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FlightSim.Com How To: Aviation & Flight Sim Glossary Understand Aviation And Flight Sim Terms by Nels Anderson A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z --- A --- 3DAGS: Amtex's ATP Companion: 3-D Advanced Graphics System A/FD: Airport/Facility Directory, a book updated very 54 days with detailed information about airports within its coverage area AAF: Mallard's Aircraft and Adventure Factory for FS4 ABEAM: An aircraft is abeam a fix, point or object when that point is approximately 90 degrees to the right or left of the aircraft track ADF: Automatic Direction Finder, a radio system which senses and indicates the direction to an NDB ADIZ: Air Defense Identification Zone, an area usually along the coast where identification of aircraft is required in the interest of national security AGL: Altitude Above Ground Level AI: "Artificial Intelligence". In the context of flight simulation this usually refers to vehicles that are controlled by the computer rather than by the player AIM: Aeronautical Information Manual, an FAA publication with information about operating in U.S. airspace AIRMET: A weather advisory concerning hazardous weather conditions such as icing, turbulence, low ceilings, etc. AIRWAY: A corridor between radio navaids APPROACH: An ATC facility that provides control for aircraft arriving and departing an airport ARC: A curved ground track of an aircraft flying at a constant distance from a navaid ARSA: An obsolete airspace definition, now known as Class C Airspace ARTCC: Air Route Traffic Control Center, or just "Center", the enroute air traffic control facility ASD: Microsoft's Aircraft and Scenery Designer for FS4 ATC: Air Traffic Control, any FAA control facility at airports and other controlled airspace ATIS: Automatic Terminal Information Service, a recorded message with information about an airports active runways, weather conditions, etc. ATP: subLOGIC's Flight Assignment: Airline Transport Pilot --- B --- BACKTAXI: To taxi on the active runway in the direction opposite to landing aircraft, usually to position the aircraft for takeoff at an airport with no taxiways BAO: The Bruce Artwick Organization BASE: The part of the landing traffic pattern where the plane flies at a 90 degree angle to that of the landing runway BASE MODEL: An original aircraft model from the original designer, generally including all components necessary to use the plane within the flight simulator; the base file necesssary for use with repaints to have a complete working aircraft BEARING: The horizontal direction to or from any point, usually measured clockwise from north --- C --- CDI: Course Deviation Indicator, the vertical needle on the OBI which indicates deviation from the desired VOR radial CEILING: The height above earth of the lowest cloud layer reported as broken, overcast or obscuration CENTER: Air Route Traffic Control Center, or ARTCC, the enroute air traffic control facility CLASS-A: Controlled airspace, generally any airspace between 18000' MSL up to and including FL600 (roughly 60000') CLASS-B: Controlled airspace around the busiest airports, usually including several rings with different altitude limits and extended 20 miles from the center CLASS-C: Controlled airspace around moderately busy airports, generally in two rings extended out 10 miles and up to 4000 feet CLASS-D: Controlled airspace around any airport with an active tower, generally extended out 5 miles and up to 2500 feet CLASS-E: Any controlled airspace that does not all under Class A through D COURSE: The intended direction of flight along the ground horizontally CROSSWIND: The part of the traffic pattern when the plane flies at right angles to the landing runway at the takeoff end CTAF: Common Traffic Advisory Frequency, a radio frequency used at non-controlled airports for pilots to self-announce their position and intentions --- D --- DH: Decision Height, the altitude on an ILS approach at which the pilot must decide if he can complete the approach or must do a missed approach DME: Distance Measuring Equipment, radio equipment that allows the pilot to determine the distance to a navaid; usually coupled with a VOR DOWNWIND: The part of the landing pattern where the plane flies parallel to the runway (usually to the right of the runway) opposite the direction of landing --- E --- ELT: Emergency Locator Transmitter ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival, the time of day when a flight is expected to be completed ETE: Expected Time Enroute, the amount of time a flight is expected to take from beginning to end --- F --- FAF: Final Approach Fix, a specific position ("fix") from which an instrument approach to landing is begun FAP: Final Approach Point, a specific position on a non-precision instrument approach