The language used in the aviation sector varies from passengers and enthusiasts to professionals, such as suppliers, distributors, brokers, pilots, air traffic controllers, airport security, ground crew, and more.

But not all of these terms are intuitive. Some people will use the same words to mean different things. Terms you’ve heard in everyday language or other fields may not have the same definitions or implications as they do in aviation.

The world of aviation can seem daunting when you’re not fluent in the language, but this guide to airplane related terms is here to help you. While the list below is not in any way comprehensive or exhaustive, it’ll give you deeper insight into some of the most important terms in aviation as well as frequently asked questions worth having answers to. Keep reading for some crucial aviation terms’ definitions you can bookmark and return to as often as you need!

Terms for Pilots & Flight Crew When in Flight or During Flight Preparation

1. Absolute altitude: The distance measurement of an airplane above the ground, and is always constantly changing. It’s expressed in “feet AGL” (above ground level).

2. Absolute ceiling: The maximum altitude that an aircraft can attain while flying at a constant speed.

3. Acceleration: The rate of change of velocity for a moving aircraft.

4. Accessories: Units used alongside the engine of an airplane, but are inherently not part of the engine. Components such as generators, carburetors, magnetos, and fuel pumps are commonly installed engine accessories.

5. Additional fuel: The fuel which is used to comply with a specific regulatory or airline requirement.

6. Aerodrome: A location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve cargo, passengers, or neither.

7. Alternative fuel: The amount of fuel required from the missed approach point at the destination aerodrome until landing at the alternate aerodrome.

8. Aerofoil: Also called airfoil, this refers to any part of an aircraft that converts air resistance into lift or drag when moved through air.

9. Afterburner: An additional component present on some jet engines—mostly military supersonic aircraft—whose purpose is to provide an increase in thrust, usually for takeoff, supersonic flights, and for combat situations.

10. Aileron: A section on the back edge of the wing of an aircraft that can be raised or lowered in order to control the aircraft’s movement.

11. Air Ambulance: A private jet flight that’s typically staffed by a medical team to support the patient being transported.

12. Alclad: Trademark name of Alcoa for high-strength sheet aluminum clad with a layer (approximately 5.5% thickness per side) of high-purity aluminum, commonly used in the manufacture of airplanes.

13. A.P.U: An Auxiliary Power Unit or A.P.U. allows an aircraft to operate autonomously without reliance on ground support equipment, such as a high pressure air start cart or an external air-conditioning unit.

14. Aviation: The flying or operating of an aircraft.

15. Avionics: A general term for all electrical equipment used on aircraft, satellites, and spacecraft.

16. Best glide speed: That point where the lift/drag ratio is at its highest and the amount of power needed to maintain level flight the lowest.

17. Bladder: Also called a fuel cell, a bladder’s main function is to hold the aircraft fuel in a collapsible tank in the event of damage to the cavity.

18. Black Box: Technically known as a Flight Data Recorder, the black box’s role is to record all activities of an aircraft/airplane during its flight. An airplane generally houses two black boxes, one at the front and another on the back.

19. Block time: Includes the time to taxi out to the runway, the actual flight duration, and the time to taxi to the arrival gate.

20. Canopy: The transparent enclosure over the cockpit found only in specific types of aircraft.

21. Cockpit: The section where the pilot and the co-pilot manage the aircraft. The two main functions of the cockpit are to make all control mechanisms accessible to the pilot and to provide them with a good angle.

22. Ditching: The controlled emergency landing of an aircraft on water.

23. Dorsal Fin: A triangular flat plate installed at the roof of the vertical stabilizer useful for releasing vortices at high angles of incidence.

24. Elevator: A hinged flap located on the trailing edge of the stabilizer. There are typically two elevators in an airplane, and they work together to either raise or lower the tail of the plane.

25. Empennage: The unit of components on the tail that provides directional and speed stability and control.

26. Empty Leg: Also referred to as repositioning flight, empty leg is when an airplane is sent on a mission without any passengers.

27. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): An operating mode of the U.S. Department of Transportation that’s tasked with issuing and enforcing regulations covering manufacturing, operating, and maintaining aircraft.

28. Flap: A high-lift device used to increase or decrease the chamber, or surface area, of the airplane wing.

29. Fuel cell: See BLADDER

30. Fuselage: The central portion of the body of an airplane, designed to accommodate the passengers, crew, and cargo.

31. Galley: The equivalent of a kitchen in an airliner.

32. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): The local time at the Greenwich Observatory, which lies on the Prime Meridian.

