What does it all mean?
Long before "LOL" and "OMG" became everyday conversation for some, we in the aviation community adopted our own abbreviated lingo. As a new aircraft owner, learning a few key terms will get you started talking like a pro in the cockpit or the cabin. Here are some of the most common terms.
Who's Who
- ATC | Air Traffic Control
A service provided by the FAA to promote the safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic
- AO | Aircraft Operator
Organizations and people who own or operate the equipment, procedures and information used to support the aircraft’s overall missions
- CFI | Certified Flight Instructor
A pilot who's certified by the FAA to offer aircraft instruction
- PIC | Pilot in Command
The pilot responsible for the control and operation of the aircraft during flight
- SIC | Second in Command
The pilot who is designated to take over control of an aircraft under direction of the pilot in command
- FBO | Fixed-Base Operator
Supplier of fuel, maintenance, flight training and other services at an airport
- FAA | Federal Aviation Administration
An agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for ensuring the safety of civil aviation
- FSS | Flight Service Station
Facilities that provide pilot briefings and routine en-route communications
- EFAS | En Route Flight Advisory Service
Technology that provides en route aircraft with flight updates and important weather alerts
- GA | General Aviation
The portion of civil aviation that refers to flights other than military, scheduled airline and cargo flights
Operational Abbreviations
- VFR | Visual Flight Rules
Guidelines governing flights flown solely by reference to visual cues
- IFR | Instrument Flight Rules
Guidelines governing flights under conditions in which it’s not safe to fly using only visual references
- VMC | Visual Meteorological Conditions
Weather conditions that allow for VFR
- IMC | Instrument Meteorological Conditions
Weather conditions that require IFR
- AVGAS | Aviation Gasoline
Piston aircraft fuel
- MEL | Minimum Equipment List
A list of instruments, equipment and procedures necessary to pilot a specific aircraft
- AIM | Aeronautical Information Manual
Official FAA guide to basic flight information and ATC procedures
- UNICOM | Universal Communication
A common radio frequency used at uncontrolled (non-tower) airports for local pilot communication
- METAR | Meteorological Aerodome Report
Weather conditions observed at an airport
- ATD | Actual Time of Departure
The time a pilot takes off from an airstrip or airport
- ETD | Estimated Time of Departure
The time a pilot plans to take off from an airstrip or airport
- ATA | Actual Time of Arrival
The time a pilot lands at a destination
- ETA | Estimated Time of Arrival
The time a pilot plans to land at a destination
- ATIS | Automated Terminal Information Service
Continuous broadcast of vital information including wind direction, velocity, pressure readings and active runway assignments
- AFM | Airplane Flight Manuals
Documents developed by the aircraft manufacturer and approved by the FAA, containing information and instructions required to operate the aircraft
- POH | Pilot's Operating Handbook
Document developed by the aircraft manufacturer containing the FAA-approved AFM
Instrumentation
- A/C | Aircraft
Refers to an aircraft, not air-conditioning
- ADI | Attitude Direction Indicator
An instrument that shows the aircraft's orientation relative to the horizon, shows the roll and pitch of the aircraft
- DME | Distance Measuring Equipment
An instrument that measures slant range distance from a nav aid
- ALT | Altimeter
An instrument that measures an aircraft's altitude
- HDG | Heading
The direction the aircraft's nose is pointing
- NAV | Navigation System
The aircraft's directional system
- GPS | Global Positioning System
Satellite-based navigation information
- VSI | Vertical Speed Indicator
An instrument that displays an aircraft's rate of climb or descent
- OAT | Outside Air Temperature Gauge
An instrument that displays the temperature of the air immediately outside the aircraft
- EHSI (or HSI) | Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator
Combines a heading indicator instrument with course deviation indicator
- VOR | VHF Omnidirectional Range
Short-range, ground-based radio navigation system for aircraft
A Few Common In-Flight Terms
- CAS | Calibrated Airspeed
The indicated airspeed of an aircraft, corrected for position and instrument error
- IAS | Indicated Airspeed
A direct instrument reading not corrected for position and instrument error
- CAT | Clear Air Turbulence
Turbulent conditions absent of visual indicators such as clouds
- CAVU | Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited
Ideal flying weather
- AGL | Above Ground Level
Measurement of altitude above a specific land mass
- MSL | Mean Sea Level
The average height off the surface of the sea for all stages of tide
- ALS | Approach Light System
Lighting system on the approach end of the airport runway
- AGR | Air-Ground Ranging
Straight-line distance from the aircraft to a point on the ground