 throttle lever 쑗 undercarriage fly 쑗 In level flight, a lift force equal to
selector lever 쑗 Feathering is accom- the weight must be produced. 쑗 The
plished by moving the pilot’s control pilot can achieve maximum lift by pull-
lever. 쐽 verb to move as with a lever 쑗 ing hard back on the controls. 2. an
The door would not open so the emer- electrically operated machine for mov-
gency services had to lever it open with ing people or goods between the floors
specialised equipment. of a building (NOTE: The US English is
elevator.) 쐽 verb to move to a higher
LF

LF abbreviation low frequency

licence

licence /las(ə)ns/ noun a document position 쑗 A foot-pound is the ability to

which is proof of official permission to lift a one pound weight a distance of
do or to own something one foot.
COMMENT: Bernoulli’s principle states
COMMENT : Each licence has its own
that if the speed of a fluid increases, its
specific requirements and privileges.
pressure decreases; if its speed
In the UK, one of the fundamental
decreases, its pressure increases.
differences between a Private Pilot’s
Wings are shaped so that the high-
Licence and other types of licence is
speed flow of air that passes over the
that the holder of a PPL is not allowed
to fly for ‘hire or reward’, i.e. the pilot curved upper surface results in a
cannot receive payment for flying. decrease in pressure. Lift is created
because of the pressure differential
between upper and lower surfaces of
licence holder

licence holder / las(ə)ns həυldə/

noun 1. a person who has a licence 2. a the wing. Lift is also created because
the angle of attack allows the airflow to
leather case, etc., in which to keep the strike the underside of the wing. Daniel
licence document Bernoulli (1700–82) was a Swiss
license

license /las(ə)ns/ noun US same as scientist.

licence 쐽 verb to give somebody a light /lat/ noun 1. brightness pro-
light

licence or official permission to do or to duced by the sun, the moon, a lamp, etc.
own something 2. electromagnetic radiation which can
lie

lie /la/ verb 1. to be in a flat position, be sensed by the eyes 왍 artificial light
often horizontal 쑗 Seat rails are light made by using electrical, gas, etc.,
attached to the floor beams and lie level power 3. a source of light such as a lamp
with the flooring. 2. to be situated 쑗 쑗 Switch off the navigation lights. 쐽
Great circles are represented by curves adjective 1. without much weight, not
which lie on the polar side of the rhumb heavy 쑗 Aluminium is a light metal. 2.
line. (NOTE: Care should be taken with of little force or requiring little force 왍 a
the verbs to lie, as defined here: lie – light wind a gentle wind 왍 light con-
lay – lain; to lie meaning ‘not to tell the trols flying controls which do not need
truth’: lie – lied – lied and lay, meaning much pilot effort to move them 3. of lit-
 137 link
tle quantity 쑗 light rain 쑗 light snow 4. etc. 쑗 a line of people 쑗 a line of cumu-
of thin consistency 왍 light oil oil which lus clouds 4. a row of written or printed
pours easily words 쑗 Look at line 4 on page 26. 5. a
light aircraft /lat eəkrɑft/ noun a
light aircraft
telephone connection to another tele-
small, single engine aircraft generally phone or system 쑗 Dial 9 to get an out-
for private not commercial use side line. 6. an electrical cable or wire 왍
lighting /latŋ/ noun lights or a sys-
lighting
telephone line cable supported on
tem of lights 쑗 Cabin lighting is pylons from one telephone exchange to
switched off for take-off and initial another 쑗 On final approach to an unfa-
climb. 쑗 Emergency floor lighting miliar airfield, pilots of light aircraft
guides passengers to the emergency should keep a sharp lookout for power
exits. lines and telephone lines. 7. a system of
pipes 쑗 a fuel line 8. a company which
lightning /latnŋ/ noun a powerful
lightning

owns and manages a system of trans-

and sudden electrical discharge from a portation routes 쑗 a shipping line 쑗 an
cloud 쑗 Lightning is the most visible
indication of thunderstorm activity. airline such as KLM or QANTAS
linear

lightning activity /latnŋ k

lightning activity

|
linear /lniə/ adjective referring to a
tvti/ noun a period of time when line, straight 쑗 Although air may appear
there are a lot of lightning flashes to be still or calm it is, in fact, moving
lightning strike /latnŋ strak/
lightning strike west to east in space, the linear velocity
noun the hitting of something by a dis-
being zero at the poles and approxi-
charge of lightning mately 1,000 mph at the equator. 왍 lin-
ear scale a horizontal or vertical
light plane /lat plen/ noun US
light plane

straight-line, rather than circular, scale

same as light aircraft on an instrument
likely /lakli/ adjective probable 왍
likely

linear actuator

rain is likely rain will probably fall 왍 linear actuator /lniə ktjuetə/
icing is likely to occur in cumulonim- noun an actuator which operates in a
bus clouds icing is often a problem if straight back and forth manner, e.g. to
flying in cumulonimbus clouds open undercarriage doors
line feature

limit /lmt/ noun a point or line past

limit
line feature /lan fitʃə/ noun a use-
which something should not go 쑗 There ful navigational landmark, e.g. a rail-
is a time limit of one hour for the exam- way line, road or river
ination. 쑗 The minimum age limit for
line of position

line of position /lan əv pə |

holding a PPL in the UK is 17. 왍 the zʃ(ə)n/ noun same as position line
upper limit of cloud the highest point line of sight

at which there is cloud 쐽 verb to restrict line of sight / lan əv sat/ noun a
or to prevent from going past a particu- clear path between sending and receiv-
lar point 쑗 The amount of cabin bag- ing antennas. Abbreviation LOS
line up

gage is limited to one bag per passen- line up /lan p/ verb to move air-
ger. craft into position ready for departure 쑗
limitation /lmteʃ(ə)n/ noun the
limitation

|
Line up with the nosewheel on the run-
act of limiting or the state of being lim- way centre line.
ited 쑗 Limitation of the maximum
link

link /lŋk / noun 1. a connection 쑗 Light

engine rpm to a little above maximum aircraft can be steered while taxiing via
engine cruise rpm prevents compressor a direct link from rudder pedals to nose-
stall at the higher rpm range. wheel. 2. a relationship 쑗 There is a link
line /lan/ noun 1. a thin continuous between alcohol abuse and pilot error
line

mark as made by a pencil, pen, etc. or resulting in accidents. 쐽 verb 1. to make

printed 쑗 Draw a line from point A to a connection, to join 쑗 The connecting
point B. 2. a real or imaginary mark rod links the piston to the crankshaft. 2.
placed in relation to points of reference to establish a relationship between two
쑗 An isobar is a line joining points of situations 쑗 They link alcohol abuse and
equal pressure. 3. a long row of people, pilot error.
linkage 138
linkage /lŋkdȢ/ noun a system or
linkage

increases and, when the aircraft rises

series of mechanical connections such into the air, the aircraft is supported by
as rods, levers, springs, etc. 쑗 throttle the wings. 왍 load bearing supporting
linkage 쑗 rudder linkage 쑗 The linkage some weight 2. a force which a struc-
from the control column to the control ture is subjected to when resisting
surfaces should allow full and free externally applied forces 쑗 The load on
movement. the control column is increased when
liquid /lkwd/ adjective having a
liquid
the aircraft is flown out of trim. 3.
consistency like that of water 쑗 Liquid something that is carried in the aircraft
쑗 fuel load 왍 passenger load the
oxygen is stored in cylinders. 쐽 noun a
substance with a consistency like water number of passengers on board 4. the
쑗 Water is a liquid, ice is a solid.
power output of a generator or power
plant 5. the resistance of a device or of
liquid crystal display /lkwd
liquid crystal display

a line to which electrical power is pro-

krst(ə)l dsple/ noun liquid crystals
|

vided 쐽 verb 1. to put something into a

that reflect light when a voltage is container, often for the purpose of
applied, used in many watch, calculator transportation 쑗 The aircraft is loaded
and digital displays. Abbreviation LCD with fuel before take-off. 2. to transfer
liquid fire /lkwd faə/ noun oil or
liquid fire

data from disk into a computer main

petrol fire memory 쑗 She loaded the software onto
list /lst/ noun a series of names,
list

the computer.
words, things to do, etc., arranged one load-bearing structure

load-bearing structure /ləυd

after the other in a vertical column 쐽 beərŋ strktʃə/ noun a structure
verb to write a series of names, words, which supports the weight of the air-
etc. one after the other in a vertical col- craft in flight or on the ground
umn 쑗 List the advantages of a stressed- load controller

skin construction. load controller /ləυd kəntrəυlə/ |

noun a device which monitors the out-

liter /litə/ noun US same as litre
liter

put of a generator
lithium /lθiəm/ noun a soft silvery
lithium

load factor

metallic element, the lightest known load factor /ləυd fktə/ noun the
metal, often used in batteries 쑗 an alloy stress applied to a structure as a multi-
of aluminium and lithium ple of stress applied in 1g flight 쑗 The
higher the angle of bank, the greater the
litmus /ltməs/ noun a substance
litmus

load factor.
which turns red in acid, and blue in
alkali COMMENT: In straight and level,
unaccelerated flight, the load factor is
litmus paper /ltməs pepə/ noun
litmus paper

1. When an aircraft turns or pulls up

small piece of paper impregnated with out of a dive, the load factor increases.
litmus to test for acidity or alkalinity An aircraft in a level turn at a bank
litre /litə/ noun the volume of one kil-
litre
angle of 60 degrees has a load factor
ogram of water at 4°C (= 1,000cc or of 2. In such a turn, the aircraft’s
structure must support twice the
1.76 pints) (NOTE: It is written l after a aircraft’s weight.
figure: 10l; also written liter in US Eng- loading

lish.) loading /ləυdŋ/ noun 1. the act or

live /lav/ adjective carrying electricity
live
process of adding a load to an aircraft 왍
쑗 live wire loading is in progress passengers, bag-
gage, freight, etc., are being put on the
livery /lvəri/ noun the colour scheme
livery

aircraft 2. the total aircraft weight or

and markings on the outside of an air- mass divided by wing area 쑗 Inertia
craft that identify it as belonging to a switches operate automatically when a
particular airline particular g (acceleration due to
LMT abbreviation local mean time
LMT

Earth’s gravity) loading occurs. 3. a

load /ləυd/ noun 1. the weight or mass force or stress acting on an object 왍 cen-
load

which is supported 쑗 The load on the trifugal loading centrifugal force act-
undercarriage decreases as lift ing on something 쑗 Centrifugal loading
 139 logic
moves the valve towards the closed local time /ləυk(ə)l tam/ noun the
local time

position. 4. the act of transferring data time in the country you are talking
from disk to memory 쑗 Loading can be about
a long process. locate /ləυket/ verb 1. to find the
locate

|
loading bridge

loading bridge /ləυdŋ brdȢ/ noun position of 쑗 Survival beacons transmit

a covered walkway from an airport a signal which enables search air-
departure gate that connects to the door craft/vessels to rapidly locate accident
of an aircraft, used by passengers and survivors still in the sea. 2. to position 쑗
crew getting on and off the aircraft The digital flight data recorder is
load manifest

load manifest /ləυd mnfest/ located in the tail section.

location /ləυkeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a
location

noun a detailed list of the cargo on a |

flight. Also called load sheet place where something can be found 쑗
loadmaster Before take-off, cabin staff brief passen-
loadmaster /ləυdmɑstə/ noun the gers on the location of emergency exits
person who is in charge of the work of and life jackets. 2. finding where some-
loading cargo onto a military or com- thing is 쑗 Rapid location of survivors is
mercial transport aircraft important.
load sheet

load sheet /ləυd ʃit/ noun same as locator /ləυketə/ noun a non-direc-
locator

load manifest tional beacon used as an aid to final

approach 쑗 Terminal control areas
lobe

lobe /ləυb/ noun one of two, four or

more sub-beams that form a directional require charts which show detail on a
radar beam 쑗 Any system employing large scale – terminal VORs, locator
beam sharpening is vulnerable to side beacons, ILS installations, holding pat-
lobe generation at the transmitter. terns, arrival/departure and transit
LOC
routes.
LOC abbreviation localiser
lock /lɒk/ noun a device operated by a
lock

local

local /ləυk(ə)l/ adjective not broad or key for securing a door, etc. 쐽 verb 1. to
widespread 왍 local meteorological secure a door by turning a key in the
conditions weather conditions in the lock 쑗 Lock the door before leaving the
restricted area of a particular place building. 2. to be in or to move into a
secure position 3. to block or prevent
local authority

local authority /ləυk(ə)l ɔθɒrti/

|

noun a government body responsible moving 쑗 Anti-skid braking systems

for the various services of an area units are designed to prevent the brakes
localised
locking the wheels during landing. 4. 왍
localised /ləυkəlazd/, localized to lock on to search for, find and follow
adjective restricted in area or influence
a target with a thin radar beam
왍 a localized fire a fire which has not
locking pin /lɒkŋ pn/ noun a short
locking pin

spread
localiser metal device to prevent a nut from turn-
localiser /ləυkəlazə/, localizer
|
ing
noun a component of the instrument
log /lɒDZ/ noun a written record of a
log

landing system that provides horizontal

course guidance to the runway 쑗 If, dur- flight, flying hours, maintenance
ing the approach, the aircraft deviates checks, etc., for an aircraft, engine or
beyond the normal ILS glideslope propeller 쐽 verb to write an entry in a
and/or localiser limits, the flight crew log book or on a log sheet 쑗 He calcu-
are alerted. Abbreviation LOC lates headings to steer for each flight
locality
stage and logs them.
locality / ləυklti/ noun a small geo-
|

logic /lɒdȢk/ noun electronic circuits

logic

graphical area 쑗 The highest point in a which obey mathematical laws 쑗 Cir-
locality is marked by a dot with the ele- cuit packs consist of basic decision-
vation marked alongside. making elements, referred to as logic
local mean time

local mean time /ləυk(ə)l min gates, each performing operations on

tam / noun the time according to the their inputs and so determining the
mean sun. Abbreviation LMT state of their outputs.
logical 140
logical lose

logical /lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adjective refer- lose /luz/ verb not to have something
ring to something which, because of any longer (NOTE: losing – lost) 왍 to
previous experience or knowledge, is lose altitude to descend from higher to
natural or expected 쑗 Pre-flight checks lower altitude
on light aircraft are made in a logical loss /lɒs/ noun no longer having
loss

manner from one side of the aircraft to something 쑗 The pilot reported loss of
the other. engine power. 왍 loss of control no
longer being able to control 왍 loss of
longeron

longeron /lɒndȢ(ə)rən/ noun the

main structural part of an aircraft fuse- life death in an accident 왍 loss of a sig-
lage extending from nose to tail 쑗 Long- nal disappearance of a signal 쑗 The
erons are normally used in aircraft term attenuation means the loss of
which require longitudinal strength for strength of a radio signal.
holds underneath the floor. loudspeaker

loudspeaker /laυdspikə/ noun an

|

long-haul

long-haul /lɒŋ hɔl/ adjective trav- electromagnetic device that converts

elling over a long distance 쑗 Crew flying electrical signals into audible noise.
long-haul routes have to adapt to time Also called speaker
changes. Opposite short-haul lounge /laυndȢ/ noun 왍 VIP lounge a
lounge

longitude

longitude /lɒŋDZtjud/ noun the special room at an airport for VIPs. 쒁

angular distance on the Earth’s surface, departure lounge
louvre /luvə / noun thin, horizontal
louvre

measured east or west from the prime

meridian at Greenwich, UK, to the openings for air cooling 쑗 Cold air can
meridian passing through a position, be let into the cabin through adjustable
expressed in degrees, minutes, and sec- louvres. ( NOTE: The US spelling is lou-
onds 쑗 The centre of London is latitude ver.)
51°30’N, longitude 0°5’W. Compare low

low /ləυ/ adjective 1. not high, not tall

latitude 쑗 a low building 왍 low cloud cloud rel-
longitudinal

longitudinal /lɒŋDZtjudn(ə)l/
| atively near the surface of the earth 왍
adjective in a lengthwise direction low ground an area of land which is not
longitudinal axis

longitudinal axis high, as opposed to mountains 2. not

/lɒŋDZtjudn(ə)l kss/ noun the
high, or below normal 쑗 an area of low
axis of the aircraft which extends from pressure 왍 low temperature a tempera-
the nose to the tail. 쒁 axis, roll ture which shows that it is cold 3. quiet,
long-range
not loud 쐽 noun an area of low atmos-
long-range /lɒŋ rendȢ/ adjective pheric pressure 왍 polar low an area of
1. covering a long distance 쑗 long- low atmospheric pressure over polar
range radar 2. 왍 long-range weather regions
forecast covering a period more than 5 lower

lower /laυə/ adjective 1. referring to

days ahead something that is at a low level or
lookout

lookout /lυkaυt/ noun a careful towards the bottom 쑗 the lower layers of
watch 쑗 Keep a careful lookout for the atmosphere 왍 the lower surface of
other aircraft. 왍 to be on the lookout the wing the underneath surface of the
for to watch carefully for something wing 2. referring to something which is
loop

loop /lup/ noun a flight manoeuvre in below something else of the same sort 쑗
which the aircraft rotates, nose up, Air is cooler high up than at lower lev-
through 360° while holding its lateral els. Opposite upper 쐽 verb 1. to let
position down to a lower position 왍 lower the
loop antenna undercarriage move the undercarriage
loop antenna /lup ntenə/ noun
|
into position ready for landing 왍 lower
circular-shaped conductive coil which the flaps set the flaps to a down posi-
rotates to give a bearing to a ground sta- tion 2. to reduce in amount or intensity
tion 왍 to lower the temperature to reduce
LORAN

LORAN abbreviation long-range air the temperature 왍 to lower the pres-

navigation system sure to decrease the pressure 왍 to lower
 141 luggage
the volume (of sound) to make some- lubricate /lubrket/ verb to oil or to
lubricate

thing such as a radio quieter or less loud grease moving parts in order to reduce
lower airspace

lower airspace /ləυə eəspes/ friction 쑗 Oil passes through the hollow
noun the airspace below FL245 crankshaft to lubricate the big-end
(approximately 24,500 ft) bearings. 쑗 Turbo chargers are lubri-
lower atmosphere cated by the engine oil system.
lower atmosphere /ləυə
lubrication /lubrkeʃ(ə)n/ noun
lubrication

tməsfə/ noun the layer of the the act or process of covering moving
atmosphere in which changes in the surfaces with oil or grease in order to
weather take place. Also called tropo- reduce friction 왍 lubrication system
sphere the tank, pipes, pumps, filters, etc.,
low frequency

low frequency /ləυ frikwənsi/, which together supply oil to moving

low frequency band /ləυ frikwənsi parts of the engine
bnd/ noun a radio communications luggage /lDZdȢ/ noun baggage, i.e.
luggage

range of frequencies between 30–300 cases and bags that somebody takes
kHz. Abbreviation LF when travelling
 M
m1 abbreviation metre field 쑗 A freely suspended magnet – not
m

m2 abbreviation minute
m
influenced by outside forces – will align
itself with the Earth’s magnetic lines of
Mach /mk/ noun the ratio of the
Mach

force which run from the north mag-

speed of an object to the speed of sound netic pole to the south magnetic pole.
in the same atmospheric conditions 쑗
magnetic bearing /mDZnetk
magnetic bearing

Mach 2 equals twice the speed of sound. |

beərŋ/ noun the angle measured in a

COMMENT : Named after E. Mach, the clockwise direction of a distant point,
Austrian physicist who died in 1916.
relative to magnetic north
machine /məʃin/ noun a device
machine

magnetic declination /mDZnetk

magnetic declination
|
|

with fixed and moving parts that takes deklneʃ(ə)n/ noun same as mag-
|

mechanical energy and uses it to do use- netic variation 쑗 To convert magnetic

ful work 쑗 A drill is a machine for mak- bearing into true bearing it is necessary
ing holes in things. 쑗 An electrical cir- to apply magnetic variation at the point
cuit is designed to carry energy to a at which the bearing was taken.
particular device or machine which can magnetic field /mDZnetk fild/
magnetic field

then perform useful work. noun area of magnetic influence

Machmeter /mkmitə/ noun an
Machmeter

magnetic north /mDZnetk nɔθ/

magnetic north

instrument for measuring the Mach noun the direction of the Earth’s mag-
number of an aircraft netic pole, to which the north-seeking
Mach number /mk/ noun a number
Mach number

pole of a magnetic needle points if unaf-

that expresses the ratio of the speed of fected by nearby influences
an object to the speed of sound magnetic pole /mDZnetk pəυl/
magnetic pole

magnesium /mDZniziəm/ noun a

magnesium

|
noun one of the two poles which are the
light, silvery-white metallic element centres of the Earth’s magnetic field
that burns with a brilliant white flame. magnetic variation /mDZnetk
magnetic variation

Symbol Mg (NOTE: The atomic number veəreʃ(ə)n/ noun differences in the

|

of magnesium is 12.) Earth’s magnetic field in time and place

magnesium flare /mDZniziəm
magnesium flare

| 쑗 To convert magnetic bearing into true

fleə/ noun a device for distress signal- bearing it is necessary to apply mag-
ling at night 쑗 to send off magnesium netic variation at the point at which the
flares bearing was taken. Also called mag-
magnet /mDZnt/ noun an object
magnet

netic declination
that produces a magnetic field, and magnetise /mDZnətaz/, magnet-
magnetise

attracts iron and steel 쑗 Magnetism in a ize verb to convert an object or material
magnet appears to be concentrated at into a magnet 쑗 Ferro-magnetic materi-
two points called the poles. als are easily magnetised.
magnetic /mDZnetk/ adjective magnetism /mDZnətz(ə)m/ noun
magnetic magnetism

referring to or having the power of a a force exerted by a magnetic field 쑗 An

magnet or something with a magnetic electric current produces magnetism,
 143 maneuver
and movement of a magnet can produce Aero-engines must be maintained regu-
electricity. larly to maximise engine life.
magneto maintenance

magneto /mDZnitəυ/ noun a device

| maintenance /mentənəns/ noun a
that produces electrical current for dis- regular periodic inspection, overhaul,
tribution to the spark plugs of piston repair and replacement of parts of an
aero-engines aircraft and/or engine 쑗 The gas turbine
COMMENT: The crankshaft turns the is a very simple engine with few moving
magnetos, which provide the electrical parts when compared with a piston
energy to create a spark from the engine, giving it a high reliability factor
spark plugs. This ensures that the with less maintenance. 왍 maintenance
spark plugs work even if the aircraft’s manual the manufacturer’s instruction
battery and electrical system fail. Most
aircraft have two magnetos per engine book of maintenance procedures
in case one fails. ‘…poor maintenance training is
magnify expensive for the airline who notices the
magnify /mDZnfa/ verb 1. to problem in late departures, longer than
increase the size of, especially by using necessary maintenance periods and worst
a lens, microscope, etc. 쑗 It was only of all, crashes’ [Civil Aviation Training]
after the image was magnified that it maintenance crew

was possible to see the flaw. 2. to maintenance crew /mentənəns

increase the effect of something 쑗 The kru/ noun ground staff whose respon-
stress level is magnified at times of high sibility it is to keep the aircraft service-
work load, for example, preparation for able 쑗 The maintenance crew worked
landing. (NOTE: magnifying – magni- through the night to complete the work.
fied)
major

major /medȢə / adjective important 쑗

There are two major cloud groups, stra-
magnitude

magnitude /mDZntjud/ noun

greatness in size or extent 쑗 The magni- tus and cumulus. Opposite minor 왍
tude of the pressure gradient force is major airport a large, important or
inversely proportional to the distance international airport 왍 major problem
apart of the isobars. 쑗 When the surface a serious problem. Opposite minor
wind speed reaches a particular magni- majority

majority /mədȢɒrti/ noun the

|

tude the term gale is used. greater number or larger part – anything
maiden flight

maiden flight /med(ə)n flat/ more than 50% 쑗 The majority of pas-
noun the first flight of a new aircraft 쑗 sengers prefer to sit in a non-smoking
The maiden flight of the A340 was in area of the cabin.
October 1991. malfunction

malfunction /mlfŋkʃən/ noun a

|
main

main /men/ adjective most important; failure to work or to function correctly

principal 왍 main disadvantages princi- 쑗 The oil pressure and temperature of
pal negative points the CSDU can be monitored by the pilot
main gear

main gear /men DZə/ noun two and if a malfunction occurs, the pilot
main landing wheel assemblies can then choose to disconnect the
mainplane CSDU from the engine. 쐽 verb to func-
mainplane /menplen/ noun an air- tion incorrectly or fail to function 쑗
craft wing, compared with the tailplane Oscillating outputs from the alternators
쑗 The region between the mainplane
could cause sensitive equipment to mal-
front and rear spars is commonly sealed
function.
off and used as tanks. mandatory

maintain

maintain /menten/ verb 1. to keep mandatory /mndət(ə)ri/ adjective

compulsory, required or ordered by an
|

up, to carry on or continue 왍 to main-

tain the present heading to continue official organisation or authority 쑗 Fire
on the same heading 왍 to maintain a detection systems in toilets are manda-
constant selected engine speed not to tory.
maneuver

change the engine speed 2. to keep in maneuver /mənuvə/ noun US same

|

good mechanical or working order 쑗 as manoeuvre

maneuverability 144
maneuverability /mənuv(ə)rə
maneuverability manually

| | manually /mnjuəli/ adverb by

blti/ noun US same as manoeuvra- hand 쑗 The system is switched on man-
bility ually.
maneuvering area /mənuv(ə)rŋ
maneuvering area
manufacture
|
manufacture /mnjυfktʃə/ verb
|

eəriə/ noun US same as manoeuvring to make a product for sale using indus-
area trial machines 쑗 The centrifugal com-
manifold /mnfəυld/ noun a sys-
manifold

pressor is usually more robust than the

tem of pipes for a fluid from single axial flow type and also easier to
input to multiple output or multiple develop and manufacture.
input to single output 쑗 inlet and map

map /mp/ noun a representation of

exhaust manifolds of a piston engine the Earth’s surface on a flat surface such
manifold pressure /mnfəυld
manifold pressure

|
as a sheet of paper 쑗 a map of Africa 쐽
preʃə/ noun absolute pressure in the verb to make measurements and calcu-
induction system of a piston engine lations of part of the Earth’s surface in
measured in inches of mercury order to produce a map
manner /mnə/ noun a way of doing
manner
MAP

MAP abbreviation missed approach

something 쑗 Wind is said to be veering point
when it changes direction in a clockwise margin

manner. 쑗 Pre-flight checks should be margin / mɑdȢn/ noun 1. a blank

done in the correct manner. space bordering the written or printed
manoeuvrability
manoeuvrability

/mənuv(ə)rə
| |
area on a page 쑗 Write notes in the mar-
blti/ noun the ability and speed with gin of the book. 2. an amount allowed in
which an aircraft can turn away from its addition to what is needed 쑗 safety mar-
previous path 쑗 Light training aircraft gin 쑗 In some configurations, it is possi-
do not have great manoeuvrability but ble for the buffet speed to be less than
they are stable and therefore easier to the required 7% margin ahead of the
fly. (NOTE: The US spelling is maneu- stall.
maritime

verability.) maritime /mrtam/ adjective

manoeuvre /mənuvə/ noun any
manoeuvre

|
referring to the sea 왍 maritime wind a
deliberate or intended departure from wind blowing from the sea 쑗 The Rocky
the existing flight or ground path (NOTE: Mountains of North America act as a
It is also written maneuver in US Eng- barrier to the cool maritime winds from
lish.) 왍 flight manoeuvre turns, loops, the Pacific Ocean.
climbs and descents 왍 ground manoeu- mark

mark /mɑk/ noun 1. a visible trace on

vre taxiing and turning onto runways a surface, e.g. a dot or a line 쑗 There are
and taxiways, etc. marks on tyres and wheel rims which
manoeuvring area /mənuv(ə)rŋ
manoeuvring area

| are aligned and indicate the extent of

eəriə/ noun the part of the aerodrome tyre creep. 2. the number of points or a
used for the take-off, landing and taxi- percentage given for academic work 쐽
ing of aircraft verb 1. to make a visible line, dot, etc.,
manual /mnjuəl/ adjective refer-
manual
on a surface 쑗 Mark the departure point
ring to the hands, or done or worked by on the chart. 2. to show or indicate 쑗
hand 쑗 The electronic flight instrument The weather front marks the boundary
system has two self-test facilities – between the two air masses. 3. to cor-
automatic and manual. 쐽 noun a refer- rect or check academic work done by a
ence book giving instructions on how to student 쑗 The instructor marked the
operate equipment, machinery, etc. 쑗 exam papers.
maintenance manual 쑗 aircraft operat- marked

marked /mɑkt/ adjective very

ing manual noticeable, clear and definite 왍 a
manual control /mnjuəl kən marked increase a noticeable, there-
manual control

trəυl/ noun hand-flying an aircraft fore possibly large, increase 왍 a

equipped with an autopilot or automatic marked change in the weather a sig-
flight control system nificant change in the weather
 145 matter
marker /mɑkə/ noun 1. something
marker

land mass such as the continent of

which acts as an indicator of something Africa 쐽 adjective involving a large
such as distance or position 2. a radio number of people or things 왍 mass exit
beacon that is part of the ILS the departure of everybody, or nearly
COMMENT: The outer marker (OM) is
everybody, from a place
mass ascent /ms əsent/ noun a
mass ascent

indicated on the instrument panel, by a |

blue light. The middle marker (MM) is slow ascent of a large body of air in
indicated by an amber light and the regions of low pressure and of warm air
inner marker (IM) by a white light. rising over a cold air mass
marker dye /mɑkə da/ noun a
marker dye

mast /mɑst/ noun 1. a vertical pole

mast

brightly coloured substance used by for a flag or antenna 쑗 Ice accretes on

people adrift at sea to draw the attention the leading edge of the detector mast. 2.
of flight crews to their position a tube projecting from the underside of
marshal /mɑʃ(ə)l/ verb to direct air-
marshal
the aircraft from which liquid can drain
craft into their parking positions on the well away from the airframe
apron by means of hand signals 쑗 After master /mɑstə/ adjective main or
master

taxiing, a marshaller marshals the air- principal 왍 master cylinder a hydraulic

craft to the disembarkation and unload- cylinder from which pressure is trans-
ing point. mitted to smaller slave cylinders 쐽 verb
marshaller /mɑʃ(ə)lə/ noun a
marshaller
to overcome the difficulty of something
member of ground staff whose job is to 쑗 It takes practice to master crosswind

direct aircraft into parking positions by landings in light aircraft.

means of hand signals master key /mɑstə ki/ noun a key
master key

‘…when under a marshaller’s control, which can open a number of doors, etc.
reduce speed to a walking pace’ [Civil master switch /mɑstə swtʃ/
master switch

Aviation Authority, General Aviation noun the most important of a number of

Safety Sense Leaflet] switches operating a system
marshalling signals /mɑʃlŋ
marshalling signals

match /mtʃ/ verb 1. to go well

match

sDZnəlz/ plural noun hand signals used together 쑗 The most important factor
by a marshaller 쑗 Marshalling signals when matching a propeller to an engine
are used to direct aircraft on the is tip velocity. 2. to be equal to 쑗 The
ground. polarisation of the antenna must match
MAS abbreviation middle airspace
MAS

that of the transmitter.

service material /mətəriəl/ noun a sub-
material

mask /mɑsk/ noun a device to cover

mask

stance out of which something can be

the face 왍 oxygen mask a device to made 쑗 Wood, fabric and paper are all
cover the nose and mouth which is con- free-burning materials.
nected to an oxygen supply 쑗 Anoxia at MATO abbreviation military air traffic
MATO

high altitudes can be overcome by operations

breathing through an oxygen mask. 쐽 matrix /metrks/ noun a grid-like
matrix

verb to hide or cover up 쑗 When practis- arrangement of circuit elements 쑗 Oil

ing instrument flying, the aircraft win- coolers consist of a matrix, divided into
dows are masked to prevent the (stu- sections by baffle plates.
dent) pilot from seeing out of the matter /mtə/ noun 1. a physical
matter

aircraft. substance 쑗 Mass is a basic property of

MASPS abbreviation minimum air-
MASPS

matter. 왍 foreign matter something

craft system performance specifications unwanted which is found in a substance
mass /ms/ noun 1. the physical vol- or a device (such as sand or water in
mass

ume of a solid body 쑗 Mass is a basic fuel) 쑗 Turbine blades can be damaged
property of matter and is called weight by foreign matter such as stones enter-
when it is in a field of gravity such as ing through the engine intake on take-
that of the Earth. 2. a large body of off. 왍 solid matter solid substances 2. a
something with no particular shape 쑗 a subject for discussion, concern or
MATZ 146
action 쑗 Safety is a matter of great of by using 쑗 Fuel is transferred from
importance. 3. trouble or difficulty 왍 the tanks to the carburettor by means of
what’s the matter? what’s the prob- pipes. 왍 there are various means for
lem? 왍 it doesn’t matter it isn’t impor- navigation there are various different
tant, so don’t worry methods used for the purposes of navi-
MATZ abbreviation military aero-
MATZ
gation
drome traffic zone
mean sea level

mean sea level /min si lev(ə)l/

maximum /mksməm/ adjective noun the average level of the sea taking
maximum

greatest possible 쑗 The maximum daily tidal variations into account 쑗 Below
temperature is 35°C. 쑗 The maximum FL50 cloud heights are referred to a
speed of the aircraft is 200 kt. 쐽 noun datum of mean sea level. Abbreviation
the greatest possible quantity, amount, MSL
etc. 쑗 There is a net gain of heat by the mean sun

mean sun /min sn/ noun the posi-

Earth until terrestrial radiation bal- tion of an imaginary sun in a solar day
ances solar radiation when the daily of exactly 24 hours, behind the real sun
temperature is at its maximum. in February and in advance of the real
maximum total weight author- sun in November 쑗 Local mean time
maximum total weight authorised

ised /mksməm təυt(ə)l wet (LMT) is the time according to the mean
ɔθərazd/ noun the maximum author- sun.
ised weight of aircraft fuel, payload, mean time between failures

mean time between failures

etc., given in the Certificate of Airwor- /min tam btwin feljəz/ noun
|

thiness. Abbreviation MTWA full form of MTBF

mb abbreviation millibar
mb
mean time to repair

mean time to repair /min tam

MDA /em di e/ abbreviation mini-
MDA

tə, tυ/ noun full form of MTTR

mum descent altitude measure

measure /meȢə/ noun 1. an indica-

mean /min/ adjective referring to
mean

tion or way of assessing 쑗 The way he

something average, midway between dealt with the in-flight emergency is a
two extremes 왍 mean daily tempera- measure of his skill as a pilot. 2. a refer-
ture average daily temperature 왍 mean ence for discovering the dimensions or
wind the average speed of a wind 쐽 amount of something 쑗 The litre is a
noun something having a medium or measure of capacity. 3. a device used
average position, midway between two for measuring 왍 a 1-metre measure a
extremes 왍 arithmetic mean the aver- ruler that is 1 metre long 4. an action
age value of a set of numbers 쐽 verb 1. taken to get a result 쑗 Stricter safety
to signify or to have something as an measures were introduced. 5. an
explanation 쑗 Airspeed means the speed amount of something 쑗 To be a good
of the aircraft in relation to the air pilot, you need a measure of self-confi-
around it. 2. to intend to do something dence. 쐽 verb 1. to find the dimensions
쑗 I meant to telephone the reservations or amount of something 쑗 to measure a
desk this morning but I forgot. 3. to distance 쑗 to measure an angle 쑗 to
result in 쑗 Installing a new computer measure the speed of an aircraft 쑗 Wind
network means a lot of problems for directions are measured from magnetic
everybody. (NOTE: meaning – meant) north. 2. to be of a particular size,
mean effective pressure /min  length, quantity, etc. 쑗 How much does
mean effective pressure

fektv preʃə/ noun the average pres- the pipe measure?

sure exerted on the piston during the measurement

measurement /meȢəmənt/ noun 1.

power stroke. Abbreviation MEP an act of measuring 쑗 Measurement of
means /minz/ noun a way of doing
means

relative humidity is done using an

something which brings a result 쑗 A instrument called a hygrometer. 2. the
clear window fitted in the reservoir pro- result of measuring 쑗 The measure-
vides a means of checking hydraulic ments of the room are: height = 4
fluid level during servicing. (NOTE: metres, length = 10 metres, width = 4
Means has no plural form.) 왍 by means metres.
 147 mental
mechanical /mknk(ə)l/ adjec-
mechanical

| ing medium for cooling oil can be ram-

tive referring to machines 쑗 Activation air or fuel.
may be electrical or mechanical. 왍 medium frequency /midiəm
medium frequency

mechanical pump a pump operated by frikwənsi/, medium frequency

the engine rather than by electrical band /midiəm frikwənsi bnd/
power noun radio frequency range between
mechanical advantage /m 300 kHz and 3000 kHz – often referred
mechanical advantage

knk(ə)l ədvɑntdȢ/ noun the ratio

| to as medium wave (MW). Abbrevia-
of the output force produced by a tion MF
machine to the input force mega- /meDZə/ prefix large. Opposite
mega-

mechanical engineering /m

mechanical engineering

| micro- (NOTE: The prefix mega- is used

knk(ə)l endȢnərŋ/ noun the
| in front of SI units to indicate one mil-
study of design, construction, and use lion: megahertz = one million hertz.)
of machinery or mechanical structures megahertz /meDZəh%ts / noun a
megahertz

쑗 She gained a degree in mechanical measure of frequency equal to one mil-

engineering from university. lion cycles per second. Abbreviation
mechanical linkage /mknk(ə)l
mechanical linkage

| MHz
lŋkdȢ/ noun a system of rods, cables melt /melt/ verb to become liquid by
melt

and levers in a light aircraft, which con- heating 쑗 Ice melts at temperatures
nect the control column in the cockpit to above freezing. 왍 melting point tem-
the control surfaces on the wings, tail- perature at which a solid turns to liquid
plane and fin 쑗 Magnesium has a melting point of
mechanics /mknks/ noun 1. the
mechanics

| 1204°F.
study of the action of forces on matter member /membə/ noun 1. a large,
member

or material systems 2. the way some- important structural unit 쑗 The skin in
thing works 쑗 The mechanics of the bonded to the internal members. 쑗 A
föhn wind provide a good illustration of beam is a member which is designed to
the adiabatic process. withstand loading applied at an angle
mechanism /mekənz(ə)m/ noun 1.
mechanism

to it, often perpendicular. 2. a person

the arrangement of connected parts in a who joins a club or organisation 쑗 He is
machine or system 쑗 the landing gear a member of the gliding club. 3. a per-
mechanism 쑗 the nose wheel steering son in a team or crew 쑗 Most large pas-
mechanism 2. a physical process 쑗 the senger aircraft are now operated by two
mechanism by which thunderstorms crew members.
develop memorise /meməraz/, memorize
memorise

MEDA abbreviation military emer-

MEDA

verb to fix in the memory, to learn by

gency division aerodrome heart 쑗 It is helpful if a student pilot can
medical certificate /medk(ə)l sə memorise certain items, such as down-
medical certificate

tfkət/ noun a document which con- wind checks, early in his training.
firms that the named person has been memory /mem(ə)ri/ noun 1. the
memory

medically examined and declared to be mental ability of remembering and

in good physical condition recalling past events or information 왍
medical emergency noun a situa- he has a good memory he remembers
medical emergency

tion when somebody is unwell and things easily 2. part of a computer

quickly needs medical care which is used for the fast recall of infor-
medium /midiəm/ adjective refer-
medium
mation 쑗 The computer cannot run
ring to something that has a position or many programs at the same time
represents a condition midway between because it doesn’t have enough mem-
extremes 쑗 high, medium and low fre- ory.
mental /ment(ə)l/ adjective referring
mental

quencies 쑗 medium level cloud 쐽 noun a

substance through which something to the mind or brain 쑗 Anoxia severely
else is transmitted or carried 쑗 Tubes limits physical and mental perform-
convey the cooling medium. 쑗 The cool- ance. 왍 mental calculation a calcula-
mention 148
tion done in your head, without using als metals such as aluminium, titanium,
aids such as pen, paper or calculator steel, etc. 쑗 Some fire extinguishers do
mention /menʃ(ə)n/ verb to refer to
mention
not harm metallic, wooden, plastic or
something briefly 쑗 as mentioned in fabric materials. 왍 non-metallic mate-
chapter 4 쑗 as I mentioned yesterday 쑗 rials wood, plastics, fabrics, etc., which
No one mentioned the incident. are not made of metal
METAR /mitɑ/ abbreviation avia-
METAR

MEP abbreviation mean effective pres-

MEP

sure tion routine weather report

meteorological /mitiərə
meteorological

Mercator’s projection /m%ketəz

Mercator’s projection
|
|

prədȢekʃ(ə)n/ noun a map projection

|
lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adjective referring to mete-
of the Earth onto a cylinder so that all orology 왍 meteorological forecast a
the parallels of latitude are the same prediction of the weather to come 왍
length as the equator 쑗 Since meridians meteorological visibility the greatest
on this projection are represented by horizontal distance at which objects can
parallel straight lines, it is impossible be seen and recognised by an observer
to represent the poles on Mercator’s on the ground with normal eyesight and
projection. 쒁 Lambert’s projection under conditions of normal daylight
illumination 쑗 Meteorological visibility
COMMENT : Named after the Latinised
name of G. Kremer, the Flemish-born is given in metres up to 5,000 metres,
geographer who died in 1594. and thereafter in kilometres. 쒁 MOTNE
meteorological chart /mitiərə
meteorological chart

mercury /m%kjυri/ noun a silver-

mercury |

lɒdȢk(ə)l tʃɑt/ noun a chart of part

coloured metallic element, liquid at
of the Earth’s surface with information
room temperature, used in thermome-
about weather conditions
ters 쑗 Manifold pressure gauges are
meteorological conditions
meteorological conditions

calibrated in inches of mercury.

/mitiərəlɒdȢk(ə)l kəndʃ(ə)nz/
mercury barometer /m%kjυri bə
mercury barometer |

plural noun a description of the weather

|

rɒmtə/ noun type of barometer where

in a given area
the atmospheric pressure is balanced
meteorologist
meteorologist

against a column of mercury 쑗 The prin- /mitiərɒlədȢst/

|

ciple of a mercury barometer has not noun a person who studies, reports and
changed since 1643 when Torricelli forecasts the weather 쑗 The analysis of
demonstrated that the atmosphere can the surface chart is the procedure in
support a column of liquid. which the meteorologist completes the
chart by inserting the fronts and isobars
meridian / mərdiən/ noun an imagi-
meridian

in their correct positions.

nary great circle on the Earth’s surface
meteorology /mitiərɒlədȢi/ noun
meteorology

passing through the north and south |

geographic poles a science which studies weather and

weather conditions 쑗 Terrestrial radia-
mesh /meʃ/ noun a net-like structure 쐽
mesh

tion plays an important part in meteor-

verb (of gears) to link together with
ology.
cogs on another wheel
meter /mitə/ noun 1. US same as
meter

message /mesdȢ/ noun a short

message

metre 2. a device to measure current,

written, coded or verbal communication rate of flow, vertical distance, speed,
쑗 The crew can use the public address
etc. 쑗 a gas meter 쒁 altimeter, amme-
system to broadcast messages to the ter, flowmeter
passengers. 쑗 There’s a message from
methanol /meθənɒl/ noun a colour-
methanol

Mr. Jones on your desk.

less, toxic, flammable liquid, CH3OH,
met /met/ abbreviation meteorology
met

used as an antifreeze, a general solvent,

metal /met(ə)l/ noun one of the
metal

and a fuel, also called methyl alcohol or

metallic elements e.g. iron, gold, mer- wood alcohol 쑗 Power output can be
cury, copper, aluminium restored, or can be boosted to a value
metallic /metlk/ adjective refer-
metallic

| over 100% maximum power, by the

ring to or like metal 왍 metallic materi- injection of a water/methanol mixture
 149 minimum
at the compressor inlet or at the com- middle /md(ə)l/ adjective in the cen-
middle

bustion chamber inlet. tre 쑗 middle marker 쐽 noun the centre 쑗

method

method /meθəd/ noun a particular the seat in the middle of the row
middle airspace service /md(ə)l
middle airspace service

way of doing something, especially if it

is well thought out and systematic 쑗 The eəspes s%vs/ a radar service pro-
most common method of displaying vided by an air traffic control area radar
radar information is on a cathode ray unit in the airspace between FL100 and
tube. FL245. Abbreviation MAS
middle marker /md(ə)l mɑkə/
middle marker
metre

metre /mitə/ noun an international

standard unit of length, approximately noun an ILS marker beacon on
equivalent to 39.37 inches. Abbrevia- extended runway centre line, usually
tion m (NOTE: It is also written meter in 3500 feet from the runway threshold
MIL abbreviation military
MIL

US English.)
mile /mal/ noun 쏡 statute mile
mile
MF

MF abbreviation medium frequency

military /mlt(ə)ri/ adjective relat-
military

MFD

MFD abbreviation multi-function dis- ing to war or to the armed services

play
milk run /mlk rn/ noun a routine
milk run

MHz

MHz symbol megahertz trip, especially an airline’s regular flight

micro-

micro- /makrəυ/ prefix small. Oppo- millibar /mlibɑ/ noun a unit of

millibar

site mega- (NOTE: The prefix micro- is atmospheric pressure equal to 1 thou-
used in front of SI units to indicate a sandth of a bar. Symbol mb
one millionth part: microsecond = one milligramme /mliDZrm/ noun one
milligramme

millionth of a second.) thousandth of a gramme

microburst

microburst /makrəυb%st/ noun a millilitre /mlilitə / noun one thou-

millilitre

particularly strong wind-shear espe- sandth of a litre (NOTE: It is usually writ-

cially associated with thunderstorms 쑗 ten ml after figures: 35ml. Also written
The investigation revealed that the crew milliliter in US English.)
lost control of the aircraft as it flew millimetre /mlimitə/ noun one
millimetre

through the microburst. thousandth of a metre (NOTE: It is usu-

microlight

microlight /makrəlat/ noun a ally written mm after figures: 35mm.

small light aircraft, often with an open Also written millimeter in US English.)
min abbreviation minimum
min

fuselage, that can carry one or two peo-

ple at low speeds and is used for flying minima /mnmə/ 쏡 minimum
minima

for pleasure or reconnaissance minimal /mnm(ə)l/ adjective very

minimal

small in amount, importance or degree

micro-switch

micro-switch /makrəυswtʃ/ noun

a miniature switch used to govern sys- 쑗 Safety equipment carried on some
tems automatically 쑗 Operation of an light aircraft may be as minimal as a
aircraft may also be seriously affected portable fire extinguisher. 쑗 Any
by the freezing of moisture in controls, attempt to increase range by applying
hinges and micro-switches. (NOTE: The power is of minimal benefit.
minimise /mnmaz/, minimize
minimise

plural form is micro-switches.)

microwave landing system

microwave landing system verb to reduce or decrease to the small-

/makrəwev lndŋ sstəm/ noun est amount possible
minimum /mnməm/ adjective
minimum

an extremely accurate guidance system

for landing aircraft that uses micro- smallest possible 쑗 the minimum
waves. Abbreviation MLS amount required 쑗 Minimum weather
mid- requirements for a particular operation
mid- /md/ prefix middle 왍 mid-sum- such as runway visual range (RVR). 쐽
mer the middle of the summer noun the smallest or least possible
mid-air

mid-air /md eə/ adjective 왍 mid-air quantity or amount 쑗 Fires should be

collision collision between aircraft in tackled with the minimum of delay. 쑗 To
the air rather than on the ground keep the weight of the fuselage structure
minimum flying speed 150
to a minimum, the difference between miss

miss /ms/ verb not to get or catch 쑗

cabin pressures and the external atmos- Two passengers arrived so late that they
pheric pressures should be kept to a missed the flight.
minimum. (NOTE: The plural form is missed approach

missed approach /mst əprəυtʃ/ |

minima or minimums.) noun an approach that does not result in

minimum flying speed

minimum flying speed a landing and is followed by a go-

/mnməm flaŋ spid/ noun the around
lowest true air speed at which an air- missed approach point

missed approach point /mst ə |

craft can maintain height prəυtʃ pɔnt/ noun the point at which
a pilot must carry out a missed
minimum fuel

minimum fuel /mnməm fjuəl/

noun the amount of fuel required to approach procedure if a particular vis-
reach destination and land without ual reference has not been made
delay
missed approach procedure

missed approach procedure

minimum sector altitude

minimum sector altitude /mst əprəυtʃ prəsidȢə/ noun the

| |

/mnməm sektə lttjud/ noun action and flight path to be followed

the lowest altitude at which an aircraft after a missed approach at a particular
may fly under emergency conditions aerodrome
mist

and which will provide a minimum mist /mst/ noun 1. visible water
clearance of 1000 ft above all obstacles vapour, in the form of very fine drop-
located within a particular sector lets, in the atmosphere 쑗 Mist is thinner
minimum separation

minimum separation /mnməm than fog. 2. liquid in spray form 쑗 an

sepəreʃ(ə)n/ noun the minimum ver- air/oil mist 쐽 verb 왍 to mist up to
become covered in tiny water droplets
|

tical or horizontal distance allowed

and therefore prevent clear vision
between two aircraft through a surface 쑗 The windscreen
minor

minor /manə/ noun a person under misted up.

the age of legal adulthood 쐽 adjective mix

mix /mks / verb to put together in

small in size or amount and therefore order to form one mass 쑗 It is a fact of
relatively unimportant. Opposite major nature that different air masses do not
왍 minor repairs repairs which can be mix together.
made quickly and with the minimum mixture

amount of equipment mixture /mkstʃə/ noun something

minus
which is the result of a number of things
minus /manəs/ preposition reduced mixed together
by 쑗 6 minus 2 equals 4 (6 – 2 = 4). 쐽 mixture control

noun a minus sign (-) 쑗 minus forty

mixture control /mkstʃə kən |

trəυl/ noun a device for controlling the

degrees Celsius (- 40° Celsius)
minute
ratio of fuel to air entering an engine’s
minute noun /mnt/ 1. a time period carburettor or fuel injection system.
of 60 seconds 쑗 There are 60 minutes in The mixture control is a knob or lever
one hour. 왍 wait a minute wait a while marked in red usually to the right of the
or a short period of time 2. a unit of throttle lever. 쑗 In order to stop the
angular measurement equal to one sixti- engine, the mixture control should be
eth of a degree 쑗 20 degrees and 20 min- moved fully aft.
utes east (20° 20’E). 쐽 adjective /ma |
MLS

MLS abbreviation microwave landing

njut/ very small indeed 쑗 Metal system
fatigue begins as minute cracks, too mm

small to be seen, at the point of maxi- mm abbreviation millimetre

MM

mum stress. MM abbreviation middle marker

MMR
miscellaneous

miscellaneous /msə leniəs/

|
MMR /em em ɑ / abbreviation multi-
adjective various, mixed, not all the mode receiver
same 쑗 The first aid box contains mis-
mnemonic

mnemonic /nmɒnk/ noun some- |

cellaneous items for use in a medical thing such as a word, sentence or little
emergency. poem which helps the memory
 151 molecule
COMMENT: Some of the well known modern /mɒd(ə)n/ adjective up to
modern

mnemonics are: ARROW= date, referring to the present day 쑗 Mod-

Airworthiness Certificate, Registration ern engines are far more powerful than
Document, Radio Station Licence,
Operating Handbook, Weight and engines used in the past.
modification /mɒdfkeʃ(ə)n/
modification

Balance document – documents to be |

carried in (light) aircraft (U5); BUMF noun an alteration or change in charac-

checks= Brakes, Undercarriage, ter or form which is normally an
Mixture, Fuel – downwind checks in a improvement 쑗 There have been many
light, single engine aircraft with a fixed- modifications to the simple carburettor
pitch propeller; FREDA= Fuel, Radio,
Engine, Direction indicator, Altimeter – over the years. 쑗 As a result of the
airfield approach checks; HASELL= crash, modifications were made to the
Height, Airframe, Security, Engine, rudder linkage.
Location, Lookout – pre-stall checks; modify / mɒdfa/ verb to change or
modify

variation east, magnetic least: alter in order to improve 쑗 The landing

variation west, magnetic best= a gear was modified to provide greater
mnemonic to help remember whether
to add or subtract variation.
strength. (NOTE: modifying – modi-
MOA
fied)
MOA abbreviation military operations modulate /mɒdjυlet/ verb
modulate

| to
area change the frequency, amplitude, phase,
mode

mode /məυd/ noun 1. a particular or other characteristic of an electromag-

selected setting for the operation or netic wave 쑗 The ground station trans-
functioning of equipment 쑗 automatic mits a code in two short bursts, each of
mode 쑗 manual mode 2. a letter or which is modulated with two tones.
modulation /mɒdjuleʃ(ə)n/ noun
modulation

number given to the various pulse spac- |

ings of airborne transponders and a change in a property of an electromag-

ground interrogators 쑗 Mode A and netic wave or signal, such as its ampli-
mode C for altitude reporting, are used tude, frequency, or phase 쑗 Pulse mod-
in air traffic control. ulation is a series of quick, short bursts
model
of energy which are radiated from an
model /mɒd(ə)l/ noun a simplified antenna which serves both the transmit-
description of a system, often in mathe- ter and the receiver.
matical form, designed to make calcula-
module / mɒdjul/ noun a replacea-
module

tion simpler 쑗 The description of the

weather patterns is a model only which, ble detachable unit
moist /mɔst/ adjective a little wet,
moist

in reality, is modified greatly by a

number of factors. damp or humid 쑗 Warm moist air from
moderate
the Gulf of Mexico can extend into Can-
moderate adjective /mɒd(ə)rət/ 1. ada.
referring to something well within lim-
moisture /mɔstʃə/ noun water or
moisture

its, not extreme 왍 a moderate climate a

climate which is not too hot, not too other liquid 쑗 When the air passing
cold 2. the middle of three descriptions through the carburettor is reduced
of intensity or amount, i.e. light, moder- below 0°C (Celsius), any moisture in
ate, severe 왍 moderate humidity the air changes into ice.
moisture content /mɔstʃə
moisture content

humidity which is not light or severe 왍

light to moderate varying between kɒntent/ noun the amount of water in
light and moderate 쑗 light to moderate the atmosphere or as seen when it con-
icing 왍 moderate to severe varying denses onto cold surfaces
mold /məυld/ noun, verb US same as
mold

between moderate and severe 쑗 moder-

ate to severe turbulence 쐽 verb mould
/mɒdəret/ to become or cause to molecule /mɒlkjul/ noun the
molecule

become less extreme 쑗 The south west smallest particle into which an element
wind moderates the climate of the UK 쑗 or a compound can be divided without
As the wind moderated, the aircraft was changing its chemical and physical
allowed to take off. properties 쑗 The molecules of a gas
moment 152
move more quickly than the molecules of the alphabet and numbers are repre-
of a liquid. sented by dots and dashes or short and
moment /məυmənt/ noun 1. a short
moment
long signals 쑗 VOR (very high fre-
period of time 쑗 It only takes a moment quency omni-directional radio range)
to fill in the log book. 2. a point in time stations transmit a 2 or 3-letter aural
왍 at the moment at this particular time Morse callsign on the reference signal
쑗 He’s not in the office at the moment. 3. at least every 30 seconds. (NOTE: Morse
the product of a quantity and its perpen- is still used for identifying some radio
dicular distance from a reference point beacons.)
쑗 A load on the end of a beam creates a COMMENT: Named after S. F. B.
bending moment. 4. the tendency to Morse, the American electrician who
cause rotation about a point or an axis 쑗 died in 1872.
The tailplane provides a pitching motion

motion /məυʃ(ə)n/ noun movement,

moment to keep the aircraft level. the act of changing position or place 왍
momentum /məυmentəm/ noun a
momentum

|
horizontal motion movement from
measure of the motion of a body equal side to side 왍 rotary motion circular
to the product of its mass and velocity 쑗 movement 왍 vertical motion up and
In rain, the faster an aircraft travels the down movement
more water it meets and the greater the MOTNE

relative momentum of the water drop- MOTNE noun a network for the
lets. exchange of meteorological informa-
tion needed by meteorological offices,
monitor /mɒntə/ noun a visual dis-
monitor

VOLMET broadcasting stations, air

play unit for a computer 쐽 verb to traffic service units, operators and other
check, on a continuing basis 쑗 Flowme- aeronautical users. Full form Meteoro-
ters are fitted which allow crew to mon- logical Operational Telecommunica-
itor the flow of fuel to each engine. tions Network Europe
monitor system /mɒntə sstəm/
monitor system

motor

noun system for checking and warning motor /məυtə/ noun a machine
which provides power for moving a
monocoque /mɒnəkɒk / noun a
monocoque

vehicle or device with moving parts 쑗

three-dimensional body with all the an electric motor 쑗 a hydraulic motor
strength in the skin and immediately (NOTE: Piston or jet power plants for air-
underlying framework 쑗 In monocoque craft are referred to as engines not
construction there is no internal stiffen- motors.)
ing, as the thickness of the skin gives the mould

strength and stability. mould /məυld/ noun a hollow shape

monoplane /mɒnəυplen/ noun an
monoplane for forming plastics, etc. 쑗 Moulds are
aircraft that has only one pair of wings used in the manufacture of plastic com-
ponents. 쐽 verb to shape, often using a
monsoon /mɒnsun/ noun a wind
monsoon

|
mould 쑗 Thermo-plastic material
from the south-west or south that brings become soft when heated and can be
heavy rainfall to southern Asia in the moulded again and again. (NOTE: It is
summer 쑗 Although the monsoon winds also written mold in US English.)
are thought of as being Asiatic phenom- mount

ena, they do occur over Africa and parts mount /maυnt/ verb to fix to a support
of North America, especially the Gulf of 쑗 A propeller consists of a number of
Mexico. 왍 monsoon season a season of separate blades mounted in a hub.
mountain

wind and heavy rainfall in tropical mountain /maυntn/ noun a mass of

countries rock rising above ground level, higher
morning mist /mɔnŋ mst/ noun
morning mist
than a hill 쑗 They flew over mountains
a mist which usually disappears before in the south of the country.
midday, as the result of warming from Mountain Standard Time

Mountain Standard Time

the sun /maυntn stndəd tam/ noun a
Morse /mɔs/ noun a code used for time zone of the west-central part of the
Morse

transmitting messages in which letters USA and Canada, 7 hours behind GMT
 153 mutual inductance
mounted /maυntd/ adjective fixed multi-mode receiver /mlti məυd
mounted multi-mode receiver

to a support 왍 rear-mounted mounted rsivə/ noun a type of radio receiver

|

at the rear of the aircraft 쑗 Some aircraft used in navigation and landing that can
such as the Boeing 727 have rear- receive signals from a variety of differ-
mounted engines. ent transmission systems
mounting /maυntŋ/ noun a sup-
mounting

multiplane /mltiplen/ noun an air-

multiplane

porting component or attachment point craft with more than one pair of wings
쑗 Airbus aircraft have engine mount-
multiple /mltp(ə)l/ adjective many
multiple

ings under the wings. 쑗 Autoland system redundancy employs

movement /muvmənt/ noun a
movement

multiple systems operating in such a

change in place or position 쑗 The manner that a single failure within a
upward movement of the piston com- system will have little effect on the air-
presses the fuel/air mixture. 왍 move- craft’s performance during the
ment of the crankshaft the rotation of approach and landing operation.
the crankshaft 왍 the downward move- multiplication /mltplkeʃ(ə)n/
multiplication

ment of cool air the downward flow of

|

noun a mathematical operation to work

cool air out a specified number of times the
mph abbreviation miles per hour
mph

value of a number (NOTE: The multipli-

MSL abbreviation mean sea level
MSL

cation sign is x.)

