FAA Approved Commercial Drone Company: Chapman Aerospace LLC

A glossary of abbreviations of the most common ones in the aviation industry.
Please select the first letter of the word from the list below to jump to the appropriate section of the glossary.

Contents

A

Abbreviation	Term
A/C	aircraft
A&P	Airframe & Powerplant
ACAS	airborne collision avoidance system
ACARS	Aircraft Communication and Addressing Reporting System
ACI	Airports Council International
ACFT	aircraft
ACMS	/index.php?title=Aircraft_condition_monitoring_system&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Aircraft condition monitoring system (page does not exist)">aircraft condition monitoring system
ACC	active clearance control
AD	airworthiness directive
A/D	aerodrome
ADA	Air Defense Area
ADC	air data computer
ADF	automatic direction finder
ADI	Attitude Director Indicator
ADIRS	Air Data Inertial Reference System
ADIZ	Air Defense Identification Zone
ADS	automatic dependent surveillance
ADV	Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Verkehrsflughäfen (German Airports Association)
AFCS	Automatic flight control system
A/FD	Airport/Facility Directory
AFDS	Autopilot flight director system
AFE	Above field elevation
AFS	aeronautical fixed service
AFT	Aft The direction against the aircraft movement
AFTN	Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network
AGL	above ground level
AHRS	Attitude and heading reference system
AIP	Aeronautical Information Publication
AIRAC	Aeronautical information regulation and control
AMO	Approved Maintenance Organization
ALI	Airworthiness Limitation Item
ALS	approach lighting system
AMSL	above mean sea level
ANSP	air navigation service provider
AOA	angle of attack
AOC	Air Operator's Certificate
AOG	Aircraft on Ground
AOM	Aerodrome Operating Minima
AP	Autopilot
APT	Airport
APU	Auxiliary power unit
A/P	airplane (US), aeroplane (ICAO)
AR	Authorization_required
ARINC	Aeronautical Radio Inc.
ARTCC	air route traffic control centers
ASDA	Association for Scientific Development of Air Traffic Management in Europe
ASAS	Airborne Separation Assurance System
ASI	airspeed indicator
ASL	above sea level
ASM	airspace management
A/T	autothrottle
ATA	Air Traffic Association
ATC	air traffic control
ATFM	air traffic flow management
ATIS	Automatic Terminal Information Service
ATM	air traffic management
ATN	Aeronautical Telecommunication Network
ATPL	Airline Transport Pilot Licence
ATS	air traffic service
ARP	Aerodrome Reference Point
ACU	Air Condition Unit

B

Abbreviation	Term
BC	back course
BITE	Built-In Test Equipment
BL	Butt Line
BVLOS	Beyond Visual Line of Sight
B/P	Blue Print
BPR	bypass ratio
BOM	Bill of Material
BWC	bird watch condition

C

Abbreviation	Term
C2	Command and Control
CAA	Civil Aviation Authority
CAME	Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition
CAMO	Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation
CANSO	Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation
CAS	calibrated airspeed
CDU	control/display unit
CDI	course deviation indicator
CFR	Certified Federal Regulations
CFIT	controlled flight into terrain
CG	center of gravity
CMV	Converted meteorological visibility
COTS	Commercial of-the-shelf
CPDLC	controller?pilot data link communications
CTAF	common traffic advisory frequency
CVR	cockpit voice recorder
CAR	Civil Aviation Requirements

D

Abbreviation	Term
DA/H	decision altitude/height (rel. to THR) See instrument landing system
DER	Departure end of runway / Designated engineering representative
DG	directional gyro
DGR	Dangerous Goods Regulation
DIA	Diameter
DJI	Da-Jiang Innovations Science and Technology Co., Ltd. One of the leading commercial drone mfg.
DLR	German Aerospace Center / Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
DME	distance measuring equipment
DOW	Dry Operational Weight
DR	dead reckoning
DUATS	Direct User Access Terminal Service DUATS
DWC	Dog watch condition