33. Ground level: The literal level above the ground over which an aircraft is flying.

34. Ground loop: Occurs when an aircraft is moving on the ground— either when landing, taxiing, or during takeoff.

35. Ground speed: The speed of an aircraft relative to the surface of the earth.

36. Heading: The direction in which the nose of an aircraft is pointing during flight.

37. High performance airplane: An airplane with an engine of more than 200 horsepower and the addition of a controllable pitch propeller.

38. Impact ice: A type of induction icing formed by the impact of most air temperatures between -10°C and 0°C on air scoops, heat valves, throttle plates, etc.

39. Initial climb: Also known as climb phase or climb-out, initial climb is the period during which the airplane climbs to a predetermined altitude after take-off.

40. Integral fuel tank: A fuel tank formed by sealing off part of the aircraft structure and using it as a fuel tank.

41. Joystick: The principal control device in the cockpit of a military or civilian aircraft, used either as a side-stick or center-stick.

42. Landing gear: The components of an aircraft that support the weight of the craft and its load to give it mobility on ground or water.

43. Leading Edge: The part of the wing that first gets into contact with air—the foremost edge of an aerofoil.

44. Nacelle: The housing that protects an aircraft’s engine from the elements. On multi-edge propeller-driven airplanes, the nacelle is normally mounted on the leading edge of the wing.

45. Propeller: Also called an airscrew, a propeller’s main function is to provide a method of propulsion so the airplane is able to move forward through the air.

46. Pylon: A suspension device externally installed under the wing or fuselage of an aircraft; it provides a means of attaching fuel tanks, machine-gun pods, rocket motors, or torpedoes.

47. Radome: Refers to the official name of an airplane’s nose (radar + dome = radome). It’s essentially a spherical cap that opens up to protect a few vital components—including the radars—from bad weather elements.

48. Rotor: The rotating part of an aircraft which provides thrust and generates lift.

49. Rudder: A mini-wing mounted on the vertical stabilizer of an aircraft that creates a lifting force in a particular direction.

50. Stabilizer: A fixed wing section whose job is to provide stability for the aircraft, ensuring that it flies straight. The horizontal stabilizer prevents an up-and-down movement of the nose, commonly known as pitch. The vertical stabilizer is designed to give pilots maximum control over the aircraft and keep it from swinging sideways.

51. Tail: A structure at the rear of an airplane that provides stability and control for the airplane when in flight.

52. Undercarriage:  See LANDING GEAR

53. Wing: An airfoil that, when moved rapidly through the air, creates lift.

54. Winglet: A vertical extension of a wingtip that improves an aircraft’s cruising range and fuel efficiency.

55. Wiring Harness: An assembly of electrical wires or cables which transmit electrical power or signals throughout an aircraft.

 

 

Terms for Buying & Selling Airplanes

1. Aircraft Bill of Sale (AC Form 8050-2): A legal document that records the private transaction of airplanes between a seller and a buyer. It typically includes information regarding the seller, buyer, and purchase price, as well the aircraft’s make and model.
2. Aircraft Bluebook: A value guide for used aircraft.
3. Aircraft Maintenance: The performance of tasks required to ensure the continuing worthiness of an aircraft or aircraft part, including inspection, overhaul, and defect modification.
4. Aircraft Registration (AC Form 8050-1): An official document highlighting an aircraft’s unique identification code.
5. Base value: The value of an aircraft traded in a balanced demand-supply market at an arm’s length transaction.
6. Distress value: An appraiser’s opinion of the price at which an aircraft could be sold under extraordinary circumstances, such as when the seller is under duress.
7. Executive airliners: These types of private jets can comfortably fly intercontinental routes and typically come equipped with conference centers, fully equipped bedrooms, lounge areas, and stand-up showers.
8. Heavy jets: Private jets in the “kingsize” category that have seating for 12 to 14 passengers, with a range of ten to twelve flight hours.
9. Helicopter: An aircraft that is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors. Generally, helicopters fly around two to five hours before they have to refuel, translating to roughly 250 miles.
10. Letter of Intent (LOI): An official document drawn up between a buyer and a seller that sets out the details of the intended sale of an aircraft.
11. Light jets: A type of jet that has seating for around 9 passengers and a range of up to 3 flight hours.
12. Market value: The value of an aircraft in the current market conditions.
13. Mid-size jets: These jets offer a span of about four to five flight hours with a range of about 2,800 nautical miles.
14. Private charter: Also defined as air charter or private jet charter, it’s when an individual rents an entire aircraft as opposed to booking individual seats on a commercial airline.
15. Sales Agreement: A legal contract between the seller and buyer of an aircraft.
16. Super light jets: These types of jets have more luggage and cabin space compared to light jets; they can fly up to 4 hours without a fuel stop.
17. Super midsize jets: Jets in this category exceed the maximum range of mid-size jets and can travel up to 3510 nautical miles or five to six flight hours based on the number of passengers on board.
18. Supplementary Type Certificate (STC): A civil aviation authority-approved major modification or repair to an existing type certified engine or aircraft.
19. Ultra-long range jets: Jets designed for non-stop intercontinental travel that typically seat 14 or more people.