MTA /em ti e/ abbreviation military
MTA

multiply /mltpla/ verb to work out

multiply

training area a specified number of times the value of

MTBF /em ti bi ef/ noun the aver-
MTBF

a number 쑗 To multiply 20 by 6 is to cal-

age period of time that a piece of equip- culate what is 6 times 20 (6 x 20). 쑗 4
ment will operate between problems. multiplied by 2 is 8 (4 x 2 = 8). 쑗 To cal-
Full form mean time between failures culate fuel required, multiply the dura-
MTTR /em ti ti ɑ/ noun the aver-
MTTR
tion of the flight by the consumption of
age period of time required to repair a the engine at the required power.
faulty piece of equipment. Full form multi-purpose /mlti p%pəs/
multi-purpose

mean time to repair adjective suitable for many different

MTWA abbreviation maximum total uses 왍 multi-purpose tool a tool which
MTWA

weight authorised can be used in many different ways

muff /mf/ noun 쏡 acoustic ear muffs multi-wheel combinations
muff multi-wheel combinations

multi- /mlti/ prefix multiple or many

multi-
/mlti wil kɒmbneʃ(ə)nz/ plural
|

multi-engine /mlti endȢn/,

multi-engine
noun undercarriages consisting of a
multi-engined /mlti endȢnd/ number of wheels on each unit
mutual
mutual

adjective 왍 multi-engine(d) aircraft /mjutʃuəl/ adjective

aircraft with more than two engines directed and received in equal amount
multi-function display /mlti mutual inductance /mjutʃuəl n
multi-function display mutual inductance

fŋkʃ(ə)n dsple/ noun an electronic

| dktəns/ noun electro-magnetic field
cockpit instrument which displays in one circuit caused by a quickly
information such as weather radar or changing magnetic field in another cir-
navigation data. Abbreviation MFD cuit
 N
nature /netʃə/ noun 1. the world,
N nature

N abbreviation north
nacelle /nəsel/ noun a streamlined
nacelle

|
especially plants, animals and their
housing for an engine 쑗 The ram air environment in general 쑗 Electricity is
intake is located in a wing leading edge one of the fundamental forces of nature.
or an engine nacelle fairing. 2. sort or type 쑗 Action taken by the
crew will depend on the nature of the
narrow /nrəυ/ adjective not wide 쑗
narrow

emergency. 3. the essential qualities of

narrow band of cloud 쑗 a narrow beam something 쑗 the convective nature of
of electrons 쑗 The narrow aisles of pas- thunderstorms 쑗 Magnesium is a fire
senger aircraft makes it difficult to hazard of unpredictable nature.
evacuate an aircraft quickly. Opposite
nautical /nɔtk(ə)l/ adjective refer-
nautical

wide, broad
ring to the sea 쑗 The terms pitch, roll
NAS abbreviation national airspace
NAS

and yaw are nautical in origin.

system
nautical mile /nɔtk(ə)l mal/
nautical mile

NASA /nsə/ abbreviation National

NASA

noun 1.852 kilometres 쑗 One knot is

Aeronautics and Space Administration equal to one nautical mile per hour.
national
national

/nʃ(ə)nəl/ adjective Abbreviation nm. Compare statute

belonging to a country 쑗 KLM is the mile (NOTE: A nautical mile is precisely
national airline of the Netherlands. defined as the length of an arc on the
National Aeronautics and Earth’s surface subtended by an angle
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Space Administration /nʃ(ə)nəl of one minute at the centre of the

eərənɔtks ən spes əd |
Earth.)
mnstreʃ(ə)n/ noun a US organisa- NAVAID /nved/ abbreviation navi-
NAVAID

tion for flight and space exploration. gational aid

Abbreviation NASA navigation /nvDZeʃ(ə)n/ noun
navigation

national airspace system

national airspace system

the theory and practice of planning,

/nʃ(ə)nəl eəspes sstəm/ noun an controlling and recording the direction
integrated system of control and com- of an aircraft 쑗 The basis of air naviga-
munications facilities that is responsi- tion is the triangle of velocities.
ble for ensuring the safe and efficient navigational
navigational

/nvDZeʃ(ə)nəl/
|

movement of aircraft through the adjective referring to navigation 쑗 The

national airspace of the US. Abbrevia- accuracy of modern navigational
tion NAS equipment is much greater than older
National Air Traffic Services
National Air Traffic Services

systems.
/nʃ(ə)nəl eə trfk s%vsz/ plu- navigational aid /nvDZeʃ(ə)nəl
navigational aid

ral noun the organisation that is respon- ed/ noun a mechanical or electronic
sible for air traffic control at most UK device designed to help a pilot navigate
airports. Abbreviation NATS 쑗 Any type of navigational aid but par-
NATS

NATS abbreviation National Air Traf- ticularly electronic aids, for example
fic Services ADF (automatic direction finding) and
 155 never-exceed speed
NDBs (non-directional beacons). ing refusal 왍 a negative answer no 4.
Abbreviation NAVAID showing resistance or non-co-operation
쑗 a negative attitude
navigational line

navigational line /nvDZeʃ(ə)nəl

|

lan/ noun same as position line

negligible

negligible /neDZldȢb(ə)l/ adjective

navigation lights /nvDZeʃ(ə)n
navigation lights

|
small or unimportant to the extent that it
lats/ plural noun lights on an aircraft is not worth considering 쑗 Atmospheric
consisting of a red light on the left wing attenuation is negligible until the upper
tip, a green light on the right wing tip end of the UHF (ultra high frequency)
and a white light on the tail band when it increases rapidly. 왍 negli-
gible risk almost no risk
COMMENT: Navigation lights must be neoprene

used between sunset and sunrise. neoprene /niəυprin/ noun a type

navigation log
of synthetic rubber
navigation log /nvDZeʃ(ə)n lɒDZ/
|
net

noun written details of headings and net /net/ adjective after all necessary
times for a flight 쑗 The flight crew route deductions
flight plan is a composite document net dry weight

net dry weight /net dra wet/

which also serves as a navigation log. noun the basic weight of an engine
NDB abbreviation non-directional bea- without fluids and without accessories
NDB

con not essential for the engine to function

network

necessary /ness(ə)ri/ adjective

necessary

network /netw%k/ noun 1. a com-

needed or essential 쑗 A rich mixture is plex interconnected group or system 쑗
necessary at slow running. 왍 as neces- A network of meteorological stations
sary when needed 쑗 Warnings, cautions around the world exchange informa-
and advisory messages are displayed tion. 2. a system of lines or channels
only when necessary. which cross each other 쑗 On a map,
necessity /nəsesti/ noun some-
necessity

|
meridians of longitude and parallels of
thing that is necessary or very important latitude form a network of lines called a
쑗 Student pilots should understand the graticule. 3. a system of computers
necessity for treating thunderstorms interconnected in order to share infor-
with great respect. mation
neutral

needle / nid(ə)l/ noun a thin metal

needle

neutral /njutrəl/ adjective, noun 1.

pointer in an instrument 쑗 The needle indicating an electrical charge which is
indicated to zero. neither positive nor negative 2. indicat-
needle valve

needle valve /nid(ə)l vlv/ noun a ing the position of a switch or lever
valve formed of a tapered needle pro- which leaves a system active but not
jecting into a small opening in a tube, engaged, e.g. an engine gear lever posi-
etc., usually connected to a float, which tion in which the engine is disconnected
provides fine adjustment of fluid flow 쑗 from the driven parts 3. indicating the
Atmospheric pressure will allow the middle position of a control surface
capsule to expand, causing the needle providing no aerodynamic effect other
valve to move into the opening thus than that as part of the wing 쑗 After a
reducing the flow of fuel. turn, the auto-control will return the
ailerons to neutral as the aircraft
negative /neDZətv/ adjective 1. a
negative

returns to straight flight.

value of less than 0 쑗 In a reversing pro- neutralise

peller, the propeller mechanism neutralise /njutrəlaz/, neutralize

includes a removable ground fine pitch verb to cancel the effect of 쑗 Spillage
stop which enables the propeller to be from a lead acid battery may be neutral-
set to a negative pitch. 2. referring to an ised by washing with a diluted solution
electric charge of the same sign as that of sodium bicarbonate.
never-exceed speed

of an electron 왍 the negative terminal never-exceed speed /nevər k |

of a battery the terminal of a battery sid spid/ noun a speed which must
marked with the symbol – and normally not be exceeded. Also called Vne
coloured black rather than red 3. show- (Velocity Never Exceeded)
night rating 156
night rating /nat retŋ/ noun an
night rating

der, fluid is drawn in through a non-

additional qualification gained from a return valve.
course of training for night flying non-smoking area /nɒn sməυkŋ
non-smoking area

nil /nl/ noun nothing, zero 왍 nil driz-

nil

eəriə/ noun an area where smoking is

zle no drizzle not allowed
normal /nɔm(ə)l/ adjective referring
normal

nimbostratus
nimbostratus

/nmbəυstretəs/
|

noun a cloud forming a low dense grey to something which is usual and is to be
layer from which rain or drizzle often expected 왍 under normal conditions
falls when everything is as it usually is
normal room temperature
normal room temperature

nitrogen /natrədȢən/ noun a col-

nitrogen

ourless, odourless gas which makes up /nɔm(ə)l rum temprtʃə/ noun the
four fifths of the Earth’s atmosphere 쑗 temperature regarded as comfortable
Some aircraft have high pressure air or for usual daily activity
north /nɔθ/ noun compass point 360°,
north

nitrogen bottles provided in the under-

carriage and flap circuits for emer- the direction towards which the mag-
gency lowering. (NOTE: The atomic netic needle points on a compass 쑗 Fly
number of nitrogen is 7.) towards the north. 쑗 The wind is blow-
nm abbreviation nautical mile
nm
ing from the north. 왍 north facing
mountain side the face of the mountain
nocturnal /nɒkt%n(ə)l/ adjective
nocturnal

which looks towards the north 쐽 adjec-

happening or appearing during the night tive 1. referring to areas or regions lying
쑗 Because there is a requirement for a
in the north, referring to the compass
cold ground, a katabatic wind tends to point 360° 쑗 the north coast of France
be nocturnal, but if the slope is snow- 2. the northern part of a region or coun-
covered, it can also occur during the try 쑗 North America 쐽 adverb towards
day. the north 쑗 The aircraft was heading
no-fly zone /nəυ fla zəυn/ noun
no-fly zone

north. 쒁 compass, magnetic, true

an area over which aircraft, especially northbound /nɔθbaυnd/ adjective
northbound

those of another country, are forbidden travelling towards the north 쑗 a north-
to fly bound flight
nominal /nɒmn(ə)l/ adjective 1. not
nominal

north-east /nɔθ ist/ noun the

north-east

significant or not important 왍 a nomi- direction between north and east 쑗 After
nal increase a very small increase 2. take-off, the aircraft turned to the north-
named, specific 쑗 As an installed bat- east. 쐽 adjective 1. situated in the north-
tery becomes fully charged by the air- east 쑗 the north-east coast of England 2.
craft generator, the battery voltage blowing from or coming from the north-
nears its nominal level and the charging east 쑗 a north-east wind 쐽 adverb
current decreases. towards the north-east 쑗 We are heading
non- /nɒn/ prefix not or no
non-

north-east.
non-directional beacon /nɒn da
non-directional beacon

north-easterly /nɔθ istəli/ adjec-

north-easterly

rekʃ(ə)nəl bikən/ noun a radio bea- tive 1. blowing from or coming from the
con transmitting a signal by which the north-east 쑗 A north-easterly wind was
pilot can determine his or her bearing. blowing. 2. moving towards the north-
Abbreviation NDB east 쑗 Follow a north-easterly direction.
non-essential /nɒn senʃ(ə)l/
non-essential

north-eastern /nɔθ istən/ adjec-

north-eastern

adjective not necessary 쑗 In order to tive referring to or situated in the north-

ensure the shortest possible take-off east 쑗 the north-eastern part of the
run, all non-essential equipment was United States
removed. northerly /nɔðəli/ adjective 1. situ-
northerly

non-return valve /nɒn rt%n

non-return valve

| ated towards the north 쑗 the most north-

vlv/ noun a valve which allows a erly point of a country 2. blowing from
fluid to pass in one direction only 쑗 As or coming from the north 왍 northerly
the piston moves upwards in the cylin- airflow airflow coming from the north
 157 notice
쑗 a northerly airflow from the polar nose dive

nose dive /nəυz dav/ noun an

regions 3. moving towards the north 쑗 extremely steep descent by an aircraft
We are flying in a northerly direction. 쐽 front first
noun a wind which blows from the nose-dive

nose-dive /nəυz dav/ verb to fall

north steeply with the front end pointing
northern

northern /nɔð(ə)n/ adjective refer- downwards

ring to or situated in the north 쑗 the nose gear /nəυz DZə/ noun the nose
nose gear

northern hemisphere wheel and supporting struts and link-

ages
northern hemisphere

northern hemisphere /nɔð(ə)n

hemsfə/ noun the area of the Earth
|
nosewheel /nəυzwil/ noun the
nosewheel

to the north of the equator undercarriage wheel at the front of the

North Pole

North Pole /nɔθ pəυl/ noun the aircraft. Compare tailwheel

no-smoking sign

point which is furthest north on the no-smoking sign /nəυ sməυkŋ

earth 쑗 From the UK the aircraft flew san/ noun a sign, usually lit-up, warn-
over the North Pole to Vancouver. ing passengers and crew that smoking is
northward

northward /nɔθwəd/ adjective not allowed

note

going towards the north 쐽 adverb US note /nəυt/ noun 1. a brief message on
same as northwards a piece of paper 쑗 There’s a note on
northwards
your desk. 2. a brief comment made on
northwards /nɔθwədz/ adverb paper about something that you are
towards the north 쑗 One of the aircraft reading, listening to, or watching 쑗
was flying northwards. Make notes while you watch the video
north-west

north-west /nɔθ west/ noun the recording. 3. a short comment or expla-

direction between north and west 쑗 The nation in a text, often at the end of a
aircraft turned towards the north-west. book or at the bottom of a page 4. a
쐽 adjective 1. situated in the north-west piece of paper money 쑗 a £10 note
쑗 the north-west coast of England 2. (NOTE: The US English is bill.) 5. a
blowing from or coming from the north- musical tone of definite pitch 쑗 The note
west 쑗 a north-west wind 쐽 adverb of the engine changes as rpm (revolu-
towards the north-west 쑗 We are head- tions per minute) is increased. 쐽 verb 1.
ing north-west. to observe carefully, to take notice 쑗
north-westerly

north-westerly /nɔθ westəli/ Note that true north is always along a

meridian. 2. to write down 쑗 Note the
adjective 1. blowing from or coming
time of departure on the log sheet. 쑗
from the north-west 쑗 A north-westerly Note the time of any incident.
wind was blowing. 2. moving towards
or to the north-west 쑗 Follow a north- ‘…immediately you become unsure of
westerly direction. your position, note the time and, if you
north-western
are in touch with an ATC unit, especially
north-western /nɔθ westən/ a radar unit, you should request
adjective referring to or situated in the assistance’ [Civil Aviation Authority,
north-west 쑗 the north-western part of General Aviation Safety Sense Leaflet]
the United States notice /nəυts/ noun 1. a written or
notice

spoken announcement 2. a formal

north wind

north wind /nɔθ wnd/ noun a wind

blowing from or coming from the north warning or notification 왍 to give notice
(NOTE: A wind is named after the direc- to inform an employee or employer in
tion it comes from.) advance and in writing, of a termination
nose
to a period of employment 쑗 As a result
nose /nəυz/ noun the extreme forward of the accident, the instructor was given
end of the aircraft three months’ notice. 왍 the student
nose cone

nose cone /nəυz kəυn/ noun the pilot is grounded until further notice
foremost part of the nose of a multi- the student pilot cannot fly again until
engine aircraft which may house elec- told by those in authority that he or she
tronic equipment, but not an engine can continue 쐽 verb to observe 쑗 While
noticeable 158
doing the pre-flight checks, Captain extinguisher should be pointed at the
Smith noticed that there was a leak of base of the fire.
hydraulic fluid from one of the brake nucleus

nucleus / njukliəs/ noun the central

cylinders. part around which other parts are
grouped 쑗 An atom consists of a nucleus
noticeable

noticeable /nəυtsəb(ə)l/ adjective

catching the attention, easily noticed 왍 a with orbiting electrons. 쑗 Condensation
noticeable increase an increase which occurs on very small particles sus-
is important enough to be observed 쑗 pended in the air which are known as
There was a noticeable improvement in condensation nuclei. (NOTE: The plural
the trainee’s recent exam results. form is nuclei.)
null /nl/ noun an instrument reading
notice board null

notice board /nəυts bɔd/ noun a

usually wooden board in a corridor or of zero 왍 the null position the zero
classroom, etc., where information on position 쑗 Nulls are used for direction
paper can be displayed sensing because they are better defined
notification
than the maxima.
notification /nəυtfkeʃ(ə)n/
|
numerical

noun the act of informing somebody numerical /njumerk(ə)l/ adjective

|

about something 쑗 Notification of the referring to numbers or digits

new procedures will follow in a few
numerical value

numerical value /njumerk(ə)l

|

days. 쑗 She received notification that vlju/ noun a number

she had been accepted for the job. numerous

numerous /njum(ə)rəs/ adjective

notify

notify /nəυtfa/ verb to inform 쑗 Stu- very many, a lot 쑗 Large transport air-
dents were notified of their exam results craft have numerous clearly-marked
by post. 쑗 The authorities must be noti- exits to facilitate rapid evacuation of
fied of all in-flight incidents. passengers. 쑗 Numerous refinements to
nozzle

nozzle /nɒz(ə)l/ noun a projecting the simple actuator will be found in use.
nut

part with an opening at the end of a nut /nt/ noun a metal ring which
pipe, for regulating and directing a flow screws on a bolt to hold it tight 쑗 Turn
of fluid 쑗 The nozzle of a portable fire the nut anticlockwise to loosen it.
 O
OAT abbreviation 1. operational air
OAT observe

observe /əb z%v/ verb to watch care-

|

traffic 2. outside air temperature fully 쑗 Local wave action can be

obey /əbe/ verb 1. to carry out or
obey

|
observed from a height of 200 feet. 쑗
comply with a command 쑗 Pilots must Wing deflection can be observed from
obey landing instructions. 2. to follow a the passenger cabin.
physical law 쑗 Winds obey Buys Ballot’s observer /əbz%və/ noun a person
observer

Law. working in a meteorological station

OBI abbreviation omni-bearing indica- who assesses weather conditions by vis-
OBI

tor ual means 쑗 Meteorological visibility is

object /ɒbdȢekt/ noun 1. something
object
the greatest horizontal distance at
that you can touch and see and that has which objects can be seen and recog-
a particular form and dimensions 쑗 Any nised by an observer on the ground with
given object will collect more ice when normal eyesight and under conditions
travelling at high speed than at low of normal daylight illumination.
speed. 2. intention or aim 쑗 The object obstacle / ɒbstək(ə)l/ noun some-
obstacle

of the briefing is to inform all aircrew of thing which blocks a path or prevents
the new procedures. 쐽 verb /əb dȢekt/
| progress 쑗 Low frequency transmissions
to raise or voice opposition 쑗 Staff can penetrate obstacles such as moun-
objected to the introduction of longer tains. 쑗 Knowing the heights of obsta-
working hours. cles en route, it must be ensured that in
oblong /ɒblɒŋ/ adjective rectangular
oblong

the event of an emergency, the flight

쑗 an oblong piece of aluminium 쐽 noun may be continued in safety.
a rectangle obstacle clearance /ɒbstək(ə)l
obstacle clearance

OBS abbreviation omni-bearing selec- klərəns/ noun the fact of being at a

OBS

tor sufficient height to be able to fly over

obscure /əbskjυə/ adjective not
obscure

|
any obstacles in the area
clearly understood 왍 the explanation
obstruct

obstruct /əbstrkt/ verb to block a

|

was obscure the explanation was diffi- path or to prevent the progress of some-
cult to understand because it wasn’t thing 쑗 Bags and luggage must not
clear 쐽 verb to make difficult to see 쑗 obstruct the aisles. 쑗 A safety valve is
Deposits of ice crystals on the wind- normally provided, in case the water
screen will obscure vision. separator assembly becomes obstructed
obscured /əbskjυəd/ adjective 왍
obscured

|
by ice.
sky obscured a meteorological term to obstruction /əbstrkʃən/ noun 1.
obstruction

mean that fog or mist prevents sight of the act or process of obstructing 쑗 The
the sky glidepath antenna cannot be placed
observation /ɒbzəveʃ(ə)n/ noun
observation

| close to the centre line of the runway

careful watching 쑗 The type of cloud is because it would cause an obstruction.
established by observation and com- 2. something which blocks a path or
parison with cloud photographs. prevents progress 쑗 Before start-up, the
obtain 160
air intakes and jet pipes must be occupy /ɒkjυpa/ verb 1. to have a
occupy

inspected, to ensure that they are free position, to be in a place 쑗 The passen-
from any debris or obstruction. ger is occupying the wrong seat. 2. to
‘…taxiways and aerodrome obstructions busy oneself 쑗 Once an evacuation
may be hidden by snow, so ask if you are process is under way the crew will be
not certain’ [Civil Aviation Authority, fully occupied carrying out emergency
General Aviation Safety Sense Leaflet] drills.
occur /ək%/ verb to happen 쑗 Heavy
occur

obtain /əbten/ verb to acquire, to get

obtain

| |

쑗 Telephone the meteorological office in rains occur during the monsoon season.
order to obtain the latest weather fore- 쑗 Tropical revolving storms generally
cast. 쑗 The probes are positioned in the occur from June to October. 쑗 An acci-
gas stream in order to obtain an accu- dent occurred on June 12th.
rate temperature reading. occurrence /əkrəns/ noun a hap-
occurrence

obvious /ɒbviəs/ adjective clear and pening or event 쑗 There were a number
obvious

easily seen or understood 쑗 It is obvious of occurrences of hijacking in the eight-

that high ground will disturb the smooth ies. 쑗 The occurrence of the equatorial
horizontal flow of air. jet stream is due to a temperature gradi-
occasion /əkeȢ(ə)n/ noun the time
occasion

|
ent with colder air to the south.
ocean /əυʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the body of
ocean

at which an event or happening occurs 쑗

In recent months the aircraft suffered salt water which covers the earth (NOTE:
two engine failures, on the first occa- This is a chiefly American usage: Brit-
sion the aircraft force-landed safely. 쑗 ish English prefers the word sea.) 2.
The maiden flight of an aircraft is a any of the major sea areas of the world
great occasion. 왍 on occasions some- 쑗 the Atlantic Ocean
times COMMENT: The five oceans are: the
occasional /əkeȢ(ə)n(ə)l/ adjec-
occasional

|
Atlantic, the Pacific, the Indian, the
tive happening from time to time 왍 Arctic and the Antarctic (or Southern).
occasional rain periodic rain 왍 occa- oceanic / əυʃink/ adjective refer-
oceanic

sional turbulence turbulence happen- ring to the oceans 쑗 The trade winds
ing from time to time maintain their direction over the oce-
occluded front /əkludd frnt/
occluded front

|
anic areas, especially the Pacific, more
noun a weather front created when air is than over land areas. 왍 an oceanic
forced upward from the Earth’s surface, crossing a flight across sea or ocean
as when a cold front overtakes and octa /ɒktə/ noun same as okta
octa

undercuts a warm front 쑗 Jet streams octane rating /ɒkten retŋ/ noun
octane rating

are very rare near occluded fronts the ability of the fuel to resist detona-
because of the much smaller tempera- tion, i.e. the higher the number, the
ture gradient across the fronts. greater is the fuel’s resistance to detona-
occlusion /əkluȢ(ə)n/ noun the
occlusion

| tion
forcing of air upward from the Earth’s odd /ɒd/ adjective 1. strange, peculiar
odd

surface, as when a cold front overtakes 쑗 an odd situation 쑗 The fact that moist
and undercuts a warm front 쑗 If the air air is lighter than an equivalent volume
ahead of the warm front is less cold of dry air seems odd to many people. 2.
than the air behind the cold front, the 왍 odd tenth an odd decimal, e.g. 0.1,
cold front will undercut the less cold air 0.3, etc. 쑗 Frequency allocation of
and form a cold occlusion. localisers in the VHF band is 108–112
occupant /ɒkjυpənt/ noun a person
occupant

MHz at odd tenths e.g. 108.1 and 109.3,

who has a seat in an aircraft 왍 occu- the even decimals being allocated to
pants the crew plus passengers 쑗 In- VOR facilities. 3. indicating a number a
flight emergency procedures are little greater than the approximate
designed to successfully combat air- number given 왍 it is 60-odd miles to
borne emergencies which threaten the our destination it is a little more than
safety of the aircraft and its occupants. 60 miles to our destination
 161 opaque
odd number /ɒd nmbə/ noun a
odd number
oktas’, and a sky which is completely
number which cannot be exactly covered with clouds is ‘eight oktas’ or
divided by two, e.g. 1, 3, 5, 7, etc. 쑗 A ‘eight eighths’.
oleo /əυliəυ/ noun a telescopic strut
oleo

(battery) cell contains an odd number

of plates. in the undercarriage which absorbs
OEM /əυ i em/ abbreviation original
OEM
impact loads on landing 쑗 A safety
equipment manufacturer switch is fitted in such a way to the oleo,
offer /ɒfə/ noun something, e.g. a sum
offer
that when the oleo is compressed on the
of money, that is presented for accept- ground, the ‘undercarriage up’ selec-
ance or rejection 쑗 He made an offer of tion cannot be operated. Full form
$85,000 for the aircraft. 쐽 verb 1. to oleo-pneumatic
OM abbreviation outer market
OM

show readiness to do something 쑗 He

omit /əυmt/ verb to leave out, not to
omit

offered to pick up the tickets in advance. |

2. to present for acceptance or rejection include 쑗 High charts show only infor-
쑗 The company offered her a job and mation relevant to high altitude flights
she accepted it. 3. to provide 쑗 The bat- and many beacons/aids which are pro-
tery offers a short term power capabil- vided for low operations are omitted to
ity. keep the chart clear. (NOTE: omitting –
official /əfʃ(ə)l/ adjective referring
official

|
omitted)
omni-bearing indicator /ɒmni
omni-bearing indicator

to an authority, such as the government

or a recognised organisation 왍 an offi- beərŋ ndketə/ noun a cockpit
cial weather report a weather report instrument that displays VOR informa-
produced by a meteorological station 쐽 tion and is used for radio navigation.
noun a person employed by a govern- Abbreviation OBI
ment authority or a corporation 쑗 An omni-bearing selector /ɒmni
omni-bearing selector

official of the civil aviation department beərŋ slektə/ noun a knob on an

|

will be visiting today. omni-bearing indicator which the

offshore /ɒfʃɔ/ adjective at a dis-
offshore
pilot turns to select a radial from a VOR
tance from the shore station. Abbreviation OBS
omnirange /ɒmnirendȢ/ noun a
omnirange

offshore wind /ɒfʃɔ wnd/ noun a

offshore wind

wind which blows from the coast very-high-frequency radio navigation

towards the sea. Compare onshore network that allows pilots to choose and
wind fly on any bearing relative to a transmit-
ohm /əυm/ noun a unit of measure-
ohm
ter on the ground
one-in-sixty rule /wn n sksti
one-in-sixty rule

ment of electrical resistance. 쒁 ampere

rul/ noun in navigation, every 1° of
COMMENT: Ohm’s Law states that the
current in a circuit is directly track error, and every 60 nautical miles
proportional to the voltage causing it flown, results in the aircraft being 1 nm
and inversely proportional to the off track
resistance of the circuit. onshore /ɒnʃɔ/ adjective towards
onshore

oil /ɔl/ noun a thick mineral liquid

oil
the coast
onshore wind /ɒnʃɔ wnd/ noun a
onshore wind

used as a fuel or to make mechanical

parts move smoothly wind which blows from the sea towards
oil pan /ɔl pn/ noun US same as
oil pan
the coast. Compare offshore wind
opacity /əυpsti/ noun the state of
opacity

sump |

okta /ɒktə/, octa noun a unit of visi-

okta
not allowing light to pass through 쑗
ble sky equal to one eighth of total area Sometimes, it is possible to estimate the
visible to the horizon 쑗 The amount of depth and opacity of the layer of mist or
cloud cover is given in oktas. fog from the ground observations.
opaque / əυpek / adjective not allow-
opaque

COMMENT: To measure cloud cover,

|

the sky is divided into imaginary ing light to penetrate or pass through 쑗
sections, each covering one eighth of Rime ice is an opaque, white, granular
the total. A cloudless sky is ‘zero ice which forms on leading edges.
opening 162
opening

opening /əυp(ə)nŋ/ noun 1. a space traffic control facilities were not opera-
which acts as a passage through which tional at the time of the accident. 왍 the
something or somebody can go 쑗 an operational life of the aircraft the
inlet valve opening 2. a formal start of expected working life of an aircraft 2.
operation 쑗 the opening of the new fly- ready for use, referring to an aircraft in
ing school 3. a vacancy for a job 쑗 a suitable condition to fly 왍 an opera-
There’s an opening for a new chief tional aircraft an aircraft that can be
ground instructor. used for its assigned purpose
operational air traffic

operational air traffic

open-skies

open-skies /əυpən skaz/ adjective

referring to a policy of allowing aircraft /ɒpəreʃ(ə)nəl eə trfk/ noun
belonging to any country to fly over an flights operating in accordance with
area, without restrictions on surveil- military air traffic service procedures.
lance of military installations Abbreviation OAT
operate

operate / ɒpəret/ verb 1. to control

operations department

operations department /ɒpə |

the working of 쑗 The control column reʃ(ə)nz dpɑtmənt/ noun the part
|

operates the ailerons and elevators. 쑗 of an airline or airport organisation

The flaps are operated by a switch. 2. to which deals with flight operations
use or manage 쑗 The airline operates a operative

fleet of Boeing aircraft. 3. to perform or operative /ɒp(ə)rətv/ adjective

function 쑗 Jet transports operate at functioning or working 쑗 The system is
high altitudes. 4. to perform a surgical now operative after the recent mainte-
procedure, by cutting into the body 쑗 nance.
operator

The surgeon operated on the patient. operator /ɒpəretə/ noun a person

operating jack

operating jack /ɒpəretŋ dȢk/ who operates or uses equipment 쑗 A

noun a device which converts rotary ring graticule around the edge of the
motion into linear or reciprocating cathode ray tube enables the operator
motion in order to move heavy control to read the bearing directly.
oppose

surfaces oppose /əpəυz/ verb 1. to work

|

operating weight /ɒpəretŋ wet/

operating weight
against 쑗 In level flight, the force of lift
noun the total mass of aircraft ready for opposes the force of gravity. 2. to reject,
flight but excluding fuel and payload 쑗 be in conflict with or try to prevent 쑗
The type of undercarriage fitted to an The local people oppose the building of
aircraft is governed by the operating the new runway. 3. 왍 as opposed to in
weight. contrast with 쑗 over sea as opposed to
over land
operation /ɒpəreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the
operation

|
opposite

process of making something work 쑗 opposite /ɒpəzt/ adjective 1. situ-

The operation of the ignition system in ated or placed directly across from
a light aircraft is quite simple. 2. 왍 something, facing 왍 opposite sides of a
long-haul operations flying over long- building the back and front of a build-
distance routes 3. an effect 왍 to come ing 2. completely different, the reverse
into operation to come into effect 쑗 쑗 For every action there is an equal and
The new procedures come into opera- opposite reaction. 쐽 noun something
tion on 1st January. 4. a surgical proce- completely different, the reverse 쑗 The
dure 쑗 The doctor performed an opera- opposite of a katabatic wind is an ana-
tion. 5. a procedure such as addition or batic wind. 쑗 The opposite of starboard
subtraction is port. 앳 going in opposite direc-
‘…periodically check the carburettor tions 1. moving away from each other
heating system and controls for proper 2. moving towards each other
condition and operation’ [Civil Aviation opposition

opposition /ɒpəzʃ(ə)n/ noun 왍 in

|

Authority, General Aviation Safety Sense opposition against 쑗 Drag acts in oppo-
Leaflet] sition to thrust. 쑗 The electromotive
operational

operational /ɒpəreʃ(ə)nəl/ adjec-

| force that is produced by all motors is in
tive 1. working or functioning 쑗 Air opposition to supply voltage and is
 163 originate
directly proportional to motor rpm (rev- to put in a sequence 쑗 Order the items in
olutions per minute). importance from 1 to 10.
optimum /ɒptməm/ adjective refer- organisation /ɔDZənazeʃ(ə)n/,
optimum organisation

ring to the point at which the condition organization noun 1. an association of

or amount of something is the best 쑗 people working together for the same
The optimum altitude for jet aircraft is cause 쑗 The World Meteorological
higher than that for piston engine air- Organization 쑗 The International Civil
craft. 쐽 noun the point at which the con- Aviation Organization 2. the act of
dition or amount of something is the putting things into a structured and sys-
best 쑗 Generally speaking, engine out- tematic form 쑗 The organisation of
put is at its optimum at cruising speed. training materials for the new self-
option /ɒpʃən/ noun a choice or
option
access learning centre is under way. 3.
alternative 쑗 On a bad approach, the planning 쑗 Captain Scott is responsible
pilot of a powered aircraft always has for the organisation of examinations.
organise /ɔDZənaz/, organize verb
organise

the option of going around. 쑗 He was

given the option of buying two aircraft 1. to arrange into a system 쑗 Organise
instead of one. your notes so that you can find things
orbit /ɔbt/ noun the path of a planet,
orbit
easily. 2. to plan 쑗 The trip was well
or of a satellite. as it moves around organised and everybody enjoyed them-
another celestial body. 쑗 A year is the selves.
time taken for the Earth to complete one orientate /ɔriəntet/ verb to locate
orientate

orbit round the sun. 왍 to put into orbit, in relation to the compass 쑗 The first
to send into orbit to launch something step in map reading is to orientate the
into space so that it revolves around a chart by relating the direction of land
celestial body such as the sun 쐽 verb to features to their representation on the
revolve around 쑗 The Earth orbits the chart.
sun. (NOTE: orbiting – orbited) orientation /ɔriənteʃ(ə)n/ noun a
orientation

order /ɔdə/ noun 1. an instruction

order

position in relation to the compass 쑗

given as a command by somebody in The horizontal situation indicator (HSI)
authority 쑗 The captain gave the order presents a selectable, dynamic colour
to evacuate the aircraft. 2. the sequence display of flight progress and plan view
of occurrence 쑗 The firing order of orientation.
sparking plugs in a piston engine is 1, 3, orifice /ɒrfs/ noun an opening,
orifice

4, 2. 왍 alphabetical order arrangement mouth or vent 쑗 The liquid expands and

in which words beginning with letter A builds up a pressure differential across
come first, followed by those beginning an orifice which leads to the expansion
with letter B, then C, etc. 왍 numerical chamber.
order arrangement in which the lowest
origin /ɒrdȢn/ noun 1. a source, the
origin

numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) come first and

higher numbers (25, 26, 27, etc.) come place where something starts 쑗 An air
later 3. a condition or state 쑗 Although mass takes on the characteristics of its
the aircraft is old, it is in good working place of origin. 2. the base from which
order. 왍 out of order not working 쑗 The a map projection is drawn 쑗 The value
telephone is out or order. 4. 왍 in the of convergence used is correct at the
order of approximately 쑗 VOR (very parallel of origin.
original /ərdȢən(ə)l/ adjective
original

high frequency omni-directional radio |

range) beacons of 200 watts have a before all others, the first 쑗 The atmos-
range in the order of 200 nm (nautical phere is said to be stable if, when a par-
miles). 왍 in order to so as to 쑗 Indicated cel of air is displaced vertically, it tends
airspeed must be corrected in order to to return to its original level.
originate /ərdȢnet/ verb to be cre-
originate

obtain true airspeed. 쐽 verb 1. to give a |

command 쑗 Before impact, the captain ated or to come into being 쑗 Tropical
will order the crew to secure themselves revolving storms originate within 5–15°
at their assigned emergency stations. 2. of the equator. 쑗 Aircraft fires after an
orographic 164
emergency landing, often originate in from the beacon along the airway and
the wing area. inbound to the facility at the other end
orographic /ɒrəDZrfk / adjective
orographic

|
of the leg. 왍 outbound traffic aircraft
referring to mountains 왍 orographic flying away from an airfield
uplift the lifting of air masses in contact outbreak /aυtbrek/ noun a sudden
outbreak

with mountain regions start 쑗 Showers are local outbreaks of

orographic cloud /ɒrəυDZrfk
orographic cloud

precipitation from detached cumulus or

klaυd/ noun a cloud formed by air cumulonimbus. 쑗 Hand operated fire
being forced upward over mountainous extinguishers are provided to combat
areas any outbreaks of fire in the flight crew
orthomorphic
orthomorphic

/ ɔθəυmɔfk/
|
compartment and passengers cabins.
outer /aυtə/ adjective 1. external 쑗
outer

adjective of the correct shape 쑗 An

orthomorphic chart is one which has Pneumatic de-icer boots are made from
meridians and parallels which intersect vulcanised rubber fabric with an outer
at right angles and, at any point on the covering of neoprene. 2. positioned
chart, the scale must be the same in all away from the centre 쑗 Winds near anti-
directions. cyclones are normally light near the
orthomorphism
orthomorphism

/ɔθəυ
|
centre, but tend to be stronger towards
mɔfz(ə)m/ noun a shape representa- the outer edges. 3. 왍 outer wing the part
tion on a map 쑗 Orthomorphism means of the wing nearest the tip
that bearings may be measured cor- outer marker /aυtə mɑkə/ noun
outer marker

rectly at any point on a chart. an ILS marker beacon, usually on cen-

oscillate /ɒslet/ verb 1. to move
oscillate
tre line of approach at about 4.5 nm
regularly between extremes 2. to from the runway threshold
increase or decrease regularly so as to outflow /aυtfləυ/ noun flow in an
outflow

produce oscillations 쑗 Instability pro- outward direction 쑗 The outflow valve is

tection is incorporated to guard against controlled by the cabin pressure con-
oscillating outputs from the alternators. troller.
oscillation /ɒsleʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a
oscillation

outgoing /aυtDZəυŋ/ adjective going

outgoing
|
|

regular movement between extremes 쑗 out 쑗 There is a fall of temperature until

Ridge waves can be thought of as oscil- about one hour after dawn when incom-
lations about the stable state of the ing solar radiation balances outgoing
undisturbed air flow with the range of terrestrial radiation. Opposite incom-
hills providing the disturbance. 2. a reg- ing
ular increase and decrease of electrical
outlet /aυtlət/ noun a passage for exit
outlet

current 쑗 The supply is subject to oscil-

or escape 쑗 The air leaves the compres-
lation.
sor outlet and passes through a matrix
oscillator /ɒsletə/ noun an elec-
oscillator

assembly of the secondary heat

tronic circuit that produces a pulse or a exchanger. 쑗 When the controlling
signal at a particular frequency 쑗 The super-charger outlet pressure is
local oscillator replicates the radio fre- reached, the capsule is compressed suf-
quency of the frequency generator at ficiently to open its bleed valve.
the transmitter.
outline /aυtlan/ noun 1. a line
outline

out /aυt/ adverb 왍 out of away from,

out

around the shape of something 쑗 Warn-

no longer in ing labels have a solid red outline. 2. a
outboard /aυtbɔd/ adverb in a
outboard

shape 쑗 At low level, features are most

direction away from the centre of an air- easily recognised from their outline in
craft 쐽 adjective situated away from the elevation. 쑗 Cumulus cloud has
main body of an aircraft and towards detached domes or towers which are
the wing tips generally dense and have sharp out-
outbound /aυtbaυnd/ adjective, lines. 쐽 verb to explain simply and
outbound

adverb towards a destination away from briefly 쑗 The changes in conditions out-
a VOR 쑗 The aircraft flies outbound lined in the next paragraph.
 165 overload
out-of-balance
out-of-balance turn

turn / aυt əv come by breathing through a mask. 쑗

bləns t%n/ noun a turn in which the Drag must be overcome with thrust in
aircraft ‘skids’ upwards and outwards order for an aircraft to increase speed.
from the turn or ‘slips’ inwards and overflew /əυvəflu/ 쏡 overfly
overflew

downward 쑗 During an out-of-balance overflight /əυvəflat/ noun the flight

overflight

turn, the ball in the slip indicator will be of an aircraft over an area
deflected to the left or right.
overfly /əυvəfla/ verb to fly over an
overfly

out of trim /aυt əv trm/ adjective

out of trim

area (NOTE: overflew – overflown)

referring to a situation in which the air-
overhang /əυvəhŋ/ noun 1. the
overhang

craft is not in static balance in pitch, so

distance from the last outer strut to the
that if the pilot releases the yoke or con-
end of a monoplane’s wing 2. a distance
trol stick, the aircraft will start to climb
equivalent to half of the difference in
or descend
the spans of the two wings of a biplane
output /aυtpυt/ noun the product of a
output

overhaul verb /əυvəhɔl/ to take

overhaul

process 쑗 Air density will affect the out-

|

apart and examine carefully in order to

put of the engine. 쑗 The function of the
repair and clean, etc. 쑗 To overhaul the
supercharger is to increase the power
system will take a couple of days. 쐽
output. 쑗 The power output of an engine
noun /əυvəhɔl/ the act of taking apart
depends on the weight of mixture which
in order to repair and clean 쑗 Other than
can be burnt in the cylinders in a given the oil pump and the generator rotor,
time. there are no other moving parts in the
outrigger /aυtrDZə / noun a projec-
outrigger

system to wear or which require peri-

tion attached to an aircraft to stabilise it odic overhaul.
or to support something overhead /əυvəhed/ adjective 1.
overhead

outward /aυtwəd/ adjective moving

outward

vertically above the point where a

away from the centre or starting point 쑗 course is measured or timed 쑗 The air-
The piston draws fluid into the cylinders craft started from overhead A at 1000
on the outward stroke and expels fluid hours on a heading of 230°T. 2. above
into the system on the inward stroke. 쒁 the level of people’s heads 쑗 Overhead
bound baggage lockers must be secured imme-
outwards /aυtwədz/ adverb away
outwards

diately prior to take-off. 쐽 adverb above

from the centre or starting point, one’s head 쑗 She noticed a plane flying
towards the outside 쑗 The door opens overhead.
outwards. (NOTE: The US English is overheat /əυvəhit/ verb to get too
overheat

outward.) hot 쑗 An acceleration/deceleration con-

overall /əυvər ɔl/ adjective includ-
overall

| trol is fitted to prevent the turbine

ing everything 쑗 The total aerodynamic assembly from overheating during
losses result in an overall turbine effi- acceleration, and to prevent flame-out
ciency of 92%. 쑗 Although the student during deceleration.
failed in one of the five exams, her over- overlap noun /əυvəlp/ part of one
overlap

all result was a pass. 쐽 adverb generally thing covering something else 쐽 verb
쑗 Overall, the test flight was a success. /əυvəlp/ to have an area or range in
|

쐽 noun /əυvərɔl / a one-piece item of common with something else, or to

protective clothing 쑗 The engineer was cover part of something else 쑗 The maps
wearing an overall to prevent his overlap each other at the edges by three
clothes from getting dirty. centimetres. (NOTE: overlapping –
overalls /əυvərɔlz/ plural noun pro-
overalls

overlapped)
tective trousers with a bib and straps overload noun /əυvələυd/ an exces-
overload

over the shoulders 쑗 Wear overalls to sive amount of work or electricity 쑗

protect your clothes. Resettable circuit protective devices
overcome / əυvəkm/ verb to beat,
overcome

| should be designed so that when an

to conquer, to win against 쑗 The effects overload or circuit fault exists, they will
of anoxia at high altitudes can be over- open the circuit. 쐽 verb /əυvələυd/ 1.
|
overload operations 166
to load a device or system, such as an owing to

owing to /əυŋ tu/ preposition

electrical circuit, with too much work; because of 쑗 Integral tanks are now
to demand more than a system is capa- favoured for aircraft owing to the very
ble of 쑗 Operating pressure is main- high utilisation of space and saving of
tained in that part of the system which weight. 쑗 Owing to the aerodrome being
leads to the selector valves, and some unserviceable, the landing was made at
method is used to prevent overloading another aerodrome some distance
the pumps. 2. to load too heavily 쑗 The away.
aircraft failed to gain height after take- oxidation

off because it was overloaded. oxidation /ɒksdeʃ(ə)n/ noun the

|

overload operations /əυvələυd

overload operations
combination of a substance with oxy-
ɒpəreʃ(ə)nz / noun operation of air- gen, with loss of electrons 쑗 When alu-
craft in unusual situations when take- minium surfaces are exposed to the
off weight exceeds the permitted maxi- atmosphere, a thin invisible oxide skin
mum forms immediately that protects the
override /əυvərad/ verb to take
override

|
metal from further oxidation.
oxide

over control of the operation of an auto- oxide /ɒksad/ noun a compound of

matic device or system 쑗 A circuit-pro- an element with oxygen 쑗 When alu-
tective device must not be of a type minium surfaces are exposed to the
which can be overridden manually. atmosphere, a thin invisible oxide skin
(NOTE: overriding – overrode – over- forms immediately that protects the
ridden) metal from further oxidation.
overrun /əυvərn/ noun a cleared
overrun
oxidise

oxidise /ɒksdaz/, oxidize verb to

level area at the end of a runway, avail- form an oxide by the reaction of oxygen
able in case a plane does not stop with another chemical substance 쑗 Over
quickly enough a period of time, the metal is oxidised by
overshoot /əυvəʃut/ verb to fly
overshoot

|
contact with air.
past a target 쑗 The pilot tried to land but oxygen

the aircraft overshot the runway. (NOTE: oxygen /ɒksdȢən/ noun a colour-
overshooting – overshot) less, odourless gas, which is essential to
overspeed verb /əυvə spid/ to go
overspeed

|
human life, constituting 21% by volume
too fast 쑗 A fault in the constant speed of the Earth’s atmosphere 쑗 Our bodies
drive unit causes the generator to over- can get oxygen through the lungs. 쑗 At
speed. 쐽 noun /əυvəspid/ a speed that very high altitudes the flying pilot must
is too fast 쑗 Overspeed is usually a fault be on oxygen at all times, unless an air-
in the constant speed drive unit which craft dispensation has been obtained.
causes the generator to overspeed. (NOTE: The atomic number of oxygen is
overspeeding /əυvəspidŋ/ noun
overspeeding

|
8.)
ozone

the act of going too fast 쑗 Overspeeding ozone /əυzəυn/ noun a poisonous
of the engine is prevented by a governor form of oxygen found naturally in the
in the fuel system. atmosphere which is toxic to humans at
overstress /əυvəstres/ verb to sub-
overstress

| concentrations above 0.1 parts per mil-

ject to too much force 쑗 It takes less g lion 쑗 The maximum concentration of
force to overstress a heavy aircraft than ozone is between 20 and 25 km above
a light one. the Earth’s surface. Symbol O3
 P
PA abbreviation public address
PA

panels. 2. a board with switches, dials,

Pacific Standard Time /pəsfk
Pacific Standard Time

|
control knobs, etc. 쑗 The pilot is trained
stndəd tam/ noun the time zone of to scan an instrument panel.
the west coast area of the USA and Can-
panic

panic /pnk/ noun a sudden over-

ada, 8 hours behind Greenwich Mean powering fear or terror 쑗 In order to
Time prevent mass panic amongst passengers
pack /pk/ noun 1. a detachable sys-
pack
in an emergency situation, crew may
tem 쑗 Circuit packs consist of basic have to use force.
decision-making elements, referred to PAPI