E

Abbreviation	Term
EADI	Electronic Attitude Direction indicator
EAS	equivalent airspeed
EASA	European Aviation Safety Agency
EBI	Electronic Burn In
EBOM	engineering Bill of Material
ECR	Engineering Change Request
EGPWS	enhanced ground proximity warning system
EDTO	Extended diversion time operations
EOBT	Estimated off-blocktime
ECAM	electronic centralised aircraft monitor
ECET	End of civil evening twilight
EFIS	electronic flight instrument system
EGT	exhaust gas temperature
EICAS	engine-indicating and crew-alerting system
E-LSA	experimental light-sport aircraft
ELT	emergency locator transmitter
EMAS	engineered materials arresting system
EPR	engine pressure ratio
ESA	emergency safe altitude
ETA	estimated time of arrival
ETD	estimated time of departure
ETP	equal time point
ETOPS	Extended-range Twin-engine Operation Performance Standards, see ETOPS
EUROCAE	European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
EW	Empty Weight

F

Abbreviation	Term
FAA	U.S. Department of Transportations' Federal Aviation Administration
FADEC	full authority digital engine control
FAF	final approach fix
FAF	First Available Flight
FANS	future air navigation system
FAP	final approach point
FAP	forward attendant panel
FAROS	final approach runway occupancy signal
FATO	final approach and take off
FBO	fixed base operator
FBW	fly-by-wire
FCOM	Flight Crew Operating Manual
FD	flight director
FDM	flight data monitoring
FDR	flight data recorder (also known as black box)
FEP	final end point
FFDZ	free fall drop zone (parachutists)
FIR	flight information region
FL	flight level
FMC	flight management computer (same as FMS)
FMS	flight management system
FOO	Flight operation officer
FOQA	flight operational quality assurance
FPA	Flight path angle
FPL	filed flight plan
FSF	Flight Safety Foundation
FSS	flight service station

G

Abbreviation	Term
GA	general aviation
G/A or GA	go-around
GCA	Ground-controlled approach
GEA	Ground effect area
GLOC	g-induced loss of consciousness, where g is acceleration relevant to the acceleration caused by gravity
GND	ground
GP	glide path. See Instrument landing system
GPS	Global Positioning System
GPU	Ground Power Unit
GPWS	ground proximity warning system
G/S	glideslope
GS	groundspeed
GSE	Ground service equipment

H

Abbreviation	Term
H	Heavy
HAZMAT	Hazardous Material
HDG	Heading
HFE	Human Factors Engineering^[2]
HFES	???
HIRO	High Intensity Runway Operation
HIRTA	High Intensity Radio Transmission Area
HIWAS	Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service
HL	Height loss
HLD	hold (hold altitude or speed or something else) (same as maintain, but not maintenance!)
HPA	human-powered aircraft
HSI	horizontal situation indicator
HUD	head-up display
HYD	hydraulic
HYDIM	Hydraulic interface module

I

Abbreviation	Term
IB	Inboard
IAF	initial approach fix
IAP	instrument approach procedure
IAS	indicated airspeed
IATA	International Air Transport Association
ICA	Instructions for Continuous Airworthiness
ICAO	International Civil Aviation Organization
ICD	Interface Control Document
ICO	idle cut-off
IDT	identify (XPDR)
IF	intermediate approach fix
IFA	International Federation of Airworthiness
IFATCA	International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations
IFE	In Flight Entertainment
IFR	instrument flight rules
IFSD	In-flight shutdown
IGE	In Ground Effect
ILS	instrument landing system
IMC	instrument meteorological conditions
IML	Inside Mold Line
INS	inertial navigation system
IOC	Input/Output Controller
IR	Initial Release
IRS	inertial reference system
IRT	Instrument rating test
ISA	International Standard Atmosphere
ISFD	Integrated standby flight display
ISIS	integrated standby instrument system
ITAR	International Traffic in Arms Regulations
ITT	interstage turbine temperature
IAW	In accordance with

J

Abbreviation	Term
JAR	Joint Airworthiness Regulations
JATO	Jet Assisted Takeoff
JSRA	Joint Sponsored Research Agreement

