Aviation Glossary

Aircraft Variable Costs
Fixed and variable costs are important to determine when buying or operating an airplane. While fixed costs are relatively obvious, variable costs can be somewhat more complex. Determining both fixed and variable costs ahead of time can offer insight for a potential buyer to determine if he or she can afford aircraft ownership.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is an organization that works under the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) as a governing body to the aviation industry. The FAA creates and enforces regulations in an effort to provide a safe, efficient airspace system.

Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing System
In 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented a program called Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing, or ASIAS. The program is meant to be a central hub for data sharing among industry members, including airlines and other operators, the FAA and NTSB.

Aviation Acronyms
A comprehensive list of aviation acronymsn and the corresponding meaning.

Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) or Maximum Gross Takeoff Weight (MGTOW)
In the FAA's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Max Takeoff Weight is defined as the "maximum allowable weight for takeoff." More specifically, MTOW is a design limitation placed on the aircraft by the aircraft manufacturer during the design and testing process. It's a fixed weight.

Advisory Circular
Advisory Circulars are informational documents produced by the Federal Aviation Administration to inform and guide institutions, operations, and individuals within the aviation industry, as well as the general public.

Technologically Advanced Aicraft
Technologically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) is a modern term used to describe light aircraft with advanced equipment on board

FITS: FAA-Industry Training Standards
FITS stands for FAA-Industry Training Standards, which is a modern training program created by the FAA in order to address the need for change in flight training practices recently.

Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) Approach
LPV approaches and WAAS capabilities in general open up new options for pilots. With properly-equipped aircraft, operators will save time and money by using WAAS as an extremely precise navigational aid.

CRM: Crew Resource Management
Crew resource management is an essential part of any flight department's training and a critical piece of knowledge in a pilot's career. All professional pilots are trained in CRM, and the focus remains on specific concepts such as aeronautical decision-making, risk management, leadership, and error management

Single Pilot Resource Management (SRM)
Through single pilot resource management (SRM), a single pilot is taught to manage workload, mitigate risk, correct errors, and make good decisions -- just the same as a crew would do with CRM concepts.

Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP)
The Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) is a voluntary program in which airlines and other Part 121 operators team up with the FAA to enhance flight safety. The goal of ASAP is to detect problems and negative trends in flight operations before those problems cause an accident.

Air Navigation
Air navigation is accomplished by various methods. The method or system that a pilot uses for air navigation will depend on the type of flight that will occur (VFR or IFR), which navigation systems are installed on the aircraft, and which navigation systems are available in a certain area.

Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)
The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) is perhaps the most valuable tool for pilots today. Currently, it is the most precise location-providing service that is available in North America.

The ADF/NDB Navigation System
The ADF/NDB navigation system is one of the oldest air navigation systems still in use today. It works from the most simple radio navigation concept: a ground-based radio transmitter (the NDB) sends an omnidirectional signal that an aircraft loop antenna receives. The result is a cockpit instrument (the ADF) that displays the direction to an NDB...

VOR Navigation System
The Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) system is a type of air navigation system. Though older than GPS, VORs are very commonly used and have been a very reliable source of navigation information since the 1960s

Aircraft Fixed Costs
Fixed costs, as opposed to variable costs, are defined as costs that remain the same over a period of time. An aircraft’s fixed costs are the same no matter how much the airplane flies.

Aircraft Weight & Balance Terms
Definitions and explanations for popular aircraft weight and balance terms.

Aircraft Navigation Terms and Definitions
Aircraft navigation terms can often be confusing, especially when a pilot doesn't use them every day. Experience with cross-country flights and practical use of navigation techniques makes these terms easier to identify.