PAPI abbreviation precision approach

as logic gates, each performing combi- path indicator
national operations. 쑗 A power pack PAR

system is one in which most of the major PAR abbreviation precision approach
components, with the exception of the radar
parachute

actuators and, in some systems, the parachute /prəʃut/ noun a device

pumps, are included in a self-contained used to slow down free fall from an air-
unit. 2. a small package containing a set craft, consisting of a light piece of fab-
number of items 쑗 The survival pack ric attached by cords to a harness and
includes heliographs, sea marker dyes, worn or stored folded until used in
day/night distress flares and parachute descent
flares. parachute flare

parachute flare /prəʃut fleə/

pad /pd/ noun same as helipad
pad

noun a distress signal, suspended from

pair /peə/ noun two matched items,
pair

a parachute to allow more time for the

similar in appearance and function 쑗 A flare to be seen, which is fired to a
brake control valve usually contains height of 1200 ft
four elements, one pair for the brakes parachutist

parachutist /prəʃutst/ noun a

on each side of the aircraft, to provide person who returns to the ground from
duplicated control. an aircraft using a parachute
pancake /pnkek/ (informal ) noun
pancake
parallel

parallel /prəlel/ adjective 1. side by

same as pancake landing 쐽 verb to side and having the same distance
make a pancake landing, or cause an between them at every point 쑗 As one
aircraft to make a pancake landing aircraft flew round to attempt another
pancake landing /pnkek
pancake landing

landing, a Boeing 757 was taking off on

lndŋ/ noun a landing in which an the parallel runway. 쑗 The runway is
aircraft drops suddenly straight to the parallel to the main road. 2. 왍 in paral-
ground from a low altitude, usually lel arranged so as to join at common
because of engine failure points at each end 쑗 When batteries are
panel /pn(ə)l/ noun 1. a flat, often
panel

connected in parallel, voltage remains

rectangular piece of the skin of the air- constant but capacity increase. 쐽 noun a
craft 쑗 Access to the engine compart- line which is parallel to another 왍 par-
ment is normally via hinged cowling allels of latitude imaginary lines of
parameter 168
constant latitude around the Earth’s sur- pass 2. a successful result in an exam 쐽
face verb 1. to move 쑗 Tropical storms dissi-
parameter /pərmtə/ noun a set of
parameter

|
pate as they pass from sea to land. 쑗 The
measurable values such as temperature air leaves the compressor outlet and
which define a system and determine its passes through a matrix assembly. 2. 왍
behaviour 쑗 Parameters required by the to pass information to give informa-
crew to set and monitor engine thrust tion 왍 pass your message an instruction
are permanently displayed on the to a pilot to give information via radio
screen. to an air traffic control facility 3. 왍 to
parasite drag /prəsat drDZ/
parasite drag
pass an exam to be successful in an
noun a component of total lift, caused exam 4. 왍 to pass a book to someone to
by friction between the airflow and the pick up and give a book to somebody
structure of the aircraft 쑗 Parasite drag nearby 5. 왍 to pass another aircraft to
increases as speed increases. move past another aircraft
passage

parcel /pɑs(ə)l/ noun a small pack-

parcel

passage / psdȢ/ noun 1. move-

age 왍 parcel of air small body of air 쑗 ment over, along, or through something
When a parcel of air is heated, its vol- 쑗 The passage of air over a turbine is
ume increases and its density decreases used to power a small emergency gen-
thus there is a fall in pressure. erator. 쑗 The passage of a trough is
park /pɑk/ verb to leave a vehicle
park
marked by a sharp veer in the wind. 2. a
such as a car or an aircraft in a particular channel through which something can
place when no one is using it 쑗 Park pass 쑗 Liquid cooling is achieved by cir-
beside the Cessna 150. culating a liquid around the cylinder
parking brake /pɑkŋ brek/ noun
parking brake
barrels, through a passage formed by a
a brake that is set, often by hand, when jacket on the outside. 3. part of a book
the aircraft is stationary for a period of or speech, etc. 쑗 a passage from a train-
time 쑗 Make certain that the parking ing manual
passenger

brake is on before doing engine run-up passenger /psndȢə / noun a per-

checks. 쑗 Light aircraft should be left son who travels in an aircraft, car, train,
with parking brakes off so that they can etc., and has no part in the operation of
be moved quickly in the event of a fire in it 쑗 The Piper Archer has seating for a
the hangar. pilot and three passengers.
partial /pɑʃ(ə)l/ adjective in part, not
partial
passenger aircraft

passenger aircraft /psndȢə

fully 왍 partial closing of an undercar- eəkrɑft/ noun an aircraft specially
riage door not full closing of the doors designed for carrying people
왍 partial filter blockage incomplete passive

blockage of a filter passive /psv/ adjective receiving

an action but taking no action 쑗 In pri-
particle /pɑtk(ə)l/ noun a very
particle

mary radar systems, the target is pas-

small piece or part 쑗 Solid particles in
sive. 왍 passive state referring to a sys-
the atmosphere include sand, dust, vol-
canic ash and atmospheric pollution. 쑗 tem or device which may be switched
Hailstones start as ice particles in the on or ‘live’ but not reacting to any input.
upper part of a cumulonimbus cloud. Opposite active
pass-mark

particular /pətkjυlə/ adjective spe-

particular

|
pass-mark /pɑs mɑk/ noun the
cial, given, distinct, not general 쑗 a par- mark which separates those who fail
ticular time 쑗 a particular speed 쑗 The and those who pass an examination
size and number of valves required for a
passport control

passport control /pɑspɔt kən |

particular type of aircraft is governed trəυl/ noun 1. the action of checking

by the amount of air necessary for pres- passports of people arriving in or leav-
surisation and air conditioning. ing a country 쑗 We now have to go
pass /pɑs/ noun 1. a badge or docu- through passport control. 2. the place
pass

ment which allows one to enter a where passports are checked when peo-
restricted or prohibited area 쑗 a security ple arrive in or leave a country 쑗 At
 169 period
passport control, a customs official penalty

penalty /pen(ə)lti/ noun 1. an

checks passports. unwanted result of an action 쑗 The pen-
patch /ptʃ/ noun a small area 쑗 a alty of using a circular polarisation
patch

patch of fog 쑗 a patch of cloud 쑗 Patches transmission may be some loss of defi-
of early morning fog made identifica- nition. 2. a punishment or fine 쑗 Fuel
tion of ground features difficult. penalties can be incurred if fuel surplus
path /pɑθ/ noun a route or course
path
to requirements is carried.
penetrant

along which something moves 쑗 Pro- penetrant /penətrənt/ noun some-

jection of the path of the aircraft over thing which forces or gets entry into an
the ground is called its track. area or substance 쑗 Penetrant dye
pattern /pt(ə)n/ noun a form or
pattern
inspection is a non-destructive test used
method which shows particular, con- mainly for the detection of defects open
sistent characteristics 왍 pressure pat- to the surface. 쑗 Penetrant oil can be
tern changes in pressure areas which used to loosen rusty bolts, etc.
take place regularly, e.g. every year
penetrate

penetrate /pentret/ verb to force a

pavement /pevmənt/ noun a pre-
pavement
way into 쑗 Cool air from the Atlantic
pared concrete or tarmac surface for can sometimes penetrate far into
ground manoeuvring of aircraft, includ- Europe. 쑗 Occasionally, thunder cloud
ing taxiways and runways (NOTE: The will penetrate through the tropopause.
penetration

bearing strengths of pavements penetration /pentreʃ(ə)n/ noun

|

intended for aircraft of 5,700 kg MTWA the act of forcing a way into or through
(maximum total weight authorised) or 쑗 Long-range radars are little affected
less are reported as the maximum by weather interference and have good
allowable weight and maximum allowa- cloud penetration characteristics.
ble tyre pressure.) per

per /p%, pə/ preposition for each, for

pavement classification
pavement classification number

every 쑗 feet per minute (fpm) 쑗 gallons

number /pevmənt klsf |
per hour (gph)
keʃ(ə)n nmbə/ noun a number per cent /pə sent / noun the number
per cent

expressing the bearing strength of a out of each hundred 왍 fifty per cent
pavement for unrestricted operations. (50%) half or ½ or 50 out of 100 왍
Abbreviation PCN twenty-five per cent (25%) one quar-
PAX abbreviation passengers
PAX

ter or ¼ or 25 out of 100

payload /peləυd/ noun the money-
payload
percentage

percentage /pəsentdȢ/ noun 1. a

|

earning load carried by the aircraft fraction with 100 as the understood
including the passengers, baggage and denominator 쑗 Volumetric efficiency is
freight 쑗 The shape of an aircraft is usually expressed as a percentage. 2.
determined by the requirement to pro- part of the total 쑗 Only a small percent-
vide an aerodynamic lift force great age of passengers take in the pre-depar-
enough to support the weight of the air- ture safety briefing.
craft and payload whilst in flight. perform

perform / pəfɔm/ verb to do 쑗 Cir-

|

PCN abbreviation pavement classifica-

PCN

cuit breakers perform the same function

tion number as a fuse. 쑗 The pilot performed a loop
PDC abbreviation pre-departure clear-
PDC

to conclude his flying display.

ance performance

performance /pəfɔməns/ noun the

|

peak /pik/ noun the highest point 쑗

peak

ability of a system such as an aircraft or

The intensity of solar radiation reaches an engine to function as required 쑗 The
a peak around noon. 왍 peak value max- performance of the turbojet engine is
imum value measured in thrust produced at the pro-
PED abbreviation portable electronic pelling nozzle or nozzles.
PED

device period

period /pəriəd/ noun a length of

pedal /ped(ə)l/ noun a foot-operated
pedal

time 쑗 a 24 hour period 쑗 a period of 3

lever minutes
periodic 170
periodic / pəriɒdk/ adjective hap-
periodic

| sisted with her request until it was

pening from time to time or at regular granted.
intervals, occasional 왍 periodic main- persistence / pəsstəns/ noun 1. the
persistence

tenance maintenance made at a partic- fact of continuing to exist and not disap-
ular time interval 쑗 Periodic calibration pearing 쑗 The persistence and move-
of ILS (instrument landing system) ment of cols is governed by the move-
installations is recommended. ment of the adjacent pressure systems.
peritrack /peritrk/ noun same as
peritrack

2. the act of continuing to do something

taxiway and not giving up 쑗 He managed to
permanent /p%mənənt/ adjective
permanent
overcome his difficulties through per-
lasting or remaining without change 왍 sistence and hard work.
personnel /p%sənel/ noun a body
personnel

permanent deformation damage to a |

structure which must be repaired by of people involved in a common pur-

replacing the damaged part 왍 perma- pose such as work 쑗 Smoke masks are
nent magnet a metal component which available for use by personnel within
always has a magnetic influence. Oppo- the aircraft.
site temporary PFCU abbreviation power flying con-
PFCU

permissible /pəmsb(ə)l/ adjective

permissible

|
trol unit
allowable, not prohibited 쑗 Great care PFD abbreviation primary flight dis-
PFD

must be taken to ensure that the aircraft play

operates within regulated or permissi- phase /fez/ noun 1. a stage or part 쑗
phase

ble weight limits. An emergency situation may occur dur-

permission /pə mʃ(ə)n/ noun con- ing any phase of the flight. 2. the rela-
permission

sent or authorisation 쑗 A passenger who tionship between voltage and current 쑗

is drunk can be refused permission to The CSDU (constant speed drive unit)
board the aircraft. drive shaft turns the permanent magnet
permit noun /p%mt/ a document or
permit
generator and single phase AC (alter-
pass that is proof of official permission nating current) is induced in the wind-
to do or have something 쑗 You need a ing on the stator.
phase angle /fez ŋDZ(ə)l/ noun
phase angle

permit to enter the restricted area. 쐽

verb /pəmt/ to allow 쑗 When oxygen
| the difference between two periodic
mask are pulled down to the usable phenomena expressed as an angle
position, valves are opened which per- phase
phase difference

difference /fez
mit oxygen to flow. 쑗 Information df(ə)rəns/ noun a measure of phase
passed to the operations department angle from any VOR radial related to
will be sufficient to permit the flight to that on bearing 360°
be planned. phenomenon /fənɒmnən/ noun an
phenomenon

Permit to Fly /p%mt tə fla/ noun

Permit to Fly

occurrence or circumstance which can

a certificate issued by the Civil Aviation be perceived by the senses 쑗 Metal
Authority in the UK for aircraft which fatigue is not a modern phenomenon. 쑗
do not qualify for a Certificate of Air- Of all meteorological phenomena,
worthiness thunderstorms present the greatest haz-
perpendicular /p%pəndkjυlə/
perpendicular

|
ard to aviation. (NOTE: The plural form
adjective at right angles or 90° to a base is phenomena.)
or a line 쑗 The vertical grid lines are photographic film /fəυtəDZrfk
photographic film

perpendicular to the horizontal ones. 쑗 flm/ noun a celluloid material usually

The air is acted upon by a force perpen- contained in a small metal cylindrical
dicular to the isobars in the direction of casing for use in cameras
low pressure. physical /fzk(ə)l/ adjective 1.
physical

persist /pəsst/ verb 1. to continue to referring to matter and energy or the

persist

exist 쑗 Snow cover tends to persist on sciences dealing with them, especially
north-facing slopes of mountains. 2. to physics 쑗 Oxygen and nitrogen together
continue without giving up 쑗 She per- constitute 99% of the atmosphere and
 171 pitch trim
obey the physical laws as any other gas. pipeline

pipeline /paplan/ noun a long hol-

2. referring to the human body 쑗 In low cylinder or tube to convey a fluid
some aircraft operating for long peri- such as oil or natural gas 쑗 The incom-
ods at high altitudes, physical discom- pressibility of liquids enables force to
fort may arise from low relative humid- be transmitted long distances through
ity. 왍 physical fitness the state of health pipelines.
of the body piston

PIC
piston /pstən/ noun a solid cylinder
PIC abbreviation pilot in command that fits into a larger cylinder and moves
under fluid pressure, as in petrol and
piece

piece /pis/ noun a bit, portion or part

쑗 The upper and lower skin panel of diesel engines or compresses fluids, as
each wing can be made in one piece. in pumps and compressors
(NOTE: Piece is often used to show one piston engine

piston engine /pstən endȢn/

item of something which has no plural: noun a petrol or diesel engine in which
a piece of equipment; a piece of infor- pistons are moved by combustion of
mation.) 왍 piece of equipment an item fuel, this reciprocating movement pro-
of equipment 쑗 Early rescue depends on ducing rotating movement
rapid location of survivors and the sur- piston ring

vival beacon is the most important piston ring / pstən rŋ/ noun one of
piece of equipment in this regard. the metal rings which seals the space
pilot between the piston and the cylinder wall
pilot /palət/ noun 1. a person who 쑗 There should be a loose fit between
operates an aircraft in flight 2. the part the cylinder and the piston, the differ-
of a system or device that leads the ence being taken up by the piston rings.
whole 쐽 verb to operate or guide 쑗 to pitch

pilot an aircraft pitch /ptʃ/ noun 1. a nose up/down

movement of the aircraft about its lat-
COMMENT: A pilot holding a private or eral axis 쑗 If the control column is
commercial pilot’s licence may log as moved forward or aft, the pitch attitude
pilot-in-command time only the flight
time during which he or she is the only of the aircraft changes. 2. the distance a
operator of the aircraft’s flying propeller would advance in one rotation
controls. if there was no slip 왍 fine pitch setting
pilot in command and coarse pitch setting angular pro-
pilot in command /palət n kə |
peller-blade settings 쑗 Variable pitch
mɑnd/ noun the pilot who has respon- propellers were originally produced
sibility for the operation and safety of with two blade-angle settings – fine
the aircraft during flight time. Abbrevi- pitch to enable full engine speed to be
ation PIC used on take off and coarse pitch to
Pilot’s Operating Handbook

Pilot’s Operating Handbook allow an economical engine speed to be

/paləts ɒpəretŋ hndbυk/ noun a used for cruising. 쐽 verb to move about
book giving details of an aircraft with the lateral axis 쑗 Move the yoke fore and
recommendations and instructions aft to pitch down and up.
regarding its use. Abbreviation POH pitch angle

pitch angle /ptʃ nDZ(ə)l/ noun the

pin

pin /pn/ noun a short, usually cylindri- angle between the blade element chord
cal metal rod line and the plane of rotation of the pro-
pinpoint

pinpoint /pnpɔnt/ noun a visual peller

pitch lock

observation of the precise position of an pitch lock /ptʃ lɒk/ noun a means of
aircraft 쑗 The pinpoint is a very positive holding the fine pitch stop in a pre-
means of establishing position, as long scribed position (NOTE: Some manufac-
as the feature is properly identified. 쐽 turers use the term to describe a device
verb to draw attention to 쑗 to pinpoint a which locks the blades at whatever
problem angle they are at if there is a failure of
pipe

pipe /pap/ noun a hollow cylinder or the pitch change mechanism.)

pitch trim

tube to convey a fluid 쑗 a delivery pipe pitch trim /ptʃ trm/ noun the trim
쑗 an exhaust pipe of the aircraft in the lateral axis so that
pitot head 172
there are no forward/aft forces on the meaning 2 is considered bad usage by
control stick or yoke some. The word aircraft is preferred in
pitot head /pitəυ hed/ noun an
pitot head
that case.)
externally mounted device which planning /plnŋ/ noun making
planning

senses and sends airspeed information plans 쑗 The instructor gave a talk on
to the airspeed indicator in the cockpit flight planning.
pitot-static system
pitot-static system

/pitəυ plan position indicator /pln pə

plan position indicator

sttk sstəm/ noun a pressure sys- zʃ(ə)n ndketə/ noun the normal
tem for the airspeed indicator, altimeter type of display for a radar signal, which
and vertical speed indicator resembles a map with the radar site at
pitot tube /pitəυ tjub/, Pitot tube
pitot tube
the centre
noun an open-ended tube used to meas- plant /plɑnt/ noun large and usually
plant

ure the speed of flow of a fluid 쑗 device heavy equipment or tools used for doing
to sense pitot pressure created by the something
movement of air over the aircraft plate /plet/ noun a smooth, flat rigid
plate

pivot /pvət/ noun a short rod on

pivot

object with the same thickness all over

which another part rotates 쐽 verb to turn 쑗 The basic construction of a lead-acid
on a point 쑗 The rocker arm pivots on a cell consists of a positive electrode and
bearing and opens the valve. negative electrode, each of which is
place /ples/ noun 1. a space or area 쑗 made up of lead-antimony alloy grid
place

Greenwich is a place on the 0° merid- plates.

ian. 2. a position 쑗 decimal place 3. 왍 in play

play /ple/ noun a slightly loose fitting

place of instead of 왍 to take place to of engineering parts which allows them
happen 쑗 The explosion took place just to move freely 쑗 Some play should be
before the aircraft landed. 쐽 verb to put felt in the aileron actuator rod linkage.
쑗 Place the chart on the seat next to you. 쐽 verb 왍 to play a part to be part of a
쑗 Rotate the grid to place the wind whole which has an effect on something
direction under true. 쑗 Contrast and colour play a part in
plain /plen/ adjective without pattern identifying coastlines.
plain

or marking or writing 왍 a plain sheet of plot /plɒt/ noun a graph or diagram

plot

paper a sheet of paper with nothing on that shows a relationship between two
it sets of numbers as a series of points
plan /pln/ noun 1. a drawing or dia- joined by a line 쑗 a plot of applied stress
plan

gram of a place viewed from above 쑗 and resulting strain 쐽 verb to calculate
The horizontal situation indicator and mark a line on a graph or chart, etc.
presents a selectable dynamic colour 왍 to plot a course to calculate and draw
display of flight progress and plan view the desired route of an aircraft on a
orientation. 2. a scheme or programme chart
worked out in advance of putting some- plug /plDZ/ noun 1. a device for mak-
plug

thing into operation 쐽 verb to organise a ing an electrical connection 쑗 Alternat-

scheme or programme 쑗 Jeppesen ing current ground power can be fitted
charts are used to plan and fly a safe to an aircraft via a six-pin ground
route to a destination. power plug. 왍 a 3-pin plug an electrical
plane /plen/ noun 1. an imaginary supply plug with three electrodes: live,
plane

surface containing all the straight lines neutral and earth 2. a device for igniting
that connect any two points on it 쑗 The fuel in an engine 쑗 An electric spark
planes of parallels of latitude are paral- from an igniter plug starts combustion.
lel to the plane of the equator. 쑗 The 쑗 The fuel/air mixture is ignited by a
pitch angle is the angle between the spark plug. 3. a device to prevent liquid
blade element chord line and the plane flowing out of a container 쑗 oil drain
of rotation of the propeller. 2. an aero- plug 쒁 spark plug 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to plug a
plane (NOTE: Because of possible con- hole to fill a hole so that fluid cannot
fusion with meaning 1, plane as in escape 2. 왍 to plug something in to
 173 polarity
make an electrical connection, often by the aircraft is aligned with the runway
inserting the plug on an electrical centre line.
device such as a computer into an elec- point of no return /pɔnt əv nəυ r
point of no return

trical supply socket t%n/ noun a place on the route where

plunger /plndȢə / noun a machine
plunger

the aircraft does not have enough fuel to

part that operates with a thrusting or return to the starting place 쑗 The point
plunging movement, e.g. a piston 쑗 A of no return is calculated before depar-
flow indicator valve comprises a body, ture to cover the chance that both the
a spring-loaded plunger connected to terminal airfield and its alternate
an actuator arm, and a micro-switch. become unavailable during flight.
plus /pls/ preposition increased,
plus
Abbreviation PNR
added to 쑗 At the selected decision polar /pəυlə/ adjective 1. located in or
polar

height plus 50 feet, an aural alert chime coming from the region around the
sounds. 쑗 Four plus four equals eight (4 north or south pole 쑗 polar air 쑗 a polar
+ 4 = 8). region 쑗 The greatest horizontal gradi-
PMS /pi em es/ abbreviation per-
PMS
ents of mean temperatures of a layer are
formance management system found at the boundaries between cold
pneumatic /njumtk/ adjective
pneumatic

|
polar and warm tropical air masses. 2.
operating by means of air under pres- referring to the pole or poles of an elec-
sure or compressed air 쑗 High-pressure trical device or of a magnet 쑗 Bar mag-
pneumatic systems are generally fitted nets attract each other because of polar
on the older types of piston-engine air- differences.
polar diameter /pəυlə damtə /
polar diameter

craft to operate the landing gear, wing |

flaps, wheel brakes. noun the distance from one pole, pass-
pneumatically
pneumatically

/njumtkli/
|
ing through the centre of the Earth, to
adverb by using air under pressure or the other pole 쑗 The Earth’s polar
compressed air 쑗 Clamshell doors are diameter is shorter than its average
hydraulically or pneumatically opened. equatorial diameter.
polar ice cap /pəυlə as kp/
polar ice cap

PNR abbreviation point of no return

PNR

noun the permanent area of ice at north

POB abbreviation persons on board
POB

or south pole
pocket /pɒkt/ noun same as air
pocket

polarisation /pəυlərazeʃ(ə)n/,
polarisation

pocket polarization noun 1. a characteristic of

pod /pɒd/ noun a streamlined casing
pod

light or radio or other electromagnetic

or housing 쑗 The engine bay or pod is waves in which the waves are aligned in
usually cooled by atmospheric air. one direction and show different prop-
POH abbreviation Pilot’s Operating erties in different directions 쑗 The
POH

Handbook antenna must have the same effective

point /pɔnt/ noun 1. a particular fig-
point
length and the same polarisation as the
ure on a scale 쑗 The melting point of ice transmitter. 2. partial or complete polar
is 0°C (Celsius). 2. a particular place 왍 separation of positive and negative elec-
a point on a map a particular place on tric charge
polarise /pəυləraz/, polarize verb
polarise

a map 3. the sharp end of something 쑗 a

pencil point 쐽 verb 1. to direct towards 1. to align in one plane 쑗 The frequency
쑗 Point the aircraft towards the airfield. allocation for VOR (very high fre-
2. to indicate direction, often with a fin- quency omni-directional radio range) is
ger 쑗 point to the east 3. 왍 to point out 108–117.975 MHz (megahertz) and
to draw attention to 쑗 The instructor transmissions are horizontally polar-
pointed out the dangers of not keeping a ised. 2. to separate positive and negative
good lookout. electric charges
pointer /pɔntə/ noun an indicating polarity /pəυlrti/ noun the direc-
pointer polarity

device on an instrument, e.g. a needle 쑗 tion of flow of flux or current in an

The pointer centralises to indicate that object 쑗 During discharge, when the
pole 174
polarity of the supply changes, the particle in the upper portion of a cumu-
stored energy is returned to the supply. lus cloud.
왍 polarity test a test to see which termi- position

position /pəzʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a place

|

nal is positive and which is negative or location where something is 쑗 The

pole /pəυl/ noun 1. the north or south
pole

Greenwich or prime meridian and the

point of the Earth’s axis 쑗 A meridian is equator are the axes of the system
a line joining pole to pole. 2. a terminal, called latitude and longitude which is
e.g. of a battery 쑗 negative pole 쑗 posi- used for expressing position on the
tive pole 3. a long, rounded piece of Earth. 2. the setting of a control, etc. 쑗
wood or metal 쑗 a flag pole the neutral position 3. 왍 in a sitting
pollution /pəluʃ(ə)n/ noun the pres-
pollution

| position seated 쐽 verb to place some-

ence of unusually high concentrations thing in a special location 쑗 The mag-
of harmful substances in the environ- netic compass is positioned away from
ment magnetic sources.
pontoon /pɒntun/ noun same as
pontoon
position line

|
position line /pəzʃ(ə)n lan / noun
|

float a line along which an aircraft is known

poor /pɔ/ adjective bad
poor

쑗 poor to be at a particular time, usually by tak-

weather conditions 쑗 poor visibility 쑗 ing a VOR bearing. Also called line of
Air is a poor conductor. position, navigational line
poppet valve /pɒpt vlv / noun an
poppet valve
position report

position report /pəzʃ(ə)n rpɔt/| |

intake or exhaust valve of a piston noun a report over a known location as

engine, operated by springs and cams transmitted by an aircraft to an air traf-
porous /pɔrəs/ adjective referring to
porous

fic control station

substances which allow fluid to pass positive

through them 쑗 The de-icing fluid

positive /pɒztv/ adjective 1. defi-
nite, without doubt 쑗 The pinpoint is a
passes through a porous plastic sheet.
very positive means of establishing air-
port /pɔt/ noun 1. an entrance which
port

craft position. 2. referring to a number

is opened periodically 쑗 inlet port 쑗 As greater than zero 쑗 Oil is ducted to the
a piston in the pump moves outwards front of the pitch change piston and the
into its cylinder, it covers the inlet port blades move to a positive angle. 3.
and forces fluid out of the top of the cyl- referring to the + symbol 왍 positive ter-
inder. 2. the left-hand side of an aircraft minal the terminal of a battery marked
when facing forwards when inside the +
aircraft 쑗 Unless an aircraft is flying in positive idling speed

the same or exactly opposite direction positive idling speed /pɒztv

to the wind, it will experience either ad(ə)lŋ spid/ noun idling speed
port or starboard drift. Opposite star- selected with the throttle to ensure that
board the engine runs correctly without spark
portable /pɔtəb(ə)l/ adjective capa-
portable
plug fouling 쑗 An adjustable stop on the
ble of being carried in the hands 쑗 a throttle control ensures a positive idling
portable fire extinguisher 쑗 The aneroid speed.
possibility

barometer is a more portable device possibility /pɒsblti/ noun a

|

than a mercury barometer. chance occurrence 쑗 Anti-braking sys-

portable
portable electronic device

electronic device tems are designed to prevent the wheels

/pɔtəb(ə)l lektrɒnk dvas/ noun |
from locking during landing thus reduc-
a piece of electronic equipment such as ing the possibility of wheel skid.
a mobile phone or laptop which is small
possible

possible /pɒsb(ə)l/ adjective capa-

enough to be carried onboard an air- ble of happening 쑗 If possible, control
craft, and which may cause problems surfaces should be moved by hand. 쑗
with the aircraft’s systems during flight. There will be a possible delay. 쑗 Fire in
Abbreviation PED a toilet could present difficulties due to
portion /pɔʃ(ə)n/ noun a part or sec-
portion

the confined space and possible smoke

tion 쑗 A hailstone starts as a small ice accumulation.
 175 precaution
potential PPI

potential /pətenʃəl/ adjective capa-

| PPI abbreviation plan position indica-
ble of being, but not yet in existence 쑗 A tor
designated fire zone is a region where a PPL

PPL abbreviation Private Pilot’s

potential fire risk may exist. 왍 potential Licence
danger possible future danger 쐽 noun PPR

voltage 쑗 Precipitation static develops PPR abbreviation prior permission

due to friction between the aircraft sur- required
face and precipitation causing the air-
PR

PR abbreviation public relations

craft to become charged to a high practicable

practicable /prktkəb(ə)l/ adjec-

potential. tive capable of being put into practice or
pound

pound /paυnd/ noun a unit of weight effect 쑗 Some military aircraft use brak-
equal to 16 ounces or 453.592 grams. ing parachutes but this is not practica-
Abbreviation lb ble on civil aircraft.
powder

powder /paυdə/ noun a substance practical

practical /prktk(ə)l/ adjective

made of ground or otherwise finely dis- referring to practice or action rather
persed solid particles 쑗 Dry chemical than theory 쑗 For practical purposes,
fire-extinguishers contain a non-toxic any straight line drawn on a Lambert’s
powder. conformal projection represents a great
circle.
power

power /paυə/ noun energy or force

practice

practice /prkts/ noun 1. habitual

power-assisted

power-assisted /paυə əsstd/ |

adjective 왍 power-assisted controls or customary behaviour 쑗 It is common

controls which require less human practice for pilots to take turns to sleep
effort to move on long-haul flights. 2. a performance
power dive

power dive /paυə dav/ noun a steep or operation 왍 in practice when actu-
dive made by an aircraft with its engines ally done, in reality 쑗 Frequency modu-
at high power to increase the speed lation (FM) in theory has a limitless
powered number of sidebands, but in practice
powered /paυəd/ adjective driven by only the first eight pairs are significant.
something such as a type of energy or 쐽 verb US same as practise
motor 쑗 system powered by electricity
‘…if the aircraft has been standing
power line /paυə lan/ noun a thick
power line

overnight or longer, check the drains for

cable, supported by pylons, which car- water. This should, of course, be normal
ries electricity for long distances practice’ [Civil Aviation Authority,
powerplant

powerplant /paυəplɑnt/ noun an General Aviation Safety Sense Leaflet]

engine used to move a vehicle or air- practise

practise /prkts/ verb to do some-

craft 쑗 Additional strength is required thing repeatedly in order to improve 쑗
for the powerplant attachment point. In order to improve flying skills, a
(NOTE: The word also written power trainee pilot must practise regularly.
plant.) (NOTE: This word is also written prac-
‘…by replacing the Rotax engine with a tice in US English.)
four-stroke Jabiru powerplant, the aircraft pre-

pre- /pri/ prefix before

designers claim the aircraft will be pre-arrange

provided with more power and increased pre-arrange /pri ərenȢ/ verb to
|

all-round performance’ [Flight decide or to plan in advance, to prede-

International 16–22 July 1997] termine 쑗 Selective calling uses the
power supply

power supply /paυə səpla/ noun

|
four-letter code pre-arranged with the
an electrical circuit that provides partic- controlling authorities.
precaution

ular direct current voltage and current precaution /prkɔʃ(ə)n/ noun an

|

levels from an alternating current action taken to prevent or avoid a dan-

source for use in other electrical circuits gerous situation or failure 쑗 Personnel
쑗 If the power supply from the amplifier concerned with fuelling should take
to the gauge fails, the needle slowly every precaution to prevent outbreaks
falls to zero. of fire.
precede 176
precision area navigation / pr
precede precision area navigation

precede /prsid/ verb to take place | |

or to come before something else 쑗 A sȢ(ə)n eəriə nvDZeʃ(ə)n/ noun a |

period of calm often precedes a storm. 쑗 standard of performance for navigation

When the RVR (runway visual range) is that requires an aircraft to remain
greater than the maximum value which within 1 nautical mile of the centreline
can be assessed, the group will be pre- of its course for 95% of the time.
ceded by the letter indicator P followed Abbreviation PRNAV
by the highest value which can be pre-departure /pri dpɑtʃə/
pre-departure

assessed. adjective taking place before a depar-

precedence

precedence /presd(ə)ns / noun the ture 쑗 Only a few passengers absorb the
quality of being more important or pre-departure safety information.
pre-departure clearance /pri d
pre-departure clearance

urgent than something else 왍 to take |

precedence over to have priority over, pɑtʃə klərəns/ noun a message that
to be more important than 쑗 Emergency the pilot must receive from air traffic
landings take precedence over all oth- control before the plane is allowed to
ers. take off
predetermine /prid t%mn/ verb
predetermine
preceding

preceding /prsidŋ/ adjective tak- |

|

ing place or coming before something to decide and set or fix beforehand
predetermined /pridt%mnd/
predetermined

else 왍 as mentioned in the preceding |

paragraph as written in the paragraph adjective decided and set beforehand 쑗

before the one being read When the roll control knob is returned
precipitation

precipitation /prspteʃ(ə)n/

to the central position, the aircraft rolls
out on to a predetermined heading.
| |

noun water falling as rain, drizzle, hail,

predict /prdkt/ verb to foretell or to
predict

sleet and snow from the atmosphere |

onto the surface of the Earth 쑗 Cloud say beforehand 쑗 Rain is predicted
droplets are small and light at first, but within the next hour. 쑗 Dead reckoning
when the droplets grow and become position is the position of the aircraft as
heavier, they fall as precipitation. 쑗 Pre- predicted by calculation.
predictable /prdktəb(ə)l/ adjec-
predictable

cipitation is classified as light, moder- |

ate or heavy according to its rate of fall. tive 1. reliably regular and therefore
precise

precise /prsas/ adjective exact or |

foreseeable 쑗 Only the high frequency
accurate 쑗 A pinpoint is an indication of band has predictable, reliable sky wave
the precise position of the aircraft. 쑗 A propagation by day and by night. 2.
precise interval is essential to obtain capable of being foreseen, expected or
correct ignition timing on all cylinders anticipated 왍 the accident was predict-
during engine running. able it was possible to know that the
precision
accident would happen before it hap-
precision /prsȢ(ə)n/ noun exact- |
pened
ness or accuracy 쑗 Precision flying is prediction /pr dkʃən/ noun the act
prediction

only achieved by constant practice. 왍 of saying what will happen in the future
with precision with exactness 쑗 The map display combines current
precision approach path indicator

precision approach path indica- ground speed and lateral acceleration

tor /prsȢ(ə)n əprəυtʃ pɑθ | | into a prediction of the path over the
ndketə/ noun a set of lights that ground to be followed over the next 30,
enables pilots to judge whether their 60 and 90 seconds.
glide slope is correct on the final predominance
predominance

/prdɒmnəns/ |

approach to landing noun greatest importance or influence 쑗

precision approach radar

precision approach radar /pr |

The predominance of a cold northerly
sȢ(ə)n ə prəυtʃ redɑ/ noun a |
airstream during the winter months.
ground-based primary radar system to predominant /prdɒmnənt/ adjec-
predominant

give vertical and lateral information tive most important or influential, more
about an aircraft’s final approach path. powerful than others 쑗 The ocean sur-
Abbreviation PAR face usually consists of a predominant
 177 present
swell three or four feet high and 500 to the spark 쑗 Pre-ignition is often caused
1,000 feet between crests. by a hot spot in the combustion cham-
predominate /prdɒmnet/ verb to
predominate

|
ber which ignites the mixture.
have greater number or importance, or preparation /prepəreʃ(ə)n/ noun
preparation

to be more powerful than others 쑗 A a state of readiness or act of making

cold northerly airstream predominates something ready for use beforehand 쑗
during the winter months. Normal aircraft preparation are actions
prefer /prf%/ verb to like more, to
prefer

| and precautions taken by the cabin crew

favour 쑗 Of the two basic types of fuel on every flight to ready the aircraft for
pump, where lower pressures are any abnormal or emergency situation
required at the burners, the gear-type which may occur during any phase of
pump is preferred because of its light- the flight.
ness. (NOTE: preferring – preferred) prepare /prpeə/ verb 1. to make
prepare

preferable /pref(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adjective ready beforehand for a particular pur-

preferable

better than, more desirable 쑗 Three pose, as for an event or occasion 쑗 The
position lines are preferable to two. 쑗 If instructor prepared the students for the
there is a choice between two courses of exams. 왍 prepare for take-off to get
action, the safest is the most preferable. ready for take-off 2. to make by putting
preference /pref(ə)rəns/ noun 왍 in
preference
various elements or ingredients
preference to by choice, rather than 쑗 together 쑗 Regional area forecasting
For some applications, e.g. landing centres use information about upper
gear and flaps, hydraulic systems are wind speeds and temperatures to pre-
used in preference to mechanical or pare specific forecasts and significant
electrical systems. weather charts.
prescribe /prskrab/ verb to set
prescribe

prefix /prifks/ noun part of a word

prefix

added at the beginning of a word to alter down as a rule or a guide 왍 prescribed

the meaning 쑗 Pre- is a prefix meaning procedures a set or fixed pattern of
‘before’. (NOTE: The plural form is pre- doing something 쑗 A means of holding
fixes.) the fine pitch stop in a prescribed posi-
COMMENT: The prefixes for cloud
tion is also called ‘pitch lock’.
pre-select /prislekt/ verb to select
pre-select

types are: alto- medium level cloud |

(6,500 feet to 23,000 feet); cirro- high or to choose in advance

cloud (16,500 feet and above); nimbo-
pre-selected /prislektd/ adjec-
pre-selected

any height, but rain-bearing as for |

example nimbostratus: rain carrying, tive selected or chosen in advance 쑗 The

low-level cloud; strato- low cloud (up CSU (constant speed unit) maintains
to 6,500 feet). the pre-selected propeller speed.
presence

pre-flight /pri flat/ adjective tak-

pre-flight

presence /prez(ə)ns/ noun exist-

ing place before a flight 왍 pre-flight ence 쑗 The presence of cloud by day
briefing a short instructional talk decreases the value of the maximum
before a flight 왍 pre-flight checks temperatures. 쑗 A fuel sample hazy or
checks made on the aircraft structure cloudy in appearance would indicate
and systems before taking off 쑗 During the presence of water.
pre-flight checks, control surfaces present /prez(ə)nt/ adjective 1. in
present

should be moved by hand to ascertain place, existing 쑗 Fuel, oxygen and heat
that they have full and free movement. 쐽 must all be present for fire to exist. 2.
noun the set of procedures and checks the period in time through which we are
that pilots and ground crew must carry now living, between the past and the
out before an aircraft takes off 쐽 verb to future 왍 at the present time at this
inspect an aircraft before it takes off to time, now 왍 present day aircraft mod-
ensure that it is airworthy ern aircraft 왍 present weather the
pre-ignition /priDZnʃ(ə)n/ noun weather at the moment of speaking 쐽
pre-ignition

the ignition of the fuel/air mixture in the verb /przent/ 1. to create or to make 쑗
|

combustion chamber, occurring before A fire in a toilet could present difficul-

presentation 178
ties. 쑗 Learning to fly presents a chal- pressure gauge / preʃə DZedȢ/
pressure gauge

lenge. 왍 to present an opportunity to noun an instrument for measuring pres-

create or to give an opportunity 2. to sure
give a prize or award 쑗 Charter passen- pressure relay /preʃə rile/ noun
pressure relay

gers on Concorde were presented with a a component which transmits fluid

certificate as a souvenir of their flight. pressure to a direct reading pressure
presentation /prez(ə)nteʃ(ə)n/
presentation

| gauge, or to a pressure transmitter

noun showing, a display 쑗 The most which electrically indicates pressure on
widely acceptable presentation of flight an instrument on the hydraulic panel
fuel data is in a tabular form. pressurisation
pressurisation

/preʃəra |

presently /prez(ə)ntli/ adverb 1.

presently

zeʃ(ə)n/, pressurization noun the act

soon 쑗 I’ll be there presently. 2. US of increasing the air pressure inside a
now, at the present time 왍 he’s pres- space, e.g. an aircraft cabin, so that it
ently in France at the present time, he feels normal for the occupants when the
is in France 왍 a number of methods outside air pressure decreases
are presently in use a number of meth- pressurise /preʃəraz/, pressurize
pressurise

ods are currently in use verb to increase the pressure of 쑗 When

preset /priset/ verb to set in
preset

| air pressure is used to transfer fuel, it

advance 쑗 Radios allow the user to pre- will be necessary to pressurise the fuel
set a number of different frequencies. tanks.
(NOTE: presetting – preset) 쐽 adjective prevail /prvel/ verb to be most com-
prevail

set in advance mon or frequent 쑗 Hot dry conditions

press /pres/ verb to push or exert pres- prevail in the Middle East in summer-
press

sure on 쑗 press to test/talk (PTT) button time. 왍 the prevailing wind is from the
쑗 Press the button. south-west the wind blows from the
pressure /preʃə/ noun force applied
pressure
south west more often than from any
uniformly over a surface, measured as other direction
prevent /prvent/ verb to stop from
prevent

force per unit of area 왍 fuel pressure |

pressure exerted by fuel as it is pumped happening 쑗 Heated air provides suffi-

from the tanks to the engine 왍 pressure cient heat in the outer skin to melt ice
switch a switch which is activated when already formed and prevent any further
a preset pressure is attained 쑗 On some ice formation.
engines a fuel differential pressure previous /priviəs/ adjective coming
previous

switch fitted to the fuel filter senses the before, earlier 왍 the previous chapter
pressure difference across the filter ele- the chapter before the one being read or
ment. 쒁 absolute pressure referred to 왍 previous reports earlier
pressure altimeter /preʃə lt reports
pressure altimeter

mitə/ noun a conventional altimeter primarily /pramer(ə)li/ adverb most

primarily

which operates using atmospheric pres- often, mainly 쑗 Dry chemical fire extin-
sure guishers are primarily used for electri-
pressure
pressure altitude

altitude /preʃə cal fires.

ltitjud/ noun the altitude indicated primary /praməri/ adjective first or
primary

when the altimeter is set to 1013.2 mil- most important 왍 of primary impor-
libars 쑗 When using flight levels, the tance of greatest importance 왍 primary
altimeter should be set to 1013.2 mb to coil an induction coil
give the pressure altitude. primary flight display noun same
primary flight display

COMMENT : Pressure altitude is used in as primary flight instruments

determining density altitude, true primary
primary flight instruments

flight instruments
altitude and true airspeed. /praməri flat nstrυmənts/ plural
pressure bulkhead /preʃə noun the six instruments displayed on
pressure bulkhead

blkhed/ noun a partition inside the the instrument panel immediately in

aircraft which separates pressurised front of the pilot: airspeed indicator,
from non-pressurised areas attitude indicator, altimeter, turn coor-
 179 product
dinator, heading indicator, and vertical licence for flying light aircraft. Abbre-
speed indicator 쑗 When practising viation PPL
instrument flying, the attitude indicator PRNAV abbreviation precision area
PRNAV

is the most important of the primary navigation

flight instruments.
probability /prɒbəblti/ noun like-
probability

|
primary radar

primary radar / praməri redɑ/ lihood, the chance of occurrence 쑗 The

noun a radar system which uses probability of aquaplaning increases as
reflected radio signals the depth of tyre tread decreases.
prime

prime /pram/ adjective first 왍 prime probable /prɒbəb(ə)l/ adjective

probable

importance greatest importance 쐽 verb likely, most possible 쑗 Pilot error was
to pump fuel spray into the piston the probable cause of the accident.
engine inlet manifold to make starting probe /prəυb/ noun a metal sensing
probe

from cold easier 쑗 During the summer, device 쑗 Ice is allowed to accumulate
after the first flight of the day, it is not on a probe which projects into the air-
normally necessary to prime the engine. stream.
prime number

prime number /pram nmbə/ procedural / prəsidȢərəl/ adjective

procedural

noun a number, which, if there is to be referring to procedure

no remainder, is only divisible by itself
procedural approach
procedural approach

and 1, e.g. 13, 17, 19, 23, 29 /prə |

primer sidȢərəl əprəυtʃ/ noun a specific

|

primer /pramə/ noun 1. a protective approach made often after procedure

substance which is applied to a metal or turns as part of timed, accurately flown
wood surface before painting 쑗 Interior flight pattern to prepare for a landing at
metal finishing is done with dust shed- a particular aerodrome 쑗 It is important
ding gloss-paint over a primer. 2. a that the integrity of an aid used to con-
small hand-operated pump, operated duct procedural approaches is high.
from the cockpit, to spray fuel into the
procedure / prəsidȢə/ noun 1. a
procedure

piston engine inlet manifold to make |

starting from cold easier series of actions taken to achieve some-

thing 쑗 an emergency procedure 2. the
principal /prnsp(ə)l/ adjective
principal

process by which aircraft are brought

main 쑗 Four principal control modes into position for an instrument approach
can be selected on the EFIS (electronic and landing
flight instrument system) control panel.
procedure turn /prəsidȢə t%n/
procedure turn

principle /prnsp(ə)l/ noun a basic

principle

noun a turn made at 3° per second to

truth or law 쑗 Fire extinguishing is align the aircraft with the runway
based on the principle of removing one
process /prəυses/ noun a series of
process

of the three components necessary for

fire to exist – fuel, oxygen and heat. actions or changes which achieve a par-
(NOTE: Do not confuse with principal.) ticular result 쑗 adiabatic process 쑗 com-
prior bustion process 쑗 cooling process
prior /praə/ adjective earlier, previ-
produce /prədjus/ verb 1. to create
produce

ous 쑗 prior approval 쑗 prior permission |

쑗 Low altostratus clouds often produce

왍 prior to before 쑗 prior to our depar-
ture 왍 prior to take-off before take-off rain. 2. to make or to manufacture 쑗
Most light aircraft are produced in the
‘…the pilot remembered hearing the stall United States. 3. to show 쑗 The pilot
warning immediately prior to impact’ must produce her licence to the author-
[Pilot] ities within two weeks.
priority

priority / praɒrti / noun the order of

|
product /prɒdkt/ noun 1. some-
product

importance or urgency 왍 high priority thing created or made by human or nat-

important or urgent in the circum- ural methods 쑗 Carbon monoxide is a
stances 왍 low priority not important or product of the combustion process. 2. a
urgent in the circumstances number obtained by multiplying two
Private Pilot’s Licence

Private Pilot’s Licence /pravət other numbers together 쑗 The amount of

paləts las(ə)ns/ noun the basic power produced in a purely resistive
production 180
circuit is a product of voltage and cur- prohibit /prəυhbt/ verb to disallow
prohibit

rent (P = VI watts). or forbid 쑗 Smoking is prohibited in toi-

production /prədkʃən/ noun 1.
production

|
lets.
creation 쑗 The movement of air over the project noun /prɒdȢekt/ a large-
project

aerofoil is necessary for the production scale plan or scheme 쑗 a project to mod-
of lift. 2. the process of manufacturing ernise the airport 쐽 verb /prədȢekt/ 1. |

something 쑗 Production of aircraft in to protrude or jut out 쑗 Ice is allowed to

the factory came to a stop in 1974. 3. accumulate on a probe which projects
the act of showing 쑗 An authorised per- into the airstream. 2. to produce an
son may require the production of a cer- image on a screen with a film or slide
tificate of airworthiness. projector 쑗 The instructor projected a
profile /prəυfal/ noun 1. an outline
profile
diagram of the fuel system onto the
or shape of something, seen from a side screen.
view 쑗 The de-icing panels are formed projection /prədȢekʃən/ noun the
projection

to the profiles of the wing and tail unit production of an image on a surface
leading edges into which they are fitted. prolong /prəlɒŋ/ verb to increase the
prolong

2. a short description 쑗 The handbook duration or time, often unnecessarily 쑗

gives a short profile of the different air- to prolong the life of an engine 쑗 Pro-
craft types. longed idling at low rpm (revolutions
prognostic /prɒDZ nɒstk/ adjective per minute) could cause spark plug
prognostic

referring to foretelling or foreseeing fouling.

events such as the weather promulgate /prɒməlDZet/ verb to
promulgate

prognostic chart /prɒDZ nɒstk

prognostic chart

|
make known through official means 쑗
tʃɑt/ noun a chart which predicts the The range promulgated for NDBs (non-
weather for a given area 쑗 Prognostic or directional radio beacons) in the
forecast charts are prepared, by the United Kingdom is based on a daytime
central meteorological office of each protection ratio between wanted and
region, normally for periods up to 24 unwanted signals.
hours ahead. Also called forecast prone /prəυn / noun 왍 prone to likely
prone

chart to do something, or more than usually

programme /prɒdȢekt/ noun the
programme
affected by something 쑗 Wing leading
schedule of events to take place or pro- edges and engine intakes and propellers
cedures to be followed 쑗 Every part of are prone to icing.
pronounced /prənaυnst/ adjective
pronounced

the aircraft must be designed to carry |

the load imposed on it and in order to noticeable or marked 쑗 Turbulence

determine such loads a programme of caused by convection is more pro-
stress analysis is always carried out. nounced over paved surfaces than over
(NOTE: The word is also written pro- forest or grassy terrain.
gram in US English.) propagation /prɒpəDZeʃ(ə)n/ noun
propagation

progress /prəυDZres/ noun move- transmission 쑗 The speed of propaga-

progress

ment towards an end or aim 쑗 the tion of radio waves is slower over land
progress of an aircraft in flight 왍 in than sea.
progress taking place 왍 embarkation propel /prəpel/ verb to cause to move
propel

is in progress passengers are boarding 쑗 Fronts are propelled by the wind

the aircraft behind them.
progression /prəυDZreʃ(ə)n/ noun a
progression

propeller /prəpelə/ noun a rotating

propeller

| |

continuous series or sequence 쑗 The shaft with blades which, together with
instruments are checked in logical pro- the engine, moves an aircraft through
gression from left to right. the air
progressive /prəDZresv/ adjective propeller blade /prə pelə bled/
progressive propeller blade

| |

gradual, in stages 쑗 Throttle movements noun one of the elements of a propeller

should be kept to a minimum and be which generate lift when the unit is
smooth and progressive. turning
 181 provide
propeller pitch /prəpelə ptʃ/ noun propulsive /prəplsv/ adjective
propeller pitch propulsive

| |

the distance a propeller would advance pushing or driving 쑗 The propeller is a

in one rotation if there was no slip means of converting engine power into
propeller tip /prəpelə tp / noun the
propeller tip

|
a propulsive force called thrust. (NOTE:
part of the blade of a propeller furthest The verb is to propel.)
from the central hub propulsive power /prəplsv
propulsive power

propelling
propelling nozzle

nozzle /prəpelŋ |

paυə/ noun the power needed to pro-
nɒz(ə)l/ noun the extreme rear part of duce thrust
protect /prətekt/ verb to keep from
protect

the jet engine where the jet exhaust |

enters the atmosphere harm, injury or damage 쑗 Gloves are

properly /prɒpəli/ adverb correctly 쑗
properly
worn to protect the hands in the event of
When the chart is properly orientated, it a fire.
protection /prətekʃən/ noun the act
protection

is easier to compare distance between |

landmarks. 쑗 The pinpoint is a very pos- of keeping something from harm, injury
itive means of establishing position, as or damage 왍 fire protection action or
long as the feature is properly identi- measures taken to prevent fire
fied. protective /prətektv/ adjective
protective

property /prɒpəti/ noun 1. a charac-

property

referring to something which keeps

teristic or quality 쑗 Mass is a basic something else from harm, injury or
property of matter. 쑗 One of the proper- damage 쑗 Busbars are insulated from
ties of mercury is that it is liquid at the main structure and are normally
room temperature. 2. the things that provided with some form of protective
somebody owns, possessions 왍 per- covering.
sonal property things belonging to a protrude /prətrud / verb to extend
protrude

particular person above a surface 쑗 Prominent mountains

propjet /prɒpdȢet/ noun same as tur-
propjet

frequently protrude above low-lying

boprop cloud and mist.
proportion /prəpɔʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. protrusion /prətruȢ(ə)n/ noun
proportion protrusion

| |

part of the whole compared with something which protrudes or extends

another part 쑗 Only a small proportion above a surface 쑗 When it has been nec-
of passengers absorb the pre-departure essary to physically remove a layer of
safety information. 2. 왍 in proportion snow, all protrusions and vents should
to directly related to 쑗 The force be examined for signs of damage.
required to move the control column is prove /pruv/ verb 1. to show that
prove

in proportion to the force being exerted something is true 쑗 The pilot proved
by the control surface. that she was not at fault. 2. to be found
proportional /prəpɔʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ to be, to be discovered to be (NOTE:
proportional

adjective 1. comparable 2. related 왍 proving – proved – has proved or has

(directly) proportional directly related proven) 왍 to prove useful to be discov-
쑗 The wind blows along contours with ered as useful by experience 왍 dry
low values on the left, and the speed is chemical extinguishers are used pri-
directly proportional to the contour marily for electrical fires and have
gradient. 왍 inversely proportional so also proved effective on liquid fires it
that as one thing increases and another was discovered that, although these
decreases by the same amount 쑗 Tem- extinguishers were designed for electri-
perature is inversely proportional to cal fires, they were good at putting out
altitude. 쑗 The magnitude of the pres- liquid fires such as petrol fires
sure gradient force is inversely propor- provide /prəvad/ verb to supply or
provide

tional to the distance apart from the iso- to give 쑗 Radio altimeters provide a
bars. continuous indication of height above
propulsion /prəplʃən/ noun an act
propulsion

| the surface immediately below the air-

or instance of pushing or driving for- craft up to a maximum of 5,000 feet. 쑗
wards (NOTE: The verb is to propel.) Flight crews are frequently provided
provision 182
with a full meteorological briefing. 쑗 publish

publish / pblʃ/ verb to prepare and

Each tank is provided with a shut off issue a book, magazine, chart, etc., and
valve. 쑗 When aquaplaning, a tyre is not sell or distribute it to the public 쑗 All
capable of providing directional control known air navigation obstructions in
or effective braking. 왍 provided that on the UK are published in the Air Pilot.
condition that, if 쑗 The flight will take pull out

off on schedule provided that the pull out /pυl aυt/ verb to stop a dive
weather improves. in an aircraft and return to level flight
pullout

provision /prəvȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. pro-

provision

|
pullout /pυlaυt/ noun a manoeuvre
viding something, or what is provided 쑗 in which an aircraft changes from a dive
The provision of fresh air is important to level flight
pulse

for passengers’ comfort. 쑗 Catering pulse /pls/ noun a single vibration of

companies are responsible for the pro- electric current
vision of food. 쑗 There is a generator for pulse modulation

pulse modulation /pls

the provision of emergency power. 쑗 mɒdjuleʃ(ə)n/ noun the use of a
The oil tank has provision for filling and series of short pulses, which are modi-
draining. 2. a legal statement which fied by an input signal, to carry infor-
provides for something such as particu- mation
lar circumstances pump

proximity /prɒksmti / noun near-

proximity
pump /pmp / noun a device with
rotary or reciprocating action which is
|

ness in space or time 쑗 The two aircraft

were in close proximity. used to move fluids along pipes or for
compressing fluids 쐽 verb to move or
psychological stress
psychological stress

compress a fluid by means of a pump 쑗

/sakəlɒdȢk(ə)l stres/ noun a men- Fuel is pumped from the tanks to the
tally or emotionally upsetting condition carburettor.
which affects one’s health
COMMENT: Most modern aircraft are
PTT abbreviation press to test/talk
PTT

fitted with hydraulic pumps driven from

public /pblk/ noun people in gen-
public

the engine. Other types of pumps may

eral 쐽 adjective referring to the people be found, but these are usually used to
in general power emergency systems. Pumps
can be driven directly from the engine
public address system /pblk ə
public address system

|
gearbox, by an electric motor, or by air.
dres sstəm/ noun a microphone, pure

amplifier and loudspeaker set up to pure /pjυə/ adjective not mixed with
allow one person to be heard by a group something else 쑗 Inner tubes for tyres
of people 쑗 The captain made a public are made of pure rubber. 쑗 Magnesium
address (PA) system announcement does not possess sufficient strength in
asking passengers to remain seated. its pure state for structural uses. 왍 pure
Abbreviation PA system aluminium aluminium which has not
been combined with any other metal to
publication /pblkeʃ(ə)n/ noun
publication

create an aluminium alloy

|

1. the act of making something public, purple airway

publishing 쑗 the publication of the lat- purple airway /p%p(ə)l eəwe/

est figures 2. a book, magazine, chart, noun an area of temporarily controlled
etc., which has been published 쑗 The airspace, established to provide special
book is a Civil Aviation Authority publi- protection to Royal flights in fixed-
cation. wing aircraft, in which additional rules
public relations /pblk r
public relations

|
for air traffic apply at all times and in all
leʃ(ə)nz/ noun the task of maintaining weathers
purpose

good relations with the public. Public purpose /p%pəs/ noun 1. function 쑗
relations may also involve putting The purpose of the engine is to convert
across a point of view or publicising a heat energy to mechanical energy. 2. a
product. 쑗 The arrangements for the use 쑗 For practical purposes, any
VIPs are being handled by the public straight line drawn on a Lambert’s
relations department. Abbreviation PR chart represents a great circle. 왍 gen-
 183 pyrotechnic
eral purpose for all-round or general engine (NOTE: Most modern jet passen-
use ger transport aircraft have pylon-
push-back /pυʃ bk/ noun the proc-
push-back
mounted engines.) 2. a tall metal struc-
ess of pushing a plane out from its ture built to support electricity or tele-
parked position using a special vehicle phone cables 쑗 Electricity pylons are
pushrod /pυʃrɒd/ noun a steel or
pushrod
difficult to see from the air so pilots of
aluminium rod which moves the rocker light aircraft should be particularly
arm 쑗 The camshaft operates the push- careful to note their positions.
rod. (NOTE: The pushrod is part of the
pyrotechnic

pyrotechnic /parəteknk/ adjec-

|

valve mechanism.) tive of or relating to fireworks 왍 pyro-

pylon /palən / noun 1. a structure on technic lights lights created by rockets
pylon

the wing of an aircraft to support an or flares

 Q
Q-code

Q-code /kju kəυd/ noun an interna- radio signal error caused by the metal
tional telegraph code which is now used structure of the receiving aircraft 왍
in RTF operations quadrantal height flight levels in each
QDM

QDM noun in the Q-code system, the of the compass quadrants designed to
magnetic bearing to a direction-finding provide safe separation for aircraft
station heading towards each other
qualified
QFE

QFE noun in the Q-code system, the qualified /kwɒlfad/ adjective hav-
atmospheric pressure at aerodrome ing gained a certificate after having
level completed a specialised course of study
QFI qualified flying instructor

QFI abbreviation qualified flying qualified flying instructor

instructor /kwɒlfad flaŋ nstrktə/ noun a
|

QNE

QNE noun in the Q-code system, the pilot with an instructor’s rating. Abbre-
altimeter setting for flight level reading, viation QFI
1013.25 mb qualify

qualify /kwɒlfa/ verb 1. to add res-

ervations or modify an earlier statement
QNH

QNH noun in the Q-code system, the

atmospheric pressure at mean sea level to make it less absolute 쑗 Fire in the
QNH datum

QNH datum /kju en etʃ detəm/ wing may cause the captain to qualify
noun the barometric level from which the evacuation command, informing
altitude is measured cabin crew of these conditions and
QTE