K

Abbreviation	Term
KIAS	knots indicated airspeed

L

Abbreviation	Term
LAME	licenced aircraft maintenance engineer
LAT	Latitude
LCN	load classification number
LCG	load classification group
LHO	live human organs
LiPo	Lithium Polymer
LIR	Loading Instruction Report
LLC	Life Limited Component
LLZ	localizer (ILS)
LM	land and marine
LOC	loss of control; Localizer
LOFT	line-oriented flight training
LOM	Limitation Of Movement
LON	Longitude
LOTC	loss of thrust control
LNAV	lateral navigation
LPV	localizer performance with vertical guidance
LRU	line-replaceable unit
LSAS	longitudinal stability augmentation system
LTP	Landing Threshold Point
LW	Landing Weight
LZ	Landing Zone

M

Abbreviation	Term
MAC	mean aerodynamic chord
mAh	milli Amps per hour
MAP	missed approach point
MATS	Manual of Air Traffic Services
MCP	mode control panel
ME	Manufacturing Engineer
MEA	Minimum En-route Altitude
MDA	minimum descent altitude
MDH	minimum descent height
MEDEVAC	medical evacuation
MEF	maximum elevation figure
MGW	Maximum Gross Weight
MMEL	master minimum equipment list
MEL	minimum equipment list
METAR	meteorological aerodrome report (METAR)
MLDW	maximum landing weight
MLS	microwave landing system
MM	middle marker
MOC	minimum obstacle clearance
MOCA	Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude
MP	manifold pressure
MRB	Material Review Board
MRO	maintenance repair overhaul
MRP	Material Resources Planning
MRW	maximum ramp weight
MSA	minimum safe altitude / minimum sector altitude
MSDS	Material Safety Data Sheet
MSL	mean sea level
MSLW	Max. Structural Landing Weight
MSTOW	Max. Structural Take-off Weight
MTOW	maximum take-off weight
MSZFW	Max. Structural Zero Fuel Weight
MVA	Minimum Vectoring Altitude
MZFW	maximum zero-fuel weight

N

Abbreviation	Term
NASA	National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NDB	Non-directional beacon
NDT	Non-destructive testing
NOTAM (S)	notice to airmen
NTZ	No-transgression zone>

O

Abbreviation	Term
OAT	Outside air temperature
OBS	omni-bearing selector
OCA	obstacle clearance altitude
OCH	obstacle clearance height
OGE	Out of Ground Effect
OM	outer marker
OBE	overcome by events
OEM	original equipment manufacturer
OTS	out of service
OW	operational weight
OIS	Obstacle identification surface

P

Abbreviation	Term
P	(as a prefix:) prohibited airspace
PANS-OPS	procedures for air navigation services ? aircraft operations
PAPI	precision approach path indicator
PAR	precision approach radar
PBD	place bearing distance (RNAV waypoint)
PDG	procedure design gradient
PDAS	public domain aeronautical software
PET	point of equal time
PF	pilot flying
PFD	primary flight display
PFAF	precision final approach fix
PIC	Pilot In Command
PICUS	Pilot In Command, under supervision^[3]
PIO	Pilot Induced Oscillations
PIREP	Pilot Report
PM	pilot monitoring
PNF	pilot not flying
PNR	Point Of NoReturn
POH	Pilot's Operating Handbook
POF	Princples Of Flight
PSR	point of safe return
PSR	power supply reset
PSU	personal service unit
PS	Pax Step
PWM	Pulse Width Modulation

Q

Abbreviation	Term
QFE	the Q-code for: Atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation (or at runway threshold)
QNH	the Q-code for: Altimeter sub-scale setting to obtain elevation when on the ground, i.e. altitude above MSL
QRH	quick reference handbook