 

Air Traffic Control Terms

1. AC, A/C or ACFT: Aircraft
2. ADZY: Shorthand for “advisory.”
3. Airport Arrival Rate (AAR): The number of arriving airplanes which an airport can accept per hour.
4. Air Route Surveillance Radar (ARSR): Collects not only the aircraft’s position detected by the radio wave, but also the altitude or beacon code by sending and receiving signals.
5. Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC): Also known as centers, these are established primarily to provide air traffic clearances, aircraft instructions, and advice regarding flight conditions during the en route portion of flights.
6. Air Traffic Control (ATC): A service operated by the appropriate authority to promote the safe, orderly, and speedy flow of air traffic.
7. Aircraft Traffic Control Tower (ATCT): A terminal facility that utilizes ground/air communications, visual signaling, and other equipment to provide ATC services to aircraft operating in the movement area or the vicinity of the airport.
8. Coded Departure Routes (CDR): These are the preplanned, alternative routes between a specified city pair that can be quickly activated when traffic constraints exist, such as turbulence and thunderstorms.
9. Ceiling: The highest altitude at which an aircraft may fly due to physical factors, such as low air density.
10. Ground Delay Program (GDP): GDP is usually implemented to control air traffic volume to airports where the projected traffic demand is expected to exceed the airport’s acceptance rate for a lengthy period of time.
11. Ground Stop (GS): An order issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) whenever they need to freeze operations. A GS often requires that flights scheduled to land at the affected airport be held at their departure point.
12. Instrument Flight Rules (IFR): These are rules which allow properly equipped aircraft to be flown under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
13. Instrument Landing System (ILS): A radio navigation system that provides short-range guidance to aircraft to allow them to approach the runway in bad weather or at night.
14. Localizer (LOC): A critical component of the ILS whose function is to provide course guidance in the runway.
15. Navigation Aid (NAVAID): Any visual or electronic device, airborne or on the surface, that allows the pilot to navigate the aircraft on a designated path.
16. Notice to Airmen (NOTAM): Also known as Notice to Air Missions (FAA definition), a NOTAM is a notice containing information regarding the establishment, condition, or change in any aeronautical facility, procedure, service, or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to people handling flight operations.
17. Severe Weather Avoidance Plan (SWAP): A formalized program that is developed for areas susceptible to disruption in air traffic flows caused by severe weather, such as thunderstorms. Each air facility may develop its own strategy for managing the severe weather occurrence.
18. Visual Approaches (VAPS): An ATC authorization for an aircraft or an IFR flight plan to proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport of intended landing.
19. Zulu Time (Z): A 24-hour timekeeping system that is the same worldwide at all times, and is used to coordinate scheduling, weather forecasts, and trip planning across the aviation industry.

 

Airplane Terms for Passengers

1. Air crew: These are personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. The composition of this team typically depends on the type of aircraft, plus the flight’s purpose and duration.
2. Airport: A facility where aircraft, such as helicopters or airplanes, can take off or land.
3. Air taxi: A small plane that can take passengers between local airports upon request, bypassing traffic and delays often associated with major airports.
4. Baggage claim: An area where arriving passengers claim checked-in baggage after disembarking from an airline flight.
5. Cabin: The section of an aircraft in which passengers travel.
6. Cabin crew: This crew typically consists of flight attendants, and is responsible for the comfort, safety, and welfare of the passengers on board.
7. Captain: Also called an aviator or pilot, this is the person aboard an aircraft who is ultimately responsible for its operation, navigation, and safety during flight.
8. Concierge service: A service meant to help VIP and high-loyalty travelers with ticketing, connections, baggage handling, upgrades, and special in-flight meal  requirements, as well as last-minute arrangements, including hotel bookings and limousine service.
9. Co-pilot: This is a first officer in a flight crew that works to assist the captain in safely navigating the plane.
10. First Officer (FO): This is the second pilot of an aircraft, also called a co-pilot, and is typically second in command to the captain.
11. Flight Attendant: Also known as an air host or flight steward, a flight attendant is a member of the aircrew aboard a private or commercial jet.
12. Fleet: A group or assemblage of airplanes operated/owned by the same airline.
13. Flight delay: It happens when an airline takes off and/or lands later than its scheduled time.
14. Gate: This is the area where passengers board the aircraft. Gates generally have seats, a gate to enter the runway, jet bridge (for passengers to access the aircraft), and the boarding desk.
15. Jet card: A debit card-style private jet program that allows travelers to prepay for flights.
16. Regional airline: An airline that provides passenger air service to communities that lack sufficient demand for major airline service.
17. Pilot: See CAPTAIN
18. PreCheck: A trusted traveler program that allows travelers to participate in an expedited security screening for domestic and some international flights.