QTE noun in the Q-code system, the allowing them to adjust the evacuation
true bearing from a direction-finding plan accordingly. 2. to study for and
station obtain a diploma which allows to do a
quadrant particular type of work 쑗 He qualified
quadrant /kwɒdrənt/ noun 1. a as an engineer in 1996.
device shaped like a quarter of a circle 왍 quality

gated quadrant a quadrant with a quality /kwɒlti/ noun the amount of

device preventing a lever from being excellence of something 쑗 Satisfactory
moved to an incorrect setting 쑗 The ignition depends on the quality of the
throttles, usually known as power fuel.
levers, operate in a gated quadrant. 2. 왍 quantity

quantity /kwɒntti/ noun the size,

compass quadrant the quarter part of a extent, weight, amount or number of
circle centred on a navigational aid
something 쑗 A small quantity of illegal
COMMENT : NE quadrant = 000° – drug was found in the passenger’s bag.
089°; SE quadrant = 090° – 179°; SW quarter

quadrant = 180° – 269°; NW quadrant quarter /kwɔtə/ noun one fourth of

= 270° – 359°. something 쑗 The fuel tank is only a
quadrantal

quadrantal /kwɒdrnt(ə)l/ adjec-

|
quarter full.
QUJ

tive referring to a quadrant or to a quar- QUJ noun in the Q-code system, the
ter of a circle 왍 quadrantal error a true track to reach a destination
 R
you must track the reciprocal of the
radar

radar /redɑ/ noun a method of

detecting distant objects and establish- VOR radial.
radiate /rediet/ verb to send out
radiate

ing their position, velocity, or other

characteristics by analysis of very high rays or waves 쑗 The Earth radiates low
frequency radio waves reflected from intensity infrared waves. 쑗 Short bursts
their surfaces of energy are radiated from an antenna.
radiation /redieʃ(ə)n/ noun the act
radiation
radar advisory service

radar advisory service /redɑ əd |

|

vaz(ə)ri s%vs/ noun an air traffic or process of sending out rays or waves
radar service which gives pilots advice 왍 terrestrial radiation radiation from
on actions necessary to ensure that they the Earth
radiation fog /redieʃ(ə)n fɒDZ /
radiation fog

remain at a standard distance from other |

aircraft that are also receiving the serv- noun fog caused by the cooling of the
ice. Abbreviation RAS Earth to below the dew point, combined
radar beam

radar beam /redɑ bim/ noun a with saturation and condensation and a
shaft of radar waves directed towards a light mixing wind 쑗 Radiation fog can-
distant point not form over the sea.
radiator /redietə/ noun a liquid-to-
radiator

radar information service

radar information service air heat exchanger that transfers engine

/redɑ nfəmeʃ(ə)n s%vs/ an air
|
heat to the outside air 쑗 Anti-icing addi-
traffic radar service which gives pilots tives are used in radiator coolants. 쒁
details of the positions, distances and coolant
levels of other aircraft to enable them to
radio /rediəυ/ noun wireless trans-
radio

decide on any avoiding action which

mission through space of electromag-
may be appropriate. Abbreviation RIS netic waves in the approximate fre-
(NOTE: An RIS is often provided when it
quency range from 10 kHz to 300,000
is not possible or practical to provide an
MHz 왍 radio waves electromagnetic
RAS.)
radar screen
radiation waves 쑗 The atmosphere
radar screen /redɑ skrin/ noun a absorbs radio waves.
cathode ray tube screen on which radar radio aid /rediəυ ed/ noun a navi-
radio aid

information is displayed gation aid utilising radio waves

radar vectoring

radar vectoring /redɑ vektərŋ/ radio altimeter /rediəυ lt

radio altimeter

noun the provision of navigational mitə/ noun a device for measuring the
guidance to aircraft in the form of spe- height of the aircraft above the Earth
cific headings, based on the use of radar using reflected radio waves
radio horizon /rediəυ həraz(ə)n/
radial radio horizon

radial /rediəl/ adjective referring to |

lines of radius having a common centre noun a line along which direct rays
왍 radial engine engine in which the pis- from a radio frequency transmitter
tons are arranged like the spokes of a become tangential to the Earth’s surface
wheel 쐽 noun a line of radio bearing radio magnetic indicator
radio magnetic indicator

from a VOR beacon 쑗 To get to a facility /rediəυ mDZnetk ndketə/ noun
|
radiotelephony 186
a cockpit navigation instrument which the aircraft 쑗 Due to ram effect from air-
combines a bearing indicator and a craft forward speed, extra air is taken
heading indicator and can be used with into the engine.
ADF or VOR. Abbreviation RMI ram air /rm eə/ noun airflow cre-
ram air

radiotelephony /rediəυtəlefəni/
radiotelephony

|
ated by the movement of the aircraft
noun the transmission of speech by which is used to cool, ventilate or drive
radio 쑗 Correct use of R/T phraseology turbines 쑗 Oil cooling is often achieved
avoids ambiguity. Abbreviation R/T by using ram air or fuel.
radius /rediəs/ noun 왍 the radius of
radius

ramjet /rmdȢet/ noun a type of jet

ramjet

a circle a line drawn from a point on the engine in which fuel is burned in a duct
circumference of a circle to the centre with air compressed by the forward
point (NOTE: The plural form is radii. motion of the aircraft
/redia/)
ramp /rmp/ noun 1. an inclined track
ramp

radome / redəυm / noun a dome that

radome

for loading and unloading 쑗 The height

protects a radar antenna, made from of the cabin floor to the ground on large
materials that do not interfere with the jet transports means that injuries can
transmission and reception of radio occur by exiting through the doors
waves when steps or ramps are not available.
RAF abbreviation Royal Air Force
RAF

2. US same as apron
raft /rɑft/ noun a flat-bottomed inflat-
raft
range

range /rendȢ / noun 1. the amount or

able rubber craft for floating on water extent of variation 쑗 range of frequen-
railway line /relwe lan/ noun a
railway line

cies 쑗 range of temperatures 2. a row or

railway track or train track 쑗 A railway chain of mountains or hills 쑗 the Rocky
line is a useful landmark. Mountain range 쑗 Valley winds require
rain /ren/ noun precipitation or water
rain
at least a reasonable pressure gradient,
which falls from clouds in small drops 쑗 preferably along a range of hills which
Rain is falling heavily. 쑗 Rain and will produce a wind at right angles to
weather present fewer problems for the hills. 3. the maximum distance an
area radar compared to the other types. aircraft can fly on a given amount of
쐽 verb to fall as drops of water from fuel 쑗 Cruise level is selected to give the
clouds 쑗 It is raining. 쑗 I don’t think it greatest fuel economy, i.e. the greatest
will rain. range for least fuel. 4. the maximum
rainstorm /renstɔm / noun heavy
rainstorm
effective distance of operation 쑗 Preci-
rain accompanied by wind 쑗 In heavy sion approach radar (PAR) is subject to
rainstorm, the windscreen wipers may weather interference and has a limited
not be able to cope. range. 쐽 verb 왍 to range from … to …
raise /rez/ verb 1. to lift 왍 raise the
raise to vary from … to … 쑗 Temperatures
landing gear retract the undercarriage range from 0°C (Celsius) at night to
2. to increase 쑗 to raise the temperature
40°C (Celsius) at midday.
rapid /rpd/ adjective fast, with
rapid

쑗 to raise the pressure 3. to cause prob-

lems 쑗 Fuel vaporisation can raise great speed 쑗 Hoar frost is a light crys-
problems when starting the engine. talline deposit which can form on the
(NOTE: Do not confuse with the verb to aircraft as a result of rapid descent from
rise. Grammatically, the verb raise cold altitudes into warm moist air. 왍
takes an object whereas the verb rise rapid changes fast changes
rapidity /rəpdti/ noun great speed 쑗
rapidity

does not: temperature rises; The sun’s |

rays raise the temperature of the sur- Spontaneous combustion occurs with
face.) such rapidity that there is an audible
rake /rek/ noun the angle between a
rake

explosion.
wing or propeller blade of an aircraft rapidly /rpdli/ adverb with great
rapidly

and a perpendicular or line of symmetry speed, quickly 쑗 Rime ice is formed

ram /rm / noun an increase in air
ram

when individual droplets of water freeze

pressure caused by the forward speed of rapidly on striking the aircraft surface.
 187 reading
rare

rare /reə/ adjective uncommon, not The tops of thunderstorm clouds can
often occurring 쑗 Smog or smoke fog is reach through the tropopause.
now rare because of pollution controls. react

react /rikt/ verb 1. to act in response

|

to an action 쑗 Because the rotors and

RAS

RAS abbreviation 1. radar advisory

service 2. rectified air speed stators of a compressor are of aerofoil
rate

rate /ret/ noun a quantity measured in shape, the airflow reacts in a similar
relation to another measured quantity 왍 way to the airflow over a wing. 2. to do
rate of climb speed of ascent measured or to say something in response to
in feet per minute 왍 rate of descent words or to an event 쑗 The cabin crew
speed of descent measured in feet per reacted swiftly when the fire broke out.
minute 왍 flow rate the amount of move- 3. 왍 to react with something to change
ment of a fluid through a system in a chemical composition because of
given time, e.g. gallons per minute another substance 쑗 The electrolyte in
rather
the cells of a lead-acid battery reacts
rather /rɑðə/ adverb 1. to some chemically with the plates.
extent, somewhat 왍 rather cold reactance

weather weather which is quite cold, reactance / riktəns/ noun a com- |

but not very cold 2. 왍 rather than ponent of impedance in an alternating

instead of, preferably 쑗 Air tends to flow current circuit 쑗 Reactance is a form of
around hills rather than rise over them. resistance which varies as the fre-
rating quency changes.
rating /retŋ/ noun 1. an authorisa- reaction

tion on a licence, and forming part of reaction /rikʃən/ noun a response

|

the licence, giving special conditions or to an action or stimulus 쑗 For every

privileges 2. a classification according action there is an equal and opposite
to a scale reaction. 쑗 Passenger reaction may be
ratio slower than usual in an emergency situ-
ratio /reʃiəυ/ noun a relationship ation. 쑗 Quick reactions are needed in
between two quantities expressed as the an emergency.
quotient of one divided by the other 쑗 reaction thrust principle

The air/fuel ratio is 15:1. 쑗 Chart scale reaction thrust principle /ri |

is the ratio of the chart distance to kʃən θrst prnsp(ə)l/ the process
Earth distance. (NOTE: The ratio of 7 to by which exhaust gases coming of the
4 is written 7:4 or 7/4.) back of an object cause a reaction force
ray to act on the object and push it forwards
ray /re/ noun a thin or narrow beam of readback

light or other radiant energy 쑗 cathode readback /ridbk/ noun the action
ray 쑗 The Earth is heated by the rays of of repeating an ATC message to the
the sun. 쒁 X-ray controller to enable him or her to check
RBI
that it was correctly received
RBI abbreviation relative bearing indi- readily

cator readily /redli/ adverb 1. promptly,

RCC

RCC abbreviation rescue co-ordination immediately 쑗 Fire extinguishers must

centre be readily available for use. 쑗 Ice melts
RCL
very readily at 0°C (Celsius). 2. 왍 it can
RCL abbreviation runway centreline readily be seen it can be easily under-
stood 쑗 It can readily be seen from the
re-

re- /ri / prefix again 쑗 reassemble 쑗

rewrite (NOTE: Not all verbs beginning preceding paragraph that density and
with re- have the meaning ‘again’, e.g. pressure are linked.
remember.) reading

reading /ridŋ/ noun 1. information

reach

reach /ritʃ/ verb 1. to arrive at a place indicated by an instrument or gauge 왍

쑗 The aircraft reached its destination on altimeter reading the altitude indi-
time. 2. to get to a particular level 쑗 Up- cated by the altimeter 왍 barometer
currents in thunderstorms can reach reading the barometric pressure indi-
3,000 feet per minute. 쑗 Temperatures cated by the barometer 2. 왍 map read-
can reach 49°C (Celsius) in summer- ing the act of interpreting information
time in the Gulf region. 3. to extend 쑗 on a map
readout 188
readout

readout /ridaυt/ noun a display or The antenna is highly directive in trans-

presentation of data from calculations mission and reception.
or storage 쑗 The rotating beam cloud reciprocal / rsprək(ə)l/ adjective 왍
reciprocal

base recorder/indicator operates con- reciprocal heading an opposite head-

tinuously, day and night and produces ing, 180° from a given heading 쑗 The
an automatic readout of cloud base reciprocal heading of 090° is 270°. 쐽
height. noun the exactly opposite direction 쑗 A
rear

rear /rə/ noun the aft part, the part fur- wave transmitted vertically returns to
thest from the front 쑗 the rear of the air- Earth on its reciprocal.
reciprocating /rsprəketŋ/
reciprocating

craft 쐽 adjective at the back, or referring |

to the back 쑗 The rear part of the air- adjective moving backwards and for-
craft is called the aft section. wards or up and down
recognise /rekəDZnaz/, recognize
recognise
rearward

rearward /rəwəd/ adjective towards

the aft or the rear 쑗 The expanding gas verb to identify, or to know to be some-
travels in a rearward direction. thing that has been seen, heard, etc.
reason before 쑗 It may be difficult to recognise
reason /riz(ə)n/ noun the basis or a particular stretch of coastline simply
motive for an action 쑗 A rough surface by its appearance.
is more susceptible to fatigue cracking
recognition /rekəDZ nʃ(ə)n/ noun
recognition

than a smooth one and for this reason |

highly stressed members are often pol- the process of seeing or hearing some-
ished. thing or somebody and knowing what it
reasonable is or who he or she is 쑗 Hydraulic fluids
reasonable /riz(ə)nəb(ə)l/ adjec- are coloured for recognition purposes.
tive 1. acceptable or fair 왍 a reasonable
recommend /rekəmend/ verb to
recommend

sum of money a sum of money which is |

not too high or which is acceptable 2. say that something is worthy, desirable
within the boundaries of common sense or suitable 쑗 Dry chemical extinguish-
쑗 It would be reasonable to expect that
ers are recommended for use on aircraft
radio frequencies would travel through brake fires. 쑗 Aircraft should be oper-
the air in straight lines as a direct wave, ated to the manufacturers recom-
but they bend, or refract. mended limits.
record noun /rekɔd/ 1. a written
record

receive

receive /rsiv/ verb to get, to obtain

|
account of facts and information for
쑗 The sides of the hills and mountains
future reference 2. a set of electroni-
which face the sun receive more intense cally stored data 쐽 verb /rkɔd/ 1. to |

radiation than flat surfaces because of write down something such as informa-
the angle of exposure to the sun. tion or data 쑗 Measure track angles and
receiver

receiver /rsivə/ noun a device that

| distances and record them in a log. 2. to
receives incoming radio signals and capture and store electronically 쑗
converts them to sound or light 쑗 The Details of wind speed, direction, visibil-
transponder in the aircraft consists of a ity and cloud cover are recorded onto a
transmitter and a receiver. cassette.
recorder /rkɔdə/ noun a device for
recent recorder

recent /ris(ə)nt/ adjective referring |

to a time immediately before the capturing sound onto cassette or mag-

present 쑗 Recent engine designs include netic tape 쑗 cockpit voice recorder
variable angle stator blades. 쑗 A more recording /rkɔdŋ/ noun the act of
recording

recent development is the barograph writing or of picking up and storing

which utilises the electrical output of information 쑗 An anemograph is an
the digital display barometer. 왍 recent instrument which maintains a continu-
weather significant weather observed ous recording of wind direction and
in the period since the previous obser- speed on a graph.
vation, but not now recover /rkvə/ verb 1. to return to
recover

|
reception

reception /rsepʃən/ noun an act or

| an earlier, normal condition or attitude
instance of receiving radio signals 쑗 왍 recover from a stall to return the air-
 189 refer
craft to straight and level flight 2. to res- redeye /reda/ noun a late night or
redeye

cue and remove from a particular area, overnight airline service

often the sea 쑗 Emergency services reduce /r djus/ verb to decrease, to
reduce

recovered two bodies from the wreckage make less. Opposite increase 왍 reduce
of the helicopter. altitude to descend 왍 reduce tempera-
ture to make cooler
recovery

recovery /rkv(ə)ri/ noun 1. a

|

return to an earlier, normal condition or reduced separation /rdjust

reduced separation

attitude 왍 recovery from unusual atti- sepəreʃ(ə)n/ noun a revised mini-

|

tudes a flight exercise requiring the stu- mum separation which is smaller than
dent pilot to return the aircraft to its pre- the previous minimum separation
vious, normal, that is, straight and level reduction /rdkʃən/ noun a
reduction

attitude, after it has been in an unusual decrease 쑗 reduction in temperature,

attitude 2. rescue and removal from a pressure, speed
particular area 쑗 The recovery of survi- reduction gear /r dkʃən DZə/
reduction gear

vors from the sea was carried out by

|

noun gears in an engine which allow the

helicopters. propeller to turn at a slower speed than
rectangle

rectangle /rektŋDZəl/ noun a 4- the engine

sided plane figure with 4 right angles, redundancy /rdndənsi/ noun the
redundancy

and with opposite sides of equal length duplication of component parts of a sys-
쑗 The colour identification of refuelling tem to enable the system to function
equipment for AVGAS is: blue rectan- even if one component fails 쑗 With sys-
gle, red decal with AVGAS 100LL in tem redundancy, a single failure within
white letters. a system will have little effect on the air-
craft’s performance during the
rectangular

rectangular /rektŋDZjυlə / adjec-

|

tive referring to something with the approach and landing operation.

shape of a rectangle 쑗 a rectangular redundant /rdndənt/ adjective
redundant

wing panel referring to a system which provides

rectification

rectification /rektfkeʃ(ə)n/
|
extra component parts to enable the sys-
noun the process of changing an alter- tem to function even if one component
nating current into direct current 쑗 Part fails 쑗 Redundant structure design is
of the generator alternating current composed of a large number of mem-
(AC) is passed through a rectification bers, all of which share a load, so that if
circuit. one of the members is lost, the load car-
rectified airspeed ried by the member is divided between
rectified airspeed /rektfad eə |
all the others in such a way that the
spid/ noun indicated airspeed cor- total load-carrying ability is reduced
rected for instrument error and pressure only slightly.
error 쑗 When rectified airspeed (RAS) is redux /redks/ noun a method of fix-
redux

corrected for density error the resultant ing components together using adhe-
is known as the true airspeed. sives and glues
rectifier

rectifier /rektfaə / noun an elec- re-enter /ri entə/ verb to enter

re-enter

tronic circuit that converts an alternat- again 쑗 For engine checks the aircraft
ing current supply into a direct current should be headed into wind to prevent
supply 쑗 The ignition unit receives an hot exhaust gases re-entering the
alternating current which is passed engine.
through a transformer and rectifier. refer /rf% / verb 1. to describe or give
refer

|
rectify

rectify /rektfa/ verb 1. to change a name to 쑗 The term wind is used to

alternating current into direct current 쑗 refer to the horizontal motion of air. 2.
Alternating current output is rectified to direct someone to a source of help or
and regulated externally and returned information (NOTE: referring –
as direct current to the stator field referred) 왍 refer to chapter 10 for
winding. 2. to correct 왍 to rectify a mis- more details look at or read chapter 10
take to put right a mistake for more information
reference 190
reference /ref(ə)rəns/ noun some-
reference

sity 쑗 A sky wave starts life as a direct

thing used as a basis for further calcula- wave and, on reaching the ionosphere,
tion or investigation 왍 visual reference the direct wave is refracted and returns
anything seen and used as a guide to to the Earth’s surface.
something else 쑗 Use the large building refraction /r frkʃən/ noun the
refraction

as a visual reference for the turn onto change in direction or turning of a

final approach. 왍 reference book a wave, such as light or sound, as it passes
book in which you can look for infor- from one medium into another of differ-
mation, e.g. a dictionary 왍 by reference ent density
to by looking at and comparing refrigerant /rfrdȢərənt/ noun a
refrigerant

reference datum /ref(ə)rəns

reference datum

substance to provide cooling either as

detəm / noun a line fixed by the the working substance of a refrigerator
designer from which measurements are or by direct absorption of heat 쑗 Heated
made when checking or adjusting wing air from the main air supply system
angles, etc. passes through the evaporator matrix
reference point /ref(ə)rəns pɔnt/
reference point

and by induction releases heat into the

noun a fixed datum near the centre of liquid refrigerant.
the airfield landing area refuel

refuel /rifjuəl/, re-fuel verb to fill

|

reference signal /ref(ə)rəns

reference signal

with fuel again 쑗 Fire risk is always

sDZn(ə)l/ noun a signal against which present when you defuel and refuel.
telemetry data signals are compared regain

regain /rDZen/ verb to obtain again

|

refinement /rfanmənt/ noun an

refinement

|
or to acquire again 쑗 The omni-bearing
improvement 쑗 An internal locking selector/course deviation indicator is a
device is one of the numerous refine- demand instrument which indicates
ments to the simple actuator. which way to turn to regain the required
reflect /rflekt/ verb to throw back bearing.
reflect

something such as radio waves or light regard /rDZɑd/ noun a particular

regard

쑗 Snow surfaces reflect up to 90% of point or aspect 왍 in this regard con-

radiation while rock, sand and concrete cerning this or with reference to this 왍
reflect only 10–20%. with regard to concerning or with ref-
reflection /rflekʃən/ noun the proc-
reflection

| erence to 쑗 With regard to the turbo-

ess of throwing back of something such propeller engine, changes in propeller
as radio waves or light 쑗 Glare caused speed and pitch have to be taken into
by reflection of sunlight from the top of account. 쐽 verb to look upon or con-
a layer of fog or haze can seriously sider in a particular way 쑗 Thoughtful
reduce the air-to-ground visibility. concern for others is regarded as an
reflective /rflektv/ adjective able
reflective

|
essential component of good airman-
to throw back something such as radio ship.
waves or light 쑗 Reflective power means
regardless

regardless /rDZɑdləs/ preposition

|

that at low angles of elevation of the in spite of, despite, with no thought of 왍
sun, water reflects a great amount of with fly-by-wire technology, the air-
solar radiation thus slowing down the craft’s stalling angle of attack cannot
rise in sea surface temperatures. be exceeded regardless of control
reflector /rflektə/ noun a device stick input the stalling angle of attack
reflector

which throws back something such as cannot be exceeded, despite or no mat-

light 쑗 The shape of a water droplet ter what the pilot does with the flying
makes it a good reflector, so water in the controls
atmosphere absorbs and scatters radio region /ridȢən/ noun 1. an area, usu-
region

waves. ally a large geographical area 쑗 The

refract /rfrkt/ verb to cause a
refract

| troposphere is deepest in equatorial

wave, such as light or sound, to change regions and shallowest near the poles.
direction or turn as it passes from one 2. 왍 in the region of about or approxi-
medium into another of different den- mately 쑗 The burning temperature of
 191 relative bearing
the fuel is in the region of 2,000°C (Cel- from epoxy resins which are reinforced
sius). with glass, carbon or Kevlar fibres.
register reinforced

register /redȢstə/ noun an official reinforced /rinfɔst/ adjective

|

list or record 쑗 The student’s name was made stronger or strengthened

not on the register. 쐽 verb 1. to record or reinforced plastics

reinforced plastics /rinfɔst

to indicate on an instrument 쑗 During plstks/ plural noun plastic materials
ground running checks, if oil pressure used with glass fibres to repair some
does not register within a few seconds, types of aircraft structure
the engine should be stopped and the reinforcement

cause investigated. 쑗 Electrically oper- reinforcement /rin fɔsmənt/

|

ated pressure gauges register main and noun the act of strengthening, or a
emergency system pressure. 2. to enter material or structure used to strengthen
details on an official list 쑗 to register an something 쑗 There is reinforcement
aircraft around each opening in the pressure
registration cabin, such as the cabin door, escape
registration /redȢstreʃ(ə)n/
|
hatch and windows.
noun the entry of civil aircraft into relate

records of national certification author- relate /rlet/ verb 1. to make a con-

|

ity with details of letter and number nection or link, to associate 쑗 Orientat-
code displayed on aircraft 왍 certificate ing the chart relates the direction of
of registration a document issued as land features to their representation on
proof of registration the chart and aids recognition. 2. 왍 to
regular relate to to concern or to be about 쑗
regular /reDZjυlə/ adjective 1. occur- Kepler derived the laws which relate to
ring at fixed time intervals 쑗 a regular the motion of planets in their orbits.
flight 왍 regular inspections inspections relation

taking place at equal intervals of time 2. relation /rleʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a natural

|

ordinary or standard 쑗 part of the regu- or logical association between things 쑗

lar menu the relation between thrust and drag 왍
regulate this bears no relation to that this is not
regulate /reDZjυlet / verb to control, connected with that in any way 2. 왍 in
to adjust to a specific requirement 쑗 relation to with reference to 쑗 The
Controllable cowl flaps regulate the range at which objects can be recog-
amount of air flowing across the cylin- nised is affected by the direction of
ders. viewing in relation to the position of the
regulation

regulation /reDZjυleʃ(ə)n/ noun an

| sun or the moon. 쑗 The VOR station on
act or instance of controlling or adjust- the ground does the calculation and,
ing to a specific requirement 쑗 Regula- depending on where the aircraft is in
tion of cabin temperature is controlled relation to the VOR station, it will
by the manual setting of a mechanically receive signals which define the bearing
controlled switch. of the aircraft from the VOR.
regulations relationship

regulations /reDZjυleʃ(ə)nz/ plural

| relationship /rleʃ(ə)nʃp/ noun a
|

noun rules or laws natural or logical association between

regulator

regulator /reDZjυletə/ noun a device things 쑗 There is a close relationship

used to control the flow of fluids or between altitude and pressure.
relative

electric current 왍 voltage regulator a relative /relətv/ adjective 왍 relative

device to control the level of voltage to compared to, with reference to 쑗
Reid vapour pressure test

Reid vapour pressure test /rid Ground-speed is the speed of the air-
vepə preʃə test/ noun a test to deter- craft relative to the ground.
relative airflow

mine the pressure required above a liq- relative airflow /relətv eəfləυ/
uid to hold the vapours in the liquid at a noun airflow over an aerofoil, often
given temperature related to the chord line of the aerofoil.
reinforce

reinforce /rinfɔs/ verb to make

|
Also called relative wind
relative bearing

stronger or to strengthen 쑗 Typical skin relative bearing /relətv beərŋ/

materials used in aircraft are made noun the bearing of a radio station or
relative density 192
object with reference to the aircraft’s ‘…where a State introduces drug testing,
heading high standards of medical reliability must
relative density /relətv densti/
relative density
be maintained’ [INTER PILOT]
reliable /rlaəb(ə)l/
reliable

noun the ratio of density of a liquid with adjective

|

reference to water, or of a gas with ref- dependable, trustworthy 쑗 The gas tur-
erence to air bine is a very simple and reliable
relative humidity /relətv hju
relative humidity

|
engine.
relief /r lif/ noun 1. variations in ele-
relief

mdti/ noun the ratio between the |

amount of water vapour in the air and vation of the surface of the earth 쑗
the amount which would be present if Relief is usually represented on aero-
the air was saturated, at the same tem- nautical charts by contours, gradient
perature and the same pressure tints or hill shading. 2. a lessening of
relative wind /relətv wnd/ noun
relative wind
pressure
relief valve /r lif vlv/ noun a
relief valve

same as relative airflow |

valve which opens at maximum safe

relay /rile/ noun a device which
relay

pressure and closes again upon return to

responds to a small current or voltage
normal operating conditions
change by activating switches or other
relieve /rliv/ verb to cause a lessen-
relieve

devices in an electric circuit 쑗 Thermo- |

couple detectors operate a sensitive ing in, or to remove, excess pressure or

relay or electronic circuit when a prede- tension 쑗 Safety valves relieve excess
termined temperature is exceeded. 쐽 cabin pressure. 쑗 A trim tab on the ele-
verb to pass an ATC message to an air- vator relieves the forward and aft forces
craft via another aircraft that is on the on the control stick or yoke.
relight /rilat/ verb to ignite again 쑗
relight

same frequency and within radio range |

(NOTE: Messages may have to be The ability of the engine to relight will
relayed when atmospheric conditions vary according to the altitude and the
make a direct transmission impossible) forward speed of the aircraft.
rely /rla/ verb to be dependent on 쑗
rely

release /rlis/ noun the act of freeing

release

|
|

something from something that holds it Pressure carburettors do not rely on

쑗 Air rising and cooling often reaches venturi suction to discharge fuel into
its dew point temperature, becomes sat- the airstream.
urated and any further cooling results remain /rmen/ verb to stay, to con-
remain

in condensation and the consequent tinue to be 쑗 During the evacuation,

release of latent heat. 쐽 verb to free crew must remain at their assigned sta-
from something that holds it 쑗 Push the tions and redirect passengers. 쑗 The
button to release the lever. 왍 release the fuel/air ratio does not remain constant,
brakes let the brakes off 왍 to release but, as the speed increases, the mixture
the pressure to allow pressure to gets richer. 쑗 The audible fire warnings
reduce may be cancelled but the red warning
relevant /reləv(ə)nt/ adjective hav-
relevant

light will remain on.

ing a connection with the matter in hand remainder /rmendə / noun 1.
remainder

쑗 High charts show only information something left after excluding other
relevant to high altitude flights and parts, the rest 쑗 The auxiliary power
many beacons and aids which are pro- unit is usually found in the tail section,
vided for low operations are omitted to separated from the remainder of the
keep the chart clear. 왍 relevant infor- fuselage by a firewall. 2. the number left
mation useful information which is over when one number is divided by
related to the matter in question another
reliability remote /rməυt/ adjective 1. far
reliability

/rlaəblti/
remote

| | noun |

dependability, trustworthiness 쑗 The away, and not near anything else 쑗 a

gas turbine is a very simple engine with remote area 쑗 When the destination is a
few moving parts, giving it high relia- remote island, the calculation of the
bility with less maintenance. point of no return (PNR) becomes
 193 representation
essential. 2. operated or controlled from each other. (NOTE: repelling –
a distance 쑗 remote cabin pressure con- repelled)
trollers 3. 왍 a remote chance a small repellent /rpelənt/ noun a sub-
repellent

but unlikely possibility stance used to resist the effect of some-

thing 쑗 Rain repellent is sprayed onto
removal

removal /r muv(ə)l/ noun the act of

|

taking something away, or of moving the windscreen and spread by the wip-
something from the position it occupies ers.
replace /rples/ verb to take the
replace

쑗 The repair to the aircraft required the |

removal of the engine. place or to fill the place of 쑗 As warm

remove

remove /rmuv/ verb to take some-

|
air rises, cold air moves in to replace it.
쑗 The term Greenwich Mean Time
thing away or move it from the position
it occupies 쑗 Filters are fitted in lines in (GMT) is being replaced by the term
a hydraulic system, in order to remove Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
replacement /rplesmənt/ noun 1.
replacement

foreign particles from the fluid. 쑗 The |

engine will have to be removed for the act of replacing something with
repair. something else 쑗 The replacement of
render moist air by dry air is the only sure way
render /rendə/ verb 1. to cause to of dispersing advection fog. 2. some-
become 쑗 The failure of any component thing or somebody that replaces some-
in the fire detection system will render thing or somebody else 쑗 She was hired
the system inoperative. 쑗 Tropical air as a replacement for a manager who
moving northwards is subjected to sur- had recently retired.
face cooling and rendered increasingly
reply /rpla/ noun an answer or
reply

stable in its lower layers. 2. to give 왍 to |

render assistance to provide help 쑗 response 쑗 Secondary surveillance

Only when all possible assistance has interrogation is made on 1030 MHz
been rendered inside the cabin will (megahertz) and the reply on 1090 MHz
crew themselves evacuate. (megahertz). 쐽 verb to answer, to
repair
respond 쑗 He replied to the letter.
repair /rpeə/ noun an action
|
(NOTE: replying – replied)
designed to return something to good report /rpɔt/ noun an official
report

condition after damage 쑗 The repair to account of an occurrence 쑗 incident

the nosewheel took three hours. 쐽 verb report 쑗 weather report 쐽 verb to write
to mend or otherwise return to good or tell information in an official manner
condition after damage 쑗 After the 쑗 The observer measures this distance
wheels-up landing, the flaps had to be in a number of directions and reports
repaired. the minimum value as the meteorologi-
‘Mr Pike elected to await repairs instead cal visibility. 쑗 An accident must be
of taking up the offer of alternative reported.
flights, and found himself the only reporting point /rpɔtŋ pɔnt/
reporting point

passenger aboard the Jumbo as it flew noun a specified geographical location

back to Heathrow four hours late’ [Pilot]
repeat
on an aircraft’s route at which the crew
repeat /rpit/ verb 1. to do again
| 쑗 must report to air traffic control
The first officer repeated the transmis- represent /reprzent/ verb to indi-
represent

sion. 쑗 The trainee had to repeat her cate or to show, using signs or symbols
navigation examination. 2. to occur 쑗 On a Mercator projection, meridians
again 쑗 Metal fatigue is induced by are represented as parallel straight
repeated stress cycling. 3. to say again 쑗 lines.
Could you repeat that please? I didn’t representation /reprzenteʃ(ə)n/
representation

hear. 쑗 The message was repeated a few noun a way of showing something,
minutes later. using signs or symbols 쑗 The synoptic
repel

repel /rpel/ verb to push away by a

| chart provides a representation of the
force 쑗 Like poles (i.e., north and north, weather over a large area at a particu-
or south and south) of a magnet repel lar time.
representative 194
representative
representative

/reprzentətv/
|
aircraft has to be in the air for a longer
adjective 왍 representative of which is a time than expected, as because of a go-
typical example of what all others are around or diversion
like 쑗 Surface air temperatures are reservoir /rezəvwɑ/ noun a con-
reservoir

taken in such a way as to be representa- tainer for holding a store of fluid 쑗 A

tive of the air temperature near the sur- reservoir provides both storage space
face yet unaffected by the direct surface for the system fluid, and sufficient air
heating or cooling effects. 쐽 noun a per- space to allow for any variations in the
son who acts or speaks for another per- volume of the fluid in the system.
son or for an organisation such as a reset /riset/ verb to set again 쑗
reset

company Instruments which need resetting in

request /r kwest/ noun a polite
request

| flight must be accessible to the crew.

demand, or what is asked for 쑗 ATC (air (NOTE: resetting – reset)
traffic control) received a request from resettable /risetəb(ə)l/ adjective
resettable

the pilot for departure clearance. 왍 on possible to reset 쑗 Circuit breakers are
request when asked for 쑗 A personal resettable protective devices.
flying log book must be retained for residual /r zdjuəl/ adjective refer-
residual

production on request by an authorised ring to the residue of something

person. 쐽 verb to ask for something 쑗
residue /rezdju/ noun the remain-
residue

The pilot requested vectors to enable

him to locate the airfield. der of something after the removal of
the main part 쑗 The leaking oil left a
require /rkwaə/ verb 1. to need 쑗
require

|
sticky residue on the ground.
Dynamic seals require lubrication to
resin /rezn / noun materials which
resin

remain effective. 2. to impose an obliga-

are used with fillers and other compo-
tion, to compel by law 쑗 Transport
nents to form plastics, e.g. polyesters,
operations over water require the car-
epoxies and silicones 쑗 To make a com-
riage of life rafts, life jackets, survival
posite it is necessary to combine the
beacons and pyrotechnics.
reinforcing glass fibres with some form
requirement /rkwaəmənt/ noun
requirement

|
of special glue or resin.
1. what is necessary 쑗 Planning for an resist /rzst/ verb to fight off the
resist

in-flight emergency is a standard

|

effects of something 쑗 A tube resists

requirement of pre-departure prepara- bending in any direction but beams are
tion. 2. 왍 legal requirement an obliga- designed usually to resist bending in
tion by law 3. something which is one or two directions only. 쑗 In order
demanded or required 쑗 The airframe for an aeroplane to fly, lift and thrust
had to be built to very specific require- must resist and overcome the forces of
ments. gravity and drag.
re-register /ri redȢstə/ verb to
re-register

resistance /rzstəns/ noun 1. a

resistance

register again 쑗 The aircraft had to be force that opposes 2. the opposition of a
re-registered because of an administra- body or substance to current passing
tive error. through it 쑗 The shunt coil is made of
rescue /reskju/ noun the act of free-
rescue

fine wire which gives a high resistance

ing from danger 쑗 Early rescue depends and small current flow.
on the rapid location of survivors. 쐽 resistant /rzst(ə)nt/ adjective
resistant

verb to free from danger 쑗 Passengers referring to something which is unaf-

were rescued from the burning aircraft. fected by a force, process or substance
reserve /rz%v/ noun something
reserve

| 쑗 crash resistant and heat resistant

kept back for possible future use 쐽 verb materials 쑗 Some alloys are less resist-
to keep something such as a seat for ant to corrosion than others.
somebody 쑗 Seats 23A and 23B are resistive /rzstv/ adjective refer-
resistive

reserved for Mr and Mrs Smith. ring to resistance 쑗 Windscreen heating

reserve fuel / rz%v fjuəl/ noun
reserve fuel

| and electrical de-icing systems are

fuel used only in a situation when the resistive load circuits.
 195 resultant
resistor /rzstə/ noun a device used
resistor

|
ble for the well-being of passengers. 왍
to control current in an electric circuit responsible to someone answerable for
by providing a resistance 쑗 Components one’s actions to somebody highly
such as resistors, rectifiers and internal placed
switches are all embedded in micro-size restore /rstɔ/ verb to return some-
restore

sections of semi-conductor material. thing to its original or normal condition

respect /rspekt/ noun 왍 in some 쑗 Loss of engine power should be fully
respect

respect in some way 쑗 The flat chart restored when the control is returned to
inevitably misrepresents the Earth’s the cold air position.
surface in some respect. 왍 with respect restrict /rstrkt/ verb 1. to make free
restrict

to concerning or with reference to 쑗 movement limited or difficult 쑗 The

Frost point is the temperature to which narrow aisles of the aircraft restrict the
air must be cooled at constant pressure rapid movement of people. 2. to limit 왍
in order to reach a state of saturation during the bomb-scare, entry to the
with respect to ice. airport was restricted to authorised
respective /rspektv/ adjective people only only authorised people
respective

referring to two or more persons or could enter the airport

things regarded individually 쑗 The pas- restricted area

restricted area /rstrktd eəriə/ |

sengers returned to their respective noun airspace of a particular length,

seats. 쑗 The temperature and pressure width and depth, within which the flight
of the fuel supply are electrically trans- of an aircraft must be carried out in
mitted to their respective indicators, i.e. accordance with particular conditions
temperature to the temperature gauge restriction /rstrkʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a
restriction

and pressure to the pressure gauge.

|

narrowing or partial blockage 쑗 Any

respond /rspɒnd/ verb 1. to reply or
respond

|
restriction in a pipeline will increase
to answer 2. to react, to act in return 왍 liquid velocity and produce turbulence.
the aircraft responds to the controls 2. a limitation 쑗 There are restrictions
the aircraft attitude changes as a result on the taking of photographs in the
of the pilot’s movements of the flying vicinity of the airport.
controls restrictor valve /rstrktə vlv/
restrictor valve

responder /rspɒndə/ noun same as

responder

|
noun a valve designed to permit limited
transponder flow in one direction and full flow in the
response /rspɒns / noun 1. an other direction 쑗 The extent to which the
response

answer or reply 쑗 transponder response oil pressure will fall depends on the size
쑗 Despite repeated air traffic control of the restrictor valve.
transmissions, there was no response result /rzlt/ noun a consequence or
result

from the pilot. 2. a reaction 왍 in outcome 쑗 Engine oil and cylinder tem-
response to as a reaction to 쑗 The pri- perature will also increase as a result of
mary function of the outflow valves is to higher combustion temperatures. 쐽 verb
regulate the discharge of cabin air in 왍 to result from to happen as a conse-
response to the pressure signals quence 쑗 The structural weakness
received from the controller. resulted from a minor collision while
responsibility
responsibility

/rspɒnsblti/ | | taxiing two years previously. 왍 to result

noun the condition of being responsible in to produce as an effect 쑗 Failure to
쑗 It is the responsibility of the captain to secure seat belts could result in serious
order an evacuation. injury.
responsible /rspɒnsb(ə)l/ adjec- resultant /rzltənt/ adjective that
responsible resultant

| |

tive 1. being a source or cause 쑗 Frontal happens as a result of something 쑗 The

systems are responsible for much of the temperature of the land rises, causing
weather and clouds which occur in tem- the layer of air in contact with it to
perate latitudes. 2. directing or being in warm up and expand with a resultant
charge, and open to blame if something decrease in density. 쐽 noun one vector
goes wrong 쑗 Cabin crew are responsi- that is the equivalent of a set of vectors
retain 196
쑗 When two or more velocities act return valve

return valve /rt%n vlv/ noun a |

simultaneously on a body, the aircraft valve which allows flow of fluid in both
movement is called the resultant veloc- directions
ity due to the two or more component reveal

reveal /rvil/ verb to allow to be seen

|

velocities. 쑗 Radiographic inspection of the air-

retain

retain /rten/ verb to keep or to hold

| craft structure is able to reveal fatigue
쑗 Retentivity is the ability of a material cracks without the need to dismantle the
has to retain magnetism. 쑗 When fuel- aircraft.
dumping, sufficient fuel must be reversal /rv%s(ə)l/ noun a change
reversal

retained for landing. to the opposite position, direction, or

retard

retard /rtɑd / verb 1. to cause to

| order 쑗 Stationary eddies can be haz-
occur later, or to delay 쑗 On most mod- ardous, not only because of the down
ern engines the spark is retarded to top currents but also because an aircraft
dead centre, to ensure easier starting encountering the reversal of direction
and prevent kick-back. 2. to move back- might have its airspeed momentarily
wards 쑗 When reducing power, always reduced below stalling speed.
retard the throttles before reducing reverse

reverse /rv%s/ noun the opposite 쑗

|

RPM (revolutions per minute) with the One would expect a unit of humid air to
propeller levers. be heavier than a similar unit of dry air
but, in fact, the reverse is true. 쐽 adjec-
retentivity

retentivity /rtentvti/ noun the |

ability to remain magnetised after the tive going backwards or in the opposite
magnetising force has gone 쑗 Steel has direction 왍 reverse flow the flow of a
high retentivity, but soft iron has low fluid in the opposite direction to normal
retentivity. 쐽 verb to go backwards or in the oppo-
retract site direction 왍 to reverse a vehicle to
retract /rtrkt/ verb to move back,
|

make a vehicle go backwards

or to raise 쑗 Mechanically operated reverse panic

sequence valves ensure that the landing reverse panic /rv%s pnk/ noun |

gear does not extend until the doors are a form of shock which makes passen-
open and that the landing gear is gers unable to comprehend the need for
retracted before the doors close. urgency
reverser
retractable

retractable /rtrktəb(ə)l/ adjec-

|
reverser /rv%sə/ noun 왍 thrust |

tive possible to pull back or raise 왍 reverser a device to change the direc-
retractable undercarriage an under- tion of thrust so that it operates in the
carriage which can be raised into the opposite direction to the normal direc-
fuselage or wings after use 쑗 Early air- tion 쑗 In many turbo-jet thrust revers-
craft had non-retractable undercar- ers, clamshell doors direct the exhaust
riages. gases forward.
reverse thrust

retraction

retraction /rtrkʃən/ noun the act reverse thrust /rv%s θrst/ noun |

thrust in the opposite direction to nor-

|

of pulling back or raising 왍 retraction

of the undercarriage the raising of the mal in order to decelerate the aircraft
undercarriage into the fuselage after use after landing
reversible /rv%sb(ə)l/ adjective
reversible

return

return /rt%n/ noun the act of coming

|

|
that can be made to go backwards or to
back or going back to a place 쑗 We’re change direction 쑗 a reversible electric
waiting for the return of the aircraft. 왍 motor
radar return radar echo 쐽 adjective 왍 reversible pitch propeller

return flight a flight back to the point reversible pitch propeller /r |

of departure 쐽 verb to cause to come v%səb(ə)l ptʃ prə pelə/ noun a pro- |

back or to go back to an earlier position peller which allows the aircraft to be

or place 쑗 Fly from A to B and return. 쑗 propelled backwards when taxiing
reversion

The auto-control will return the ailer- reversion /rv%ʃ(ə)n/ noun a return |

ons to neutral as the aircraft returns to to an earlier condition or state 쑗 In

level flight. smaller aircraft, reversion to manual
 197 RIS
control is possible if complete loss of greater than usual 쑗 Moving the mixture
hydraulic power occurs. control lever forward to the rich posi-
revert /rv%t/ verb to return to an ear-
revert

|
tion increases the amount of fuel mixing
lier condition or state 쑗 The elevator with the air.
system has the ability to revert to man- rich mixture

rich mixture /rtʃ mkstʃə/ noun a

ual control after a hydraulic failure. fuel/air mixture in which the proportion
revolution /revəluʃ(ə)n/ noun a of fuel is greater than normal
revolution

rotation or turn about an axis 왍 a revo- ridge

ridge /rdȢ/ noun 1. a long narrow hill

lution of the crankshaft a 360° turn of with a crest 쑗 The mountain ridge
the crankshaft stretches for miles. 2. a long zone of rel-
revolutions per minute
revolutions per minute

atively high atmospheric pressure 쑗 a

/revəluʃ(ə)nz pə mnt/ noun the ridge of high pressure 쑗 On average, the
speed of an engine or the number of wind backs with the passage of a ridge.
rotations of the crankshaft per minute 쑗 ridge waves

ridge waves /rdȢ wevz / plural

Rpm is the number of revolutions per noun oscillations about the stable state
minute that the engine crankshaft is
of the undisturbed air flow with the
making. 쑗 The actuator control is sensi-
range of hills providing the disturbance
tive to engine rpm. Abbreviation rpm, rigging position

r.p.m. rigging position /rDZŋ pə zʃ(ə)n/

|

revolve /rvɒlv/ verb to turn about an

revolve

|
noun an attitude of the aircraft in which
axis 쑗 The Earth revolves around the the lateral axis and usually the longitu-
sun. dinal axis are horizontal 쑗 The aircraft
was put into the rigging position.
revolving /rvɒlvŋ/ adjective 왍
revolving

|
rigid

tropical revolving storm an intense rigid /rdȢd/ adjective unbending,

depression of a kind that can develop inflexible 쑗 The areas between the ribs
over tropical oceans 쑗 Tropical revolv- are utilised to house fuel tanks which
ing storms originate within 5–15° of the can be either rigid or flexible. Opposite
equator. 쑗 Tropical revolving storms flexible 왍 rigid pipes pipes that do not
generally occur from June to October. bend easily 왍 a rigid structure a firm
rhumb /rm/ noun one of the points of
rhumb
unbendable structure
rigidity

a compass rigidity /rdȢdti/ noun inflexibility,

|

rhumb line /rm lan/ noun 1. a reg-

rhumb line
stiffness 쑗 Extra strength and rigidity
ularly curved line on the surface of the must be provided in the tail section for
Earth which cuts all meridians at the aircraft with a tail wheel unit. Opposite
same angle 2. a steady course taken by flexibility
aircraft along one compass bearing rim

rim /rm / noun the outer edge of some-

rhumb line direction /rm lan thing circular, e.g. a wheel 쑗 Creep
rhumb line direction

darekʃ(ə)n/ noun the average of all

| marks are painted on the tyre and the
the great circle directions between the wheel rim. 쑗 The rim of the air intake is
two points 쑗 Because the great circle prone to icing.
direction between two points on the sur- rime ice

rime ice /ram as / noun ice formed

face of the Earth is not constant, it is when individual droplets of water
often more convenient to consider the freeze rapidly on striking the aircraft
rhumb line direction. surface
rib /rb/ noun one of many cross pieces
rib

ring

ring /rŋ/ noun a circle 쑗 Around the

of the airframe that provide an aircraft impeller is a ring of stationary vanes
wing with shape and strength 쑗 Addi- called a diffuser ring.
tional strength is required for the rib ripcord

sections which are placed in the area of ripcord /rpkɔd/ noun a cord that is
the undercarriage mountings, flaps and pulled to release a parachute from its
power plant attachment point. pack and open it
RIS

rich /rtʃ/ adjective referring to a mix- RIS abbreviation radar information

rich

ture in which the ratio of fuel to air is service

rise 198
rise /raz/ noun 1. an increase 쑗 a rise
rise

with 360° rotation about the longitudi-

in temperature 2. 왍 to give rise to to nal axis of the aircraft 쑗 Loops and rolls
cause 쑗 Hills and mountains may give are aerobatic manoeuvres. 쐽 verb to
rise to particularly severe turbulence. 쐽 rotate the aircraft around its longitudi-
verb 1. to move upwards 쑗 air rises 2. to nal axis 쑗 Move the control column to
increase 쑗 The temperature is rising. 쒁 the left to roll the aircraft to the left. 왍 to
raise roll into a turn to roll or bank the air-
risk /rsk/ noun the possibility of suf-
risk
craft so that it turns left or right 쑗 By
fering harm or injury, danger 쑗 When rotating the yoke the ailerons are moved
starting an engine, it is bad practice to and the aircraft rolls into a turn.
pump the throttle lever as there is a risk COMMENT: The difference between
of fire in the carburettor air intake. 쐽 roll and bank is that roll is movement
verb to take a dangerous chance 왍 to whereas bank suggests a fixed
risk the lives of passengers to put the attitude of the aircraft. Consequently, a
turn might be expressed in angles of
lives of passengers in danger by taking bank: turn at a bank angle of 30°, and
a particular course of action the movement to obtain the bank
rivet /rvt/ noun a type of metal bolt
rivet

might be expressed as roll: roll the

or pin with a head on one end, inserted aircraft to the left.
through one of the aligned holes in the roll cloud /rəυl klaυd/ noun cloud
roll cloud

parts to be joined and then compressed created in the rotor zone on the down-
on the plain end to form a second head wind side of mountain ranges
쑗 Tensile or compressive loading makes
roller /rəυlə/ noun a cylindrical metal
roller

the joined materials tend to slide and

break the rivet or bolt. 쐽 verb to join device which rotates 쑗 The most com-
with rivets 쑗 The skin is riveted to both mon bearings used in gas turbine
stringers and frames. engine are the ball or roller type.
RON abbreviation remain overnight
RON

RMI abbreviation radio magnetic indi-

RMI

root /rut/ noun 왍 the root of the

root

cator
RNAV abbreviation area navigation
RNAV
problem the cause of the problem
rose /rəυz/ noun 왍 compass rose the
rose

robot pilot /rəυbɒt palət/ noun

robot pilot

same as autopilot compass card or its marking of 32

rocker arm /rɒkə ɑm/ noun part of
rocker arm points on a map 쑗 An arc of the compass
the valve mechanism in an internal scale, or rose, covering 30° on either
combustion engine, which transmits the side of the instantaneous track, is at the
movement of the pushrod to the valve upper part of the display.
rotary /rəυtəri/ adjective rotating 왍
rotary

rod /rɒd / noun a thin straight piece of

rod

metal 쑗 Aluminium rods and bars can rotary motion rotating movement
rotary actuator
rotary actuator

readily be employed in the high-speed /rəυtəri

manufacture of parts. ktjuetə/ noun an actuator which
rogallo /rɒDZləυ/ noun a fabric-cov-
rogallo

|
rotates and operates a screw jack, e.g. to
ered delta-shaped wing that can be extend flaps
rotary inverter /rəυtəri nv%tə/
rotary inverter

folded compactly, used on ultralight air- |

craft noun a DC motor driving an AC gener-

role /rəυl/ noun function 쑗 Movement
role
ator, the output of which must be regu-
of air plays a major role in the develop- lated to give constant voltage and fre-
ment of weather patterns. 왍 the role of quency
rotary wing aircraft /rəυtəri wŋ
rotary wing aircraft

the aircraft the type of operation the

aircraft is required to perform eəkrɑft/ noun an aircraft with a rotor
roll /rəυl/ noun 1. a rotation about the
roll
which provides lift, such as a helicopter
rotate /rəυtet/ verb to turn around
rotate

longitudinal axis of the aircraft, created |

by movement of the ailerons 쑗 Roll is on an axis or centre 쑗 In the event of

produced by moving the stick to the left flame extinction in flight, the engine
or right. 쒁 bank 2. a flight manoeuvre will continue to rotate, due to the air-
 199 rudder
flow through it caused by the forward round /raυnd/ adjective circular 쑗 a
round

speed of the aircraft. 쑗 The aircraft round life raft 쐽 adverb in a circular
should be rotated to the recommended movement 쑗 The pointer swings round.
nose-up attitude for touch down. 쑗 route /rut/ noun a course of travel 쑗
route

Counter-rotating propellers rotate in The purpose of charts is to plan and fly

opposite directions. 쒁 rotation a safe route to a destination. 쒁 en route
쐽 verb to plan to send an aircraft, pas-
rotation

rotation /rəυteʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act

|

of moving the control yoke or stick aft sengers or freight to a place along a par-
to raise the nose of an aircraft during the ticular route
route flight plan /rut flat pln/
route flight plan

take-off run to facilitate the aircraft

becoming airborne 쑗 Rotation should noun detailed information concerning
begin at about 60 knots. 2. the act of an intended flight, provided to an air
turning around an axis or centre 쑗 the traffic control facility in written or oral
rotation of the earth 쑗 crankshaft rota- form
tion 쑗 The speed of rotation determines routine /rutin/ noun a standard pro-
routine

the frequency of the generator output. cedure 쑗 Meteorological information

COMMENT: The aircraft rotates around
for scheduled flights will be passed to
three axes: pitch = rotation around the the operations department as a matter
lateral axis; roll = rotation around the of routine. 쐽 adjective standard and reg-
longitudinal axis; yaw = rotation ular 왍 routine servicing servicing car-
around the vertical axis. ried out in the normal way at regular,
rotational scheduled intervals
rotational /rəυteʃ(ə)nəl/ adjective
|

row /rəυ/ noun 1. a series of objects in

row

rotating 쑗 rotational movement of the

camshaft 쑗 The rotational movement of a line 쑗 Each row of rotating rotor
the propeller blades creates lift at right blades is followed by a row of station-
angles to the blade. ary stator blades. 2. a series of seats in
rotor
an aircraft 쑗 There are no empty seats in
rotor /rəυtə/ noun a device which Row 8.
turns about an axis or centre 쑗 The rotor rpm , r.p.m. abbreviation revolutions
rpm

blade of a compressor. per minute 쑗 Rpm is the number of rev-

rotor blade

rotor blade /rəυtə bled/ noun a olutions per minute that the engine
long thin aerofoil on a helicopter rotor crankshaft is making. 쑗 The actuator
rotorcraft
control is sensitive to engine rpm.
rotorcraft /rəυtəkrɑft/ noun same
R/T radiotelephony
R/T

as rotary wing aircraft abbreviation

rough (NOTE: R/T is frequently used in spoken
rough /rf/ adjective 1. not smooth, language, whereas RTF is the ICAO
having an irregular surface. Opposite abbreviation.)
smooth 왍 rough air turbulent air 왍 RTF abbreviation radiotelephony
RTF

rough running referring to a piston (ICAO)

engine which is not operating correctly
rudder /rdə/ noun a control surface
rudder

2. not fully detailed 왍 a rough estimate

an approximate calculation, good on the fin which rotates the aircraft
about its vertical axis to produce yaw 쑗
enough for a given purpose 왍 a rough
The A320 retains a backup mechanical
drawing a quick drawing usually used
linkage for elevator trim and rudder to
to illustrate or explain allow control in the unlikely event of
roughness

roughness /rfnəs/ noun uneven- complete electrical failure.

ness of a surface 쑗 The strength of tur- COMMENT: The rudder does not turn
bulence near the Earth’s surface the aircraft. It is used, together with
depends largely on the surface temper- aileron deflection, to initiate turns, to
ature, the surface wind, and the rough- balance forces in turns and to
ness of the surface. counteract yawing motions created by
rough terrain the propeller during flight. The rudder
rough terrain /rf təran/ noun
|
pedals are mounted on the floor of the
uneven ground cockpit.
rudder ball 200
rudder ball /rdə bɔl/ noun same
rudder ball

aircraft take off and land 쑗 Heathrow

as inclinometer airport has four terminals and two main
rudder pedal /rdə ped(ə)l/ noun a
rudder pedal
runways. 쑗 To achieve a safe landing,
foot-operated lever which moves the an aircraft has to be controlled so that
rudder 쑗 Just before take-off, the pilot its wheels make contact with the run-
should make sure that his or her feet are way smoothly. 쑗 The aircraft lined up
correctly positioned on the rudder ped- perfectly on the runway extended centre
als. line. Abbreviation R/W
rule /rul/ noun 1. a standard and
rule