R

Abbreviation	Term
R	(as a prefix:) restricted airspace
RA	radio altitude or radar altimeter
RA	resolution advisory (in the context of TCAS)
RAS	rectified air speed
RA(T)	restricted area (temporary)
RCO	remote communications outlet
RDH	reference datum height for ILS
RESA	runway end safety area
RNAV	area navigation
RNP	required navigation performance
RPM	Revolutions Per Minute (Speed of engine and propeller)
RSA	runway safety area
RSR	en-route surveillance radar
RT	radiotelephony
RTO	rejected take-off
RVR	runway visual range
RVSM	reduced vertical separation minima
RWY	runway
RW	Ramp weight
RPL	Repetitive Flight Planning

S

Abbreviation	Term
SAS	stability augmentation system
SBs	Service Bulletins
SCAP	Standard Computerized Airplane Performance
SESAR	Single European Sky ATM Research
SIGMET	Significant meteorological advisory
SMOH	Since major overhaul
SMR	surface movement radar
SOC	start of climb at missed approach
SOP	standard operating procedure
SOW	Statement of Work
SID	standard instrument departure
SR	sunrise
SS	sunset
STAR	standard terminal arrival route
SODPRO	simultaneous opposite direction parallel runway operations

T

Abbreviation	Term
TA	traffic advisory (see TCAS)
TAA	terminal arrival area
TACAN	tactical air navigation
TAF	terminal aerodrome forecast
TAM	Total airport management
TAR	terminal approach radar
TAS	true airspeed
TAT	total air temperature
TAWS	terrain awareness and warning system
TBO	Time Before Overhaul
TCA	terminal control area
TCAS	traffic collision avoidance system
TCH	threshold crossing height
TDZ	touchdown zone
TERPS	terminal procedures
TFC	traffic
TFR	temporary flight restriction
TGL	temporary guidance leaflet
THLD	threshold
THR	runway threshold
THS	trimmable horizontal stabilizer, see tailplane
TLD	time-limited dispatch
TOD	top of descent
TO/GA	take-off/go around
TORA	take-off run available
TOW	take-off weight
TOWS	take-off warning system
TP	turning point at missed approach
TRA	temporary reserved area (airspace)
TRACON	terminal radar approach control
TRP	thrust rating panel
TTAF	total time air frame
TTSN	total time since new
TTSO	total time since overhaul
TWR	tower
TWY	taxiway

U

Abbreviation	Term
UAS	Unmanned Aircraft System^[4]
UAV	unmanned air vehicle
UHF	ultra-high frequency
UIR	upper information region
UTC	Universal Time Coordinated

V

Abbreviation	Term
V&V	Video & Vision
VASI	visual approach slope indicator
VDP	Visual descent point
VFR	visual flight rules
VHF	very high frequency
VLOS	Virtual Line Of Sight
VMC	visual meteorological conditions
VNAV	vertical navigation
VOR	VHF omnidirectional range
VSI	Vertical speed indicator
VVI	Vertical velocity indicator (the same as VSI)

V speeds

Abbreviation	Term
V_a	maneuvering speed
V_fe	maximum flaps extended speed
V_le	maximum landing gear extension sp
V_lo	maximum landing gear operating speed
V_mc	minimum control speed
V_mca	velocity of minimum control in the air
V_mcg	velocity of minimum control on ground
V_mo	maximum operating speed
V_ne	never-exceed speed
V_no	normal operating speed limit
V_s	stall speed
V_so	stall speed in landing configuration
V_x	best angle of climb speed
V_y	best rate of climb speed

W

Abbreviation	Term
WAT	weight, altitude, temperature: variables that affect takeoff performance
W&B	Weight & Balance
WEF	with effect from
WOFW	weight-off-wheels, indicates aircraft is off ground since lift off
WONW	weight-on-wheels, indicates aircraft is on ground since touch down

X

Abbreviation	Term
XMIT	transmit
XPDR	transponder
XPNDR	transponder

Y

Abbreviation	Term
Y	yaw or yaw angle
Y/D	yaw damper

Z

Abbreviation	Term
Z	Zulu Time (UTC)
ZFT	zero-fuel time
ZFW	zero-fuel weight

References

Aerospace acronyms Terms and Glossary

List of Aviation, Aerospace and Aeronautical Abbreviations

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

V speeds

W

X

Y

Z

References