 

Terms for Regulations

1. FAA Part 121: This certification allows a company to act as a scheduled airline. As a result, the air carrier may publish a schedule and is able to collect compensation for providing group jet charter flights.
2. Part 91: This regulation governs situations where the pilot is directly responsible for the entire private aircraft.
3. Part 135: This regulation’s goal is to hold commercial pilots, operators, and even passengers to a higher standard than would pertain to someone providing their own transportation.
4. Part 145: Also known as Repair Service Operator, Part 145 refers to a maintenance facility that has a certificate issued by the FAA under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) and is engaged in the maintenance, inspection, and alteration of aircraft and aircraft products.

 

 

16 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Airplanes & Related Terms

1. What are the 7 phases of flight?

The general flight phases are divided into: planning phase, takeoff phase, climb phase, cruise phase, descent phase, approach phase, and taxi phase.

2. What do pilots say before takeoff?

There is often an announcement like, “Flight attendants, please prepare for takeoff.” or “Cabin crew, please take your seats for takeoff.” Within a minute after takeoff, an announcement might be made to remind passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened.

3. What is a quick flight called?

Short-haul, and it typically lasts between 30 minutes and 3 hours.

4. What are the critical phases of flight?

The four critical phases of flight are the take-off run, the take-off flight path, the final approach, and the landing, including the landing roll.

5. What is it called when an airplane lands and takes off again?

Missed approach or take-and-go landing.

6. What are the three basic movements of an airplane?

These are three types of movement of an aircraft: pitch, yaw, and roll. Pitch is controlled by the elevator and changes the altitude of the airplane. Yaw turns the airplane and is controlled by the rudder. Finally, roll is controlled by the ailerons and rotates the airplane.

7. Why do planes turn after takeoff?

Airplanes typically turn after takeoff to reduce noise over urban areas, to avoid storm cells or high terrain, at the request of air traffic control, or to turn and get established on course as soon as possible.

8. What is a Skyhawk?

A relatively light aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds and a top speed of 670 miles per hour.

9. What do terms ‘narrow-body’ and ‘wide-body’ refer to when speaking of commercial jets?

Narrow-body commercial jets only have a single aisle of seats, while wide-body jets have two or more aisles of seats.

10. What is a ‘taildragger’ aircraft?

A type of aircraft where the main landing gear sits much farther forward, making the airplane far less forgiving to fly. Contrary to popular belief, taildraggers are inherently not difficult to fly and can actually improve one’s flying skills.

11. What is aviation fuel made of?

Aviation fuel is typically made of kerosene, a product of extremely refined oil.

12. What are the main types of aviation fuel?

There are two main types of jet fuel—Jet A and Jet A1. While the former is used almost exclusively in the U.S., the latter is used globally.

13. What does grounded mean in aviation?

Grounded, or Aircraft on Ground (AOG) is a term in aviation maintenance indicating that a problem is serious enough to prevent an aircraft from flying.

14. What is the bottom of a plane called?

The bottom of a plane is called the underbelly.

15. What is the ground at the airport called?

The airport runway, apron, ramp, tarmac, or flight line is the area of an airport where planes are parked, loaded, unloaded, refueled, or maintained.

16. What do you call the place where planes park?

Planes will park on the airport runway, apron, ramp, tarmac, or flight line, and the large buildings where they are stored are called hangars. To hangar an aircraft means to house the aircraft in a hangar.

17. What are the terms used for planes moving on the ground?

Taxiing. When taxiing, aircraft travel slowly to ensure they can be stopped quickly and do not risk wheel damage. Taxi speeds are typically 18 to 22 mph.

18. What is it called when planes land?

Landing, and it’s the last phase of a flight.

 

 

Mastering the Modern Aviation Language

To be taken seriously as a broker, pilot, air traffic controller, flight attendant, or aircraft enthusiast in today’s highly diverse, ever-growing aviation industry, it’s critical to be able to talk the talk. Understanding and adopting the vocabulary used across aviation, defense, and aerospace industries can be a bit overwhelming at first, but with the help of this ultimate airplane terms glossary, you’ll be up to speed in no time.

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