COMMENT: Large airports often have

authoritative instruction or guide 쑗 more than one runway, arranged to
According to the rules, your ticket must cope with varying wind directions.
be paid for two weeks in advance. 왍 as Some busy airports have parallel
a rule usually 쑗 As a general rule, radio runways which can be used
signals travel in straight lines. 2. an simultaneously.
instrument for determining length runway visual range

runway visual range /rnwe

rule of thumb /rul əv θm/ noun
rule of thumb

vȢuəl rendȢ/ noun the distance

easily remembered, useful guide to a along a runway at which selected lights
more complex principle can be seen, adjusted to simulate
run /rn/ noun a route or distance 쐽 approach visibility 쑗 Runway visual
run

verb 1. to extend 쑗 Magnetic lines of range is obtained by an observer stand-

force run from the north magnetic pole ing at the side of the runway in the
to the south magnetic pole. 2. to operate vicinity of the threshold counting the
an engine 쑗 An engine should be run at number of markers or lights visible
low r.p.m. (revolutions per minute) after along the side of the runway. Abbrevia-
flight to allow engine components to tion RVR
cool to a more uniform temperature. rupture

rupture /rptʃə / noun the process of

run up /rn p/ noun 왍 engine run-
run up

breaking open or bursting 쑗 Pressure in

up the testing of a piston engine at high the fuel tanks must be controlled to pre-
power, in a light aircraft, just before vent rupture or collapse. 쐽 verb to break
take-off 쑗 Make certain that the parking open or burst 쑗 The impact ruptured the
brake is on before doing engine run-up fuel tank.
checks. RVR

runway /rnwe/ noun a strip of

runway
RVR abbreviation runway visual range
R/W

level, usually paved ground on which R/W, RWY abbreviation runway

 S
S

S abbreviation south with safety regulations concerning fire

safe resistance.
safe /sef/ adjective free from danger 쑗 safety straps

Approach to land must be made at a safety straps /sefti strps/ plural

safe speed. 왍 safe landing a landing noun device to keep a person in position
which does not endanger people or in a seat
damage the aircraft. 쒁 fail safe
sailplane

sailplane /selplen/ noun a light

safeguard

safeguard /sefDZɑd/ noun some- glider particularly well adapted to mak-

thing done as a precaution 쑗 A propeller ing use of rising air currents
St Elmo’s Fire

is feathered after engine failure, or as a St Elmo’s Fire /sənt elməυz faə/

safeguard when low oil pressure or noun a luminous electrical discharge
excessive temperature have indicated sometimes seen on aircraft during
the development of a possible defect. 쐽 storms
verb to take action to make sure that SALR

SALR abbreviation saturated adiabatic

something is protected from harm 쑗 A lapse rate
pressure maintaining valve is generally salvage

used to safeguard operation of impor- salvage /slvdȢ / verb to save items

tant services, such as flying controls of property which may be in danger of
and wheel brakes. being lost 쑗 In the event of a crash land-
safe life
ing in a remote area on land, an attempt
safe life / sef laf/ noun the principle should be made to salvage all items of
of putting the least load or force on each survival equipment from the wreckage
component, so that it will last well including beacons, rafts and raft equip-
beyond a plane’s expected life ment.
safety

safety /sefti/ noun freedom from sample

sample /sɑmpəl/ noun a small

danger, injury or risk 쑗 Turbulence can amount which is representative of the
have serious effects on aircraft safety whole 쑗 If a sample of fuel taken from a
and performance and makes air travel tank was found to be hazy or cloudy in
uncomfortable. 왍 safety conscious the appearance, this would indicate the
state of being aware at all times of the presence of water in suspension. 쑗 If
importance of safety and the means by fuel contamination by water is sus-
which it is achieved and maintained pected, a sample of fuel should be
safety pilot

safety pilot /sefti palət/ noun a drained from the tank for inspection.
pilot present in the cockpit to ensure the
sandwich

sandwich /snwdȢ/ noun a con-

safety of the flight, e.g. when a student struction of three layers, the material of
is practising instrument flying the one in the middle being different
safety regulations

safety regulations /sefti from the two on each side 쑗 Standard

reDZjυleʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun rules or connectors consist of a metal coupling
laws which must be followed to make a with a rubber sandwich joint.
SAR

place safe 쑗 Equipment and furnishings SAR abbreviation 1. special aerodrome

on modern jet transports must comply report 2. search and rescue (ICAO)
SAS 202
saturation point /stʃəreʃ(ə)n
SAS saturation point

SAS abbreviation stability augmenta- |

tion system pɔnt/ noun the level at which no more

satellite

satellite /stəlat/ noun an object of a substance can be absorbed

save /sev/ verb to prevent unneces-
save

launched to orbit the earth, usually

receiving and transmitting signals, pic- sary use of 쑗 Electro-magnetic switches
tures and data 쑗 Satellite communica- are generally used to control high-cur-
tions improve the effective distribution rent devices by means of a small current
of world area forecasts. thus saving heavy duty cable and there-
satellite navigation fore weight.
satellite navigation / st(ə)lat
SB abbreviation service bulletin
SB

nvDZeʃ(ə)n/, satellite navigation

|

scale /skel/ noun 1. marks at fixed

scale

system noun a system of navigation

which uses orbiting satellites to deter- intervals used as a reference standard in
mine the position of an aircraft or point, measurement 쑗 This ruler has scales in
in relation to the Earth’s surface. Abbre- inches and centimetres. 2. a graded sys-
viation SATNAV tem of classification 3. a proportion
satisfactory used in determining distance on charts 쑗
satisfactory /stsfkt(ə)ri/
|
Many aeronautical charts use a scale of
adjective adequate, good enough 쑗 For 1:500,000.
satisfactory operation, an engine
scan /skn / verb 1. to look at quickly
scan

requires an adequate supply of oil.

and systematically 쑗 The pilot is trained
‘…during the engine run-up, check that to scan the instrument panel. 2. to move
the use of carburettor heat gives a a radar beam in a systematic pattern in
satisfactory drop in rpm or manifold search of a target 쑗 Some radars scan in
pressure’ [Civil Aviation Authority, azimuth and glideslope.
General Aviation Safety Sense Leaflet]
scatter /sktə/ noun deflection of
scatter

satisfy

satisfy /stsfa/ verb 1. to meet a radiation 쑗 High frequencies are freer of

particular prescribed standard 쑗 Shell ionospheric scatter and are relatively
Avgas 100LL satisfies British specifica- free of noise.
tion. 2. to meet the needs or require- schedule /ʃedjul/ noun 1. a list of
schedule

ments of something 쑗 To satisfy the times of departures and arrivals 쑗 an

requirements of aviation there are three airline schedule 2. a printed or written
types of meteorological offices for avia- list of items in the form of a table 쑗
tion, each with a specific role to fulfil. inspection schedule 쑗 maintenance
SATNAV

SATNAV / stnv/ abbreviation sat- schedule 쐽 verb 1. to plan for a particu-

ellite navigation lar time or date 쑗 The meeting is sched-
saturate

saturate / stʃəret/ verb to cause a uled for 3 o’clock. 2. to enter on a

substance to combine with the greatest schedule 쑗 Calculate and schedule each
possible amount of another substance 쑗 item on the proper form.
scheduled / ʃedȢuld/ adjective 왍
scheduled

When a sample of air contains the max-

imum amount of water vapour for its scheduled landing an arrival at a time-
particular temperature, it is said to be tabled destination
saturated. 쒁 lapse rate scheduled flights /ʃedȢuld
scheduled flights

saturation

saturation /stʃəreʃ(ə)n/ noun

|
flats/ plural noun flights that are listed
the state of being filled with the maxi- in the airline timetable, as opposed to
mum amount of something which can charter flights
schematic /skimtk/ adjective
schematic

be absorbed, e.g. a sample of air which |

contains the maximum amount of water showing the function of a device or sys-
vapour for its temperature 쑗 The vari- tem without trying to create a realistic
ous types of fog are classified by the image 쑗 Figure 3 shows a schematic
manner in which saturation is reached. diagram of the autopilot.
scramjet /skrmdȢet / noun a ram-
scramjet

왍 the moisture in the air reached sat-

uration point and fell as rain the air jet aircraft in which fuel is burned in air
could absorb no more water that is moving at supersonic speeds
 203 secondary surveillance radar
screen /skrin/ noun the surface of a
screen

coated on the inside with a layer of

TV or computer monitor on which the sealant.
image is seen 쑗 The airborne weather sea level /si lev(ə)l/ noun the aver-
sea level

radar (AWR) allows the range of cloud age level of the surface of the sea, used
to be estimated from range markers dis- for measuring barometric pressure
played on the screen. sealing
sealing compound

compound /silŋ
screw /skru/ noun a type of threaded
screw

kɒmpaυnd/ noun same as sealant

connector used to fix things together by seaplane /siplen / noun a plane that
seaplane

rotating it can take off from and land on water

screw jack /skru dȢk/, screw-
screw jack

search /s%tʃ/ noun an act of looking

search

jack /skrudȢk/ noun a lifting device for something in order to find it 쑗 The
working with rotary input 쑗 Pitch trim aircraft reduced altitude and carried
is achieved by lowering or raising the out a visual search for survivors. 쐽 verb
tailplane leading edge with a screw jack to look for in order to find something 쑗
powered by two hydraulic motors. The investigators searched the scene of
sea /si/ noun 1. a body of salt water
sea

the crash for the flight data recorder.

between land masses 쑗 Swissair flight season /siz(ə)n/ noun one of the
season

111 crashed into the sea. 왍 mean sea four natural divisions of the year,
level the average level of the sea taking spring, summer, autumn, or winter 쑗
tidal variations into account 쑗 Altitude The amount of solar radiation received
is the vertical distance between an air- by the Earth depends on the season.
craft – or a point or a level – and mean seasonal /siz(ə)n(ə)l/ adjective 1.
seasonal

sea level. 2. a particular area of a body referring to the four natural divisions of
of salt water 쑗 the North Sea 쑗 the South the year, or characteristic of a particular
China Sea 쒁 ocean time of the year 쑗 seasonal tempera-
sea-anchor /si ŋkə/ noun a
sea-anchor

tures 쑗 seasonal winds 2. only lasting

device under a raft to provide stability 쑗 for a season 쑗 seasonal work
Each life raft is equipped with a flame seasonal variation /siz(ə)n(ə)l
seasonal variation

orange coloured canopy and a sea- veərieʃ(ə)n/ noun a change occur-

|

anchor. ring according to the season

seaboard /sibɔd/ noun US a coast
seaboard

seat /sit / noun a place for sitting 쑗

seat

쑗 the eastern seaboard of the USA

pilot’s seat 왍 window seat a seat next to
seal /sil/ noun 1. a device that joins
seal

a window
two parts and prevents leakage 쑗 An oil seated /sitd/ adjective sitting, on
seated

seal reduces the clearance between the your seat 쑗 Passengers should remain
rotating and static members. 왍 static seated. 쒁 sit
seal a seal which is part of a non-mov-
seating capacity /sitŋ kəpsti/
seating capacity

ing component 쑗 Static seals, gaskets |

and packing are used in many locations. noun the maximum number of people
2. a way in which a liquid or a gas may an aircraft, bus, etc., can seat
secondary /sekənd(ə)ri/ adjective
secondary

be prevented from escaping 쑗 Static

seals, gaskets and packing effect a seal 1. of the second rank in importance,
by being squeezed between two sur- etc., not primary 2. an induced current
faces. 쐽 verb to join two parts in such a that is generated by a primary source
way as to prevent leakage 쑗 In pressu- secondary radar /sekənd(ə)ri
secondary radar

rised aircraft, bulkheads are provided redɑ/ noun a radar system in which
at the front and rear ends of the fuselage the active target replies to the interroga-
to seal off the crew compartment and tion unit
the passenger cabin. secondary surveillance radar
secondary surveillance radar

sealant / silənt/ noun a substance

sealant

/sekənd(ə)ri səveləns redɑ/

| |

painted or sprayed onto a surface to pre- noun a radar which uses ground equip-
vent the escape of a liquid or gas 쑗 The ment called interrogators and airborne
integral fuel tank may be completely equipment called transponders to
section 204
identify aircraft, determine altitude and sure controller is used to select cabin
range, etc. 쑗 Secondary surveillance altitude.
radar (SSR) is normally used to supple- selection /slekʃən/ noun 1. a
selection

ment data from primary systems. choice of something such as a particular

Abbreviation SSR instrument or system setting 쑗 By man-
section /sekʃən/ noun 1. a compo- ual selection of the heating switch, the
section

nent or part of a structure 쑗 tail section formed ice can be dispersed. 2. a collec-
and nose section of the aircraft 쑗 the tion of carefully chosen things 쑗 a
non-smoking section of the aircraft 2. selection of photographs
part of a text 쑗 The book is divided into selector /slektə/ noun a manually
selector

four sections, and the first four chapters operated device like a switch, which
form the first section. 3. a diagram of a offers a choice of settings 쑗 Turn the
solid object as it would appear if cut, so selector control. 쑗 The purpose of this
that the internal structure is displayed. 쒁 selector is to direct fluid to the appro-
cross-section priate side of an actuator.
sectional /sekʃən(ə)l/ adjective 1.
sectional

self-contained /self kəntend/

self-contained

referring to a section or composed of adjective independent 쑗 The auxiliary

sections 2. showing a solid object as it power unit is a self-contained unit.
would appear if it were cut self-positioning
self-positioning

/self pə |

sector /sektə/ noun 1. part of the

sector

zʃ(ə)nŋ/ noun the positioning of the

flight between an aircraft moving under aircraft on the extended centreline of
its own power until it next stops after the runway using the on-board naviga-
landing in its allocated parking position tion system. Also called centre fix
쑗 On some sectors, because of fuel costs semi- /semi/ prefix half
semi-

at the destination, it can be economical semicircle /semis%k(ə)l/ noun half

semicircle

to carry excess fuel. 2. the portion of a a circle 쑗 Most mathematical protrac-

circle inside two radii and the included tors are made of plastic in the shape of
arc 3. a segment of airspace with its a semicircle.
own team of air traffic controllers
semicircular /semis%kjυlə/ adjec-
semicircular

secure /skjυə/ adjective fastened or

secure

|
tive in the shape of half a circle 쑗 Most
locked, safe 쑗 Overhead baggage lock- mathematical protractors are semicir-
ers must be secure. 쐽 verb to attach cular in shape.
firmly, to fasten or to make safe 쑗 If the
semiconductor /semikəndktə/
semiconductor

onset of turbulence is sudden, crew |

must immediately secure themselves in noun a solid crystalline substance with

the nearest available seats. electrical conductivity greater than
insulators but less than good conductors
security /skjυərti/ noun 1. safety
security

쑗 Semiconductor material is used to

|

2. people whose job is to protect build- make many electronic devices.

ings or other people against crime
senior /siniə/ adjective older or
senior

SELCAL noun a high-frequency radio

SELCAL

more important in rank 쑗 senior cabin

system which alerts the crew of an air- supervisor
craft to the fact that air traffic control is sense /sens/ noun 1. manner, way 쑗
sense

trying to contact them. Full form selec- After turning the aircraft, the auto-con-
tive call
trol will operate in the opposite sense
seldom /seldəm/ adverb not often,
seldom

and return the ailerons to neutral as the

rarely 쑗 Aircraft are seldom hit by light- aircraft returns to level flight. 2. any of
ning. 쑗 The wet sump system of lubrica- the physiological means by which we
tion is seldom used on modern aircraft. experience our surroundings: sight,
select /slekt/ verb to choose some-
select

| hearing, smell, taste and touch 쑗 When

thing such as a particular instrument or flying in cloud, pilots must rely on the
system setting 쑗 A reverse thrust lever instruments and not on their senses. 3.
in the crew compartment is used to wisdom or natural intelligence 쑗 He has
select reverse thrust. 쑗 The cabin pres- a lot of (common) sense. 4. the meaning
 205 serviceability
of a word 쑗 The word ‘bearing’ is used provides a rapid series of sparks timed
in a lot of different senses. 쐽 verb to to fire in each cylinder in the correct
detect automatically 쑗 The fire warning sequence.
system is designed to sense two levels of sequence valves

sequence valves /sikwəns

temperature – overheat and fire. 쒁 sen- vlvz/ plural noun a fluid flow control-
sor ler which performs a number of actions
sensitive /senstv/ adjective able to
sensitive

in a particular order 쑗 Sequence valves

register very small differences or are often fitted in a landing gear circuit
changes in conditions 쑗 Oscillating out- to ensure correct operation of the land-
puts from the alternators could cause ing gear doors and actuators.
sensitive equipment to malfunction or series

trip off. 쑗 The actuator is sensitive to series /səriz/ noun a number of

engine rpm. things or events which come one after
the other in a particular order 쑗 a series
sensitivity /senstvti/ noun the
sensitivity

|
of photographs 쑗 a series of switches
quality or state of being able to register series circuit

very small differences or changes in series circuit /səriz s%kt/ noun

conditions 쑗 Monitors detect distur- an electric circuit connected so that cur-
bances which are below the sensitivity rent passes through each component of
level of the gyros. the circuit in turn without branching
serious

sensor /sensə/ noun a device which

sensor
serious /səriəs/ adjective important,
receives and responds to a signal or or giving cause for great concern or
stimulus 쑗 pressure sensor 쑗 tempera- worry 왍 serious damage very bad dam-
ture sensor 쑗 The inlet pressure is age 왍 serious injury very bad injury
sensed by a single pitot-type sensor serve

serve /s%v/ verb 1. to act or to func-

probe which is situated just in front of tion as 쑗 In some aircraft, pressure
the compressor. gauges also serve as a maintenance
separate adjective /sep(ə)rət/ exist- check on leakage. 2. to be used for a
separate

ing as an independent thing 쑗 Propel- purpose 쑗 Different colour-coded warn-

lers consist of a number of separate ing lights serve to alert the observer
blades mounted in a hub. 쐽 verb that something is wrong with the sys-
/sepəret/ to set or keep apart 쑗 Dry tem.
chemical extinguishants separate the ‘…a recent incident in Argentina serves
oxygen element from the fire thus to highlight some of the many safety
retarding combustion. problems in Latin America’
separation /sepəreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
separation

|
[INTER PILOT]
the condition of being spaced apart 2. service

service /s%vs/ noun 1. a facility 쑗 A

the removal of something from a mix- pressure reducing valve is often used to
ture or combination 쑗 The oil and air reduce main system pressure to a value
mixture flows over the de-aerator tray suitable for operation of a service such
in the oil tank, where partial separation as the wheel brakes. 2. work done for
takes place. others as a profession 쑗 Automatic Ter-
separation standards /sepə
separation standards

| minal Information Service (ATIS) 쑗

reʃ(ə)n stndədz/ plural noun inter- Cabin crew provide a commercial serv-
nationally agreed minimum separation ice to passengers. 3. maintenance or
limits for aircraft in flight repairs carried out 쐽 verb to do mainte-
separator /sepəretə/ noun a device
separator
nance or repairs on 쑗 Jet engines are
which removes something from a mix- simpler to dismantle and service than
ture or combination 쑗 The water sepa- piston engines.
rator will extract a percentage of free serviceability

serviceability /s%vsəblti/ noun

|

moisture from the air. the ability to function as required 쑗

sequence /sikwəns/ noun a series
sequence

When carrying out engine checks, it is

of things or events which follow one usual to turn off the magnetos in turn to
another, an order 쑗 The ignition system check their serviceability.
serviceable 206
serviceable /s%vsəb(ə)l/ adjective
serviceable

closed. 3. to harden 쑗 The resin sets.

able to function as required 쑗 The pilot (NOTE: setting – set) 왍 cold setting
must make sure that the radio equip- materials materials which do not need
ment is serviceable prior to take-off. heat to harden
set down /set daυn/ verb to land an
set down

service area /s%vs eəriə / noun

service area

area where maintenance and repairs are aircraft, or land somewhere in an air-
carried out craft
setting /setŋ/ noun 1. a particular
setting

service bay /s%vs be/ noun a

service bay

space in the structure of an aeroplane figure or position which a device is

where equipment can be located for adjusted to 왍 altimeter setting adjust-
maintenance or repairs 쑗 In most mod- ment of the sub-scale of the altimeter to
ern aircraft a number of the major com- read QFE, QNH, etc. 2. the action of
ponents are grouped together in a adjusting a device to a particular posi-
hydraulic service bay which is easily tion, etc. 쑗 The setting of the altimeter is
accessible for routine servicing opera- done prior to take-off.
tions. settle /set(ə)l/ verb to move into a
settle

service bulletin /s%vs bυltn/ final position 쑗 When wheels are first
service bulletin

noun a notice issued by the manufac- fitted to an aircraft, the tyres tend to
turer of an aircraft, engine or other move slightly as they settle down on the
equipment to alert people to problems rims.
with that equipment. Abbreviation SB several /sev(ə)rəl/ adjective a
several

servicing /s%vsŋ/ noun the action number of but not many, more than a
servicing

of carrying out maintenance and repairs few 쑗 There are several types of instru-
쑗 Accessibility of components and ment landing systems (ILS) in use. 왍
equipment during servicing enables several minutes a number of minutes
work to be done more quickly. severe /svə/ adjective extreme or
severe

servo /s%vəυ/ abbreviation servo- intense (NOTE: Generally speaking,

servo

mechanism weather conditions can be described

servo-assisted /s%vəυ ə sstd/
servo-assisted

|
as light, moderate or severe, depending
adjective partially operated by a servo- on the amount or intensity of the condi-
mechanism 쑗 servo-assisted brakes 쑗 tion.) 왍 severe icing bad icing 왍 severe
servo-assisted steering turbulence violent turbulence
severity /sverti/ noun the amount,
severity

servo-control unit /s%vəυ kən

servo-control unit
|
|

trəυl junt/ noun a unit, a combined intensity or seriousness of a condition 쑗

selector valve and actuator, which When the wind is strong the vertical
moves a control surface 쑗 A servo-con- currents become quite vigorous with the
trol unit is part of the system which resultant increase in the severity of tur-
relieves the effects of aerodynamic bulence.
SFAR abbreviation Special Federal
SFAR

forces on the flight controls.

servomechanism
servomechanism

/s%vəυ|
Aviation Regulation
mekənz(ə)m/ noun a device to con- shade /ʃed/ noun 1. intensity or rich-
shade

vert input forces into much larger out- ness of colour 쑗 Shades of colour of the
put forces 쑗 Two phase motors are nor- landscape become lighter in misty con-
mally used for very small or miniature ditions. 2. cover or shelter from the sun
motors in servomechanisms. 쑗 Surface air temperature is the temper-

set /set/ noun a group of things which

set
ature recorded in the shade at a height
belong together 쑗 a set of instruments 쑗 just above ground level.
a set of figures 쐽 adjective fixed or shadow /ʃdəυ / noun an area which
shadow

established 쑗 a set procedure 쐽 verb 1. is not affected by full radiation because

to adjust to a particular point or figure 쑗 of partial or full blocking of rays by
The aircraft receiver is set to the something between the area and the
required frequency. 2. to put in a partic- source of the radiation 쑗 Solar radiation
ular position 쑗 Set the throttle fully does not exist at night when the rotation
 207 shorten
of the Earth creates a shadow zone from shed /ʃed/ verb to get rid of 쑗 Non-
shed

the sun. 쑗 Line-of-sight transmission essential loads may need to be shed in

path means that obstacles and terrain order to reduce weight.
can create shadow zones. sheet /ʃit/ noun 1. a large, thin, flat
sheet

piece of material 쑗 aluminium sheet 2. a

shaft

shaft /ʃɑft/ noun a long, generally

cylindrical bar, especially one that relatively large piece of paper 왍
rotates and transmits power 쑗 engine instruction sheet a piece of paper on
drive shaft 쑗 propeller shaft which special instructions are written or
shaft horsepower

shaft horsepower /ʃɑft printed

shell /ʃel/ noun the outer covering of
shell

hɔspaυə/ noun the unit used for stat-

ing the power delivered to the shaft of a something such as an aircraft fuselage
turboshaft or turboprop engine. Abbre- shield /ʃild/ noun a protective cover-
shield

viation SHP ing 쑗 heat shield 쐽 verb to protect by

shaker

shaker /ʃekə/ noun a device which covering 쑗 The beacon should be sited
shakes or vibrates violently 쑗 Large air- on the highest ground to prevent the
craft use a stick shaker to supplement transmitted signal from being shielded.
shift /ʃft/ noun 1. movement from
shift

the natural stall warning of buffet.

shallow
one place to another 쑗 a shift in position
shallow /ʃləυ/ adjective not deep 왍 2. a change 쑗 When a radio transmis-
shallow angle small angle
shallow depression
sion is made from a moving platform,
shallow depression /ʃləυ d |
there will be a shift in frequency
preʃ(ə)n/ noun an area of slightly low between the transmitted and intercepted
relative atmospheric pressure radio signals. 쐽 verb to change the posi-
shape

shape /ʃep/ noun form 쑗 The shape tion of something 쑗 to shift a load
shock /ʃɒk/ noun 1. a sudden violent
shock

of an aircraft is determined by the

requirement to provide an aerodynamic impact 쑗 On all undercarriages some
lift force great enough to support the form of accepting the shock of landing
weight of the aircraft and payload must be included. 2. disturbance of
whilst in flight. mental functions caused by a terrible
sharp

sharp /ʃɑp/ adjective 1. thin and experience or injury 쑗 Crew should be

capable of cutting or piercing 쑗 If a aware of reverse panic, a form of shock
piece of thermosetting plastic is hit hard which makes passengers unable to com-
enough, it breaks into pieces with prehend the need for urgency.
shock absorber /ʃɒk əbzɔbə/
shock absorber

straight sharp edges. 2. clear 쑗 The |

sharp setting means the bandwidth is noun device to minimise the shock to
reduced to 1kHz (kilohertz) to minimise the main structure of the aircraft when it
noise or interference. 3. clear and dis- lands
tinct 쑗 Cumulus clouds have sharp out- shock wave /ʃɒk wev/ noun com-
shock wave

lines. 4. sudden and acute 왍 a sharp pression wave caused by supersonic

increase a sudden large increase motion 쑗 As sonic speed is approached,
shatter

shatter /ʃtə/ verb to break into a the efficiency of the intake begins to fall,
number of pieces when hit 쑗 Clear ice is because of the formation of shock waves
hard to shatter and break off. at the intake lip.
shore /ʃɔ/ noun a stretch of land at
shore

shear

shear /ʃə/ verb to break by lateral

movement the edge of the sea or a lake, etc. 쑗 At a
shearing load
height of 3,000 feet it was possible to
shearing load /ʃərŋ ləυd/ noun see the shore. 쒁 offshore, onshore
load caused by sliding apart the layers shorten /ʃɔt(ə)n/ verb to make short
shorten

of a structure or shorter in length or duration 쑗 Mis-

shear stress

shear stress /ʃə stres/ noun stress handling of aero-engines during opera-
that occurs in riveted and bolted joints tion can cause considerable damage
when a force causes one layer of mate- and wear which can shorten the life of
rial to slide over an adjacent layer the engine. 쑗 The length of the mercury
short-haul 208
column shortens when cooled. Opposite eyes 쐽 verb to see something when it is
lengthen a long way away 쑗 Sea marker dyes can
short-haul /ʃɔt hɔl/ adjective trav-
short-haul
only be used once and should only be
elling over a short distance used when a search aircraft is sighted.
sight glass

short-haul flight /ʃɔt hɔl flat/

short-haul flight
sight glass /sat DZlɑs/ noun a sim-
noun a flight over a short distance, up to ple fluid-level gauge
1,000km 쑗 On short-haul flights, pas-
SIGMET

SIGMET /sDZmet/ abbreviation sig-

sengers are usually offered only light nificant meteorological information
meals. sign /san / noun 1. a small quantity or
sign

short-term conflict alert /ʃɔt

short-term conflict alert

amount of a something which may sug-

t%m kɒnflkt əl%t/ noun a warning
|
gest the existence of a much larger
that an aircraft may soon be flying too quantity 쑗 Any sign of smoke or fire out-
close to another aircraft side a wing exit means it cannot be
shot /ʃɒt/ noun a discharge 쑗 Extin- used. 2. a display with letters and/or
shot

guishing of a fire in an auxiliary power numbers, sometimes lit up 쑗 the ‘fasten

unit (APU) compartment is normally seat belt’ sign 쑗 ‘no-smoking’ sign 3. a
done by a single-shot fire extinguisher. symbol such as: -, +, x or ÷, which rep-
shower /ʃaυə/ noun a short period of
shower
resents an operation 쐽 verb to put one’s
rain or snow 쑗 Showers are forecast for signature on a document, a letter, etc. 쑗
the evening. 쑗 Snow showers are Remember to sign the letter.
signal /sDZn(ə)l/ noun 1. a device,
signal

expected in the area.

SHP abbreviation shaft horsepower
SHP
action or sound which passes informa-
tion 2. a radio wave transmitted or
shroud /ʃraυd/ noun 1. an extension
shroud

received 쑗 As a general rule, radio sig-

of a fixed surface of a wing towards the nals travel in straight lines.
rear, which covers the leading edge of a signals area

movable surface hinged to it 2. any one signals area /sDZn(ə)lz eəriə/ noun
of the lines by which the harness of a an area on an aerodrome used for dis-
parachute is attached to the canopy playing ground signals
signals mast

shunt /ʃnt/ noun a low-resistance

shunt
signals mast /sDZn(ə)lz mɑst/
connection between two points in an noun a vertical pole on an airfield from
electric circuit that forms an alternative which signal flags are flown
path for a portion of the current 쑗 The signals square /sDZn(ə)lz skweə/
signals square

shunt-wound generator, used in con- noun an area on an aerodrome from

junction with a voltage regulator, is the which ground signals are displayed
most common type of DC (direct cur- signature /sDZntʃə/ noun the name
signature

rent) generator system for aircraft. Also of a person written in a special way to
called bypass show that a document has been author-
shutter /ʃtə/ noun a hinged door
shutter

ised or to show who is the author of a

which controls the flow of air 쑗 oil letter, etc. 쑗 Look at the signature to see
cooler shutters 쑗 radiator shutters who wrote the letter.
SID abbreviation standard instrument
SID
significance

significance /sDZnfkəns/ noun

|

departure importance 쑗 Except near a coastline

sidestick controller /sadstk kən where the sea breeze may augment the
sidestick controller

trəυlə/ noun a small side-mounted upslope motion, anabatic winds are of

control column used on aircraft such as little significance.
the Airbus A340 significant /sDZnfkənt/ adjective
significant

sight /sat/ noun 1. view 쑗 The fog

sight

important and therefore noticeable 쑗 a

cleared and the mountain came into significant change in temperature 쑗 The
sight. 2. 왍 with the airfield in sight a vertical currents and eddies formed by
transmission to air traffic control to the flow of air over hills and mountains
confirm that the pilot can see the land- have a significant effect on aircraft
ing airfield 3. the ability to see using the encountering them.
 209 sit
significant meteorological
significant meteorological information

further simplified by increasing use of

information /sDZnfkənt mitiərə | cold setting resins.
lɒdȢk(ə)l nfəmeʃ(ə)n/ noun a |
simulate

simulate / smjυlet/ verb to imitate

weather advisory concerning weather the conditions or behaviour of some-
conditions important to the safety of all thing 쑗 The computer program simu-
aircraft, such as severe or extreme tur- lates the action of an aircraft.
bulence. Abbreviation SIGMET simulated instrument flight

simulated instrument flight

significant points /sDZnfkənt
significant points

/smjυletd nstrυmənt flat/ noun

pɔnts/ plural noun geographical posi- an instrument flight carried out in a sim-
tions used in air navigation, which are ulator on the ground or in a specially
defined by latitude and longitude and prepared aircraft with screens on the
have names consisting of five letters windows
significant weather chart /sDZ
significant weather chart

simulation /smjυleʃ(ə)n/ noun an

simulation
|

nfkənt weðə tʃɑt/ noun a weather imitation of a real situation, created

chart with important weather informa- often for training purposes 쑗 a simula-
tion marked on it tion of an engine fire 쑗 The computer
signify /sDZnfa/ verb to indicate, to
signify

animation showed a simulation of the

suggest, to mean 쑗 Buffet signifies the events which followed the explosion on
approach of a stall. (NOTE: signifies – board the aircraft.
signifying – signified)
simulator /smjυletə/ noun a
simulator

silence /saləns/ noun the absence of

silence

machine that is constructed to look like

sound 왍 total silence the complete an aircraft cockpit with a full set of
absence of sound 쐽 verb to stop, or stop instruments, in which people can be
something, making a noise 쑗 When an trained to fly a particular type of aircraft
engine fire warning is received on the simultaneous

flight deck, the first action should be to simultaneous /sm(ə)lteniəs/ |

silence the warning bell. adjective happening at the same time 쑗

Most aircraft are now fitted with remote
silencer /salənsə/ noun a device to
silencer

magnetic indicator displays which can

reduce noise 쑗 In order to reduce the be selected to show two simultaneous
level of noise from the blower, silencers bearings from different radio navaids.
are incorporated in the main supply
sine /san/ noun a trigonometric func-
sine

ducting.
similar /smlə/ adjective nearly the
similar
tion defined as the length of the side
same 쑗 Turbo-shaft engines are similar opposite to an angle in a right-angled
to turboprop engines. triangle divided by the length of the
hypotenuse. Abbreviation sin
similarity /smlrti/ noun the fact
similarity

single /sŋDZ(ə)l/ adjective one only

single

of having features that are nearly the single-engined aircraft

same 쑗 There are points of difference single-engined aircraft /sŋDZ(ə)l

and similarity between the two aircraft. endȢn eəkrɑft/, single-engine air-
simple /smpəl/ adjective 1. basic,
simple
craft noun an aircraft with one engine
not complex 쑗 A simple fuel system con- only
sists of a gravity feed tank, a filter, a
sink

sink /sŋk/ noun a downdraught of air

shut-off valve and pipes. 2. easy 쑗 a 왍 rate of sink the rate of descent of a
simple question glider 쑗 In order to achieve a safe land-
simplicity /sm plsti/ noun the
simplicity

|
ing, a glider has to be controlled so that
quality of having a basic, uncompli- it makes contact with the runway
cated design or concept 쑗 Because of its smoothly at a very low rate of sink. 쐽
lightness, cheapness and simplicity, a verb to move downwards as in a fluid 쑗
fixed pitch propeller is often fitted to If water enters the fuel tank, it will sink
single-engine aircraft. to the bottom of the tank where it can be
simplify /smplfa/ verb to make
simplify
drained off.
sit

easy, to make less complex or compli- sit /st/ verb to be resting with your
cated 쑗 Repair procedures are being behind on a seat such as a chair 쑗 The
site 210
pilot sits in the cockpit. (NOTE: sitting – or increase rudder pressure on the
sat) same side as the ball has moved to in
site /sat/ noun a selected area of land
site
the turn coordinator.) 쐽 verb 1. to slide
쑗 landing site 쐽 verb to position or to on slippery ground 쑗 If you brake too
put in a particular place 쑗 Where it is hard on a wet surface, you might skid.
impossible or inadvisable to site the (NOTE: skidding – skidded) 왍 to skid
localiser antenna on the runway cen- to a halt to slide or skid until you stop
treline, it may be positioned to one side. 2. to move sideways towards the outside
sitting /stŋ/ adjective 왍 sitting posi-
sitting
of a turning manoeuvre
skill /skl/ noun expertise, an excellent
skill

tion the position of a person who is on

a seat 쑗 The correct technique of using ability in something 쑗 Skill in accurate
the escape slides is to assume a sitting flying can only be achieved by constant
position. practice.
skin /skn/ noun the outer layer of a
skin

situate /stʃuet/ verb to put in a par-

situate

ticular place, to locate 쑗 The inlet pres- body, or the outer layer of an aircraft 쑗
sure is sensed by a single pitot-type The aircraft skin is riveted to stringers
probe which is situated just in front of and frames.
the compressor. skip distance

skip distance /skp dstəns/ noun

situation /stʃueʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a the shortest distance at which a sky
situation

location, the place where something is 쑗 wave can be received 쑗 The higher the
The situation of the flight controls is layer in which a direct wave signal is
important. 2. the conditions or circum- totally refracted and returns as a sky
stances in a particular place or at a par- wave, the greater the skip distance.
ticular time 쑗 The synoptic chart is a skiplane /skiplen/ noun an aircraft
skiplane

graphical representation of the general equipped with skis for taking off from
weather situation over a given area at a and landing on snow
given time. sky

sky /ska/ noun the atmosphere and

six character group /sks
six character group

outer space as seen from the earth 쑗 The

krktə DZrup/ noun a group of six higher the sun is in the sky, the more
letters and/or numbers intense is the radiation per unit area.
six degrees of freedom of
six degrees of freedom of motion

skyjack /skadȢk/ verb to use force

skyjack

motion /sks dDZriz əv fridəm əv

|
to take illegal control of an aircraft,
məυʃ(ə)n/ plural noun the six types of especially a commercial aircraft, when
movement that an aircraft must be able it is in the air
to make: forward, upward and down-
sky wave /ska wev/ noun part of a
sky wave

ward, and roll, yaw and pitch

radiated wave which is returned to
size /saz/ noun the extent of a thing,
size

Earth by refraction from the ionosphere

how big something is 쑗 Whether or not skyway

an object can be seen by aircrew at a skyway /skawe/ noun a route used

given distance will depend on factors by aircraft
skywriting

such as the size, shape and colour of the skywriting /skaratŋ/ noun 1. the
object. use of an aircraft releasing coloured
skid /skd/ noun 1. a slide on slippery
skid
smoke to form letters in the sky 2. let-
ground 쑗 Anti-skid braking systems ters or a message formed in the sky by
units are designed to prevent the brakes coloured smoke released from an air-
locking the wheels during landing, thus craft
slack /slk/ adjective 1. not tight 왍 a
slack

reducing the possibility of wheel skid. 2.

a condition of uncoordinated flight then slack cable a loose cable 2. not busy 쑗
the aircraft moves away from the centre Early afternoon is a slack period of the
of a turn 쑗 Deflection of the ball in the day. 3. widely spaced 쑗 Throughout the
turn coordinator indicates a slip or a tropics and sub-tropics, where pressure
skid. 쒁 anti-skid (NOTE: To correct a gradients are normally slack, the sea
skid, the pilot should increase the bank, breeze is a regular feature. 쑗 Land and
 211 smoke alarm
sea breezes occur in coastal areas when the deflected ball in the turn
there is a slack pressure gradient. coordinator. Slips are often used in
aircraft with no flaps to increase the
slant /slɑnt/ noun a slope or inclina-
slant

rate of descent without increasing the

tion 쑗 Distance Measuring Equipment airspeed.
(DME) is a radio aid which measures
slippery /slp(ə)ri/ adjective which is
slippery

aircraft slant range to a ground beacon.

쐽 verb to slope 쑗 The wing slants
difficult to grip firmly because of wet-
upwards from the root to the tip. ness, smoothness, etc. 쑗 a slippery sur-
face such as a wet or snow-covered run-
slat /slt/ noun a movable device on
slat

way
the leading edge of a wing which, when
slipring /slprŋ/ a metal ring in a
slipring

extended, creates a gap that allows air to

pass smoothly over the top of the wing generator to which current is delivered
thus reducing the possibility of a stall 쑗 by the brushes
slipstream /slpstrim/ noun the
slipstream

The Socata Rallye is one of the few light

aircraft with leading edge slats. flow of air sent backwards by an air-
sleet /slit/ noun 1. melting snow or a
sleet
craft’s propeller
slope /sləυp/ noun 1. a slanting sur-
slope

mixture of rain and snow falling

together 2. US frozen rain in the form of face or slanting piece of ground, an
clear drops of ice or glaze ice covering incline 쑗 A slope of the runway may
surface objects (NOTE: Care should be increase or decrease the take-off and
taken to avoid any ambiguity.) 쐽 verb to landing runs. 2. a state in which one end
fall in the form of sleet 쑗 It is sleeting. of an aircraft is higher than the other 쐽
slide /slad/ noun a device which
slide
verb to be inclined, to be at an angle 쑗
allows continuous movement over a When the runway slopes upwards, away
smooth surface 쐽 verb to move continu- from the aircraft, the approach may
ously over a smooth surface 쑗 Shear appear to be higher than it actually is.
slot /slɒt/ noun 1. a groove or channel
slot

stress is the stress that resists the force

tending to cause one layer of a material into which something can be fitted 쑗
to slide over an adjacent layer. (NOTE: The float engages with a slot cut in the
sliding – slid) tube, so that, as the fuel level changes,
slide raft /slad rɑft/ noun an
slide raft
the float moves up and down. 2. the par-
escape slide which, when detached ticular time at which an aircraft is
from the aircraft, can be used as a life- scheduled to depart 쑗 Flight GF 506
raft missed its slot and will have to wait 45
minutes for another.
slide rule /slad rul/ noun a gradu-
slide rule

sm abbreviation statute mile

sm

ated device with sliding parts for per-

smog /smɒDZ/ noun a mixture of
smog

forming complex mathematical opera-

tions smoke and fog 쑗 Smog is now rare
slight /slat/ adjective small, minor 왍
slight
because of pollution control.
a slight increase a small increase 왍 a smoke /sməυk/ noun a white, grey or
smoke

slight drop in temperature a small black product formed of small particles

decrease in temperature given off by something which is burn-
slip /slp/ noun a condition of uncoor-
slip
ing 쑗 The weather associated with visi-
dinated flight when the aircraft moves bility reductions by particles suspended
towards the inside of a turn 쑗 Slip is in the atmosphere is classified either as
indicated by deflection of the ball in the fog, mist, haze or smoke. 쐽 verb 1. to
turn and slip indicator. 쐽 verb to move give off smoke 쑗 Somebody noticed that
sideways towards the inside of a turning one of the engines was smoking. 2. to
manoeuvre as a result of excessive bank breathe in smoke from a cigarette, cigar,
(NOTE: slipping – slipped) etc. 쑗 Passengers are not allowed to
smoke in the toilets.
COMMENT: To correct a slip, the pilot
smoke alarm /sməυk əlɑm/ noun
smoke alarm

should decrease the bank, or increase |

rudder pressure on the same side as a warning system that will ring or light
smoking 212
up if there is smoke somewhere 쑗 Wash- ‘…a 210–240-foot wingspan solar-
rooms are fitted with smoke alarms. powered aircraft for flight at 100,000 feet,
smoking /sməυkŋ/ noun the act of
smoking
is being designed in California’ [Pilot]
solar radiation /səυlə redi
solar radiation

breathing in smoke from a cigarette, |

cigar, etc. 왍 the airline has a no-smok- eʃ(ə)n/ noun the total electromagnetic
ing policy the airline does not allow radiation given off by the sun
passengers to smoke during a flight solar system /səυlə sstəm/ noun
solar system

smooth /smuð/ adjective 1. even and

smooth
the sun and the planets governed by the
without lumps or dents 쑗 a smooth sur- sun
face 2. not rough or turbulent 쑗 High sole /səυl/ adjective only 쑗 the sole
sole

ground will disturb the smooth, hori- survivor of the air crash
zontal flow of air. Opposite rough 왍 a solenoid /sɒlənɔd/ noun a cylindri-
solenoid

smooth running engine an engine cal coil of wire acting as a magnet when
which is operating well carrying electric current 쑗 Fuel is
SMR abbreviation surface movement metered from the aircraft fuel system by
SMR

radar a solenoid-operated control valve.

solid /sɒld/ adjective 1. referring to
solid

snap roll /snp rəυl/ noun a

snap roll

manoeuvre in which an aircraft turns a something which is not liquid or gase-

complete circle longitudinally while ous 쑗 Visibility is reduced by the pres-
maintaining altitude and direction of ence of solid particles such as dust or
flight sand in the atmosphere. 2. 왍 solid line
snow /snəυ/ noun atmospheric water
snow
unbroken line 쐽 noun a substance which
vapour frozen into ice crystals and fall- is not a liquid or a gas 쑗 Ice is a solid,
ing to Earth as white flakes 쑗 Snow water is a liquid and vapour is a gas.
solid-state /sɒld stet/ adjective
solid-state

cover tends to persist on north-facing

slopes of mountainous regions after it referring to semiconductor devices
has melted on south-facing slopes. solid-state device /sɒld stet d
solid-state device

snowfall /snəυfɔl/ noun a quantity

snowfall

vas/ noun an electronic device that

of snow which comes down at any one operates by using the effects of electri-
time 쑗 a heavy snowfall cal or magnetic signals in a solid semi-
snowflake /snəυflek / noun a small
snowflake
conductor material
solid-state technology /sɒld
solid-state technology

piece of snow formed from a number of

ice crystals 쑗 The size of a snowflake stet teknɒlədȢi/ noun technology
|

depends on the temperature. using the electronic properties of solids

snow plough /snəυ plaυ / noun a
snow plough
to replace those of valves
solo /səυləυ/ adverb done by one per-
solo

vehicle built to push the snow from

roads, tarmac, etc. son alone 쑗 to go solo or to fly solo 쑗 He
snowstorm /snəυstɔm/ noun a
snowstorm flew solo across the Atlantic.
solution /səluʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an
solution

heavy fall of snow accompanied by |

wind 쑗 The airport is closed because of answer to or means of solving a prob-

the snowstorm. lem or difficulty 쑗 The navigation com-
puter or slide rule is suitable for the
soft /sɒft/ adjective not hard 쑗 Ther-
soft

solution of many different types of

moplastic materials become soft when
mathematical problem. 2. a liquid made
heated. by dissolving a solid or gas in water or
soften /sɒf(ə)n/ verb to make soft 쑗
soften

some other fluid 쑗 Spillage from a lead

Thermoplastic materials are softened acid battery may be neutralised by
by many aircraft fluids. washing with a dilute solution of
solar /səυlə/ adjective referring to the
solar

sodium bicarbonate.
sun solve /sɒlv/ verb to find the answer to,
solve

solar-powered /səυlə paυəd/

solar-powered

or a way of removing, a difficulty or

adjective powered by energy derived problem 쑗 The triangle of velocities is
from the suns rays used to solve navigation problems.
 213 south-west
somewhat /smwɒt/ adverb to
somewhat

towards the south 쑗 The aircraft is fly-

some extent, a bit 쑗 The usefulness of ing south.
pure aluminium as a structural material southbound /saυθbaυnd/ adjective
southbound

is somewhat limited. travelling towards the south 쑗 a south-

sonic /sɒnk/ adjective 1. referring to bound flight
sonic

sound 2. within the human hearing south-east /saυθ ist / noun the
south-east

range 왍 sonic speed the speed of sound direction between south and east 쑗 a
sonic boom /sɒnk bum/ noun a region in the south-east of Canada 쐽
sonic boom

noise, due to shock waves, produced adjective 1. situated in the south-east 쑗

when an aircraft travels through the air the south-east coast of England 2.
faster than the speed of sound blowing from or coming from the
sophisticated
sophisticated

/səfstketd/
|
south-east 쐽 adverb towards the south-
adjective highly developed and com- east 쑗 We were heading south-east.
south-easterly /saυθ istəli/
south-easterly

plex 쑗 The electronic flight instrument

system, commonly known as EFIS, is a adjective 1. blowing from or coming
highly sophisticated type of flight direc- from the south-east 쑗 a south-easterly
tor system. 쑗 The A340 is a sophisti- wind 2. moving towards the south-east
cated aeroplane. 쑗 We were following a south-easterly

sortie /sɔti/ noun an operational

sortie
direction.
south-eastern /saυθ istən/ adjec-
south-eastern

flight by one aircraft 쑗 The test pro-

gramme has accumulated 1,146 sorties. tive referring to or situated in the south-
sound /saυnd/ adjective strong 쑗 A
sound
east 쑗 the south-eastern coast of Spain
southerly /sðəli/ adjective 1. situ-
southerly

stressed skin structure is used on mod-

ern aircraft which gives a sound struc- ated towards the south 쑗 the most south-
ture with relatively low weight. 쐽 noun erly point of a country 2. coming from
something that can be heard and is the south 쑗 A southerly wind was blow-
caused by vibration of the surrounding ing. 3. moving to or towards the south 쑗
air 쑗 FM (frequency modulation) gives We were flying in a southerly direction.
a wide range of sounds or a very high 쐽 noun a wind which blows from the
data rate. 쐽 verb 1. to make a noise 쑗 If south
the trim position is incorrect, a warning southern

southern /sð(ə)n/ adjective situ-

horn will sound when number three ated in the south 쑗 the southern hemi-
thrust lever is advanced for take off. 쒁 sphere 쑗 the southern Atlantic
sonic 2. to seem 쑗 It sounds as if the
southern hemisphere /sð(ə)n
southern hemisphere

pilot is having trouble. hemsfə/ noun the area of the Earth to

source /sɔs/ noun a supply 쑗 Under
source

the south of the equator

emergency conditions, the battery may South Pole /saυθ pəυl/ noun the
South Pole

be the only source of electrical power. 쑗 point which is furthest south on the
Jet aircraft have a ready source of com- earth 쑗 to fly over the South Pole
pressed air from the compressor sec-
southward /saυθwəd/ adjective
southward

tions of their engines.

going towards the south 쑗 to go in a
south /saυθ/ noun a compass point on
south

southward direction 쐽 adverb US same

the mariner’s compass 180° clockwise as southwards
from due north and directly opposite
southwards /saυθwədz/ adverb
southwards

north 쑗 Fly towards the south. 왍 south

facing mountain side the face of a towards the south 쑗 The aircraft was fly-
mountain which looks towards the ing southwards.
south-west /saυθ west/ noun the
south-west

south 쐽 adjective 1. referring to areas or

regions lying in the south, referring to direction between south and west 쑗 a
the compass point 180° from north 쑗 the region in the south-west of France 쐽
south side of the river 2. the southern adjective 1. situated in the south-west 쑗
part of a region or country 쑗 South the south-west tip of England 2. blow-
America 쑗 South Dakota 쐽 adverb ing from or coming from the south-west
south-westerly 214
쐽 adverb towards the south-west 쑗 We
speaker

speaker /spikə / noun 쏡 loud-

were heading south-west. speaker
south-westerly

south-westerly /saυθ westəli/ special /speʃ(ə)l/ adjective particu-

special

adjective 1. blowing from or coming lar, specific, or not ordinary 쑗 To make

from the south-west 쑗 a south-westerly a composite, it is necessary to combine
wind 2. moving towards the south-west the reinforcing glass fibres with some
쑗 We were following a south-westerly form of special glue. 쐽 noun a special
direction. meteorological report
south-western /saυθ westən/
south-western

special aerodrome report

special aerodrome report

adjective referring to or situated in the /speʃ(ə)l eərədrəυm rpɔt/ noun|

south-west 쑗 The south-western corner report used if there are significant

of England includes Cornwall and weather changes since the last meteoro-
Devon. logical aerodrome report. Abbreviation
south wind

south wind /saυθ wnd/ noun a SAR

wind blowing from or coming from the special VFR flight noun a control-
special VFR flight

south (NOTE: A wind is named after the led VFR flight permitted by air traffic
direction it comes from.) control to fly within a control zone in
meteorological conditions below visual
space

space /spes/ noun 1. an empty area 쑗

A major problem with fuel storage is meteorological conditions
finding space within the airframe. 2. the specific

specific / spəsfk/ adjective clearly

|

physical universe outside the Earth’s defined and definite 쑗 Flight levels are
atmosphere 쑗 VHF (very high fre- specific pressure altitudes. 쑗 The air-
quency) waves tend to pass through the frame has to be built to very specific
layers of the ionosphere into space. requirements.
span

span /spn/ noun the distance specification

specification /spesfkeʃ(ə)n/
|

between two points noun a detailed description that sets out

what something consists of, what is
spar

spar /spɑ/ noun the main longitudinal

beam of an aircraft wing 쑗 Designing a needed, what is involved, etc. 쑗 Fluids
wing skin, a rib or a spar as a single big are coloured for recognition purposes
item rather than assembling it from and fluids of different specifications
many smaller components minimises must never be mixed.
the number of structural parts. specific gravity

specific gravity /spəsfk |

spark /spɑk / noun a light produced DZrvti/ noun the density of a sub-
spark

by a sudden electrical discharge 쐽 verb stance compared with that of water,

to suddenly start a process or action 쑗 which is 1.00 (NOTE: This is the old
Crew must quickly establish control to name for relative density.)
ensure panic does not spark a prema- specify

specify / spesfa/ verb to name in

ture evacuation. detail 쑗 The minimum values for deci-
spark plug

spark plug /spɑk plDZ/, sparking sion heights are specified by the
plug /spɑkŋ plDZ/ noun a device national licensing authorities for vari-
screwed into each cylinder head in ous types of aircraft and for various air-
spark ignition engines, which initiates ports. 쑗 Pressure must be maintained
fuel combustion by an electric spark. 쒁 within specified limits during all phases
air gap. Also called sparking plug of flight.
specimen

spat /spt/ noun a streamlined cover- specimen /spesmn/ noun a part

spat

ing for a wheel fitted on a light aircraft taken as an example of the whole 쑗 By
to reduce drag. Also called wheel fair- testing specimen structures and compo-
ing nents to destruction a safe life can be
spatial disorientation

spatial disorientation noun a situ- assessed for all such structures and
ation of bad visibility and/or unusual components.
speed

manoeuvres which result in the pilot not speed /spid/ noun the rate of motion
knowing what attitude the aircraft is in over a distance in time
 215 spool
spinner /spnə/ noun a cap that fits
sphere spinner

sphere /sfə/ noun an object in the

shape of a ball 쑗 The Earth is not a per- over the hub of the propeller of an air-
fect sphere. 쑗 A circle drawn on the sur- craft
spiral /sparəl/ adjective winding
spiral

face of a sphere, whose plane passes

through the centre of the sphere is continuously in circles as it ascends or
called a great circle. descends
spiral dive /sparəl dav/ noun a
spiral dive
spherical

spherical /sferk(ə)l/ adjective

shaped like a sphere 쑗 The Earth is dangerous uncontrolled turning descent
almost spherical in shape. 쑗 Drain of an aircraft in which rate of descent
cocks are generally simple, manually and speed increase
spline /splan/ noun a groove in a
spline

operated spherical valves.

