PLANE SPEAK
IFR into clouds and low visibility, by reference to cockpit instruments and radio navigation.
ILS (Instrument Landing System) A precision instrument approach system permitting aircraft to land with low ceilings or poor visibility.
JOINT OWNERSHIP Purchase or lease of an aircraft by a number of owners, often through a partnership or limited company.
KNOT (Nautical Mile per Hour) Common measure of aircraft speed equalling 6,080 feet or about 1.15 miles. (For mph, multiply knots by 1.15.)
KTAS True airspeed, in knots.
LARGE-CABIN JETS The largest size aircraft that doesn’t require a major airport runway. Typical capacity 9-15 passengers.
LAYOVER A night spent in the middle of the trip in a city other than home base for the aircraft and crew.
LEG Describes one direction of travel between two points. Commonly used in referring to a planned itinerary.
LIGHT JETS See ‘Small-Cabin Jets’.
MACH SPEED A number representing the ratio of the speed of an airplane to the speed of sound in the surrounding air.
MAYDAY An international distress signal to indicate an imminent and grave danger that requires assistance.
MID-CABIN JETS Typical capacity 7-9 passengers.
MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) Company licensed to provide services for the upkeep and airworthiness of airplanes.
NAUTICAL MILE as equivalent to 1,852 metres or 1.15 statute miles.
NDB (Non-Directional Beacon) A radio transmitter at a known location, used as an aviation or marine navigational aid.
PAN PAN International call signal for urgency, indicating uncertainty and usually followed by the nature of the alert.
PART 91 The parts of Federal Aviation Regulations on non-commercial operations covering corporate
PART 121 The parts of Federal Aviation Regulations on scheduled airline operations, including the publication of a schedule.
PART 135 The parts of Federal Aviation Regulations on non-commercial operations covering charter carriers.
PART 145 to perform maintenance and alterations on US-registered aircraft.
PATTERN
PAYLOAD Anything that an aircraft carries beyond
POSITIONING Ferrying aircraft for departure from other than originating airport.
RADAR System that uses electromagnetic waves to identify the range, altitude, direction, or speed of
RAMP The apron or open ‘tarmac’ in front of an FBO or terminal facility. This space is busy, used for deplaning, parking of aircraft, etc.
ROLL action around a central point.
ROTATE its centre of gravity, a point which is the average location of the mass of the aircraft.
RUDDER Aircraft control surface attached to the Forces the plane to veer left or right.
RUNWAY HEADING Magnetic direction corresponding to the centre line of the runway.
SLATS Small, aerodynamic surfaces on the leading wing to operate at a higher angle of attack.
SLIPSTREAM a propeller or downward by a rotor.
SMALL-CABIN JETS Typical capacity 5-8 passengers.
SQUAWK A four-digit number that a pilot dials into his transponder to identify his aircraft to air
STATUTE MILE A unit of length equal to 5,280 feet.
SVS (Synthetic Vision System) A technology that uses 3D to provide pilots with intuitive means of
TAIL NUMBER An airplane’s registration number.
TARMAC A paved airport surface, especially a runway or an apron at a hangar.
TAXI TIME Portion of the trip spent rolling between the gate, terminal, or ramp and runway.
THRUST The forward force produced in reaction Opposite of drag.
TRAILING EDGE The rearmost edge of an airfoil.
TRANSPONDER An airborne transmitter interrogation with accurate position information.
TURBINE Engine that uses compressed air to generate thrust to spin a metal shaft inside the motor, used in jet engines and turboprop aircraft.
TURBOPROP An aircraft in which the propeller is driven by a jet-style turbine rather than a piston.
VERY LIGHT JETS (VLJ) Small jet aircraft off weight of less than 10,000 lb (4,540 kg).
VFR visual reference to the horizon.
VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) Ground-based radio navigation aid.
VORTICES Regions of high velocity that develop
WIND SHEAR Large changes in either wind speed or direction at different altitudes that can cause sudden gain or loss of airspeed.
WINGLET A small, stabilising, rudder-like addition to the tips of a wing to control or employ air movement, thereby increasing fuel economy.
YAW the side-to-side movement of an aircraft on
YOKE The control wheel of an aircraft, akin to an automobile steering wheel.