spill
shaft for meshing or engaging with
spill /spl/ noun the running out of a another component
liquid from a container, especially when
split /splt/ noun 1. a division 2. a
split

it is unintentional 쑗 an oil spill 쑗 a fuel

spill 쐽 verb to cause liquid to run out of break along a line, especially in wood,
a container, usually unintentionally 쑗 If plastic or rubber 쑗 a split in a tyre 쐽 verb
1. to divide 쑗 Retractable undercar-
fuel is spilt, it creates a fire hazard.
riages can be split into three groups. 2.
(NOTE: spilling – spilled or spilt)
spillage
to break along a line 쑗 One of the tyres
spillage /spldȢ/ noun the spilling of split on impact. (NOTE: splitting – split)
a liquid 쑗 Any fuel spillage must be 쐽 adjective divided or broken along a
cleaned up immediately. (NOTE: The line
word spillage is used in a more general split bus system /splt bs
split bus system

sense than the word spill.) sstəm/ noun an electrical system in

spin

spin /spn/ noun 1. fast rotation 쑗 the which there are two separate power
spin axis of the earth 2. the continued generation systems 쑗 The parallel sys-
spiral descent of an aircraft where the tem and the split bus system are both
angle of attack of one wing is greater used to distribute electrical power.
spoiler /spɔlə/ noun a hinged sur-
spoiler

than the stalling angle 쐽 verb 1. to rotate

rapidly 쑗 The Earth is spinning on its face on the upper wing which, when
axis. 2. to put an aircraft into a contin- opened, decreases lift and increases
ued spiral descent with the angle of drag 쑗 If a problem occurs in the spoiler
attack of the mainplane greater than the system a master caution light illumi-
stalling angle 쑗 It is prohibited to spin nates.
general-purpose light aircraft which COMMENT: Spoilers are sometimes
are not equipped with a suitable har- called ‘speed brakes’. They are used
ness. during the descent prior to landing and
immediately after landing to decrease
COMMENT: The Moroccan aerobatic lift and increase braking effect.
team ‘La Marche Verte’ perform a
sponson /spɒnsən/ noun an air-
sponson

formation manoeuvre with three

aircraft spinning through multiple filled structure or small wing projecting
rotations while inverted. from the lower hull of a seaplane to
spindle
keep it steady on water
spindle /spnd(ə)l/ noun a pin or bar spontaneous /spɒn teniəs/ adjec-
spontaneous

which rotates or on which something tive happening without external cause 쑗

rotates 쑗 A cup anemometer has three Spontaneous ignition may occur if oxy-
cups, mounted on a spindle, that are gen is allowed to come into contact with
driven by the wind causing the spindle oil or grease.
to rotate. spool /spul / noun one complete
spool

spine

spine /span/ noun the longitudinal axial-compressor rotor 쑗 The single

central part of an engine 쑗 Annular spool compressor consists of one rotor
inner and outer air casings form a tun- assembly and stators. 쐽 verb 왍 to spool
nel around the spine of the engine. down to allow the revolutions of a tur-
spot 216
bofan engine to decrease 왍 to spool up tive shaped like a square 쑗 a square
to increase the revolutions per minute of panel
a turbofan engine square foot /skweə fυt/ noun a
square foot

spot /spɒt/ noun 1. a special or small unit of measurement of area, which is

spot

place 쑗 Charts should be kept in a con- one foot long by one foot wide
venient spot in the cockpit. 2. a small square metre /skweə mitə/ noun
square metre

roundish mark or piece 쑗 a spot of oil on a unit of measurement of area, which is

a shirt 왍 spot height the height of a par- one metre long by one metre wide 쑗 The
ticular place, e.g. a mountain peak, room is 5m x 9m so the area is 45 square
marked on a chart metres (45m2).
spotlight /spɒtlat/ noun a powerful,
spotlight

square root / skweə rut/ noun

square root

often moveable light which illuminates divider of a quantity that, when multi-
a small area 쑗 A spotlight is mounted on plied by itself, gives the quantity 쑗 3 is
the roof. the square root of 9.
spray /spre/ noun 1. a body of liquid
spray

squawk /skwɔk/ noun an identifica-

squawk

in fine drops 쑗 The generator is cooled tion code. 쒁 transponder 쐽 verb to acti-
by oil spray delivered by the constant vate specific modes, codes or functions
speed drive section. 2. a container that on a transponder 쑗 Garbling occurs
sends out liquid in fine drops 쐽 verb to when two signals are received simulta-
apply or to send out liquid in the form of neously and can be resolved either tech-
fine drops 쑗 Some engines have the nically or by making one of the aircraft
coolant sprayed directly into the com- squawk.
pressor inlet, but for axial flow com- squeeze /skwiz/ verb to press hard
squeeze

pressor engines, it is more suitable to from opposite directions 쑗 Static seals,

spray the coolant into the combustion gaskets and packing are used in many
chamber inlet. locations, and these effect a seal by
spread /spred/ noun an extension of
spread

being squeezed between two surfaces.

the area covered or affected by some- SR abbreviation sunrise
SR

thing 쑗 Measures are taken to prevent

SS abbreviation sunset
SS

the spread of fire. 쐽 verb to extend the

SSR abbreviation secondary surveil-
SSR

area of something 쑗 Strong jets of water

should not be used on a liquid fire as lance radar
stabilise / stebəlaz/, stabilize verb
stabilise

this may cause the fire to spread. 쑗 The

system sprays a quantity of fluid onto to become steady and unchanging 쑗
the windscreen, which is then spread by After the engine has been started,
the wipers. (NOTE: spreading – engine speed is increased to 1,000
spread) r.p.m. (revolutions per minute) until cyl-
spring / sprŋ/ noun 1. a metal device
spring
inder head and oil temperatures have
which, when under tension, tries to stabilised at normal operating tempera-
resume its previous position 쑗 The pitch tures.
stabiliser /steblazə/, stabilizer
stabiliser

lock piston is held in the forward posi-

tion by a spring. 2. the season between noun a device to improve the tendency
winter and summer of an aircraft to return to its original
squall /skwɔl/ noun a sudden
squall
attitude after being deflected
increase in wind speed lasting for sev- COMMENT: Some aircraft have an all-
eral minutes 쑗 Surface squalls are due moving tailplane called a ‘stabilator’ (a
to the spreading out of strong down combination of the words stabiliser
draughts at the surface. 쑗 Even with a and elevator).
light mean wind speed, squalls of 50 kt stabilitator /stəbltetə/ noun
stabilitator

| 쏡
(knots) or more can occur with sudden stabiliser
changes in direction. stability /stəblti/ noun 1. being sta-
stability

square /skweə/ noun a shape with 4

square

ble or steady 쑗 The stability of the Ces-

equal sides and 4 right angles 쐽 adjec- sna 150 makes it an ideal training air-
 217 stall warning system
craft. 2. a state of the atmosphere in flow compressor, many stages of mov-
which air will resist vertical displace- ing and stationary blades are needed,
ment 쑗 When air moves away from its each row of rotors and a row of stators
source region, the stability of the lower forming a stage.
atmosphere changes. stagger

stagger /stDZə/ noun a design in

COMMENT: Stability can be classified which the leading edge of one wing of a
as three types. Positive stability is biplane projects beyond that of the
the tendency of a body to return to its other wing 쐽 verb to make the leading
original state after being displaced.
Light training aircraft have positive edge of one wing of a biplane project
stability. Neutral stability is the beyond the leading edge of the other
tendency of a body to remain in the wing
new position after displacement. stall

Negative stability is the tendency of a stall /stɔl/ noun 1. a loss of lift caused
body to continue moving away from its by the breakdown of airflow over the
original position after displacement. wing when the angle of attack passes a
critical point 쑗 In some configurations it
stability augmentation system
stability augmentation system

is possible for the buffet speed to be less

/stəblti ɔDZmənteʃ(ə)n sstəm /
| |

than the required 7% margin ahead of

noun a flight control system which
the stall. 2. a situation in which an
automatically adjusts pitch and yaw to
engine or machine stops suddenly
improve an aircraft’s stability. Abbrevi-
ation SAS because an opposing force overcomes
its driving power 쑗 Compressor stall
stable /steb(ə)l/ adjective 1. steady
stable

can be caused by ice formation in the

2. referring to an atmosphere in which air intake. 쒁 recovery 쐽 verb to lose lift
there is little or no vertical movement 쑗 by the breakdown of airflow over the
Layer cloud occurs in a stable atmos- wing when the angle of attack passes a
phere. critical point 쑗 Many light aircraft stall
stack

stack /stk/ verb 1. to put one on top when the angle of attack exceeds 15°. 쒁
of the other 쑗 By stacking rows of hori- recover
zontal dipoles one above the other, a
COMMENT: A stall has nothing to do
well-defined electronic glide path can with the engine stopping. An aircraft
be transmitted. 2. to keep aircraft cir- can stall at any airspeed and in any
cling at different heights while they are attitude.
waiting to land at an airport 쐽 noun a stalling angle

number of aircraft waiting to land at an stalling angle /stɔlŋ ŋDZ(ə)l/

airport that are circling at different noun the angle relative to the horizontal
heights at which the flow of air around an aero-
stacked /stkt/ adjective circling at
stacked
foil changes abruptly, resulting in sig-
different heights prior to landing nificant changes in the lift and drag of
an aircraft
stackup /stkp / noun same as
stackup

stalling speed

stack stalling speed /stɔlŋ spid / noun

stage
the speed at which the angle of attack is
stage /stedȢ/ noun 1. one of several such that lift over the wing surface
sections, steps, or levels into which a
process can be divided 쑗 There are three breaks down
stages in the life cycle of a thunder- COMMENT: Traditionally, an aircraft
storm: process of formation, develop- can stall at any airspeed, providing the
ment and decay. 쑗 Calculate headings angle of attack is great enough.
Stalling speed is often used to refer to
to steer for each stage of the flight. 왍 the speed below which the aircraft
cruise stage of the flight the section of cannot remain airborne.
a flight between top of climb after take- stall warning system

off and start of descent to land 왍 at a stall warning system /stɔl

later stage at a later time 2. a group wɔnŋ sstəm/ noun a system to
components forming part of an electri- warn the pilot that the aircraft is about
cal or electronic system 쑗 In the axial to stall
standard 218
standard /stndəd/ noun some-
standard

before departure time 쑗 There are no

thing, e.g. a quality or measure, that is standby tickets to Montreal.
officially recognised as an example that standing agreement

standing agreement /stndŋ ə |

others must conform with 쑗 Water is the DZrimənt/ noun an agreement between
standard for determining relative den- controlling units in different flight
sity. 왍 a high standard of skill a high information regions to allow the trans-
level of skill 쐽 adjective normal, offi- fer of control from one sector to the next
cially or generally accepted 왍 standard without individual coordination, pro-
procedure normal procedure vided agreed parameters are met
standard atmosphere /stndəd
standard atmosphere

standing wave /stndŋ wev/

standing wave

tməsfə/ noun a unit of pressure noun the motion of air downwind of a

defined as the pressure that will support steep hill or mountain in which the high
a 760 mm column of mercury at 0°C at and low points of the wave do not move
sea level, equal to 1.01325 x 105 new- STAR

tons per square metre STAR abbreviation standard arrival

route
standard instrument departure
standard instrument departure

starboard

/stndən nstrυmənt dpɑtʃə/ |

starboard /stɑbəd/ noun, adjective
noun a published navigational chart the right-hand side of an aircraft when
showing the route an aircraft must take facing forwards when inside the aircraft
쑗 The angle between heading and track
as it takes off and climbs away from an
airport. Abbreviation SID of an aircraft is called drift and is
expressed in degrees to the port or star-
standard parallels /stndəd
standard parallels

board side of aircraft heading. Opposite

prəlelz/ plural noun (in a conical pro- port
jection) the parallels of latitude where
starter /stɑtə/ noun a device to start
starter

the cone cuts the surface

standard
standard pressure setting

pressure setting an engine

starter motor

/stndəd preʃə setŋ/ noun 1013.25 starter motor /stɑtə məυtə/ noun
millibars. Abbreviation SPS in a piston engine, a small electrically
standard rate turn /stndəd ret
standard rate turn
operated device to turn the engine until
t%n/ noun a turn made at a precise ignition starts
start-up

number of compass degrees per second start-up /stɑt p/ noun a procedure
COMMENT : Rate 1 turn = 180 ° in 1 to start an engine 쑗 After start-up, the
minute, Rate 2 turn = 360 ° in 1 minute, engine accelerates up to idling speed.
Rate 3 turn = 540 ° in 1 minute, Rate 4 state /stet/ noun the existing condi-
state

turn = 720 ° in 1 minute. Standard rate tion of something 쑗 a state of equilib-

turns are made using particular angles
of bank for specific airspeeds and are rium 쑗 Ice in a liquid state is called
used while flying under Instrument water. 쑗 Water in a gaseous state is
Flight Rules (IFR). The pilot can make known as vapour. 쑗 A logic gate is a
accurate turns to given headings by two-state device i.e. on/off. 왍 in a poor
banking at the standard rate and state in a bad condition 쐽 verb to say or
timing the turn. to mention, or to give information
standard time /stndəd tam/
standard time
clearly 쑗 It states in the information that
noun a universally adopted time for all you must not open the can near a flame.
countries based on zone time 쑗 Please state your name and address.

statement /stetmənt/ noun some-

statement

standby /stndba/ adjective sec-

standby

ondary, able to be used as a back-up 쑗 thing formally expressed in words 쑗

Some aircraft use a ram air turbine that After the crash, the president and chief
can be very useful as a standby power executive of the company made a brief
source in the event of failure of a com- statement to the waiting news reporters.
plete main AC (alternating current) static

static /sttk/ adjective not acting,

generating system. not changing, passive or not moving 쐽
standby ticket /stndba tkt/ noun the background noise during radio
standby ticket

noun a cheaper air ticket bought just transmission

 219 steward
static display /sttk dsple/ STC abbreviation supplemental type
static display STC

noun a display of parked aircraft on the certificate

ground STCA abbreviation short-term conflict
STCA

alert
static electricity

static electricity /sttk lek |

trsti/ noun electricity not flowing as steady /stedi/ adjective constant and
steady

a current 쑗 When the aircraft travels unchanging 쑗 The manual test will give
through the air, friction causes a charge a steady red light. 왍 a steady wind a
of static electricity to be built up on the wind of constant speed and direction
airframe. steam fog /stim fɒDZ/ noun fog
steam fog

static ground running

static ground running /sttk formed when cold air moves over rela-
DZraυnd rnŋ/ noun the running of tively warm water 쑗 Visibility was
the engine while the aircraft is station- impaired because of steam fog.
ary on the ground steel /stil/ noun a metal alloy of iron,
steel

carbon and other compounds 왍 stain-

static line

static line /sttk lan/ noun a rope

attached to an aircraft and a parachute less steel steel containing chromium
that automatically opens the parachute and nickel that is highly resistant to cor-
when the parachutist jumps rosion 쑗 Tubing in parts of the system
static port

static port /sttk pɔt/ noun a containing fluid at high pressure are
small hole in the side of the aircraft usually made from stainless steel.
steep /stip/ adjective 1. sloping
steep

which senses static pressure and is used

in the operation of the altimeter, vertical sharply 왍 a steep angle of approach
speed indicator and airspeed indicator 쑗 the angle formed by the aircraft
Ensure that the static port is clear. approach flight path and the horizontal
static pressure

static pressure /sttk preʃə/ is greater than usual 2. closely spaced 3.

noun the pressure of a fluid acting on referring to marked changes in pressure
and moving with a body or temperature in a relatively short hor-
izontal distance 쑗 Cooling of the air in
station /steʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a particu-
station

contact with the ground at night can

lar assigned location 쑗 The interphone cause a very steep inversion of temper-
system allows the flight deck to commu- ature at the surface. 쑗 Pressure gradi-
nicate with cabin crew stations. 2. the ents in anti-cyclonic curvature tend not
location of a radio transmitter 쑗 a VOR to be steep.
station
steer /stə/ verb to direct by using a
steer

stationary /steʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adjective

stationary

wheel or control stick 쑗 The aircraft is

not moving 쑗 The aircraft was station- steered on the ground by using the rud-
ary on the ground with engine running. der pedals.
stator /stetə/ noun a fixed part of a
stator

steering /stərŋ/ noun 1. guiding or

steering

rotary machine 쑗 The low-pressure directing 쑗 Steering is controlled by

compressor has large rotor blades and rudder pedals. 2. a system for guiding
stator blades and is designed to handle or directing a car, aircraft, etc. 쑗 Most
a far larger airflow than the other two modern light aircraft have nose-wheel
compressors. 쑗 A temperature probe is steering but older tail-draggers are
embedded into the stator of the genera- steered on the ground by using differen-
tor and a meter is provided, so that gen- tial braking.
erator stator temperature can be moni- step /step/ noun 1. a stage 쑗 The first
step

tored. step in map reading is to orientate the

status

status /stetəs/ noun condition 쑗 The chart. 2. one stair 쑗 Mind the step!
centre-zero ammeter tells the pilot the steward /stjuəd/ noun a male mem-
steward

status of the aircraft battery. ber of airline staff who look after pas-
statute mile /sttʃut mal/ noun a
statute mile

sengers during the flight. 쒁 cabin crew,

non-SI unit of length equalling 1.609 flight attendant, stewardess (NOTE:
kilometres 쑗 It is 20 statute miles to the Different airlines use different terminol-
airport. Abbreviation sm ogy for their staff.)
stewardess 220
stewardess /stjuədes/ noun a storm /stɔm/ noun a violent weather
stewardess storm

female member of airline staff who look disturbance with high winds and rain or
after passengers during the flight. 쒁 snow 쑗 Storms produced by daytime
cabin crew, flight attendant, steward heating are most frequently encoun-
(NOTE: Different airlines use different tered in the afternoon and early
terminology for their staff.) evening.
stow /stəυ/ verb to place something in
stow

stick /stk/ noun the main hand con-

stick

trol used by the pilot to control the air- its correct position in the aircraft 쑗
craft roll and pitch 쑗 Using fly-by-wire Make sure the fire-extinguisher is
technology, the stalling angle cannot be stowed.
exceeded regardless of stick input. 쐽 stowage /stəυdȢ/ noun a space for
stowage

verb to become fixed, as if with glue 쑗 stowing things 쑗 A multi-wheel combi-

Ice crystals and snowflakes do not stick nation has the advantage of smaller and
to airframes, and so icing is a problem lighter undercarriage structures, and
only when super-cooled water droplets wing stowage problems can be over-
are present. come by suitable mechanisms.
stiff /stf/ adjective 1. rigid or inflexi-
stiff

stowaway /stəυəwe/ noun a per-

stowaway

ble 쑗 Kevlar 49 is stiffer than glass, but son who travels secretly by hiding in an
only about half as stiff as carbon fibres. aircraft, or a ship, not paying the fare 쑗
2. not easily bent or turned 왍 control The crew must be alert at all times to the
surfaces may become stiff as a result possibility of hijacking, bombs and
of icing control surfaces may become stowaways.
difficult to move 3. 왍 a stiff wind a strain /stren/ noun deformation
strain

fairly strong wind caused by stress

stiffen /stf(ə)n/ verb 1. to make rigid
stiffen

strap /strp/ noun a long narrow strip

strap

or inflexible, to make stiff 쑗 Beams can of fabric with a buckle 쐽 verb 왍 to strap
be additionally stiffened in a downward in to fasten a seat or safety belt around
direction by vertical and diagonal somebody
members. 2. to become stronger stratocumulus
stratocumulus

/strtəυ |

STOL /stɒl/ noun 1. a flying system

STOL

kjumjυləs/ noun a layer of small

that allows an aircraft to take off and cumulus clouds lower than altocumu-
land on a very short runway 2. an air- lus, i.e. below 3,000 m 쑗 Light rain may
craft fitted with the STOL system. Full fall occasionally from stratocumulus.
form short takeoff and landing stratosphere /strtəsfə/ noun the
stratosphere

stop /stɒp/ noun 1. the end of a move-

stop

layer of the atmosphere which extends

ment 왍 to come to a stop to stop mov- from the tropopause to about 50 km
ing 2. a component which limits the dis- above mean sea level 쑗 A cumulonimbus
tance that a moving part can move 쑗 An cloud may extend vertically, into the
adjustable stop on the throttle control stratosphere.
ensures a positive idling speed. stratus /stretəs/ noun a low-altitude
stratus

storage / stɔrdȢ/ noun the act of

storage

layer cloud 쑗 Drizzle falls from shallow

storing something 쑗 A reservoir pro- layer cloud such as stratus.
vides storage space for the system fluid. stream /strim/ noun a steady current
stream

store /stɔ/ noun 1. a supply 쑗 The

store

of a fluid 쑗 Thermocouple probes are

maintenance section keeps a store of positioned in the gas stream, so as to
spare components. 2. US a shop 쐽 verb obtain a good average temperature
to put away for future use 쑗 A capacitor reading.
is a device with the ability to temporar- strength /streŋθ/ noun 1. the ability
strength

ily store an electric charge. of a material to take pressure or support

stores /stɔz/ plural noun goods 쑗 a load 쑗 Aircraft wheels require great
stores

Freight carrying aircraft have support- strength and are constructed in two
ing members of greater strength to halves which are bolted together after
allow for the carriage of heavy stores. the tyre is fitted. 쑗 Magnesium does not
 221 sub-beam
possess sufficient strength in its pure its 쑗 Tensile stress is the resistance to
state for structural uses, but when pulling apart, or stretching, produced
mixed with zinc, aluminium, and man- when two forces in opposition act along
ganese it produces an alloy having the the same straight line.
highest strength-to-weight ratio of any strict /strkt/ adjective precise, exact
strict

of the commonly used metals. 왍 high- 쑗 Fuels for aircraft must conform to
strength materials materials which are strict requirements. 쑗 All generator
very strong 2. the degree of clarity and voltages, frequencies and their phase
volume of a signal 쑗 A radio wave loses sequence must be within very strict lim-
strength as range increases. 3. the its to ensure proper system operation.
degree of dilution of a liquid 쑗 Incorrect strike /strak/ noun an impact or col-
strike

mixture strength may cause detonation. lision 쐽 verb to hit (NOTE: striking –
4. intensity of radiation 쑗 The strength struck)
of the sun’s radiation varies with lati-
stringer /strŋə / noun a thin metal or
stringer

tude. 5. the speed and force of a wind 쑗

High ground will disturb the smooth wood strip which goes from one end of
horizontal flow of air, with the degree of the fuselage to the other 쑗 Stringers are
made of a light alloy material.
disturbance depending upon the
strip /strp/ noun a long narrow piece,
strip

strength of the wind and the roughness

of the terrain. usually of the same width from end to
strengthen /streŋθ(ə)n/ verb to
strengthen end 쑗 a strip of paper 쐽 verb to disman-
make strong or stronger 쑗 Some alloys tle 쑗 After the collision, the engine was
are hardened and strengthened by heat stripped down to its component parts.
stroke /strəυk/ noun any of a series of
stroke

treatment. 왍 the wind is strengthening

the wind is increasing in speed movements of a piston from one end of
the limit of its movement to another 쑗
strengthening /streŋθ(ə)nŋ/ noun
strengthening

The connecting rod links the piston to

1. the act of making stronger 쑗 Aircraft
which require large apertures in the the crankshaft and transmits the force
fuselage for freight doors, etc., need of the power stroke from the piston to
the crankshaft.
increased strengthening around these
structural /strktʃ(ə)rəl/ adjective
structural

areas. 2. the fact of becoming stronger

쑗 strengthening of the wind
referring to the structure of something
such as an aircraft 쑗 As laid down in the
stress /stres/ noun 1. the load per unit
stress

flight manual, the structural limitations

area to which a body that resists distor-
must never be exceeded. 왍 structural
tion or change of shape is subjected by
failure a breaking of part of the aircraft
internal forces 쑗 Turbine blades in the structure
average jet engine vibrate at frequen-
structure /strktʃə/ noun 1. some-
structure

cies of 1 million per minute, and in each

cycle experience stress. 2. a worried, thing constructed 쑗 Aircraft structure
anxious and tired state brought on e.g. serves the same purpose for an aircraft
by overwork 쑗 He gave stress as the as the skeleton for a human body. 2.
reason for wanting a week off work. 3. framework
strut /strt/ noun a bar or rod used to
strut

emphasis 쐽 verb to emphasise 쑗 It must

be stressed that the description is a strengthen a structure against forces
model and departures from it often from the side 쑗 A strut is designed to
occur. withstand compressive loads.
stub /stb/ noun a short rectangular
stub

stretch /stretʃ/ noun a continuous

stretch

unbroken length 쑗 a stretch of coast 쐽 extension 쑗 The plan-form of a military

verb to extend or enlarge beyond the air traffic zone is in the shape of a circle
proper limits 쑗 Tensile stress or tension with a stub.
is the resistance of a material to being sub- /sb/ prefix 1. of less importance
sub-

stretched. in rank 2. below

stretching /stretʃŋ/ noun extend- sub-beam /sb bim/ noun a less
stretching sub-beam

ing or enlarging beyond the proper lim- important or minor beam 쑗 A lobe is one
subject 222
of two, four or more sub-beams that stressing far more severe than can be
form a directional radar beam. expected during the aircraft’s subse-
subject /sbdȢkt/ noun a topic or
subject
quent operational life. 왍 a subsequent
matter for discussion or study 쑗 A occasion a following occasion
subside /səbsad / verb 1. to sink to a
subside

knowledge and understanding of the |

subject of ice accretion is essential in lower level 쑗 Cool air subsides. 2. to

order that the hazard can be minimised. become less active or strong 왍 the
subjected /səbdȢektd/ adjective 왍
subjected

|
storm subsided the storm grew quiet
subsidence /sbsd(ə)ns/ noun the
subsidence

subjected to affected by or made to

experience something 쑗 To maintain the act of sinking to a lower level 쑗
pressure difference between two inter- Descending air occurs because of sub-
nal engine sections, which are sub- sidence in the high pressure belts of the
jected to air pressures of different value, sub-tropics and poles.
subsonic /sbsɒnk/ adjective fly-
subsonic

a multi-air seal is used. (NOTE: There is |

an important difference between sub- ing at speeds slower than the speed of
ject to and subjected to.) sound, or not designed to fly above the
subject to

subject to /sbdȢekt tu/ adjective

|
speed of sound
substance /sbstəns/ noun a mate-
substance

likely to be affected by, liable to 쑗 The

airspeed indicator is subject to error. 쑗 rial of a particular sort 쑗 Specific heat is
Turbine engines are subject to icing the amount of heat required to raise the
during flight through super-cooled temperature of a substance by 1°C (Cel-
droplet cloud. 쐽 verb 왍 to subject to to sius) compared to the amount of heat
make something or somebody experi- required to raise the temperature of
ence something, often something water by 1°C.
unpleasant 쑗 The aircraft was subjected substantial /səbstnʃəl/ adjective
substantial

to rigorous tests. considerable, important 왍 substantial

sublimate /sblmet/ verb to trans-
sublimate
damage a lot of damage 왍 substantial
form directly from the solid to the gase- increase a big increase
subtend /səbtend/ verb to be oppo-
subtend

ous state or from the gaseous to the |

solid state without becoming a liquid 쑗 site to and delimit 쑗 The angle sub-
For hoar frost to form on an aircraft the tended by an arc equal to one 360th
airframe temperature must be below part of the circumference of a circle is
0°C (Celsius), so that the surrounding called 1° (degree).
air is cooled to below its dew point and subtract /səb trkt/ verb to deduct
subtract

water vapour in contact with the air- or to take away 쑗 6 subtracted from 10
craft skin is directly sublimated into ice equals 4 (10 – 6 = 4).
crystals. subtraction /səbtrkʃən/ noun the
subtraction

sublimation /sblmeʃ(ə)n/ noun

sublimation

| operation of taking away or deducting 쑗

transformation directly from the solid to The major arithmetic operations are
the gaseous state or from the gaseous to addition, subtraction, multiplication
the solid state without becoming a liq- and division.
uid 쑗 In sub-zero conditions sublima- subtropical /sb trɒpk(ə)l/ adjec-
subtropical

tion will occur when air is cooled below tive referring to the areas between the
the frost point, producing a deposit of tropics and the temperate zone 쑗 In win-
ice crystals. ter, the subtropical high retreats and
sub-scale /sb skel/ noun a sec- gives way to cyclonic pressure patterns.
sub-scale

ondary, not main, scale on an instru- sub-zero /sb zərəυ/ adjective

sub-zero

ment 쑗 The barometric pressure is set below zero degrees 쑗 In sub-zero condi-
on the sub-scale and the altimeter main tions sublimation will occur when air is
scale displays height or altitude. cooled below the frost point, producing
subsequent /sbskwənt/ adjec-
subsequent
a deposit of ice crystals.
tive following in time or order 쑗 A struc- success /səkses/ noun the achieve-
success

tural prototype is put through cycles of ment of something wanted 쑗 The key to
 223 sun
success in navigation is pre-flight plan- suggest

suggest / sədȢest/ verb 1. to indicate

|

ning. a possibility 쑗 A strong cloud echo on

successful /səksesf(ə)l/ adjective
successful

| radar suggests that hailstones are

satisfactory, as wanted 쑗 His second present. 2. to mean, to imply 쑗 Heap
attempt at landing was successful. clouds, as the name suggests, often have
succession /səkseʃ(ə)n/ noun the
succession

|
great vertical extent.
process of following in a particular
suit

suit /sut/ verb to meet the require-

order 쑗 A succession of minor incidents ments of 쑗 On some engines, the igni-
created a more serious situation. tion can be varied as the engine is run-
successive /səksesv/ adjective
successive

| ning and is moved to suit the engine

following one after the other without speed and load.
interruption 쑗 All aircraft remained suitable

suitable /sutəb(ə)l/ adjective appro-

grounded for three successive days priate or right for a particular purpose 쑗
because of fog. 쑗 A day is the period Taking into account the limits imposed
between successive transits of a merid- by aircraft performance, a suitable
ian by the sun. route must be chosen.
such /stʃ/ adjective 1. of this kind 쑗
such

sulfur

An example of such a chart is shown on sulfur /slfə/ noun US same as sul-

page 3. 2. of a large enough extent or phur
sulphur

amount 쑗 The height of the cabin floor sulphur /slfə/ noun a yellow non-
to the ground on large jet transports is metallic chemical element 쑗 Turbine
such that serious injuries can occur by fuels tend to corrode the components of
exiting through the doors when steps or the fuel and combustion systems mainly
ramps are not available. as a result of the sulphur and water con-
suction /skʃən/ noun a force that
suction
tent of the fuel. (NOTE: The atomic
causes a fluid or solid to be drawn into number of sulphur is 16.)
a space because of the difference
sum

sum /sm / noun the result of two or

between the external and internal pres- more numbers added together 쑗 When
sures 쑗 In a fuel injection system, fuel is the component velocities act in the
induced into the inlet port or combus- same direction, the resultant velocity is
tion chamber by a pump rather than the equal to the sum of their speeds in that
suction caused by the venturi of a car- direction.
burettor. summarise

summarise /sməraz/, summa-

sudden /sd(ə)n/ adjective immedi-
sudden

rize verb to present something in a

ate and without warning 쑗 a sudden shortened, concise form 쑗 The effects of
change or sudden drop in temperature ice deposits on aircraft can be summa-
suffer /sfə/, suffer from verb to be
suffer

rised as follows ….
affected by, to experience 쑗 Piston summary

engines suffer from icing in moist air summary /sməri/ noun a brief
when the ambient air temperature is account of something more detailed 쑗
well above 0°C (Celsius). At the end of each chapter there is a
summary.
sufficient /səfʃ(ə)nt/ adjective
sufficient

| sump

enough 쑗 During pre-flight checks, the sump /smp/ noun the oil reservoir of
pilot must ensure that there is sufficient a piston engine situated at its base 쑗 The
fuel for the flight. oil level in the sump or tank is normally
suffix /sfks/ noun an addition to the
suffix
checked after the engine has been
end of a word creating a new word 쑗 stopped for a particular length of time.
sun

Apart from cirrus and stratus, which are sun /sn/ noun a very bright star
complete names, all layer cloud names around which the Earth travels and
consist of a prefix according to height of which gives light and heat 쑗 The sun
base, and a suffix according to shape. was just rising when we landed. 쑗 The
(NOTE: In the word cloudless, -less is sun and the planets governed by the sun
the suffix meaning without.) form the solar system. 쒁 solar
sunrise 224
sunrise /snraz/ noun the time
sunrise

tain an audible warning device to sup-

when the upper edge of the sun appears plement the visual indication.
on the visible horizon. Abbreviation SR supplemental type certificate

supplemental type certificate

sunset /snset/ noun the time when /splment(ə)l tap s%tfkət/
sunset

the upper edge of the sun just disap- noun a certificate issued by an airwor-
pears over the horizon. Abbreviation thiness authority to indicate that a mod-
SS ification to an aircraft or engine design
super- /supə/ prefix more than nor-
super-
has been approved. Abbreviation STC
mal supplementary /splment(ə)ri/
supplementary

supercharge /supətʃɑdȢ/ verb to adjective extra or additional 쑗 supple-

supercharge

increase the power of an engine by mentary information

using a supercharger 쑗 A supercharged supplementary
supplementary angle

angle
engine delivers greater power than a /splment(ə)ri ŋDZ(ə)l/ noun an
non-supercharged engine of the same angle that, when added to a given angle,
size. makes 180°
supercharger /supətʃɑdȢə/ noun
supercharger
supply

supply /səpla/ noun the amount of

|

a blower or compressor, usually driven something available for use 쑗 An engine

by the engine, for supplying air under requires an adequate supply of oil. 쐽
high pressure to the cylinders of an verb to make available for use, to pro-
internal combustion engine 쑗 The func- vide 쑗 A battery is designed to supply
tion of the supercharger is to increase limited amounts of electrical power.
the power output and maintain sea- (NOTE: supplies – supplying – sup-
level conditions at altitude. plied)
super-cooled /supə kuld/,
super-cooled

support /sə pɔt/ noun 1. a device to

support

supercooled /supəkuld/ adjective

|

hold something in position 쑗 Direct-

cooled below freezing point without reading indicators consist of a float
solidification 쑗 supercooled fog 쑗 Nim- contained within a metal support tube.
bostratus cloud is composed of liquid 2. practical assistance 쐽 verb to bear the
water droplets some of which are super- weight of 쑗 The wings support the air-
cooled. craft in flight.
superimpose /supərmpəυz/
superimpose

support facilities /sə pɔt fə

| support facilities

verb to lay or to place something over

| |

the top of something else 쑗 The compu- sltiz/ plural noun equipment and
ter utilises a technique in which each buildings used by ground staff when
successive atmospheric layer is ana- working on aircraft at an airport
support services
support services

lysed and superimposed on the previous /səpɔt |

ones. s%vsz/ plural noun services provided

superjet / supədȢet/ noun a large
superjet
to an aircraft while it is at an airport
suppress

supersonic jet aircraft suppress /səpres/ verb 1. to prevent |

supersonic /supəsɒnk/ adjective

supersonic

|
the development or spreading of some-
faster than the speed of sound 쑗 For sus- thing 왍 the fire crew suppressed the
tained supersonic flight, tank insulation fire the fire crew brought the fire under
is necessary to reduce the effect of control 2. to prevent electrical interfer-
kinetic heating. ence from affecting a radio signal 쑗 R/T
supervisor /supəvazə/ noun a
supervisor
noise interference can be suppressed.
suppressed antenna /səprest n
suppressed antenna

person in charge 쑗 senior cabin supervi- | |

sor tenə/ noun an antenna which is

supplement noun /splmənt/ an
supplement
mounted under the airframe skin 쑗
angle or arc that, when added to a given Static interference can be reduced by
angle or arc, makes 180° or a semicircle installing suppressed antennas.
suppression

쐽 verb /splment/ to add to in order to suppression /səpreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. |

make more complete 쑗 The main power the prevention of the development or
plant fire detection system should con- spreading of something 쑗 a fire suppres-
 225 susceptible
sion system 2. the prevention of electri- surround /sə raυnd/ noun something
surround

cal interference of a radio signal which encloses or borders 쑗 The design

suppressor /səpresə/ noun a device
suppressor

|
of windows, hatches or door surrounds
used in an electrical or electronic sys- is very critical. 쐽 verb to encircle or to
tem to reduce unwanted currents, e.g. a enclose 쑗 The Earth is surrounded by
resistor or grid 쑗 A suppressor improves the atmosphere.
the quality of the signal. surveillance /səveləns/ noun the
surveillance

surface /s%fs/ noun 1. an outer cov-

surface

act of watching or monitoring

ering of something, or the top part of surveillance radar /səveləns
surveillance radar

something 쑗 the surface of the wing 2. redɑ/ noun primary radar scanning,
the Earth’s surface or ground often through 360°
surface air temperature /s%fs
surface air temperature

survey noun /s%ve/ a detailed

survey

eə temprtʃə/ noun the temperature examination 쑗 An aerodrome meteoro-

recorded in the shade at a height just logical office maintains a continuous
above ground level survey of meteorological conditions
surface front /s%fs frnt/ noun a
surface front

over the aerodromes for which it is des-

weather front at the surface of the earth ignated to prepare forecasts. 쐽 verb /sə |

쑗 The cirrus cloud can be 900 miles ve/ to determine the boundaries, area,
ahead of the surface front with a rain or elevations of land by means of meas-
belt as wide as 200 miles. uring angles and distances 쑗 Take care
surface heating /s%fs hitŋ/
surface heating
when using wooded areas to fix position
noun the heating of the ground by the because the cutting down of trees may
sun have led to a change in shape since the
map was made.
surface movement radar noun a
surface movement radar

survival /səvav(ə)l/ noun the fact of

survival

type of radar used at airports to monitor |

aircraft traffic on the ground. Abbrevia- remaining alive after an accident 쑗 The
tion SMR survival of passengers in the sea
depends on rapid location and rescue.
surface synoptic chart /s%fs s
surface synoptic chart

‘…survival training is a vital element of

nɒptk tʃɑt/ noun a chart of a geo- all aircrew knowledge. Just because
graphical area with symbols, fronts and modern aircraft are more reliable than
isobars giving a representation of the their predecessors, the need for such
weather over the area at a particular training does not diminish’ [Civil
time Aviation Training]
surface tension /s%fs tenʃ(ə)n/
surface tension

survival beacon /səvav(ə)l

survival beacon

noun the tension of the surface film of a bikən/ noun a beacon which transmits
liquid a signal which enables search aircraft to
surface wind /s%fs wnd/ noun a
surface wind

locate survivors in the water 쑗 VHF

wind which blows across the land sur- and/or UHF survival beacons are car-
face ried on all jet transports.
surge /s%dȢ/ noun a sudden increase survivor /səvavə/ noun a person
surge survivor

in something such as electrical power 왍 who continues to live after an accident

engine surge instability in the power 쑗 Whilst awaiting rescue on land or at
output of an engine 쐽 verb to move with sea, survivors should avoid exposure
force like a wave 쑗 If combustion pres- and conserve energy. 쑗 The aircraft
sure increases above compressor outlet crashed into the sea and there were no
pressure, the airflow will reverse in survivors.
direction and surge forward through the susceptible /səseptb(ə)l/ adjective
susceptible

compressor. prone to, likely to be affected by 쑗 A

surplus /s%pləs/ adjective excess,
surplus

rough surface is more susceptible to

more than is needed 쑗 Fuel penalties fatigue cracking than a smooth one, and
can be incurred if fuel surplus to for this reason highly stressed members
requirements is carried. are often polished.
suspect 226
suspect adjective / sspekt/ refer- sweptwing /sweptwŋ/ adjective
suspect sweptwing

ring to something believed to be caus- referring to an aircraft that has swept-

ing problems 쑗 The magnetic flaw back wings
detection technique is to induce a mag- swing /swŋ / verb 1. to move from
swing

netic field in the suspect part and then side to side with some force 쑗 There is
to brush over it an ink containing a often a tendency for a propeller driven
magnetic powder. 쐽 verb /səspekt/ to
|
aircraft to swing or yaw on take-off. 2. 왍
believe to be the case 쑗 If fuel contami- to swing a compass to calibrate com-
nation by water is suspected, a sample pass deviation by recording its value on
of fuel should be drained from the tank a compass base while rotating the air-
for inspection. craft through 360° 3. 왍 to swing a pro-
suspend /səspend/ verb 1. to hang peller to turn a propeller by hand to
suspend

freely from a point 쑗 When it is freely start the engine

suspended, a magnet will turn until one swirl /sw%l/ noun a movement with a
swirl

pole is towards the Earth’s magnetic twisting motion 쑗 Swirls of smoke came
north pole. 2. to float freely in the air or out of the engine.
in a liquid 쑗 The weather associated swirl chamber /sw%l tʃembə/
swirl chamber

with visibility reductions by particles noun a small chamber in the cylinder

suspended in the atmosphere is classi- head to promote swirl 쑗 The usual
fied as fog, mist, haze or smoke. method of atomising the fuel is to pass it
suspension /sə spenʃən/ noun 1.
suspension

|
through a swirl chamber, so converting
the act of state of hanging freely from a its pressure energy to kinetic energy.
point 2. the dispersion of particles in a switch /swtʃ/ noun a device to open
switch

liquid or gas 쑗 If a sample of fuel taken or break an electric current 쑗 There is an

from a tank is hazy or cloudy in appear- on/off switch on the front panel. 왍 cen-
ance, this indicates the presence of trifugal switch a switch operated by
water in suspension. centrifugal force 쐽 verb to connect or
sustain /səsten/ verb 1. to continue,
sustain

|
disconnect two lines by activating a
to maintain 쑗 For sustained supersonic switch 왍 to switch on to start to provide
flight, some measure of tank insulation power to a system by using a switch 쑗
is necessary to reduce the effect of Switch on the light. 왍 to switch off to
kinetic heating. 2. to receive, experi- disconnect the power supply to a device
ence or suffer 쑗 The aircraft sustained or system 쑗 Switch off the navigation
major damage in the crash. 쑗 The pilot lights.
sustained minor injuries. symbol /smbəl/ noun a printed or
symbol

sweep /swip/ verb to move across

sweep

written sign used to represent some-

quickly and with force 쑗 Cold arctic air thing 쑗 The work done by an electrical
sweeps over North America in winter. circuit or the power consumed is meas-
sweepback /swipbk/ noun an air-
sweepback
ured in watts and is given the symbol P.
craft wing that slopes backwards symbolic /smbɒlk/ adjective refer-
symbolic

towards the tail, forming an acute angle ring to symbols 쑗 A symbolic code is
with the body of the aircraft used for synoptic charts.
swell /swel/ noun a long wave on
swell

symmetric /smetrk/, symmetri-

symmetric

water that moves continuously without cal /smetrk(ə)l/ adjective referring

|

breaking 쑗 When ditching an aircraft to something which has an exact like-

the selection of a landing direction ness of form on opposite sides of a cen-
which will result in the minimum rela- tral dividing line 쑗 The area covered by
tive speed between the aircraft and sea the forecast is divided into a series of
swell will reduce impact forces and grid or reference points at approxi-
minimise structural damage. mately 300 km (kilometres) symmetrical
sweptback /sweptbk/ adjective
sweptback
spacing.
symptom /smptəm/ noun a sign or
symptom

referring to a wing that slopes back-

wards towards the tail of the aircraft indication of something, possibly a
 227 system
problem 쑗 Buffet caused by turbulent same time or rate 쑗 Synchronous motors
airflow acting on the tailplane is one of will run at constant speed and are small
the first symptoms of the approaching and light in weight.
stall. synoptic

synoptic / snɒptk/ adjective refer-

|

synchronisation /sŋkrəna
synchronisation

ring to something which gives a brief

zeʃ(ə)n/, synchronization noun
occurrence at the same time or rate 쑗 outline or general view of something
Prior to engagement, when the aircraft more complex 쑗 With the addition of
is being flown manually, the autopilot fronts and isobars, the synoptic chart
system will be following the aircraft provides a representation of the
flight attitude, thus ensuring that syn- weather over a large area, at a particu-
chronisation is achieved. lar time.
synchronise /sŋkrənaz/, syn-
synchronise
synthetic

synthetic /snθetk / adjective not

|

chronize verb to cause to occur or oper- natural, artificial 쑗 Mineral-based fluids

ate at the same time or rate 쑗 The air- are normally coloured red, and must be
craft must be trimmed for the desired used with synthetic rubber seals and
flight attitude before engaging the auto-
pilot, which must be synchronised to hoses.
system

maintain that attitude when it is system /sstəm/ noun a group of

engaged. interdependent parts forming and oper-
synchronous /sŋkrənəs/ adjective ating as a whole 쑗 a braking system 쑗 an
synchronous

referring to something operating at the electrical system

 T
tail-dragger /tel drDZə/ noun
tab tail-dragger

tab /tb/ noun the hinged rear part of

flight control surface used for trimming same as tailwheel aircraft (informal )
쑗 Trim tabs remove the pilot’s control tailplane /telplen/ noun a horizon-
tailplane

loads by aerodynamically holding the tal stabiliser, a horizontal aerofoil at the

control surface in the required position. rear of the aircraft 쑗 On most high per-
table

table / teb(ə)l/ noun a set of facts or formance aircraft the incidence of the
figures displayed in columns and rows 쑗 horizontal stabiliser (or tailplane) can
Charts are issued at UK meteorological be varied in flight.
tail rotor /tel rəυtə/ noun a small
tail rotor

offices and show, for selected locations,

a table of winds and temperatures at rotor on the tail of a helicopter that pre-
selected flight levels. vents the helicopter from spinning in
tabular

tabular /tbjυlə/ adjective 왍 in tab- the direction opposite to the rotation of

ular form arranged in a table 쑗 The the main rotor
tailskid /telskd / noun a support or
tailskid

most widely acceptable presentation of

fuel data is in tabular form but graphi- runner on the underside of the tail of an
cal presentations may also be used. aircraft
tailspin /telspn/ noun a rapid and
tailspin
Tacan

Tacan /tkən/ noun an aircraft navi-

gation system that uses UHF signals uncontrolled spiral descent of an air-
from a transmitting station for distance craft
tail unit /tel junt/ noun the rear
tail unit

and bearing. Full form Tactical area

navigation aid part of the aircraft, usually consisting of
tachometer the fin and tailplane
tachometer /t kɒmtə/ noun an
tailwheel /telwil/ noun a small
| tailwheel

instrument for the measurement of rev-

olutions per minute of a rotating shaft 쑗 wheel under the tail of an aircraft. Com-
The pilot checks the tachometer and pare nosewheel
tailwheel aircraft / telwil
tailwheel aircraft

notes the resulting drop in r.p.m. for

each magneto. eəkrɑft/ noun aircraft with a small
TAF wheel at the tail instead of a nosewheel.
TAF abbreviation 1. terminal aero- Also called tail-dragger
drome forecast 2. aerodrome forecast
tailwheel conversion course
tailwheel conversion course

(ICAO)
tail
/telwil kənv%ʃ(ə)n kɔs/ noun a
|

tail /tel/ noun the rear part of the air- course which familiarises qualified
craft 쑗 The tail section is the aft part of pilots with the differences in handling
the fuselage to which is fitted the tail characteristics between nosewheel and
unit, comprising the tailplane, eleva- tailwheel aircraft
tors, fins and rudders. tailwind /telwnd/ noun a wind
tailwind

tail assembly

tail assembly /tel əsembli/ noun

| which is blowing in the same direction
the aft part of the fuselage with the fin as the direction of movement or flight 쑗
and rudder, tailplane and elevators Because of the tailwind, the flight took
attached only six hours. Compare headwind
 229 technology
take off /tek ɒf/ verb to leave the
take off

working fast to clear the snow from the

ground 쑗 When flying speed is reached tarmac.
the aeroplane takes off. TAS abbreviation true airspeed
TAS

take-off /tek ɒf/, takeoff /tekɒf/ task /tɑsk/ noun a function or duty 쑗
take-off task

noun the procedure when an aircraft Present day transport aircraft are
leaves the ground 쑗 The aircraft has to required to fly accurately, in all
accelerate before take-off. 쑗 There is a weather, for long distances or long peri-
tendency for propeller driven aircraft to ods of time and, in order to carry out
swing or yaw on take-off. Abbreviation this task efficiently, an autopilot is used.
TO, T/O taxi /tksi/ verb to move an aircraft
taxi

take-off run /tek ɒf rn/ noun the along the ground under its own power
take-off run

distance from the start of take-off to the before take-off or after landing 쑗 Light
point where the wheels leave the ground aircraft can be steered while taxiing via
쑗 Acceleration forces can be felt as the a direct link from rudder pedals to the
aircraft begins its take-off run. nosewheel. (NOTE: taxies – taxiing –
take-off weight /tek ɒf wet/
take-off weight
taxied; the US English is taxying.)
taxiing /tksiŋ/ noun the movement
taxiing

noun the weight of an aircraft at take-

off, made up of its empty weight, plus of an aircraft along the ground under its
the weight of its passengers, freight and own power before take-off or after land-
fuel ing 쑗 the landing and taxiing of an air-
talk down /tɔlk daυn/ verb to give
talk down
craft 쑗 The taxiing of tail-wheel aircraft
advice to a pilot by radio on how to land is more difficult than nosewheel air-
an aircraft craft. (NOTE: The US spelling is also
taxying.)
tan abbreviation tangent
tan

taxiway /tksiwe/ noun a tarmac

taxiway

tangent /tndȢənt/ noun a straight

tangent

surface connecting the ramp or apron

line, curve or surface which meets with the runway 쑗 an airfield, i.e. an
another curve or curved surface at a area given over to runways, taxiways
point, but which, if extended, does not and aprons
cut through at that point 쑗 The glide
TCA abbreviation terminal control area
TCA

path is at a tangent to the runway.

TCAS abbreviation traffic alert and
TCAS

Abbreviation tan
collision avoidance system
tangential /tndȢenʃ(ə)l/ adjective
tangential

TCDS abbreviation type certificate

TCDS

positioned at a tangent to something

else data sheet
technical /teknk(ə)l/ adjective 1.
technical

tank /tŋk/ noun a large container for

tank

storing fluid 쑗 An aluminium alloy fuel referring to mechanical subjects or

tank is housed in each wing. applied sciences 쑗 a technical educa-
tion 2. referring to the mechanical, elec-
taper /tepə/ verb to reduce in thick-
taper

trical, hydraulic or pneumatic systems

ness towards one end 쑗 Fuel flowing of an aircraft 쑗 A technical problem with
from the float chamber passes through a the aircraft prevented it from taking off
jet, in which is positioned a tapered on time.
needle valve.
technique /teknik/ noun a special
technique

tapered wing /tepəd wŋ/ noun a

tapered wing

method for doing something 쑗 The

wing which becomes narrower in width preparation of charts is done by compu-
from root to tip ter using numerical forecasting tech-
target /tɑDZt/ noun the indication
target

niques.
shown on a radar screen resulting from technology /teknɒlədȢi/ noun the
technology

a primary radar return or a radar beacon study and use of the mechanical arts or
reply 쑗 In a secondary radar system, the applied sciences 왍 new technology new
target is active. electronic equipment 쑗 The use of fly-
tarmac /tɑmk/ noun the runway
tarmac

by-wire in airliners was delayed to

and taxiways of an airport 쑗 They were allow thorough development and
TEHP 230
encourage universal acceptance of the tendency to be late he is often late 왍 he
new technology. has a tendency to forget things he is
TEHP

TEHP abbreviation total equivalent forgetful

tensile

horsepower tensile /tensal/ adjective referring to

telemetry

telemetry /təlemtri/ noun the work

|
stretching or pulling out 쑗 Reinforced
of recording and transmitting data about plastic may have to support a tensile
an object situated at a distance from the load, a compressive load or a bending
observer load.
tensile load
TEMP

TEMP /temp/ abbreviation tempera- tensile load /tensal ləυd/ noun the
ture load caused by forces acting in opposite
temperate directions away from each other
temperate /temp(ə)rət/ adjective tensile strength

mild, not extreme 쑗 Cold air in temper- tensile strength /tensal streŋθ/
ate latitudes is usually unstable. noun the strength of a structure to resist
temperature forces pulling it apart from opposite
temperature /temprtʃə/ noun a directions
measurement, in degrees, of the inten- tensile stress

sity of heat of a body 쑗 Ground temper- tensile stress /tensal stres/ noun
ature is the temperature recorded by a the forces that try to pull a structure
thermometer placed at ground level. 쑗 apart from opposite directions
tension

The altitude and temperature of the tro- tension /tenʃən/ noun a strained
popause are of concern to aircrew. condition resulting from forces acting
temperature error

temperature error /temprtʃə in opposition to each other 쑗 A rod

erə/ noun the variation in pressure alti- which is bent is shortened or in com-
tude caused by a deviation of tempera- pression on the inside of the bend and is
ture from ISA stretched or in tension on the outside of
tempo the bend.
tempo /tempəυ/ noun the speed of an term

activity 쑗 The flow of passengers to term /t%m/ noun 1. a word or expres-

exits and tempo of evacuation will be sion 쑗 The term ‘payload’ includes pas-
influenced by the number of exits avail- sengers, baggage and freight. 2. a lim-
able. ited period of time 왍 a 5 year term a
TEMPO period of 5 years 왍 in the long term
TEMPO /tempəυ/ abbreviation tem- when considering a long period of time
porary (ICAO) 왍 short term forecast a weather fore-
temporary

temporary /temp(ə)rəri/ adjective cast for the next few hours only
lasting for a short time, not permanent 쑗 terminal

terminal /t%mn(ə)l/ adjective refer-

The indicator ‘tempo’, followed by a 4- ring to a limit or to a final point 쐽 noun
figure time group indicates a period of 1. the departure and/or arrival building
temporary fluctuations to the forecast at an airport 쑗 The flight leaves from ter-
meteorological conditions which may minal three at Heathrow airport. 2. an
occur at any time during the period electrical connection point 쑗 The nega-
given. Opposite permanent tive terminal of the battery is marked -.
tend

tend /tend/ verb to be apt or inclined terminal aerodrome forecast

terminal aerodrome forecast

to do something more often than not 쑗 /t%mnəl eərədrəυm fɔkɑst/
Depressions tend to move around large noun the weather forecast for the area
anticyclones following the circulation around an aerodrome 쑗 In terminal aer-
of wind. 왍 the weather tends to be wet odrome forecasts, the height of the
in the UK in the winter the weather is cloud base forecast is above airfield
often, but not always, wet level unless otherwise stated. Abbrevia-
tendency

tendency /tendənsi/ noun an incli- tion TAF

nation, situation or condition which COMMENT: TAFs are scheduled four
occurs more often than not 쑗 There is a times daily for 24-hour periods
tendency for propeller-driven aircraft beginning at 0000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z,
to swing or yaw on take-off. 왍 he has a and 1800Z.
 231 thermal activity
terminal airfield /t%mn(ə)l
terminal airfield

well 쑗 The manual test for the engine

eəfild/ noun the airfield at which a fire warning system will give a steady
flight finishes red light on all the fire control handles.
terminal
terminal area forecast

area forecast 2. an examination to assess the knowl-

/t%mn(ə)l eəriə fɔkɑst/ noun the edge of a person 쑗 There is a navigation
weather forecast for the area around an test for students at 0800 hours. 쐽 verb 1.
airport. Abbreviation TAF to operate something in order to find out
terminal control area /t%mn(ə)l
terminal control area
whether it functions correctly 쑗 Oxygen
kəntrəυl eəriə/ noun an air traffic under pressure is used to test the oxygen
masks and equipment for fit and leak-
|

control area established at the meeting

place of a number of routes near one or age. 2. to examine somebody in order to
more major airports 쑗 In some areas assess his or her knowledge 쑗 The stu-
where there is a local concentration of dents are tested in five subjects.
test pilot /test palət/ noun a pilot
test pilot

traffic, terminal control areas are set

up. Abbreviation TCA, TMA who flies new aircraft in order to check
terminate /t%mnet/ verb to end, or
terminate
their performance
TGT abbreviation turbine gas tempera-
TGT

to bring to a close 쑗 The flight termi-

nates in New York. 왍 the transmission ture
terminated abruptly the transmission theory /θəri/ noun a system of ideas
theory

stopped suddenly and unexpectedly or principles explaining something 쑗

terminology /t%mnɒlədȢi/ noun a
terminology

|
The theory of navigation must be stud-
set of words or expressions used for a ied before any practical plotting exer-
particular subject 쑗 It is necessary to cises are done.
learn some of the terminology associ- theory of flight /θəri əv flat/
theory of flight

ated with aircraft navigation. noun the ideas and principles which
terrain /tə ren/ noun land, especially
terrain

|
contribute to our understanding of how
in relation to its physical geography 쑗 things fly
Special attention should be paid to wind thereafter /ðeərɑftə/ adverb after
thereafter

flow when flights are made over hills or that, beyond that 쑗 Meteorological visi-
mountainous terrain. bility is given in metres up to 5,000
terrestrial /tərestriəl/ adjective
terrestrial

|
metres and thereafter in km (kilome-
referring to the earth 쑗 Clear skies allow tres).
terrestrial radiation to escape. thereby /ðeəba/ adverb by that
thereby

territory /tert(ə)ri/ noun the extent

territory

means or in that way 쑗 The evacuation

of the surface of the Earth governed by was carried out at a slower rate,
a particular country, ruler, state, etc. 쑗 thereby minimising the risk of injury to
All places in the same territory, or part passengers.
of the same territory, maintain a stand- therefore /ðeəfɔ/ adverb as a result,
therefore

ard of time as laid down by the govern- consequently 쑗 At small throttle open-
ment responsible for that territory. ings, the depression at the choke is very
tertiary /t%ʃəri/ adjective referring small and therefore no fuel flows from
tertiary

to something which is third in order of the main jet.

rank, behind primary and secondary 쑗 thermal /θ%m(ə)l/ adjective refer-
thermal

Tertiary radar systems are synonymous ring to heat 쑗 Intense surface heating
with long-range navigation aids. 쑗 Ter- causes thermal currents to develop and
tiary structures, for example fairings, create convection. 쐽 noun a rising cur-
wheel doors and minor component rent of relatively warm air in the lower
brackets, are essential parts of the air- atmosphere 쑗 Glider pilots circle in
frame. thermals in order to gain height.
tertiary radar /t%ʃəri redɑ/ noun
tertiary radar

thermal activity /θ%m(ə)l k

thermal activity

long-range navigation aids tvti/ noun a period of time when

test /test/ noun 1. a series of opera- there is a lot of vertical movement of air
test

tions to find out if something is working caused by heating 쑗 Cumulus clouds

thermal barrier 232
may develop because of thermal activity wire 3. not dense 쑗 thin mist 쑗 Altostra-
resulting from the warming of the sur- tus cloud is thin enough for the sun to be
face. dimly visible. 4. of a consistency which
thermal barrier /θ%m(ə)l briə/
thermal barrier
flows easily 쑗 thin oil Opposite thick
noun the heat caused by air friction on thinness /θnnəs/ noun 1. a small
thinness

an aircraft flying at high speed extent between two surfaces 쑗 The thin-
thermo- /θ%məυ/ prefix heat
thermo-
ness of the material makes it unsuitable.
thermocouple
thermocouple

/θ%məυkp(ə)l/ 2. a small extent of the diameter of a

noun a device for measuring tempera- wire 3. the state or condition of being
ture 쑗 Variation in temperature of the thin
thorough /θrə/ adjective complete
thorough

cooling air will give some indication of

engine trouble through a thermocouple 쑗 All cabin crew must have a thorough

system to a temperature gauge. knowledge of fire fighting equipment

thermodynamic
thermodynamic

/ θ%məυda |
and procedures. 왍 a thorough inspec-
nmk/ adjective referring to the con- tion a very detailed, comprehensive
version of one form of energy into inspection
THP abbreviation thrust horsepower
THP

another and how this affects tempera-

three-letter group /θri letə
three-letter group

ture, pressure, volume, mechanical

action and work DZrup/ noun three letters of the alpha-
thermometer /θəmɒmtə/ noun an
thermometer

|
bet found together
three-point landing /θri pɔnt
three-point landing

instrument for measuring temperature 쑗

Ground temperature is the temperature lndŋ/ noun an aircraft landing in
recorded by a thermometer placed at which the two main wheels of the land-
ground level. ing gear and the nosewheel or tailwheel
thermoplastic /θ%məυplstk /
thermoplastic

|
touch the ground at the same time
threshold /θreʃhəυld/ noun the
threshold

noun a type of plastic which can be sof-

tened by heating then shaped, then sof- beginning of the part of the runway,
tened again by heating usable for landing 쑗 Runway visual
thermosetting
thermosetting plastic

plastic range is obtained by an observer stand-

/θ%məυsetŋ plstk/ noun a type of ing at the side of the runway in the
plastic which is heated while being vicinity of the threshold counting the
shaped but which cannot be softened by number of markers or lights visible
reheating 쑗 If a piece of thermosetting along the side of the runway.
plastic is hit hard enough, it breaks into COMMENT: The threshold is marked
pieces with straight sharp edges. with a single white line on visual
runways or by eight parallel white lines
thick /θk/ adjective 1. of great or par-
thick

arranged longitudinally in two groups

ticular extent between two surfaces 쑗 a of four each side of the runway
1cm thick steel bar 쑗 This sheet of alu- centreline for runways with instrument
minium is not very thick. 2. with a large approach/landing facilities.
diameter 쑗 thick wire 3. dense 쑗 thick throttle /θrɒt(ə)l/ noun 1. a throttle
throttle

fog 쑗 thick cloud 4. of a consistency lever 2. a throttle valve 쐽 verb 왍 to

which does not flow easily 쑗 thick oil throttle back to reduce engine power 쑗
Opposite thin Throttle back to increase the rate of
thickness /θknəs/ noun 1. the
thickness

descent.
extent between two surfaces 쑗 In mono-
COMMENT: The verbs ‘open’ or
coque construction, there is no internal ‘advance’ (= to increase engine power)
stiffening because the thickness of the and ‘close’ or ‘throttle back’ (= to
skin gives strength and stability. 2. the decrease engine power) are frequently
extent of the diameter of a wire 3. the used by instructors to explain the
state or condition of being thick required movement of the throttle lever
thin /θn/ adjective 1. of small extent
thin
in the cockpit.
between two surfaces 쑗 a thin layer of throttle lever /θrɒt(ə)l livə/ noun
throttle lever

paint 2. with a small diameter 쑗 thin a device operating the throttle valve 쑗
 233 tire
When starting an engine, it is inadvisa- derstorms occur in well-developed
ble to pump the throttle lever because of cumulonimbus clouds. 쑗 The process of
the risk of fire. formation, development and decay of a
throttle quadrant
throttle quadrant

/ θrɒt(ə)l thunderstorm.
kwɒdrənt/ noun an arc-shaped device
thunderstorm activity

thunderstorm activity
in which the throttle levers move /θndəstɔm ktvti/ noun the
|

throttle setting /θrɒt(ə)l setŋ/

throttle setting

occurrence of weather conditions asso-

noun the particular position of the throt- ciated with thunderstorms, such as rain,
tle which gives a required revolutions thunder, wind or lightning
per minute or power thus /ðs / adverb 1. in this way 쑗 This
thus

throttle valve /θrɒt(ə)l vlv/ noun device fits with the other thus. 2. there-
throttle valve

a device controlling the flow of fuel in fore, as a result 쑗 The glide slope and
an engine localiser beam signals control the air-
throughout /θruaυt/ adverb from
throughout

|
craft about the pitch and roll axes, thus
the beginning to the end of a time or maintaining alignment with the runway.
place 쑗 Emergency lighting is provided 쑗 Anti-skid braking systems are
throughout the cabin. 쑗 Heavy snow fell designed to prevent the brakes locking
throughout the night. 왍 throughout the the wheels during landing, thus reduc-
life of the aircraft during the entire life ing the possibility of wheel skid.
of the aircraft 왍 throughout the world
tie

tie /ta/ noun a basic structural member

all over the world 왍 throughout the which is designed to withstand mainly
year from January 1st to December tensile loads 쑗 Diagonal ties can be
31st used to relieve tension and increase the
thrust /θrst/ noun a force produced
thrust
effectiveness of the top boom.
by a propeller, jet or rocket 쑗 A propel- tight /tat/ adjective closely or firmly
tight

ler is a means of converting engine fitting or put together 왍 a tight fit a sit-
power into a propulsive force known as uation when there is just about enough
thrust. 쑗 In order for the aircraft to space to fit 쐽 adverb closely or firmly,
increase speed, thrust must overcome with no air leaks 쑗 The door must be
drag. 쒁 reversal, reverser 쐽 verb to shut tight.
push suddenly with force 쑗 A nozzle is tilt

tilt /tlt/ noun a sloping position 쑗 Land

an opening at the rear of a jet engine creates a drag effect on an electro-mag-
through which exhaust gases are thrust. netic wave-front, reducing the velocity
(NOTE: thrusting – thrust) of the wave thereby causing a tilt. 쐽 verb
thrust horsepower /θrst
thrust horsepower

to be at an angle to the vertical or hori-

hɔspaυə/ noun the amount of horse- zontal, to slope 쑗 The Earth tilts on its
power of an engine that is transformed axis.
into thrust. Abbreviation THP timetable

timetable /tamteb(ə)l/ noun a

thrust reversal /θrst rv%səl/
thrust reversal

|
printed list which shows the times of
noun setting of throttle levers to provide departure from and arrival to various
thrust in the opposite direction to decel- destinations 쑗 All the scheduled flights
erate the aircraft after landing are listed in the airline timetable.
thunder /θndə/ noun the noise cre-
thunder

timetabled /tamteb(ə)ld/ adjec-

timetabled

ated by the violent expansion and con- tive listed in a timetable 쑗 A scheduled
traction of air momentarily heated by a landing is an arrival at a timetabled
lightning discharge 쑗 Thunder immedi- destination.
ately following the flash of lightning
time zone /tam zəυn/ noun one of
time zone

usually indicates that the storm is over-

head. the 24 parts of the Earth in which the
same standard time is used
thunderstorm /θndəstɔm/ noun
thunderstorm

tip

a violent weather condition in which tip /tp/ noun the end of a small or
wind speeds increase, rain or hail falls tapering thing
tire

and there is lightning activity 쑗 Thun- tire /taə/ noun US same as tyre
titanium 234
titanium /tateniəm / noun a light
titanium

| face as represented on a map 쑗 The

metal used to make strong alloys 쑗 The chart shows the topography of the area.
fatigue resistance of titanium is greater 2. relative elevations of the Earth’s sur-
than that of aluminium or steel. face, or features of a geographical area
쑗 The general circulation is compli-
TKOF abbreviation take off (ICAO)
TKOF

cated because the Earth tilts and its sur-

TMA abbreviation terminal control
TMA

face is neither level, because of topog-

area raphy, nor uniform due to areas of land
T/O, TO abbreviation take off
T/O

and sea.
toggle /tɒDZ(ə)l/ noun a short piece of
toggle
tornado

tornado / tɔnedəυ/ noun a violent

|

wood or other material, attached with a storm of small extent, with rotating
string to e.g. a life jacket 쑗 Pull the tog- winds 쑗 The winds of a tornado are of
gles downwards to inflate the life jacket. hurricane force.
toilet /tɔlət/ noun 1. a bowl with a
toilet

torque

seat on which you sit to get rid of waste torque /tɔk / noun a moment of forces
from your body 2. a room or cubicle causing rotation 쑗 Torque forces try to
with a toilet bowl in it 쑗 There are two bend the propeller against the direction
toilets at the rear of the plane and one of rotation. 쑗 High current flows
at the front. through both the field and armature
windings producing the high torque
tolerance / tɒlərəns/ noun an allow-
tolerance

required for engine starting.

able variation in something which can torquemeter

be measured 쑗 a tolerance of 2° 쑗 a tol- torquemeter /tɔkmitə/ noun a

erance of 1mm (millimetre) device for measuring forces (torque)
causing rotation 쑗 Engine torque is used
tone /təυn/ noun a sound of one pitch
tone

to indicate the power that is developed

쑗 The ground transmits a code in two
by a turboprop engine and the indicator
short bursts each of which is modulated is known as a torquemeter.
with two tones. torsion

tool kit /tul kt/ noun a set of tools

tool kit
torsion /tɔʃ(ə)n/ noun twisting,
consisting of spanners, screwdrivers, especially of one end of a body while
pliers, etc. the other is fixed 쑗 Rivets are subjected
to torsion and may break.
top /tɒp/ noun the highest point or part
top

torsion load

쑗 If cumulonimbus clouds cannot be torsion load /tɔʃ(ə)n ləυd/ noun

avoided then flight through the top is the load caused by twisting of a struc-
less hazardous than through the centre ture
or bottom of the cloud.
total

total /təυt(ə)l/ adjective complete,

top-dead-centre /tɒp ded sentə / whole 쑗 Of the total amount of radia-
top-dead-centre

noun the position of the piston at the tion emitted by the sun, the Earth
extreme top of its stroke in a piston receives only a very small part. 왍 total
engine 쑗 Ignition should occur just system failure complete system failure
before top-dead-centre. 왍 total seating capacity the maximum
topic /tɒpk/ noun the subject of
topic
number of passengers who can be
something heard, said, written or read 쑗 accommodated on seats
touch down

The first section in the book deals with touch down /ttʃ daυn/ verb to
the topic of airmanship. make controlled contact with the land-
topographical /tɒpəDZrfk(ə)l/
topographical

|
ing surface after a flight 쑗 If the atmos-
adjective referring to topography 쑗 An pheric pressure at an airfield is 1,000
advantage of using airfield QNH is that millibars (mb) and that pressure is set
altimeter readings can be compared on the sub-scale of an aircraft altimeter,
directly with heights represented on when the aircraft touches down at the
topographical maps. airfield, the altimeter will read zero.
touchdown

topography /təpɒDZrəfi/ noun 1. a touchdown /ttʃdaυn/ noun the

topography

representation of detailed natural and moment, after a flight, when the aircraft
man-made features of the Earth’s sur- makes controlled contact with the land-
 235 transform
ing surface 쑗 One of the aircraft’s tyres drome circuit 2. the pattern of routes
burst on touchdown. that an aircraft must keep to when
touchdown
touchdown point

point /ttʃdaυn approaching or circling an airport

pɔnt/ noun the place on the runway trailing /trelŋ/ adjective referring to
trailing

where the aircraft undercarriage first something which comes after some-
touches the ground on landing thing else 쑗 The trailing brush is posi-
tow /təυ/ verb to pull an aircraft or
tow
tioned behind the main brush on the
vehicle using a bar, rope, etc. attached rotor arm, thereby giving a retarded
to another aircraft or vehicle 쑗 The spark.
glider was towed into the air by a Rol- trailing edge /trelŋ edȢ/ noun aft
trailing edge

lason Condor. part of an aerofoil 쑗 The trailing edge of

tower /taυə/ noun a tall airport or air- the wing is the section behind the rear
tower

field air traffic control building 쑗 Wait spar and is of light construction
for permission from the tower before because the aerodynamic loads on this
crossing an active runway. area are relatively low.
train /tren/ verb to teach a person a
train

‘T’ piece adapter /ti pis ə

‘T’ piece adapter

dptə/ noun a device for connecting particular skill 쑗 The student pilot is
two inputs to one output or vice versa trained to scan an instrument panel,
track /trk/ noun a projection on the
track
whilst at the same time listening to the
Earth’s surface of the path of an aircraft, aircraft radio and flying the aircraft. 쐽
which can be expressed in degrees from noun a series of connected parts or
north 쑗 Where an aircraft track and wheels in machinery 쑗 The turboprop
wind direction are the same, there will turbine transmits increased power for-
be a headwind component acting on the ward through a shaft and a gear train,
aircraft. 쑗 The actual track does not to drive the propeller.
trainee /treni/ noun a person who is
trainee

necessarily follow the planned track |

and is given the name track made good. being taught 쑗 a trainee pilot
쐽 verb to follow a line of the flight path transducer /trnzdjusə/ noun a
transducer

of an aircraft, as projected on the Earth device which converts a non-electrical

surface 쑗 On final approach, track the signal into an electrical one 쑗 The man-
imaginary extended centre line of the ifold is connected into the pressure ratio
runway. transmitter, which consists of a trans-
tractor / trktə/ noun 1. an aircraft
tractor

ducer, to sense the pressure ratio, and

that has its propeller in front of its an associated electrical circuit, provid-
engine 2. a propeller in front of an air- ing signals to the servo indicator in the
craft engine, which has the effect of cockpit.
pulling the aircraft through the air transfer

transfer noun /trnsf%/ the act of

trade winds /tred wndz/ plural
trade winds

passing or moving to another place 쑗

noun steady winds which blow on the External cooling of the engine is neces-
side of the sub-tropical highs nearest to sary to prevent the transfer of heat to
the equator 쑗 Trade winds maintain the aircraft structure. 쐽 verb /trnsf%/
|

their direction over the oceanic areas, to pass or to move to another place 쑗 It
especially the Pacific, more than over is sometimes necessary to transfer fuel
land areas. from one tank to another tank. (NOTE:
traffic /trfk/ noun the number of
traffic

transferring – transferred)
aircraft in operation 쑗 Standard instru- transform /trnsfɔm/ verb to
transform

ment routes are structured to provide change completely 쑗 The purpose of an

the safest and most efficient flow of traf- actuator is to transform fluid flow into
fic from entry and exit points to the air- motion, i.e. it converts pressure energy
field. into mechanical energy. 쑗 Friction
traffic pattern /trfk pt(ə)n/
traffic pattern

results in some of the power available

noun 1. the shape marked out on the from a pump being transformed into
ground of an aircraft track in the aero- heat.
transformer 236
transformer

transformer /trnsfɔmə/ noun a

|
meaning of words in one language in
device for changing the voltage or cur- words from another language
rent amplitude of an alternating current transmission /trnzmʃ(ə)n/ noun
transmission

signal 쑗 Current transformers differ 1. the sending of a radio signal 쑗 The

from voltage transformers in that the combination of loop and sense anten-
primary circuit consists of a supply nae can determine the direction from
feeder cable rather than a coil con- which a transmission is made. 2. a radio
nected across a supply. signal that is transmitted
transient

transient /trnziənt/ adjective pass- transmit /trnzmt/ verb 1. to pass,

transmit

ing or temporary, lasting only a short to convey 쑗 As the camshaft rotates, the
time 쑗 Transient loads can be absorbed cam will transmit a lifting force through
by the busbar with a minimum of volt- rods and pivots to open the valve. 쑗 The
age fluctuations. charts are transmitted from one station
transit

transit / trnzt/ noun an act of mov- to another by fax. 2. to send out a radio
ing 왍 in transit moving 쑗 A green light signal 쑗 Survival beacons transmit a
indicates the undercarriage is locked signal which enables search aircraft to
down, and a red light is displayed when rapidly locate survivors in the water.
the undercarriage is in transit. 왍 transit (NOTE: transmitting – transmitted)
transmitter /trnzmtə/ noun a
transmitter

route a route taken by one aircraft |

through controlled airspace device for sending out radio signals 쑗

transition

transition /trnzʃ(ə)n/ noun an act

|
Although continuous wave radars oper-
of passing from one place, state or con- ate continuously, separate transmitter
dition to another and receiver antennae must be used. 쑗
transition altitude Signal strength is inversely propor-
transition altitude /trnzʃ(ə)n |
tional to the distance from the transmit-
lttjud/ noun altitude in the vicinity ter.
of an airport, at or below which the ver-
transparency
transparency

tical position of the aircraft is controlled /trnsprənsi/ |

by reference to altitudes above mean noun the condition of being transparent

쑗 Meteorological visibility gives infor-
sea level 쑗 When a flight takes place
above the transition altitude, the stand- mation on the transparency of the
ard pressure setting of 1013.25 mb (mil- atmosphere to a stationary ground
libars) is used. observer.
transparent /trnsprənt/ adjec-
transparent

transition layer

transition layer /trnzʃ(ə)n leə/

|
|

tive allowing light to pass through so

noun the airspace between the transi-
that things can be seen 쑗 Aircraft win-
tion altitude and the transition level
dows and canopies are usually made
(NOTE: The depth of this layer will nor-
from transparent acrylic plastic.
mally be insignificant and will never
transponder /trn spɒndə/ noun a
transponder

exceed 500 ft.) |

transition level device in an aircraft for receiving a

transition level /trnzʃ(ə)n |

radio signal and automatically transmit-

lev(ə)l/ noun the lowest flight level ting a different signal so that an air traf-
above the transition altitude fic control station can identify the air-
transit lounge /trnzt laυndȢ/
transit lounge

craft 쑗 The transponder in the aircraft

noun a room where transit passengers comprises a transmitter and a receiver.
wait for connecting flights ‘…flight trials began recently of a low-
transit passenger

transit passenger /trnzt cost hand-held IFF transponder’ [Pilot]

psndȢə/ noun a traveller who is COMMENT: The pilot sets an
changing from one aircraft to another identification code, or ‘squawk’,
translation

translation /trnsleʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.

|
assigned by ATC, on the transponder
in the aircraft.
the movement of an object in a straight
transport /trnspɔt/ noun a system
transport

line in which every part of the object

follows a parallel course and no rotation for moving people, freight and baggage
takes place 2. the act of expressing the from one place to another 쑗 On a large
 237 tropics
transport aircraft, the safety of hun- solution of what happens to an aircraft
dreds of passengers is involved. when wind causes drift. 쒁 wind1
transport aircraft /trnspɔt
transport aircraft trigger

trigger /trDZə/ verb to cause to oper-

eəkrɑft/ noun an aircraft designed to ate, to set off 쑗 Normally, both the cap-
carry ten or more passengers or the tain’s and first officer’s airspeed indi-
equivalent cargo and having a maxi- cator trigger an aural warning if the
mum take-off weight greater than 5,670 airspeed limits are exceeded.
kg trijet

trijet /tradȢet/ noun an aircraft pow-

trap /trp/ verb to catch and prevent
trap

ered by three jet engines

from escaping 쑗 If there is a failure of trim /trm / noun a condition in which
trim

the pressurised air supply, the check an aircraft is in static balance in pitch 쑗
valve will close and trap pressurised air Trim indicators have a green band, to
in the cabin. 쑗 Smog is smoke or pollu- show when the trim is correct for take-
tion trapped on the surface by an inver- off. (NOTE: Some aircraft have rudder
sion of temperature with little or no and aileron trim.) 쐽 verb to adjust trim-
wind. mers in order to get the required hands-
tread /tred/ noun a series of patterns
tread

off pitch attitude 쑗 Trim the aircraft for

moulded into the surface of a tyre to level flight.
provide grip 쑗 The risk of aquaplaning trim wheel

trim wheel /trm wil/, trimmer

increases as the depth of tyre tread is /trmə/ noun a wheel-shaped device,
reduced. sometimes situated between the front
treat /trit/ verb 1. to behave or act
treat

seats of light aircraft, to trim the aircraft

towards something or somebody in a by hand 쑗 The trimmer is used to ease
particular way 쑗 Pilots should treat the the loads imposed on the flying controls
engine carefully, if they want to prolong during flight.
its life. 2. to apply a process to some- trip

thing in order to get a particular result 왍

trip /trp/ verb to cause an electrical
device to suddenly stop working 쑗
treated water water which has been
Oscillating outputs from alternators
made drinkable 왍 heat-treated alloys
could cause sensitive equipment to mal-
alloys which have undergone a process
function or trip.
of hardening by using heat
triplane /traplen/ noun an aircraft
triplane

treatment /tritmənt/ noun subjec-

treatment

tion to the action of a chemical or phys- with three main wings fixed one above
ical process 쑗 anti-corrosion treatment the other
triple /trp(ə)l/ adjective consisting of
triple

쑗 heat treatment

trembler /tremblə/ noun an auto-

trembler
three parts 쑗 Probes may be of single,
matic vibrator for making and breaking double or triple element construction.
tropical

an electrical circuit tropical /trɒpk(ə)l/ adjective refer-

trend /trend/ noun 1. a general direc-
trend
ring to the area between the parallels of
tion or tendency 쑗 Continuous VOL- latitude 23° 26’ north and south of the
MET, which is normally broadcast on a equator 쑗 Tropical air moving north-
designated VHF (very high frequency) wards is subjected to surface cooling
channel, contains current aerodrome and becomes increasingly stable in its
reports and trends where available. 2. lower layers.
tropical storm /trɒpk(ə)l stɔm/
tropical storm

an up-to-date or modern way of doing

things 쑗 Warning systems can take the noun a violent wind system which
form of lights, captions, and aural sig- forms over tropical oceans 쑗 Tropical
nals, and the modern trend is to incor- storms often dissipate when they pass
porate them into a central warning sys- from sea to land.
tem. tropics

tropics /trɒpks/ noun 왍 the tropics

triangle /traŋDZəl/ noun a plane
triangle

the area between the parallels of lati-

figure with three sides and three angles tude 23° 26’ north and south of the
쑗 The triangle of velocities is a vector equator 쑗 Throughout the tropics and
tropopause 238
sub-tropics, the sea breeze is a regular tuned. 2. to adjust to the particular fre-
feature. quency of the required signal 쑗 The RBI
tropopause /trɒpəpɔz/ noun the
tropopause
shows the bearing of the tuned radio
level at which the troposphere and the beacon with reference to the aircraft’s
stratosphere meet 쑗 The altitude and heading.
temperature of the tropopause are of tuner /tjunə/ noun a part which
tuner

concern to aircrew because they affect allows the operator to select the partic-
aircraft performance. ular frequency of the required signal 쑗
troposphere /trɒpəsfə/ noun the
troposphere
The tuner reduces interference.
lowest region of the atmosphere 쑗 The turbine /t%ban/ noun a rotary motor
turbine

troposphere is at its deepest near the or engine formed of a wheel driven by a

equator and shallowest near the poles. flow of air or gas
trough /trɒf/ noun a long area of low
trough

turbo- / t%bəυ/ prefix turbine

turbo-

barometric pressure 쑗 Severe icing and turbocharger

turbocharger

/t%bəυtʃɑdȢə/
|

turbulence can be experienced when noun a supercharger driven by a turbine

flying through a trough and the precipi- powered by exhaust gases 쑗 The turbo-
tation may be of hail, rain, snow or charger significantly increases engine
sleet. power.
true /tru/ adjective referring to a cal-
true

turbofan /t%bəυfn/ noun a jet

turbofan

culation or reading which has been cor- engine in which most of the thrust is
rected for errors produced by air, accelerated by a large
true airspeed /tru eəspid/ noun
true airspeed

fan, which does not pass through the

airspeed corrected for instrument and combustion chamber of the engine 쑗
position error in addition to altitude, The Airbus A340 is powered by four
temperature and compressibility errors CFM56 turbofans. (NOTE: The US term
true altitude /tru lttjud/ noun
true altitude

is fanjet.)
real or actual height above sea level COMMENT: Turbofan engines are
true bearing /tru beərŋ/ noun
true bearing

much quieter than older turbojets and

bearing with reference to true north, not make a characteristic sound when in
magnetic north operation. The fan can be clearly seen
in the front part of the engine. Modern
true degrees /tru dDZriz/ noun
true degrees

|
airliners use turbofan engines
degrees of direction measured from true produced by major manufacturers
north, not magnetic north. Also called such as Rolls Royce, CFM or Pratt and
degrees true. Symbol °T Whitney.
true north /tru nɔθ/ noun the
true north

turbojet /t%bəυdȢet/ noun a jet

turbojet

direction towards north pole along a engine which includes a turbine-driven

meridian through the observer compressor for the air taken into the
tube /tjub/ noun a long, hollow cylin-
tube

engine 쑗 The de Havilland Comet was

drical device for holding or carrying the world’s first turbojet commercial
fluids 쑗 A liquid-type fire detector con- transport aircraft.
sists of a tube and expansion chamber COMMENT: In recent years turbofan
filled with liquid. engines have taken over from turbojet
tubing /tjubŋ/ noun tubes in gen-
tubing
engines. Frank Whittle (1907–96) was
eral 쑗 hydraulic tubing an English engineer and RAF officer
who invented the turbojet aircraft
tubular /tjubjυlə/ adjective refer-
tubular

engine. Whittle developed a jet aircraft

ring to something which is shaped like by 1941 and the first military jet
a tube 쑗 Diagonal members can be of aircraft, the Gloster Meteor, became
angle section, box spar or tubular in operational in 1944.
shape. turboprop /t%bəυprɒp/, turbopro-
turboprop

tune /tjun/ verb 1. to set a system at

tune

peller /t%bəυprəpelə/ noun a turbo-

|

its optimum point by careful adjustment jet engine in which the turbine also
쑗 The engine has not been properly drives a propeller 쑗 The turboprop
 239 tyre
engine is often used in transport air- turn on /t%n ɒn/ verb 1. to switch an
turn on

craft. electrical device or system ‘on’ 쑗 Can

COMMENT: Turboprop aircraft are you turn the light on or turn on the
efficient at lower speeds than turbojet light? 2. to start the flow of something
aircraft and are often used for short- by using a valve 쑗 Turn on the fuel.
haul operations.
turnround
turnround

/t%nraυnd/ noun
turboshaft /t%bəυʃɑft/ noun an
turboshaft

unloading, loading and preparing an

engine similar to a turboprop engine, aircraft for another flight and the time
except that it is used primarily in heli- taken to do this (NOTE: The word turna-
copters round is preferred in US English.)
turbulence /t%bjυləns/ noun an
turbulence

twin engine aircraft /twn endȢn

twin engine aircraft

irregular motion of the atmosphere eəkrɑft/, twin-engined aircraft

turbulent /t%bjυlənt/ adjective
turbulent
/twn endȢnd eəkrɑft/ noun an
referring to the irregular motion of the aircraft with two identical engines
atmosphere 쑗 When flying in turbulent
twist

twist /twst/ verb to turn against

air conditions, an aircraft is subjected resistance 쑗 Centrifugal, bending and
to upward and downward gust loads. twisting forces act on a propeller during
turn /t%n/ noun 1. an angular change
turn
flight.
in track 쑗 a 180° turn 쑗 The autopilot
TWR

TWR abbreviation aerodrome control

may be engaged during a climb or tower
descent but not usually in a turn. 2. a type /tap/ noun 1. a sort or kind 쑗
type

section of a wire which is wound 360° Temperature and oil pressure are criti-
around a centre 쑗 The voltage in each cal to any type of system. 2. a class of
winding is directly proportional to the things having shared characteristics 쑗
number of turns in each winding. 쐽 verb The type of undercarriage fitted to an
1. to make an angular change in track 쑗 aircraft is governed by the operating
turn right 쑗 Turn to the west. 2. to rotate weight. 왍 type of aircraft or aircraft
쑗 The crankshaft turns through 720° for
type all aircraft of the same basic
every cycle of four strokes. 왍 turn the design
knob rotate the knob or control 3. 왍 to type certificate

turn (in)to to change state 쑗 As it type certificate / tap s%tfkət/

|

descends into warmer air, snow turns noun a document issued by an aviation
into rain. 4. to find a page, section, pas- authority which indicates that the
sage, etc., in a book 쑗 Turn to page 64. design of a certain aircraft, engine etc
앳 in turn 1. for its or their part 쑗 Drag
has been approved
type certificate data sheet

must be overcome with thrust, which type certificate data sheet noun a
requires engines, which in turn con- document associated with a type certif-
sume fuel. 2. one after the other 쑗 Turn icate, giving information about why the
off the magnetos in turn to check their certificate has been granted and general
serviceability. information about the design which has
turnaround /t%nəraυnd/ noun US
turnaround

|
been approved. Abbreviation TCDS
type rating

same as turnround type rating /tap retŋ/ noun

turn coordinator /t%n kəυ
turn coordinator

|
authorisation, usually entered on a
ɔdnetə/ noun an instrument that licence, which allows the pilot to fly a
shows the pilot if the aircraft is in coor- particular aircraft type
typical

dinated flight or if it is slipping or skid- typical /tpk(ə)l/ adjective 1. nor-

ding mal, standard 왍 a typical fuel system a
turn off /t%n ɒf/ verb 1. to switch an
turn off
standard type of fuel system 2. repre-
electrical device or system ‘off’ 쑗 When sentative of a particular class of things 쑗
carrying out engine checks, turn off the The Piper Archer is a typical single-
magnetos in turn to check their service- engine light aircraft.
tyre

ability. 2. to stop the flow of something tyre /taə/ noun a rubber covering for
by using a valve 쑗 Turn off the fuel. a wheel (NOTE: The US spelling is tire.)
tyre creep 240
COMMENT: Tyre creep can lead to
tyre creep

tyre creep /taə krip/ noun the

gradual rotation of the tyre in relation to damage to the tyre valve and
subsequent unwanted and possibly
the wheel, caused by landing 쑗 to con- dangerous deflation of the tyre.
vert magnetic bearing into true bearing tyre pressure

it is necessary to apply magnetic varia- tyre pressure /taə preʃə/ noun

tion at the point at which the bearing the air pressure in a tyre 쑗 maximum
was taken allowable tyre pressure
 U
UAR

UAR abbreviation upper air route tion the invisible part of the light spec-
UAS

UAS abbreviation upper air space trum beyond violet

unaccompanied /nəkmpənid/
unaccompanied

UHF |

UHF abbreviation ultra high frequency adjective 왍 unaccompanied baggage

UIR

UIR abbreviation upper air region baggage that travels on a different flight
UK

UK abbreviation United Kingdom from the passenger who owns it. 쒁

ultimate accompanied
ultimate /ltmət / adjective final,
uncontrolled airspace
uncontrolled airspace

from which no further advance can be

made 쑗 To determine the ultimate load /nkəntrəυld eəspes/ noun airspace
which a structure must be capable of in which air traffic control does not pro-
withstanding, a multiplier, called the vide a service and in which an ATC
ultimate factor of safety is used. 쑗 The clearance is not required to fly 쑗 While
ultimate responsibility for safety rests first learning to handle an aircraft, stu-
with the crew. dent pilots fly in uncontrolled airspace.
ultra- (NOTE: Pilots must still follow certain
ultra- /ltrə/ prefix beyond rules when flying through uncontrolled
ultra high frequency

ultra high frequency /ltrə ha airspace.)

frikwənsi/, ultra high frequency uncoordinated flight noun flight,
uncoordinated flight

band /ltrə ha frikwənsi bnd/ especially during turns, in which the
noun a radio frequency range between horizontal and vertical forces acting on
300 MHz and 3000 MHz. Abbreviation the aircraft are out of balance. This can
UHF result in the aircraft going into a slip or
ultralight

ultralight /ltrəlat/ noun a small a skid.

single-seat or two-seat aircraft con- undercarriage /ndəkrdȢ/ noun
undercarriage

structed of light materials and powered the landing gear of an aircraft 쑗 To

by a small motor, flown mainly for rec- reduce the effect of drag by fixed under-
reation carriages a retractable type of under-
ultrasonic

ultrasonic /ltrəsɒnk/ adjective

|
carriage was introduced. (NOTE: The
referring to frequencies in the range of undercarriage is often called the land-
20,000 Hz which cannot be heard by the ing gear or simply gear.)
human ear COMMENT: The main landing gear are
ultrasonic inspection
nearest the aircraft’s centre of gravity.
ultrasonic inspection Main landing gear are designed to
/ltrəsɒnk nspekʃ(ə)n/ noun a
|
withstand a greater landing shock than
non-destructive inspection of materials the nose wheel or tail wheel and
using extremely high frequency vibra- consequently should make contact
tions. Also called ultrasonic detection with the surface first when landing.
ultraviolet

ultraviolet /ltrəvaələt/ adjective undercarriage assembly

undercarriage assembly

referring to or occurring in the invisible /ndəkrdȢ əsembli/ noun wheels,

|

part of the light spectrum beyond violet. struts and linkages which make up the
Abbreviation UV 왍 ultraviolet radia- complete unit
undergo 242
undercarriage down and locked unit /junt/ noun 1. a quantity or
undergo unit

/ndəkrdȢ daυn ən lɒkd/ noun amount used as a standard, an accepted

confirmation that the undercarriage is measurement 쑗 The internationally
secure in preparation for landing agreed unit of pressure is the millibar. 쑗
undergo /ndəDZəυ/ verb to experi-
undergo

|
The higher the sun is in the sky, the
ence, to pass through a process 쑗 When more intense is the radiation per unit
water changes from vapour to liquid, area. 2. a person, group or device, com-
energy is released into the atmosphere plete in itself 쑗 The operation of flying
which is thus warmed, although the controls is by means of self-contained
water itself does not undergo a change power flying control units (PFCUs).
universal /junv%s(ə)l/ adjective
universal

of temperature. (NOTE: undergoing – |

underwent – has undergone) affecting all or everybody 쑗 The use of

underlying /ndəlaŋ/ adjective 1.
underlying

|
fly-by-wire systems in airliners was
being under 쑗 Thermal modifications delayed to allow thorough development
occur when the temperature of the and encourage universal acceptance of
underlying surface differs from that of the new technology. 쒁 Coordinated
the source region. 2. forming the basis Universal Time
unload /nləυd/ verb to remove a
unload

of a theory or principle 쑗 The principle |

underlying the construction of a mer- load from an aircraft 쑗 It took three

cury barometer has not changed since hours to unload the aircraft.
1643, when Torricelli first demon- unloading point /nləυdŋ pɔnt/
unloading point

strated that the atmosphere has weight. noun the place where an aircraft is
undershoot /ndəʃut/ verb to
undershoot

|
unloaded 쑗 After taxiing, a marshaller
land before, or in front of the intended marshals the aircraft to the disembar-
target 쑗 Because of the strong wind, the kation and unloading point.
student pilot undershot the runway and unsaturated /nstʃəretd/
unsaturated

landed before the runway threshold. adjective 왍 unsaturated air air that
underside /ndəsad/ noun the sur-
underside
does not contain the maximum amount
face underneath something 쑗 The of water vapour for its temperature
unserviceable /ns%vsəb(ə)l/
unserviceable

underside of the wing should be care- |

fully inspected for damage or leaks. adjective not operative 쑗 The aircraft
undertake /ndətek/ verb to do 쑗
undertake

|
cannot be flown because the radio is
In light aircraft, pilot/passenger com- unserviceable. (NOTE: It is often abbre-
munication can be satisfactorily under- viated in spoken English as U (you) S
taken verbally on a one to one basis. (ess).)
unstick /nstk/ (informal ) verb to
unstick

(NOTE: undertaking – undertook – |

has undertaken) cause an aircraft to take off, or take off

undulating /ndjυletŋ/ adjective
undulating
in an aircraft 쐽 noun a take-off in an air-
rising and falling in gentle slopes 쑗 craft
update /pdet/ verb to bring up to
update

Flight over undulating terrain will |

result in changing indications of air- date, to add the latest information to

craft height on the indicator of the radio something 쑗 Forecasts are updated and
altimeter. reissued every four hours.
updraft / pdrɑft/ noun US same as
updraft

uniform /junfɔm/ adjective the

uniform

same, not varying in quality, dimen- updraught

sions, etc. 쑗 An engine should be run at updraught /pdrɑft/ noun a rising
updraught

low r.p.m. (revolutions per minute) after current of air 쑗 In cumulonimbus

flight to allow engine components to clouds, there are updraughts of tremen-
cool to a uniform temperature. dous force. Opposite downdraught
unique /junik/ adjective the one
unique

|
(NOTE: It is written updraft in US Eng-
and only of its sort, having no like or lish.)
equal 쑗 The pulse coded message con- uplift /plft/ noun the lifting of air by
uplift

tains a unique 4-number identification. surface features 쑗 Thunderstorms are

 243 UV
triggered off by convection and/or oro- aero-tow 3 miles upwind of the airfield.
graphic uplift. Opposite downwind
upper /pə/ adjective 1. at high alti-
upper

urgency /%dȢənsi/ noun importance

urgency

tude 쑗 upper air 쑗 upper winds 쑗 In or need for prompt or fast action 쑗
modern meteorological practice, upper Warnings, cautions and advisory mes-
air analysis and the construction of sages are displayed only when neces-
contour charts is carried out by compu- sary and are colour coded to communi-
ter. 2. top. Opposite lower 왍 the upper cate the urgency of the fault to the flight
surface of the wing the surface of the crew.
wing facing upwards, as opposed to the USA, US abbreviation United States of
USA

underside America
upper air chart /pə eə tʃɑt/
upper air chart

usable /juzəb(ə)l/ adjective capable

usable

noun a chart showing airflow pattern of being used 쑗 On receiving the evacu-
and distribution of temperatures at spe- ate order, cabin crew must assess if
cific altitudes above about 10,000 feet their exits are usable.
upper air route /pə eə rut/ noun
upper air route

usage /jusdȢ/ noun the act of using

usage

a route above FL245, approximately

24,500 ft. Abbreviation UAR something, consumption 쑗 Fuel flight
planning combines navigation data
upper airspace /pə eəspes/
upper airspace

with fuel usage.

noun the airspace above FL245,
use noun /jus/ the act of using some-
use

approximately 24,500 ft. Abbreviation

UAS thing, or the state of being used 쑗 It
must be ensured that smoke masks are
upper information region noun
upper information region

available for use by employees within

airspace which covers the same geo- the aircraft. 왍 runway in use runway
graphical area as a flight information currently being used for take-offs and
region but above 24,500 ft. Abbrevia- landings 쐽 verb /juz/ to put something
tion UIR to work for a purpose 쑗 Gas turbine
upward /pwəd / adjective moving or
upward

engines use low viscosity synthetic oil.

directed up 쑗 As the aircraft accelerates
UTC abbreviation Coordinated Univer-
UTC

down the runway, the forces on the wing

tips and wing surfaces start reversing sal Time
utilisation /jutlazeʃ(ə)n/, utili-
utilisation

direction and instead of being only |

downward forces of weight, they zation noun the act of making use of 쑗
become upward forces of lift. (NOTE: In Integral tanks are now favoured for air-
US English, upward is used as an craft owing to the high utilisation of
adjective and as an adverb.) space and reduction in weight.
utilise /jutlaz/, utilize verb to
utilise

upwards /pwədz/ adverb towards

upwards

the top 쑗 Heat is transferred from the make use of 쑗 The most common type of
Earth’s surface upwards by convection. barograph is one which utilises an
Opposite downwards aneroid capsule mechanically con-
upwind /pwnd/ adverb against the
upwind

|
nected to a pen.
UV abbreviation ultraviolet
UV

wind 쑗 The glider was released from the

 V
valve seat /vlv sit/ noun an
vacuum valve seat

vacuum /vkjum/ noun a space

completely empty of everything includ- angled ring in the cylinder head on
ing air 쑗 If the fuel tank vent pipe is which the poppet valve sits when closed
blocked, a vacuum will form in the tank vane /ven/ noun a flat surface acted
vane

and fuel flow to the engine will be on by the wind or an airflow 쑗 A centrif-
restricted. ugal compressor consists of a disc on
valid

valid /vld/ adjective 1. having offi- which is formed a number of radially

cial force or effect 쑗 All passengers spaced vanes.
vapor /vepə/ noun US same as
vapor

should have valid passports. 2. worth

taking seriously, acceptable because it vapour
is true or well-based 쑗 Significant vaporise /vepəraz/, vaporize verb
vaporise

weather charts use abbreviations and to turn into vapour 쑗 Water vaporises
symbols to illustrate en route weather when heated.
phenomena and are valid for a specified vapour /vepə/ noun the gaseous
vapour

time. 왍 a valid assumption a well- form of a liquid 쑗 Over desert areas, the
based supposition lack of water vapour in the atmosphere
validity

validity /vəldti/ noun the state of

|
produces cold nights. (NOTE: It is also
being valid 쑗 the period of validity of a written vapor in US English.)
vapour lock /vepə lɒk/ noun a
vapour lock

visa 쑗 Aerodrome forecasts included in

VOLMET should have a validity period blockage of fuel flow from a tank
of 9 hours. caused by a bubble of vapour at a high
valley

valley /vli/ noun an area of low- point in the pipeline

vapour trail /vepə trel/ noun a vis-
vapour trail

lying land between mountains or hills 쑗

An example of a valley wind is the Mis- ible trail of condensed vapour left
tral. behind by an aircraft flying at high alti-
value tude
value /vlju/ noun 1. a quantity variable /veəriəb(ə)l/ adjective
variable

shown as a number 쑗 Deviation is not a changing or changeable 쑗 Winds are

constant value but varies from one air- more variable in the northern hemi-
craft to another. 2. the quality of being sphere than in the southern hemisphere.
useful or desirable 왍 the value of doing
variable geometry /veəriəb(ə)l
variable geometry

something the usefulness or worth of

doing something dȢiɒmətri/ noun technology which
|

valve
allows the angle between wing and
valve /vlv/ noun a mechanical fuselage to be altered to give a more or
device for controlling the flow of a fluid less swept wing for better high-speed
and low-speed flight characteristics
valve overlap

valve overlap /vlv əυvəlp/

noun the period when both the exhaust variable-geometry / veəriəb(ə)l
variable-geometry

and inlet valves are open together, with dȢiɒmətri/ adjective referring to an
|

the exhaust valve closing and the inlet aircraft with hinged wings that can
valve opening move backwards or forwards during
 245 venturi
flight (NOTE: The wings are swept back a pilot to provide navigational guidance
to give low drag in supersonic flight and by radar 쑗 Wind velocity is indicated by
are moved forwards for takeoff and a vector, identified by a single arrow,
landing.) pointing in the direction the wind is
variable
variable pitch propeller

pitch propeller blowing towards.

/veəriəb(ə)l ptʃ prəpelə/ noun a |
veer

veer /və/ noun the shifting of the wind

propeller with a mechanism to change in a clockwise direction in the northern
the blade angle, to suit flight conditions hemisphere 쑗 The passing of a weather
variable-sweep /veəriəb(ə)l
variable-sweep

trough is marked by a sharp veer in the

swip/ adjective same as variable- direction of the wind. 쐽 verb 1. to
geometry change in a clockwise direction in the
variation /veərieʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a northern hemisphere 쑗 Winds veer and
variation

change or the amount of a change 2. the increase with height ahead of a warm
angular difference between magnetic front. Opposite back 2. to change direc-
north and true north, which is measured tion, especially as in an uncontrolled
in degrees and is named east or west movement 쑗 The aircraft veered off the
according to whether the north-seeking runway into the grass.
end of a freely suspended magnet lies to velocity

velocity /vəlɒsti/ noun the rate of

the east or to the west of the true merid-
|

change of position in a given direction

ian at that point 왍 variation east, mag- which is composed of both speed and
netic least: variation west, magnetic
direction 쑗 wind velocity 쑗 The anemo-
best a mnemonic to help somebody
graph gives a continuous recording of
remember whether to add or subtract
wind velocity which is displayed on a
variation
chart and reveals gusts, squalls and
variety /vəraəti/ noun a lot of differ-
variety

|
lulls. 쒁 triangle
ent things 쑗 Display units provide a vent

wide variety of information relevant to vent /vent/ noun a hole serving as an

engine and other automated systems inlet or outlet for a fluid, usually a gas
operation. such as air 쑗 During the pre-flight
variometer /veəriɒmtə/ noun an
variometer

|
inspection, check that the fuel tank vent
instrument used for measuring the rate pipe is not blocked. 쑗 The vent/pressur-
of climb of an aircraft such as a glider isation system must allow for the pas-
sage of air whenever a fuel tank is refu-
vary /veəri/ verb to change, to be dif-
vary

elled or defuelled or the aircraft climbs

ferent 쑗 The tropopause over the UK
can vary between 25,000 feet and or descends.
ventilate

45,000 feet according to whether the ventilate /ventlet/ verb to cause air
country is covered by a polar or tropi- to pass in and out freely 쑗 The water
cal air mass. separator is installed downstream of
VASI abbreviation visual approach
VASI
the cold air unit to extract a percentage
slope indicator of free moisture from the air, which sub-
vast /vɑst / adjective large, immense,
vast
sequently ventilates and pressurises the
huge 왍 the vast majority most 쑗 the cabin.
ventilation

vast majority of people ventilation /ventleʃ(ə)n/ noun

|

VCR abbreviation visual control room

VCR

free circulation of air in and out 쑗 A

VDF abbreviation very high frequency
VDF
constant supply of air for ventilation
direction-finding purposes is always available from the
vector /vektə / noun 1. a quantity
vector air conditioning system.
venturi

with magnitude and direction indicated venturi /ven tjυəri/, venturi tube
|

by a line of a given length, representing noun a tube which narrows at the cen-
magnitude and specific direction 쑗 The tre, a choke tube 쑗 When the tempera-
triangle of velocities is a vector solution ture of the air passing through the car-
of what happens to an aircraft when burettor is reduced below O°C
wind causes drift. 2. a heading given to (Celsius), any moisture in the air forms
verification 246
into ice and builds up on the venturi and very high frequency omni-
very high frequency omni-directional radio range

throttle valve. directional radio range / veri ha

verification

verification /verfkeʃ(ə)n/ noun

|
frikwənsi ɒmnidarekʃən(ə)l
an act or instance of establishing the rediəυ rendȢ/ noun full form of
truth or validity of something 쑗 The VOR
vessel /ves(ə)l/ noun a boat or ship 쑗
vessel

document required verification.

versus

versus / v%səs/ preposition against, When flying over the sea you must not
as compared with 쑗 The diagram illus- fly closer than 500 feet to a vessel.
VFR abbreviation visual flight rules
VFR

trates typical strength properties by

VHF abbreviation very high frequency
VHF

plotting applied stress versus resulting

strain. via /vaə/ preposition by way of 쑗 The
via

vertical

vertical /v%tk(ə)l/ adjective at right flight is from Cairo to Paris via Rome. 쑗
angles to the Earth’s surface or to After heating, the air passes into the
another line or plane 쑗 Beams can be cabin via a chamber through which
additionally stiffened in a downward cold air also flows.
vibrate /vabret/ verb to move rap-
vibrate

direction by vertical and diagonal |

members. 쑗 Height is defined as the ver- idly and continuously backwards and
tical distance of a level, point or object, forwards 쑗 Turbine blades in the aver-
considered to be a point, from a speci- age jet engine vibrate at frequencies of
fied datum. 쐽 noun a vertical line or 1 million per minute.
plane 쑗 The hot rod ice detector head vibration /vabreʃ(ə)n/ noun a
vibration

consists of an aluminium alloy oblong rapid and continuous movement 쑗

base on which is mounted a steel tube According to the pilot, engine vibration
detector mast, angled back to approxi- was detected in engine number one.
mately 30° from the vertical. vice versa /vasə v%sə/ adjective
vice versa

the other way around 왍 when engine

vertical axis

vertical axis /v%tk(ə)l kss/

noun 1. an imaginary line running demand is high, fuel pressure tends to
through the fuselage at the centre of be low and vice versa when the engine
gravity from top to bottom, around demand is low, fuel pressure tends to be
which the aircraft rotates when it yaws high
쑗 The rudder is a control surface on the vicinity / vəsnti/ noun the area
vicinity

fin which rotates the aircraft about its nearby 쑗 After an emergency evacua-
vertical axis to produce yaw. 쒁 yaw 2. a tion, passengers should be directed to
vertical reference line (Y axis) of a move away from the vicinity of the air-
graph 쑗 The vertical axis shows engine craft quickly. 왍 in the vicinity of the
power available. airport near the airport
view /vju/ noun 1. what you are able
vertically view

vertically /v%tk(ə)li/ adverb in a

vertical position 쑗 The aircraft pitched to see from a particular place 쑗 Cabin
up vertically. crew must have a clear view of the
vertical speed indicator

vertical speed indicator aisles from their stations. 2. a picture of

/v%tk(ə)l spid ndketə/ noun a something presented in a particular way
쑗 a cross-sectional view of an aerofoil
flight instrument which indicates the
rate of climb and descent. Abbreviation 3. a personal opinion 쑗 He expressed
VSI
strong views on the subject of airport
vertical stabiliser
security. 4. 왍 with a view to with the
vertical stabiliser /v%tk(ə)l intention of 쑗 She wrote the report with
steblazə/ noun same as fin a view to improving in-flight services. 왍
very high frequency

very high frequency /veri ha in view of because of 쑗 In view of the

frikwənsi/, very high frequency poor weather conditions, the flight will
band /veri ha frikwənsi bnd/ be delayed.
noun the radio frequency range violate /vaəlet/ verb 1. to enter
violate

between 30 MHz and 300 MHz. Abbre- without permission 쑗 The aircraft vio-
viation VHF lated a danger area. 2. to break rules or
 247 viz
regulations 쑗 By not wearing a cap, the visual approach slope indicator

visual approach slope indicator

cadet is violating the dress code. /vȢυəl əprəυtʃ sləυp ndketə/
|

noun an arrangement of red and white

violent

violent /vaələnt/ adjective with

great force 쑗 Flying through atmos- lights on each side of the runway touch-
pheric dust causes the airframe to build down point to give the pilot information
up a static electrical charge and the about the plane’s height on final
associated discharges can be violent. approach. Abbreviation VASI
visual control room
VIP

VIP abbreviation very important person visual control room /vȢυəl kən |

virtually
trəυl rum/ the control room in the
virtually /v%tʃuəli/ adverb almost 쑗 tower at an airport. Abbreviation VCR
Resistance to alternating current
visual examination /vȢυəl DZ
visual examination

remains virtually constant and is inde- |

pendent of frequency. zmneʃ(ə)n/ noun a close observa-

|

viscosity tion or inspection with the eyes. Also

viscosity /vskɒsti/ noun a liquid’s
|

called visual inspection

internal resistance to flowing 쑗 Exces- visual flight rules

sive oil temperatures are dangerous, as visual flight rules /vȢυəl flat
the oil viscosity is reduced and inade- rulz/ plural noun rules set down by an
quate bearing lubrication results. authority for flight in visual conditions,
visibility regarding such things as flight visibility
visibility /vzblti/ noun the ability
|

and distance from cloud. Abbreviation

to see unlighted objects by day and VFR. 쒁 special VFR flight
lighted objects by night, subject to
atmospheric conditions 쑗 Measurement COMMENT: Particular requirements for
of visibility by day is made by direct VFR depend on the type of airspace,
time of day, and height above terrain.
observation of objects at known dis-
tances and is therefore an estimated visual indication /vȢυəl nd
visual indication

value. 왍 poor visibility a situation in keʃ(ə)n/ noun something which is

which things cannot be seen clearly, e.g. seen and which suggests a more serious
because of fog, mist or smoke cause, e.g. a warning lamp 쑗 Distorted
visibility-by-day values

visibility-by-day values wing panels are often a visual indica-

/vzəblti ba de vljuz/ noun tion of structural damage to the air-
values which indicate how easily seen frame.
an object is in a horizontal line from an visual meteorological condi-
visual meteorological conditions

observer in daylight conditions tions /vȢυəl mitiərəlɒdȢk(ə)l

visible

visible /vzb(ə)l/ adjective that can kəndʃ(ə)nz/, visual meteorological

|

be seen 쑗 When the undercarriage is conditions criteria /pə eə tʃɑt /

selected down it may be visible from the plural noun all the factors which define
crew compartment, but it is not usually the limits of flying in visual meteoro-
possible to tell if it is securely locked. 쑗 logical conditions. Abbreviation VMC
visual warning

If the sun is seen through cumulus cloud visual warning /vȢυəl wɔnŋ/
it will be clearly visible. noun a warning that can be seen as
vision

vision /vȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. the power of opposed to a audible warning that can
seeing, the ability to see 쑗 Lightning at be heard
vital

night may cause temporary loss of vital /vat(ə)l/ adjective extremely

vision. 2. what you are able to see 쑗 In important 쑗 Verbal commands from the
low wing aircraft, downward vision crew are vital at all times but particu-
may be limited by the airframe. larly so if smoke restricts cabin visibil-
visual

visual /vȢυəl/ adjective referring to ity. 쑗 Accurate measurements of atmos-

seeing 쑗 The instrument landing system pheric pressure and the rate of change
is to provide guidance in the horizontal of pressure are of vital interest to the
and vertical planes to an aircraft on meteorological forecaster.
viz

final approach into a position from viz /vz/ adverb namely, in other
which a safe visual landing can be words, that is to say 쑗 There are two
made. types of inverter, viz rotary and static.
VMC 248
VMC abbreviation visual meteorologi-
VMC

temperature is increased. 2. the loud-

cal conditions ness of a transmission 왍 turn down the
Vne abbreviation never-exceed speed
Vne
volume to make the sound less loud by
volatile /vɒlətal/ adjective describes
volatile
adjusting the volume control
volume control

a liquid which easily changes into a gas volume control /vɒljum kən |

or vapour 쑗 To aid starting in cold trəυl/ noun a knob used to adjust the
weather, more volatile fuels can be used sound by making it louder or less loud
VOR

volatility /vɒlətlti/ noun the ease VOR noun a navigational aid based on
volatility

with which a liquid changes into a gas the ground, to help the pilot establish
or vapour 쑗 With kerosene-type fuels, the bearings of the aircraft. Full form
the volatility is controlled by distillation very high frequency omni-direc-
and flash point, but with the wide-cut tional radio range
fuels it is controlled by distillation and COMMENT: The VOR projects 360
the Reid Vapour Pressure test. radials which can be followed to fly a
VOLMET /vɒlmet/ noun a routine
VOLMET

particular path over the ground. VORs

ground-to-air broadcast of meteorolog- operate on VHF frequencies between
ical information 쑗 The meteorological 108.0 to 177.95 MHz.
Operational Telecommunications Net- VOR bearing

VOR bearing /vi əυ ɑ beərŋ/

work Europe (MOTNE) is provided for noun the direction of the VOR transmit-
the exchange of meteorological infor- ter relative to the aircraft measured in
mation needed by meteorological degrees
offices, VOLMET broadcasting sta- VORTAC

VORTAC /vɔtk/ noun a system

tions, air traffic service units, operators that combines VOR and Tacan
and other aeronautical users. VSI

volplane /vɒlplen/ noun a glide

volplane
VSI abbreviation vertical speed indica-
towards the ground in an aircraft with tor
V/STOL

the engine turned off 쐽 verb to glide V/STOL / vistɒl/ noun 1. a system
towards the ground in an aeroplane with used by some aircraft that allows them
the engine turned off to take off and land vertically or on a
volt /vəυlt/ noun the SI unit of electri-
volt
short runway 2. an aircraft that is able to
cal potential 쑗 The system requires a take off and land vertically or on a short
power supply of either 115 volts AC runway. Full form vertical and short
(alternating current), 28 volts DC takeoff and landing
(direct current), or both. Abbreviation VTOL /vitɒl/ noun 1. a system used
VTOL

V by some aircraft that allows them to

voltage /vəυltdȢ/ noun electrical
voltage
take off and land vertically 2. an aircraft
force measured in volts 쑗 As an that is able to take off and land verti-
installed battery becomes fully charged cally. Full form vertical takeoff and
by the aircraft generator, the battery landing
voltage nears its nominal level and the vulnerable

vulnerable /vln(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adjec-

charging current decreases. tive unprotected and liable to attack or
volume /vɒljum / noun 1. the damage 쑗 Some engines still retain the
volume

amount of space occupied by a solid, a centrifugal type of compressor because

liquid or a gas 쑗 If the pressure of a it is simple, comparatively cheap to
given mass of gas is maintained con- manufacture, robust in construction
stant, the volume of gas increases as its and less vulnerable to damage.
 W
W

W abbreviation west knots above stalling speed, a warning

WAAS

WAAS noun a US navigation system light on the instrument panel will flash.
washroom /wɒʃrum/ noun same as
washroom

which processes and improves data

from GPS satellites to provide location toilet 2
waste /west/ noun something which
waste

information. Full form Wide Area Aug-

mentation System (NOTE: The Euro- can no longer be used 쑗 A smouldering
pean equivalent is EGNOS.) fire in a toilet waste container or waste
wake turbulence

wake turbulence /wek disposal bin could become very active

t%bjυləns/ noun the disturbance of due to pressure changes during descent.
water-tight /wɔtə tat/ adjective
water-tight

the air remaining after the passage of an

aircraft that does not leak water or other fluid
watt /wɒt/ noun the SI unit of meas-
watt

wall /wɔl/ noun the side 쑗 There is a

wall

film of oil between the piston and cylin- urement of electrical power 쑗 The work
der wall. done by an electrical circuit or the
power consumed is measured in watts.
warm front / wɔm frnt/ noun an
warm front

wave /wev / noun 1. the motion by

wave

advancing mass of warm air moving

over a mass of cooler air which heat, light, sound or electric cur-
rent is spread 쑗 The speed of propaga-
warn /wɔn/ verb to give notice of pos-
warn

tion of radio waves is faster over sea

sible danger 쑗 A light illuminates to than over land. 2. a mass of water mov-
warn the crew. ing across the surface of a lake or the
‘…ultrasonic technology which sea, rising higher than the surrounding
automatically warns pilots of ice build-up water as it moves 쑗 Wind speeds
on aircraft may soon be approved for increase with height, the speed of the
general use by carriers’ [Flight wind at the crest of a wave being the
International 16–22 July 1997] greatest.
warning /wɔnŋ/ noun notice of
warning

waveform /wevfɔm/ noun the

waveform

possible danger 쐽 adjective giving shape of a repetitive wave 쑗 A cycle is

notice of possible danger 쑗 The main one complete sequence of the wave-
power plant fire detection system form, from any point, to the same value
should contain an audible warning 360° later.
device to supplement the visual indica- wavelength /wevleŋθ/ noun the
wavelength

tion. distance from the highest point of one

warning indicator

warning indicator / wɔnŋ wave to the highest point of the next 쑗

ndketə/ noun an indicator which Short wavelength permits sharper
gives notice of a possible problem beams for direction finding and more
which may require some action. 쒁 VASI efficient reflections.
warning light

warning light /wɔnŋ lat/ noun a waveoff /wevɒf/ noun a signal or

waveoff

small light, often red, which informs of instruction to an aircraft that it should
a possible danger by lighting up 쑗 At 5 not land
waypoint 250
waypoint /wepɔnt/ noun a prede-
waypoint

of lead weighs more than the same

termined position on a route, used for quantity of aluminium.
monitoring flight progress or for navi- weight

weight /wet/ noun the force with

gating around controlled airspace. which a body is drawn towards the cen-
Abbreviation WP tre of the Earth 쑗 Carry-on baggage is
weak /wik/ adjective 1. not strong 쑗 a limited by regulations as to size and
weak

weak radio signal 2. overdiluted with weight and items in excess of this
water or air 왍 weak mixture a fuel/air should be stowed in the hold.
mixture in which there is more air than west /west/ noun 1. a compass point
west

usual 쑗 Excessive cylinder head tem- on the mariner’s compass 270° clock-
peratures could be caused by prolonged wise from due north and directly oppo-
use of a weak mixture, especially at site east 쑗 In Europe, snow occurs more
high altitude. 왍 weak solution a mix- frequently in the east than in the west. 2.
ture of water and some other substance the direction of the setting sun 쐽 adjec-
in which the amount of water is more tive 1. referring to areas or regions lying
than usual in the west 2. the western part of a coun-
weaken /wikən/ verb to make weak
weaken

try 쑗 West Africa 쐽 adverb towards the

쑗 Inflation of the de-icer boot weakens west 쑗 The aircraft was flying west.
the bond between the ice and de-icer westbound

westbound /westbaυnd/ adjective

boot surfaces. travelling towards the west 쑗 a west-
wear /weə/ noun damage or loss of
wear

bound flight
quality by use 쑗 Mishandling of aero- westerly /westəli/ adjective 1. situ-
westerly

engines during operation can cause ated towards the west 2. blowing or
considerable damage and wear which coming from the west 쑗 A westerly wind
can shorten the life of the engine. 쐽 verb is blowing. 3. moving to the west or
1. to become damaged or to lose quality towards the west 쑗 He should fly in a
because of use 쑗 The more the brakes westerly direction. 쐽 noun a wind which
are used, the more they wear. 2. to have blows or comes from the west 쑗 Tem-
on the body 쑗 The nature of modern jet perate westerlies occur on the side of
transport does not require the pilot to the sub-tropical anti-cyclonic belts
wear an oxygen mask. which is remote from the equator.
weather /weðə/ noun the conditions
weather

western /westən/ adjective situated

western

of atmospheric temperature, pressure, in the west 쑗 Western Europe

wind, moisture, cloudiness, precipita-
westward /westwəd/ adjective
westward

tion and visibility 쑗 Generally speak-

ing, weather conditions can be going towards the west 쐽 adverb US
described as light, moderate or severe same as westwards
westwards

depending on the intensity of the condi- westwards /westwədz/ adverb

tions. 왍 forecast weather predicted towards the west 쑗 Flying eastwards or
weather, not actual weather westwards for long periods of time
weathercock /weθəkɒk/ verb to
weathercock
affects sleep patterns.
tend to turn in the direction of the wind
west wind

west wind /west wnd/ noun a

weather report /weðə rpɔt/
weather report

|
wind blowing from or coming from the
noun an official account of weather west (NOTE: A wind is named after the
conditions direction it comes from.)
wheel /wil/ noun a circular, rotating,
wheel

web /web/ noun the main vertical

web

member of a beam 쑗 The web connect- load-carrying part between the tyre and
ing the upper and lower flanges of the axle, or the whole wheel and tyre
beams must be rigid enough to with- assembly on which a vehicle rolls
stand direct compressive loads without wheel bay

wheel bay /wil be/ noun a space in

buckling. the fuselage or wing structure in which
weigh /we/ verb to measure how
weigh

the wheel is housed after retraction 쑗 To

heavy something is 쑗 A given quantity avoid damage to the wheel bay, the nose
 251 width
wheel must be aligned in a fore and aft whipstall

whipstall /wpstɔl/ noun a manoeu-

direction during retraction. vre in a small aircraft in which it goes
wheel bearing /wil beərŋ/ noun into a vertical climb, pauses briefly, and
wheel bearing

a device which allows the wheel to then drops towards the earth, front first
rotate freely around the axle whole

whole /həυl/ adjective complete 쑗 The

wheel fairing /wil feərŋ/ noun
wheel fairing

whole aircraft should be inspected to

same as spat ensure that it is free from deposits of ice,
wheels up /wilz p/ adjective air-
wheels up
snow and frost. 왍 whole number an
borne after having taken off from a run- undivided number, a number which is
way not a fraction
wide

whereas /weər z/ conjunction but

whereas

|
wide /wad/ adjective 1. referring to
in contrast, on the other hand 쑗 In the the distance of something measured
piston engine, the cycle is intermittent, from side to side 쑗 The localiser
whereas in the gas turbine, each proc- antenna array is normally about 80 feet
ess is continuous. 쑗 Kerosene has a low wide and 12 feet high. 2. 왍 a wide range
vapour pressure and boils only at very of temperatures a large difference
high altitudes or high temperatures, between the lowest and the highest tem-
whereas a wide-cut fuel will boil at a perature 왍 a wide variety of informa-
much lower altitude. tion a lot of different information. 쒁
whereby /weəba/ adverb according
whereby

|
width
Wide Area Augmentation System

to which 쑗 Compression heating relies Wide Area Augmentation Sys-

on the principle whereby the air tem- tem noun full form of WAAS
perature is increased by compression. 쑗 wide-bodied

wide-bodied /wad bɒdid/ adjec-

In ram air supply systems, the cooling tive US same as wide-body
method is of the simplest type, whereby widebody

the cold air can be directly admitted to

widebody /wadbɒdi/ noun a jet air-
craft with a body wide enough to
the cabin via adjustable louvres.
accommodate three rows of seats across
whereupon /weərəpɒn/ adverb at
whereupon

|
the width of the plane, with spaces on
that point, or after which 쑗 Pitch each side of the middle set
changes are achieved using the throttle wide-body

lever, which is usually taken up and wide-body /wad bɒdi/ adjective

back through a gate in the quadrant referring to a jet aircraft with a body
whereupon fuel is added to increase wide enough to have three sets of pas-
power. senger seats in a row across the width of
the plane, with spaces on each side of
wherever /weərevə/ adverb 왍 wher-
wherever

|
the middle set
ever possible in places where it is pos- wide-cut fuel

sible 왍 wherever possible, thunder- wide-cut fuel /wad kt fjuəl/

storms should be avoided by a wide noun a general term for aviation turbine
margin thunderstorms should be fuels made up of a wider variety of
avoided by a wide margin in situations petroleum products than kerosene-type
or places where it is possible to avoid fuels 쑗 Kerosene has a low vapour pres-
them sure and boils only at very high alti-
tudes or high temperatures, whereas a
while /wal/ conjunction 1. during the
while

wide-cut fuel will boil at a much lower

time that 쑗 The pilot is trained to scan altitude.
an instrument panel, while at the same widespread

time listening to the aircraft radio and widespread /wadspred/ adjective

flying the aircraft. 2. in spite of the fact found or distributed across a large area
쑗 The storm caused widespread dam-
that 쑗 While metal fatigue is not a mod-
ern phenomenon, it is only in recent age. 왍 widespread precipitation rain-
years that much emphasis has been fall or snowfall covering a large area
width

placed upon determining its causes. width /wdθ/ noun the distance of
(NOTE: Whilst is sometimes used in something measured from side to side,
place of while.) compared to length 쑗 The polar front jet
wind 252
stream may have a width of up to 200 if strong enough, can produce clear air
nm (nautical miles). 쒁 wide turbulence. 쑗 Fly-by-wire technology
wind1 /wnd/ noun horizontal move- can be very useful in windshear situa-
wind

ment of air in relation to the Earth’s sur- tions.

face windshield /wndʃild/ noun US
windshield

wind2 /wand/ verb to move in a curv- same as windscreen

wind

ing or twisting manner 쑗 If a wire is windsock /wndsɒk/ noun a pole at

windsock

wound as a coil, the field will be like the top of which is a fabric tube through
that of a bar magnet. (NOTE: winding – which the wind blows, showing the
wound) wind direction
windblast /wndblɑst/ noun the
windblast

windspeed /wndspid/ noun the

windspeed

harmful effect of air flow on a pilot who speed of the wind which, if combined
has ejected from an aircraft travelling at with a direction, is called velocity. It is
high speed usually measured in knots. 쑗 Wind
wind cone /wnd kəυn/ noun same
wind cone

direction is given in degrees true

as windsock rounded to the nearest 10°, followed by
wind currents /wnd krənts/ plu- the mean windspeed.
wind currents

ral noun the movement of air in a partic- wind tunnel / wnd tn(ə)l/ noun a
wind tunnel

ular direction through a mass of air tunnel-shaped chamber through which

which is not moving so much air can be passed at a known speed in
wind direction /wnd darekʃən/ order to test the aerodynamic properties
wind direction

noun a description of where the wind is of an object such as an aircraft placed

blowing from, given as north, south, inside it
east, west, etc., or a number of degrees, wind velocity /wnd vəlɒsti/
wind velocity

e.g. a wind coming from the west would noun wind speed and direction
be a wind direction of 270° 쑗 Wind
windward /wndwəd/ adjective,
windward

direction and speed only affect the

movement of the aircraft over the adverb facing the direction from which
ground. the wind blows. Opposite lee 왍 wind-
ward of a range of hills upwind of the
wind gradient /wnd DZrediənt/
wind gradient

range of hills 쑗 If precipitation occurs,

noun the rate of increase of wind water will have been removed from the
strength with unit increase in height atmosphere thus causing the air on the
above ground level 쑗 After take-off, as lee side to be drier than that on the
the aircraft gains altitude, the ground windward side.
speed may be affected by the wind gra-
wing /wŋ/ noun the main horizontal
wing

dient.
aerofoil or mainplane 쑗 The wing sup-
winding /wandŋ/ noun a series of
winding

ports the weight of the aircraft in flight.

360° turns of wire 쑗 The voltage in each
winglet / wŋlət/ noun an upturned
winglet

winding is directly proportional to the

number of turns in each winding. wing tip or small additional vertical aer-
windmill /wndml/ verb to turn
windmill
ofoil on a wing tip 쑗 The attachment of
round by wind force only without winglets improved the handling charac-
engine power teristics of the aeroplane.
wing loading / wŋ ləυdŋ/ noun
wing loading

windscreen /wndskrin/ noun the

windscreen

front window of an aircraft through the weight of an aircraft per unit wing
which the pilot has forward vision 쑗 The area
wingman /wŋmn/ noun a pilot
wingman

windscreen is a glass laminated con-

struction with an electrical element, who flies in a position behind and to the
made of gold film, sandwiched between side of the leader of a group of flying
the layers. 쒁 wiper aircraft
windshear /wndʃə/ noun a change wingover /wndəυvə/ noun a
windshear wingover

in wind direction and speed between manoeuvre to turn a flying aircraft in

slightly different altitudes 쑗 Windshear, which the pilot puts the aircraft into a
 253 WP
steep turning climb until it almost stalls within /wðn/ preposition in or
within

and then allows the nose to fall inside 쑗 Great care must be taken to
wing panel /wŋ pn(ə)l/ noun a ensure that the aircraft operates within
wing panel

rectangular aluminium section of the regulated or permissible weight limits.

aircraft skin of a wing 쑗 Wing panels of 왍 within two hours in about two hours
light aircraft are normally riveted or less, but not more
together. withstand /wðstnd/ verb to resist
withstand

wing root /wŋ rut/ noun the part of or bear 쑗 Wings must be capable of not
wing root

the wing where it meets with the fuse- only withstanding the aircraft weight,
lage but also the stresses and strains which
wingspan /wŋspn/ noun a meas-
wingspan
are imposed during flight.
urement from the tip of one wing to the WMO abbreviation World Meteorolog-
WMO

tip of the other wing 쑗 The wingspan of ical Organization

the aircraft is 7 metres. work /w%k/ noun 1. the operation of a
work

wing tip /wŋ tp/ noun the outer-

wing tip

force to produce movement or some

most part of the wing 쑗 As an aircraft other physical change 쑗 1 horsepower is
takes off, the forces on the wing tip and defined as 33,000 foot-pounds of work
wing surfaces start reversing direction accomplished in one minute (a foot-
and instead of being only downward pound being the ability to lift a one
forces of weight, they become upward pound weight a distance of one foot). 2.
forces of lift. something which has to be done, e.g.
wipe /wap/ verb to clean or to dry by maintenance 쑗 Work is being carried
wipe

using a cloth 쑗 In the event of hydraulic out on the auxiliary power unit (APU).
fluid spillage on paintwork, the affected 3. something done to earn a living 쑗 She
area should be wiped clean immedi- enjoys her work as an airport security
ately. officer. 쐽 verb 1. to operate, to function
wiper /wapə/ noun a device with a
wiper
왍 the computer doesn’t work the com-
rubber blade which clears rain, snow, puter doesn’t operate as it should do
etc., from a windscreen 쑗 In some cir- because there is something wrong with
cumstances, such as heavy rainstorms, it 2. to do something such as mainte-
the windscreen wipers may not be able nance 쑗 Engineers worked on the air-
to cope and pilot’s visibility is impaired. craft all night. 3. to do something to
wire /waə/ noun metal drawn out into
wire
earn a living 쑗 She works for a large air-
the form of a thread or string 쑗 While line. 4. 왍 to work out to calculate, to
the shunt coil is made of fine wire which solve a mathematical problem 쑗 Air-
gives a high resistance and small cur- craft performance is a function of
rent flow, the series coil is made of thick weight and therefore it is important that
wire, which gives a low resistance and you can work out weight from volume
large current flow. and vice-versa.
working conditions /w%kŋ kən
working conditions

wire mesh /waə meʃ/ noun metal

wire mesh
|

sheeting made of criss-crossed wiring dʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun those aspects of

withdraw /wðdrɔ/ verb to pull
withdraw working lives which affect the way peo-
ple feel about their work
|

back, to draw back 쑗 Instructions are

work load /w%k ləυd/ noun the
work load

given to the cabin crew to arm the

escape devices immediately the board- share of work done by a person, system
ing steps or airbridges are withdrawn. or device
WP abbreviation waypoint
WP

(NOTE: withdrew – withdrawn)

 XYZ
X-ray /eks re / noun 1. a ray with a
X-ray

airfield is 1,000 millibars (mb) and this

very short wavelength, which is invisi- pressure is set on the sub-scale of an
ble, but can go through soft tissue or aircraft altimeter, then when that air-
material and register as a photograph on craft touches down at the airfield, the
a film 2. a photograph taken using X- altimeter will read zero.
rays 쐽 verb to take an X-ray photograph zero-zero /zərəυ zərəυ/ adjective
zero-zero

of luggage referring to flying conditions of thick,

yard /jɑd/ noun a unit of length in the low cloud when a pilot can see nothing
yard

US and British Imperial Systems equal ahead and nothing above or below the
to 3 ft or 0.9144 m. Abbreviation yd aircraft
zonal /zəυn(ə)l/ adjective referring to
zonal

yaw /jɔ/ noun rotation of the aircraft

yaw

around its vertical axis 쑗 Three-axis one of the five parts into which the
control of roll, pitch and yaw is effected Earth’s surface is divided by imaginary
by ailerons, elevators and rudder. 쐽 lines parallel to the equator 쑗 The circu-
verb to rotate around the vertical axis 쑗 lation of air around the Earth is zonal in
Single-engine, propeller-driven aircraft character.
tend to yaw on take-off. zone /zəυn/ noun 1. an area with par-
zone

yoke /jəυk/ noun 1. a type of aircraft ticular features or purpose 2. an admin-

yoke

control column by which the pilot con- istrative area of airspace 쑗 control zone
trols ailerons by rotating a device on top 쑗 aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ) 3. one of
of the column to the left or right 쑗 five divisions into which the Earth’s
Rotate the yoke to the left to roll the air- surface is divided by imaginary lines
craft to the left. 2. a supporting structure parallel to the equator 쑗 temperate zone
like the forked metal mounting for the 쒁 climatic zone
nosewheel 쑗 The yoke was damaged in zoom /zum/ verb to make an aircraft
zoom

the incident. climb rapidly at a very steep angle, or

Z abbreviation Zulu time move upwards in this way
Z

zero /zərəυ/ noun nought or the fig- Zulu time /zulu tam/ noun 쏡
zero Zulu time

ure 0 쑗 If the atmospheric pressure at an Greenwich Mean Time

 SUPPLEMENTS

The Phonetic Alphabet

Standard words and phrases used in pilot communications
Aircraft registration codes
Airline codes
Airport codes
Local times around the world
International dialling codes
Standard symbols and abbreviations
Weights and measures
Conversion factors
The Phonetic Alphabet
Certain letters of the alphabet sound very similar, especially when a person is
talking on the telephone or radio. The phonetic alphabet is designed to prevent
confusion, by using a distinctive word to represent each letter.

Aa Alpha*
lfə
Bb Bravo
brɑ vəυ
Cc Charlie
tʃɑ li
Dd Delta
deltə
Ee Echo
ekəυ
Ff Foxtrot
fɒkstrɒt
Gg Golf DZɒlf
Hh Hotel həυ
tel
Ii India
ndiə
Jj Juliet dȢu li
et
Kk Kilo
ki ləυ
Ll Lima
li mə
Mm Mike mak
Nn November nə
vembə
Oo Oscar
ɒskə
Pp Papa
ppə
Qq Quebec kw
bek
Rr Romeo
rəυmiəυ
Ss Sierra si
erə
Tt Tango
tnDZəυ
Uu Uniform
ju nfɔ m
Vv Victor
vktə
Ww Whisky**
wski
Xx X-Ray
eksre
Yy Yankee
jŋki
Zz Zulu
zu lu

* Alfa in US English
** Whiskey in US English
Standard words and phrases
Word/Phrase Meaning
Acknowledge Let me know that you have received and understood this
message.
Affirm Yes
Approved I give you permission for what you asked.
Cancel Cancel the last clearance I gave to you.
Check Examine a system or procedure.
Cleared I give permission for you to continue, bearing in mind
the conditions already given.
Confirm Have I correctly received the following … ? or Did you
correctly receive this message ?
Contact Contact by radio …
Correct That is correct.
Correction An error was made in the last transmission. What
follows is correct.
Disregard Assume that the last transmission was not sent.
How do you read? Tell me how good this transmission is on a 1 to 5 scale
where 1 = unreadable (cannot understand) to
5 = excellent reception (no difficulty in understanding).
I say again I am repeating in order to make my meaning very clear.
Over My transmission is finished and I want a response from
you.
Out This exchange of transmissions is finished. I do not want
a response from you.
Pass your message Proceed with your message.
Read back Repeat all, or the specified part of this message back to
me exactly as received.
Request I want to know or I want to have.
Roger I have received all of your last transmission.
Say again Repeat all, or the following part of your last
transmission.
Speak slower Speak more slowly.
Standby Wait and I will call you.
Verify Check and confirm with me.
Wilco I understand your message and will comply with it.
Words Twice (as a request) Communication is difficult. Please send
every word or group of words twice.
(as information) Because communication is difficult,
every word or group of words in this message will be
sent twice.
Aircraft registration codes
These codes are painted on all aircraft, showing their country of registration.
3A Monaco A3 Tonga
3B Mauritius A40 Oman
3C Equatorial Guinea A5 Bhutan
3D Swaziland A6 United Arab Emirates
3X Guinea A7 Qatar
4K Azerbaijan A9C Bahrain
4R Sri Lanka AP Pakistan
4U United Nations Organisation B China & Taiwan
4X Israel B-H Hong Kong
5A Libya B-M Macau
5B Cyprus C Canada
5H Tanzania C2 Nauru
5N Nigeria C3 Andorra
5R Madagascar C5 Gambia
5T Mauritania C6 Bahamas
5U Niger C9 Mozambique
5V Togo CC Chile
5W Samoa CN Morocco
5X Uganda CP Bolivia
5Y Kenya CS Portugal
6O Somalia CU Cuba
6V Senegal CX Uruguay
6Y Jamaica D Germany
7O Yemen D2 Angola
7P Lesotho D4 Cape Verde
7Q Malawi D6 Comoros Islands
7T Algeria DQ Fiji
8P Barbados EC Spain
8Q Maldives EI Ireland
8R Guyana EK Armenia
9A Croatia EP Iran
9G Ghana ER Moldova
9H Malta ES Estonia
9J Zambia ET Ethiopia
9K Kuwait EW Belarus
9L Sierra Leone EY Tajikistan
9M Malaysia EZ Turkmenistan
9N Nepal F France
9Q Democratic Republic of the F New Caledonia
Congo (France)
9U Burundi F Guadeloupe (France)
9V Singapore F Martinique (France)
9XR Rwanda F Tahiti (French
9Y Trinidad and Tobago Polynesia)
A2 Botswana G United Kingdom
Aircraft registration codes continued
H4 Solomon Islands RA Russian Federation
HA Hungary RP Philippines
HB Switzerland & S2 Bangladesh
Liechtenstein S5 Slovenia
HC Ecuador S7 Seychelles
HH Haiti S9 Sao Tome and Principe
HI Dominican Republic SE Sweden
HK Colombia SP Poland
HL South Korea ST Sudan
HP Panama SU Egypt
HR Honduras SX Greece
HS Thailand T2 Tuvalu
HV The Vatican T3 Kiribati
HZ Saudi Arabia T7 San Marino
I Italy T8A Palau
J2 Djibouti T9 Bosnia-Herzegovina
J3 Grenada TC Turkey
J5 Guinea Bissau TF Iceland
J6 St Lucia TG Guatemala
J7 Dominica TI Costa Rica
J8 St Vincent and the TJ Cameroon
Grenadines TL Central African
JA Japan Republic
JU Mongolia TN Congo-Brazzaville
JY Jordan TR Gabon
LN Norway TS Tunisia
LV Argentina TT Chad
LX Luxembourg TU Côte d’Ivoire
LY Lithuania TY Benin
LZ Bulgaria TZ Mali
N USA UK Uzbekistan
OB Peru UR Ukraine
OD Lebanon V2 Antigua and Barbuda
OE Austria V3 Belize
OH Finland V4 St Kitts and Nevis
OK Czech Republic V5 Namibia
OO Belgium V6 Micronesia
OY Denmark V7 Marshall Islands
P North Korea V8 Brunei
P2 Papua New Guinea VH Australia
P4 Aruba VN Vietnam
PH Netherlands VP, VQ British Overseas
PJ Netherland Antilles Territories
PK Indonesia VP-A Anguilla (UK)
PP Brazil VP-B Bermuda (UK)
PZ Suriname VP-C Cayman Islands (UK)
Aircraft registration codes continued
VP-F Falkland Islands YA Afghanistan
VP-G Gibraltar (UK) YI Iraq
VP-L British Virgin Islands YJ Vanuatu
VP-M Montserrat YK Syria
VQ-H St Helena (UK) YL Latvia
VQ-T Turks and Caicos YN Nicaragua
Islands (UK) YR Romania
VR-B Bermuda YS El Salvador
VR-C Cayman Island YU Serbia and Montenegro
VR-G Gibraltar YV Venezuela
VR-H Hong Kong Z Zimbabwe
VT India ZA Albania
XA Mexico ZK New Zealand
XT Burkina Faso ZP Paraguay
XU Cambodia ZS South Africa
XY Myanmar
Airline codes
2J Air Burkina FG Ariana Afghan Airlines
4U GermanWings FI IcelandAir
9U Air Moldova FJ Air Pacific
AA American Airlines FO Airlines of Tasmania
AB Air Berlin FR Ryanair
AC Air Canada GA Garuda Indonesia
AF Air France GC Gambia International
AH Air Algerie Airlines
AI Air India GF Gulf Air
AM Aeromexico GH Ghana Airways
AQ Aloha Airlines GL Air Greenland
AR Aerolineas Argentinas GN Air Gabon
AS Alaska Airlines GR Aurigny Air Services
AT Royal Air Maroc GY Guyana Airways
AY Finnair HA Hawaiian Airlines
AZ Alitalia HM Air Seychelles
BA British Airways HP America West Airlines
BB Seaborne Airlines HV Transavia Airlines
BD bmi British Midland HY Uzbekistan Airways
BG Biman Bangladesh Airlines IB Iberia
BH Transtate Airlines IC Indian Airlines
BI Royal Brunei Airlines IE Solomon Airlines
BL Pacific Airlines IR Iran Air
BM Air Sicilia IV Wind Jet
BO Bouraq Indonesia Airlines IY Yemenia - Yemen Airways
BP Air Botswana JL Japan Airlines
BR EVA Air JM Air Jamaica
BU Braathens ASA JP Adria Airways
BW BWIA - West Indies JU JAT Airways
Airways JY Interisland Airways
CA Air China International KE Korean Air Lines
CB ScotAirways KL KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
CI China Airlines KM Air Malta
CJ China Northern Airlines KP Kiwi International Airlines
CM COPA (Compania KQ Kenya Airways
Panamena de Aviación) KU Kuwait Airways
CO Continental Airlines KV Kavminvodyavia
CU Cubana KX Cayman Airways
CX Cathay Pacific Airways KY Linhas Aereas de Air Sao
CY Cyprus Airways Tome and Principe
CZ China Southern Airlines LA Lan-Chile
DL Delta Air Lines LG Luxair
DS Easyjet Switzerland LH Lufthansa
DT TAAG Angola Airlines LN Jamahiriya Libyan Arab
DU Hemus Air Airlines
DY Air Djibouti LO LOT Polish Airlines
EI Aer Lingus LY El Al Israel Airlines
EK Emirates LX Swiss
ET Ethiopian Airlines LZ Balkan-Bulgarian Airlines
FC Finncomm
Airline codes continued
MA MALEV Hungarian RK Royal Khymer Airlines
Airlines RO TAROM
MD Air Madagascar SA South African Airways
MH Malaysia Airlines SD Sudan Airways
MK Air Mauritius SK SAS
MN Commercial Airways SN SN Brussels Airlines
MR Air Mauritanie SQ Singapore Airlines
MS Egyptair SU Aeroflot Russian Airlines
NF Air Vanuatu SV Saudi Arabian Airlines
NG Lauda Air SW Air Namibia
NH All Nippon Airways TC Air Tanzania
NO Aus-Air TE Lithuanian Airlines
NQ Air Japan TG Thai Airways International
NV Nakanihon Airlines TK Turkish Airlines
NW Northwest Airlines TM LAM - Lineas Aereas de
NZ Air New Zealand Moçambique
OA Olympic Airlines TN Air Tahiti Nui
OB Astrakhan Airlines TP TAP - Air Portugal
OK Czech Airlines TU Tunisair
OM MIAT - Mongolian U2 Easyjet
Airlines UA United Airlines
ON Air Nauru UB Myanmar Airways
OO SkyWest Airlines UI Eurocypria Airlines
OS Austrian Airlines UL SriLankan Airlines
OU Croatia Airlines UM Air Zimbabwe
OV Estonian Air US US Airways
PB Provincial Airlines UY Cameroon Airlines
PC Air Fiji VE AVENSA
PH Polynesian VH Aeropostal
PK Pakistan International VJ Jatayu Airlines
Airlines VN Vietnam Airlines
PR Philippine Airlines VO Tyrolean Airlines
PS Ukraine International VR TACV - Transportes
Airlines Aereos de Cabo Verde
PU Pluna Lineas Aereas VS Virgin Atlantic
Uruguayas VU Air Ivoire
PX Air Niugini VX V Bird
PY Surinam Airways W6 Wizz Air
PZ TAM - Transportes Aereos WG Wasaya Airlines
del Mercosur WJ Labrador Airways
QF Qantas Airways W6 Wizz Air
QM Air Malawi WG Wasaya Airlines
QR Qatar Airways WJ Labrador Airways
QU East African Airlines WN Southwest Airlines
QV Lao Airlines WR Royal Tongan Airlines
QX Horizon Air WY Oman Aviation
RA Royal Nepal Airlines YK Kibris Turk Hava Yollari
RB Syrian Arab Airlines YN Air Creebec
RG Varig YU Dominair
RJ Royal Jordanian ZB Monarch Airlines
Airport codes
code airport country
ABJ Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire
ABZ Aberdeen UK
ACA Acapulco Mexico
ACC Accra Ghana
ADD Addis Ababa Ethiopia
ADL Adelaide Australia
AGP Malaga Spain
AKL Auckland New Zealand
ALC Alicante Spain
ALG Algiers Algeria
AMM Amman Jordan
AMS Amsterdam Netherlands
ANC Anchorage USA
ANK Ankara Turkey
ANR Antwerp Belgium
ANU Antigua Antigua
ARN Stockholm Arlanda Sweden
ASU Asuncion Paraguay
ATH Athens Greece
ATL Atlanta USA
AUH Abu Dhabi UAE
AXA Wallblake Anguilla
BAH Bahrain Bahrain
BCN Barcelona Spain
BDA Bermuda Bermuda
BER Berlin Germany
BEY Beirut Lebanon
BFS Belfast UK
BGI Bridgetown Barbados
BGO Bergen Norway
BHX Birmingham UK
BIO Bilbao Spain
BJL Banjul Gambia
BJM Bujumbura Burundi
BJS Beijing China
BKK Bangkok Thailand
BLQ Bologna Italy
BNE Brisbane Australia
BOD Bordeaux France
BOG Bogota Colombia
BOM Mumbai India
BOS Boston USA
BRE Bremen Germany
BRN Berne Switzerland
BRS Bristol UK
Airport codes continued
code airport country
BRU Brussels Belgium
BSL Basle/Mulhouse Switzerland
BTS Bratislava Slovakia
BUD Budapest Hungary
BUE Buenos Aires Argentina
BUH Bucharest Romania
BWI Baltimore USA
BZV Brazzaville Congo
CAI Cairo Egypt
CAS Casablanca Morocco
CBR Canberra Australia
CCS Caracas Venezuela
CCU Calcutta India
CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle France
CGK Jakarta Indonesia
CGN Cologne Germany
CHC Christchurch New Zealand
CHI Chicago USA
CLE Cleveland USA
CMB Colombo Sri Lanka
CMN Casablanca Mohamed V Morocco
CNS Cairns Australia
COO Cotonou Benin
CPH Copenhagen Denmark
CPT Cape Town South Africa
CUR Curacao Neth. Antilles
CVG Cincinnati USA
CWL Cardiff UK
DAC Dhaka Bangladesh
DAM Damascus Syria
DBV Dubrovnik Croatia
DCA Washington National USA
DCF Dominica Dominica
DEL Delhi India
DEN Denver USA
DFW Dallas/Fort Worth USA
DKR Dakar Senegal
DOM Dominica Oman
DRW Darwin Australia
DTT Detroit USA
DUB Dublin Ireland
DUR Durban South Africa
DUS Dusseldorf Germany
DXB Dubai UAE
EBB Entebbe Uganda
Airport codes continued
code airport country
EDI Edinburgh UK
EMA East Midlands UK
EWR Newark USA
FAO Faro Portugal
FCO Rome Fiumicino Italy
FIH Kinshasa Congo
FRA Frankfurt Germany
FUK Fukuoka Japan
GBE Gabarone Botswana
GCI Guernsey UK
GCM Grand Cayman Cayman Islands
GEO Georgetown Guyana
GIB Gibraltar Gibraltar
GIG Rio de Janeiro Brazil
GLA Glasgow UK
GND Grenada Grenada
GOA Genoa Italy
GOT Gothenburg Sweden
GRU Sao Paulo Brazil
GRZ Graz Austria
GUA Guatemala City Guatemala
GVA Geneva Switzerland
HAJ Hanover Germany
HAM Hamburg Germany
HAV Havana Cuba
HEL Helsinki Finland
HKG Hong Kong Hong Kong
HNL Honolulu USA
HOU Houston USA
HRE Harare Zimbabwe
IAD Washington Dulles USA
IAH Houston Intl. USA
INN Innsbruck Austria
ISB Islamabad Pakistan
IST Istanbul Turkey
JED Jeddah Saudi Arabia
JER Jersey UK
JFK New York Kennedy Intl. USA
JKT Jakarta Indonesia
JNB Johannesburg South Africa
KEF Reykjavik Iceland
KHI Karachi Pakistan
KIN Kingston Jamaica
KLU Klagenfurt Austria
KOJ Kagoshima Japan
Airport codes continued
code airport country
KRT Khartoum Sudan
KUL Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
KWI Kuwait Kuwait
LAD Luanda Angola
LAS Las Vegas USA
LAX Los Angeles USA
LBA Leeds/Bradford UK
LCA Larnaca Cyprus
LCY London City UK
LED St Petersburg Russia
LEJ Leipzig Germany
LGA New York La Guardia USA
LGW London Gatwick UK
LHR London Heathrow UK
LIL Lille France
LIM Lima Peru
LIN Milan Italy
LIS Lisbon Portugal
LJU Ljubljana Slovenia
LLW Lilongwe Malawi
LNZ Linz Austria
LOS Lagos Nigeria
LPA Gran Canaria Spain
LPB La Paz Bolivia
LPL Liverpool UK
LTN London Luton UK
LUN Lusaka Zambia
LUX Luxembourg Luxembourg
LYS Lyons France
MAA Chennai India
MAD Madrid Spain
MAN Manchester UK
MBA Mombasa Kenya
MCI Kansas City Intl. USA
MCO Orlando USA
MCT Muscat Oman
MEL Melbourne Australia
MEX Mexico City Mexico
MIA Miami USA
MIL Milan Italy
MKC Kansas City USA
MLA Malta Malta
MLW Monrovia Liberia
MME Teeside UK
MNL Manila Philippines
Airport codes continued
code airport country
MOW Moscow Russia
MPM Maputo Mozambique
MQS Mustique Grenadines
MRS Marseilles France
MRU Mauritius Mauritius
MSP Minneapolis St Paul USA
MSY New Orleans USA
MUC Munich Germany
MVD Montevideo Uruguay
MXP Milan Italy
NAP Naples Italy
NAS Nassau Bahamas
NBO Nairobi Kenya
NCE Nice France
NCL Newcastle UK
NGO Nagoya Japan
NOU Nourrea New Caledonia
NRT Tokyo Narita Japan
NUE Nuremburg Germany
NYC New York USA
ORD Chicago O’Hare USA
ORK Cork Ireland
ORL Orlando USA
ORY Paris Orly France
OSA Osaka Japan
OSL Oslo Norway
OTP Bucharest Otopeni Romania
PAR Paris France
PBM Paramaribo Surinam
PDX Portland USA
PEK Beijing China
PER Perth Australia
PHL Philadelphia USA
PHX Phoenix USA
PIT Pittsburgh USA
PLH Plymouth UK
PMI Palma de Mallorca Spain
POM Port Moresby Papua New Guinea
POS Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago
PPT Papeete French Polynesia
PRG Prague Czech Republic
PSA Florence Pisa Italy
PTY Panama City Panama
RAR Rarotonga Cook Islands
REK Reykjavik Iceland
Airport codes continued
code airport country
RIO Rio de Janeiro Brazil
RIX Riga Latvia
ROM Rome Italy
RTM Rotterdam Netherlands
RUH Riyadh Saudi Arabia
SAH Sana’a Yemen
SAN San Diego USA
SAO Sao Paulo Brazil
SCL Santiago Chile
SEA Seattle USA
SEL Seoul South Korea
SFO San Francisco USA
SHA Shanghai China
SHJ Sharjah UAE
SIN Singapore Singapore
SKG Thessaloniki Greece
SLC Salt Lake City USA
SLU Saint Lucia Saint Lucia
SNN Shannon Ireland
SOF Sofia Bulgaria
SOU Southampton UK
STL Saint Louis USA
STN London Stansted UK
STO Stockholm Sweden
STR Stuttgart Germany
SVG Stavanger Norway
SVO Moscow Sheremetyevo Russia
SVQ Seville Spain
SXB Strasbourg France
SXF Berlin Schoenefeld Germany
SYD Sydney Australia
SZG Salzburg Austria
TCI Tenerife Spain
TGU Tegucigalpa Honduras
THF Berlin Tempelhof Germany
THR Tehran Iran
TLL Tallinn Estonia
TLS Toulouse France
TLV Tel Aviv Israel
TPA Tampa USA
TPE Taipei Taiwan
TRN Turin Italy
TUN Tunis Tunisia
TYO Tokyo Japan
UIO Quito Ecuador
Airport codes continued
code airport country
VCE Venice Italy
VIE Vienna Austria
VLC Valencia Spain
VNO Vilnius Lithuania
WAS Washington DC USA
WAW Warsaw Poland
WDH Windhoek Namibia
WLG Wellington New Zealand
YEA Edmonton Canada
YEG Edmonton Intl. Canada
YMQ Montreal Mirabel Canada
YOW Ottawa Canada
YTO Toronto Canada
YUL Montreal Pierre Elliot Canada
Trudeau Intl.
YVR Vancouver Canada
YWG Winnipeg Canada
YYC Calgary Canada
YYZ Toronto Lester Pearson Canada
ZAG Zagreb Croatia
ZRH Zurich Switzerland
Local times around the world
London time 1200 London time 1200
Abu Dhabi 1600 Luanda 1300
Adelaide 2130 Luxembourg 1300
Algiers 1300 Madagascar 1500
Amsterdam 1300 Madrid 1300
Ankara 1400 Malé 1700
Astana 1800 Malta 1300
Athens 1400 Manila 2000
Baghdad 1500 Mexico 0600
Bangkok 1900 Minsk 1400
Beijing 2000 Montevideo 0900
Beirut 1400 Montreal 0700
Berlin 1300 Moscow 1500
Bern(e) 1300 Mumbai 1730
Bogota 0700 Nairobi 1500
Brasilia 0900 Nassau 0700
Brazzaville 1300 New York 0700
Brussels 1300 Oslo 1300
Bucharest 1400 Ottawa 0700
Budapest 1300 Panama 0700
Buenos Aires 0900 Paris 1300
Cairo 1400 Perth 2000
Calcutta (Kolkata) 1730 Phnom Penh 1900
Canberra 2200 Prague 1300
Cape Town 1400 Pretoria 1400
Caracas 0800 Pyongyang 2100
Chicago 0600 Quebec 0700
Colombo 1730 Rangoon 1830
Copenhagen 1300 Reykjavik 1200
Costa Rica 0600 Rio de Janeiro 0900
Damascus 1400 Riyadh 1500
Delhi 1730 Rome 1300
Dhaka 1800 San Francisco 0400
Dublin 1200 Santiago 0800
Gibraltar 1300 Seoul 2100
Hanoi 1900 Seychelles 1600
Harare 1400 Singapore 2000
Helsinki 1400 Stockholm 1300
Hong Kong 2000 Sydney 2200
Honolulu 0200 Taipei 2000
Istanbul 1400 Tallinn 1400
Jakarta 1900 Tbilisi 1600
Jerusalem 1400 Tehran 1530
Kabul 1630 Tirana 1300
Karachi 1700 Tokyo 2100
Khartoum 1400 Toronto 0700
Kiev 1400 Tripoli 1300
Kinshasa 1400 Tunis 1300
Kuala Lumpur 2000 Ulan Bator 2000
Kuwait 1500 Vienna 1300
Lagos 1300 Warsaw 1300
La Paz 0800 Washington DC 0700
Lima 0700 Wellington 0000 (+1 day)
Lisbon 1200 Yaoundé 1300
International dialling codes
Afghanistan 93 Egypt 20
Albania 355 El Salvador 503
Algeria 213 Equatorial Guinea 240
Andorra 376 Estonia 372
Angola 244 Ethiopia 251
Anguilla 264 Falkland Islands 500
Antigua and Barbuda 268 Fiji 679
Argentina 54 Finland 358
Armenia 374 France 33
Australia 61 French Guiana 594
Austria 43 Gabon 241
Bahamas 242 Gambia 220
Bahrain 973 Georgia 679
Bangladesh 880 Germany 49
Barbados 246 Ghana 233
Belarus 375 Gibraltar 350
Belgium 32 Great Britain 44
Belize 501 Greece 30
Benin 229 Grenada 473
Bermuda 441 Guatemala 502
Bhutan 975 Guinea 224
Bolivia 591 Guinea-Bissau 245
Bosnia 387 Guyana 592
Botswana 267 Haiti 509
Brazil 55 Honduras 504
Brunei 673 Hong Kong 852
Bulgaria 359 Hungary 36
Burkina Faso 226 Iceland 354
Burma (see Myanmar) India 91
Burundi 257 Indonesia 62
Cambodia 855 Iran 98
Cameroon 237 Iraq 964
Canada 1 Irish Republic 353
Cape Verde Islands 238 Israel 972
Cayman Islands 345 Italy 39
Central African Republic 236 Ivory Coast 225
Chad 235 Jamaica 876
Chile 56 Japan 81
China 86 Jordan 962
Colombia 57 Kazakhstan 7
Comoros 269 Kenya 254
Congo (Republic of the) 242 Kuwait 965
Congo 243 Kyrgyzstan 996
(Democratic Republic of the) Laos 856
Costa Rica 506 Latvia 371
Croatia 385 Lebanon 961
Cuba 53 Lesotho 266
Cyprus 357 Liberia 231
Czech Republic 420 Libya 218
Denmark 45 Liechtenstein 423
Djibouti 253 Lithuania 370
Dominica 767 Luxembourg 352
Dominican Republic 809 Macao 853
Ecuador 593
International dialling codes continued
Macedonia 389 St Vincent 784
(Former Yugoslav Republic of) Samoa 378
Madagascar 261 Saudi Arabia 966
Madeira 351 Senegal 221
Malawi 265 Serbia and Montenegro 381
Malaysia 60 Seychelles 248
Maldives 960 Sierra Leone 232
Mali 223 Singapore 65
Malta 356 Slovakia 42
Mauritania 222 Slovenia 386
Mauritius 230 Somalia 252
Mexico 52 South Africa 27
Moldova 373 South Korea 82
Monaco 377 Spain 34
Mongolia 976 Sri Lanka 94
Montserrat 664 Sudan 249
Morocco 212 Suriname 597
Mozambique 258 Swaziland 268
Myanmar 95 Sweden 46
Namibia 264 Switzerland 41
Nauru 674 Syria 963
Nepal 977 Taiwan 886
Netherlands 31 Tanzania 255
New Zealand 64 Thailand 66
Nicaragua 505 Togo 228
Niger 227 Tonga 676
Nigeria 234 Trinidad & Tobago 868
North Korea 850 Tunisia 216
Norway 47 Turkey 90
Oman 968 Turkmenistan 993
Pakistan 92 Tuvalu 688
Panama 507 Uganda 256
Papua New Guinea 675 Ukraine 380
Paraguay 595 United Arab Emirates 971
Peru 51 United Kingdom 44
Philippines 63 USA 1
Poland 48 Uruguay 598
Portugal 351 Uzbekistan 998
Puerto Rico 787 Vanuatu 678
Qatar 974 Venezuela 58
Réunion 262 Vietnam 84
Romania 40 Yemen 967
Russia 7 Zambia 260
Rwanda 250 Zimbabwe 263
St Lucia 758
Standard symbols and abbreviations
+ positive m metre
- negative mb millibar
액 ohm mf, 애f microfarad
º degree mHz millihertz
앨 inch(es) MHz megahertz
쎾 foot (feet) mi mile(s)
amp ampere mm millimetre
Btu British thermal unit MPH miles per hour
C Celsius mv millivolt
cal calorie(s) neg negative
cal large calorie(s) oz ounce(s)
cm centimetre pf, 애애f picofarad
cos cosine pos positive
cu. cm, cc cubic centimetre(s) PPH pounds per hour
cu. in cubic inch(es) PPM parts per million
cu. ft cubic foot (feet) PSI pounds per square inch
cu. m cubic metre(s) PSIA pounds per square inch
dB decibel absolute pressure
deg degree PSID pounds per square inch
ESHP equivalent shaft differential pressure
horsepower PSIG pounds per square
F farad inch gage
F Fahrenheit pt pint
ft foot (feet) qt quart
ft-lb(s) foot-pound(s) R Rankine
g gram rev. revolution(s)
gal gallon rpm, r.p.m. revolutions per minute
HP horsepower sec. second
hr hour SHP shaft horsepower
Hz hertz sin sine
2
in inch(es) sq. cm, cm square centimetre(s)
in hg inch(es) of mercury sq. in square inch(es)
IPS inches per second sq. ft square foot (feet)
2
k kilo sq. m, m square metre
K kelvin sq. mi square mile(s)
kg kilogram sq. mil square mil
kHz kilohertz tan tangent
km kilometre TEHP total equivalent
kW kilowatt horsepower
kW-hr kilowatt hour THP total horsepower
l litre V volt
lb pound yd(s) yard(s)
Weights and Measures: Metric Measures
Length
1 millimetre (mm) = 0.0394 in
1 centimetre (cm) = 10 mm = 0.3937 in
1 decimetre (dm) = 10 cm = 3.937 in
1 metre (m) = 100 cm = 1.0936 yds
1 kilometre (km) = 1000 m = 0.6214 mile

Area
1 square millimetre (mm2) = 0.0016 sq. in.
1 square centimetre (cm2) = l00 mm
2
= 0.155 sq. in
1 square metre (m2) = l0,000 cm
2
= 1.196 sq. yds
2
1 are (a) = 100 m = 119.6 sq. yds
1 hectare (ha) = 100 ares = 2.4711 acres
1 square kilometre (km2) = 100 hectares = 0.3861 sq. mile

Weight
1 milligram (mg) = 0.0154 grain
1 gram (g) = 1000 mg = 0.0353 oz
1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 g = 2.2046 lb
1 tonne (t) = 1000 kg = 0.9842 ton

Volume
1 cubic centimetre (cm3) = 0.061 cu. in
1 cubic decimetre (dm3) = 1000 cm
3
= 0.0351 cu. ft
1 cubic metre (m3) = 1000 dm
3
= 1.308 cu. yds

Liquid Volume
1 litre (l) = 1 dm3 = 1.76 pt
1 hectolitre (hl) = 100 l = 22 gal
Weights and Measures: Imperial Measures
Length
1 inch (in) = 2.54 cm
1 foot (ft) = 12 in = 0.3048 m
1 yard (yd) = 3 ft = 0.9144 m
1 rod (rd) = 5.5 yds = 4.0292 m
1 chain = 4 rds = 20.117 m
1 furlong = 10 chains = 201.17 m
1 mile = 8 furlongs = 1.6093 km
1 nautical mile = 2025.4 yds = 1.852 km

Area
1 square inch = 6.4516 cm2
2
1 square foot = 144 sq. ins = 0.0929 m
2
1 square yard = 9 sq. ft = 0.8361 m
2
1 acre = 4840 sq. yds = 4046.9 m
1 square mile = 640 acres = 259 hectares

Weight
1 ounce (oz) = 437.6 grains = 28.350 g
1 pound (lb) = 16 oz = 0.4536 kg
1 stone = 14 lb = 6.3503 kg
1 hundredweight (cwt) = 112 lb = 50.802 kg
1 long ton = 20 cwt = 1.0161 t

Volume
1 cubic inch = 16.387 cm3
3
1 cubic foot = 1728 cu. ins = 0.0283 m
3
1 cubic yard = 27 cu. ft = 0.7646 m

Liquid Volume
1 fluid ounce (fl. oz) = 8 fl. drachms = 28.413 cm3
3
1 pint (pt) = 20 fl. oz = 568.26 cm
1 pint = 4 gills = 0.5683 l
1 quart (qt) = 2 pt = 1.1365 l
1 gallon (gal) = 8 pt = 4.5461 l
1 bushel (bu) = 8 gal = 36.369 l

Liquid Volume (US)

1 fluid ounce (US) = 29.574 ml
1 pint (US) = 16 fl. oz (US) = 0.4723 l
1 gallon (US) = 8 pt (US) = 3.7854 l
Conversion factors: Imperial to Metric
Length Multiply by
inches 앸 millimetres 25.4
inches 앸 centimetres 2.54
feet 앸 metres 0.3048
yards 앸 metres 0.9144
statute miles 앸 kilometres 1.6093
nautical miles 앸 kilometres 1.852

Area Multiply by
square inches 앸 square centimetres 6.4516
square feet 앸 square metres 0.0929
square yards 앸 square metres 0.8361
acres 앸 hectares 0.4047
square miles 앸 square kilometres 2.5899

Volume Multiply by
cubic inches 앸 cubic centimetres 16.3871
cubic feet 앸 cubic metres 0.0283
cubic yards 앸 cubic metres 0.7646

Liquid Volume Multiply by

fluid ounces (UK) 앸 litres 0.0284
fluid ounces (US) 앸 litres 0.0296
pints (UK) 앸 litres 0.5682
pints (US) 앸 litres 0.4732
gallons (UK) 앸 litres 4.546
gallons (US) 앸 litres 3.7854

Weight Multiply by
ounces (avoirdupois) 앸 grams 28.3495
ounces (troy) 앸 grams 31.1035
pounds 앸 kilograms 0.4536
tons (long) 앸 tonnes 1.016
Conversion factors: Metric to Imperial
Length Multiply by
millimetres 앸 inches 0.0394
centimetres 앸 inches 0.3937
metres 앸 feet 3.2806
metres 앸 yards 1.9036
kilometres 앸 statute miles 0.6214
kilometres 앸 nautical miles 0.54

Area Multiply by
square centimetres 앸 square inches 0.155
square metres 앸 square feet 10.764
square metres 앸 square yards 1.196
hectares 앸 acres 2.471
square kilometres 앸 square miles 0.386

Volume Multiply by
cubic centimetres 앸 cubic inches 0.061
cubic metres 앸 cubic feet 35.315
cubic metres 앸 cubic yards 1.308

Liquid Volume Multiply by

litres 앸 fluid ounces (UK) 35.1961
litres 앸 fluid ounces (US) 33.8150
litres 앸 pints (UK) 1.7598
litres 앸 pints (US) 2.1134
litres 앸 gallons (UK) 0.2199
litres 앸 gallons (US) 0.2642

Weight Multiply by
grams 앸 ounces (avoirdupois) 0.0353
grams 앸 ounces (troy) 0.0322
kilograms 앸 pounds 2.2046
tonnes 앸 tons (long) 0.9842

Temperature Operation
(in sequence)
Celsius 앸 Fahrenheit x 9, ÷ 5, + 32
Fahrenheit 앸 Celsius - 32, x 5, ÷ 9