where the plane is established inbound on the final approach course FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT: On an instrument approach, the segment from the final approach fix to the runway FINAL: The part of the landing pattern just before the plane lands, where the plane is lined up with the runway FIX: A specific geographic position, determined visually or relative to radio navaids FL: Flight Level, an altitude based on standard instead of actual air pressure; used for high altitude flight (above 18,000'); flight levels correspond to 100 foot increments in altitude FMS: Flight Management System, a computer system in large aircraft used to aid in navigation of pre-programmed routes FS2002: Microsoft's Flight Simulator 2002 FS2004: Microsoft's Flight Simulator 2004: A Century Of Flight FS4: Microsoft's Flight Simulator version 4 FS5: Microsoft's Flight Simulator version 5 FS6: Microsoft's Flight Simulator for Windows 95 FS9: Microsoft's Flight Simulator 2004: A Century Of Flight FS98: Microsoft's Flight Simulator 98 FS: Flight Simulator, usually Microsoft's FSFS: BAO's Flight Simulator Flight Shop (distributed by Apollo) FSFW95: Microsoft's Flight Simulator for Windows 95 FSS: Flight Service Station, a facility that provide pilot briefings, enroute communication, NOTAMS, weather and other information FSX: Microsoft's Flight Simulator X --- G --- GLIDE: Slope or Path, a system providing vertical (altitude) guidance to a landing airplane; for example a VASI or ILS GPS: Global Positioning System, a system of navigation using a large group of satellites to determine position --- H --- HAA: Height Above Airport, the height of the MDA (Minimum Descent Altitude) above the published airport altitude HAT: Height Above Touchdown, the height of the DH (Decision Height) or MDA (Minimum Descent Altitude) above the highest runway elevation in the TDZ (Touchdown Zone) HEAVY: An aircraft capable of takeoff weight of 300,000 pounds or more HF: High Frequency, the radio frequency band between 3 and 30 MHz HIWAS: Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service, continuous recorded hazardous weather information broadcast over certain VOR stations Example of a standard holding pattern, with right hand turns using a VOR as a fix HOLD: A procedure in which a plane flies a racetrack shaped pattern relative to a fix while awaiting clearance to procede --- I --- IAF: Initial Approach Fix, the fixes on an instrument approach chart that identify the beginning of the initial approach segment(s) IAP: Instrument Approach Plates, a book of charts defining instrument landing approaches IAP: Instrument Approch Procedure, a series of predefined maneuvers that transfer a plane on an instrument flight to the point where a landing can be made visually IDENT: A request from ATC for a pilot to activate this function on his transponder IF: Intermediate Fix, the fix that starts the intermediate approach segment of an instrument approach procedure IFR: Instrument Flight Rules, the set of rules governing flight solely through the use of instruments; often used to mean weather conditions that require instrument flight ILS: Instrument Landing System, a two part radio navigation system consisting of a localizer for left/right guidance and a glide slope for vertical guidance IM: Inner Marker, a radio beacon used during an ILS landing approach located near the end of the runway IMC: Instrument Meteorological Conditions, weather conditions that are such that instrument (IFR) flight is required INITIAL APPROACH SEGMENT: On an instrument approach, the segment between the IAF (initial approach fix) and the intermediate fix INTERMEDIATE APPROACH SEGMENT: On an instrument approach, the segment between the intermediate fix and the final approach fix INTERSECTION: A defined geographic point (defined via navaids) used as a reference point during instrument flight INTERSECTION: At an airport, the point where two runways, a runway and taxiway or two taxiways cross --- J --- JET ROUTE: Air routes, usually from VOR to VOR, used to serve aircraft operating above 18,000 feet --- L --- LANDING MINIMUMS: The minimum visibility (due to clouds, etc.) under which an instrument approach can be legally completed LDA: Localizer Type Directional Aid, an instrument landing aid similar to a localizer but not aligned with the runway LOCALIZER: An instrument landing aid, used to provide horizontal alignment with the runway; similar to a VOR but with only a single radial and more accurate LORAN: Longe Range Navigation, a system of ground based radio stations that can be used to determine an exact geographic location LOW APPROACH: An approach at a low altitude over a runway, without the airplane actually touching down --- M --- MACH: The ratio of true airspeed to the speed of sound; varies with altitude MAP: Missed Approach Point, a point along an instrument approach at which a missed approach must be started if the required visual reference has not been seen MARKER: A navaid beacon transmitting straight up, allowing a plane with the proper equipment to determine when a specific point on an instrument approach has been passed MCA: Minimum Crossing Altitude, the lowest altitude at which a plane on an instrument flight can cross a specific fix MDA: Minimum Descent Altitude, the lowest altitude (MSL) to which an instrument landing approach may go before visually acquiring the airport or beginning a missed approach MEA: Minimum Enroute Altitude, for instrument flight the lowest altitude between navaids which assures acceptable navaid signals and safe obstacle clearance MESH: Terrain mesh scenery became available starting with FS2000. The "mesh" is the ground altitude coordinates which are derived from real world data allowing for more accurate elevations that previously. MHA: Minimum Holding Altitude, the lowest altitude for a specific holding pattern which assures navaid reception and obstacle clearance MIA: Minimum IFR Altitudes, minimum altitudes for instrument flight as published on IFR charts MINIMUMS: weather condition requirements for a particular type of operation MINIMUMS: Weather conditions that determine whether flight is possible; when below minimums landing and taking off is not allowed MISSED APPROACH: A predefined maneuver used when an instrument approach fails MM: Middle Marker, a radio beacon along an ILS landing approach, normally located at or near the decision height MOA: Military Operations Area, an area identified where non-hazardous military air traffic operates MOCA: Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude, the minimum published altitude with 22 nm of a VOR which meets obstacle clearance requirements MRA: Minimum Reception Altitude, the lowest altitude at which an intersection can be determined using the navaids that define the intersection MSA: Minimum Safe Altitude, the minimum altitude that meets legal requirements, typically 1000 feet above obstacles MSFS: Microsoft Flight Simulator MSL: Altitude above Mean Sea Level MTR: Military Training Routes, predefined airspace where military flights may operate at speeds in excess of 250 knots --- N --- NAVAID: Navigational Aid, a radio transmitter such as a VOR, NDB, beacon, etc. that is used for radio navigation NDB symbol as used on Sectional Charts NDB: Non-Directional Beacon, a radio navaid that simple transmits a signal usually received by a plane's ADF to determine the direction from the plane to the NDB NONPRECISION APPROACH: An instrument approach where no electronic glideslope is provided NOTAM: Notice To Airmen, news of interest to pilots regarding hazards, changes in service, procedures, etc. --- O --- FS5's Cessna OBI dial; note OBS knob at lower left and CDI needle shown about 5 degrees left of center OBI: Omni-Bearing Indicator, the dial that displays information from the VOR receiver radio, indicating radial, TO/FROM and glideslope OBS: Omni-Bearing Selector (course selector knob), the control used to select the radial on the OBI dial OM: Outer Marker, a radio beacon along an ILS landing approach typically near the point where the ILS glide slope is intercepted and about 4 to 7 miles from the runway --- P --- PAPI: Precision Approach Path Indicator, similar to a VASI but using four lights to more accurately indicate the glideslope PIC: Pilot In Command, the person actually responsible for the operation of the aircraft in flight PIREP: Pilot Weather Report, a report of weather conditions encountered during flight POSITION AND HOLD: Taxi onto the runway, into takeoff position, but do not take off until clearance from ATC is received PRECISION APPROACH: An instrument approach where electronic glideslope guidance is provided (e.g., an ILS approach) Example of a standard procedure turn PROCEDURE TURN: A maneuver used on instrument approaches to reverse direction and establish an aircraft on the intermediate approach segment or final course --- R --- RADIAL: A magnetic bearing extending from a VOR station REIL: Runway End Identifier Lights, a pair of white flashing strobe lights located at each corner of the end of a runway REPAINT: A file containing repainted textures of an aircraft for use within a flight simulator; may require a base model in order to have a complete working aircraft RMI: Radio Magnetic Indicator, an aircraft navigation instrument coupled with a gyro compass that indicates the direction to a navaid plus bearing with respect the aircraft heading RUNWAY HEADING: the exact magnetic heading of the runway centerline to the nearest degree RUNWAY NUMBER: determined from the runway magnetic heading rounded to the nearest ten degrees (i.e., a runway with a heading of 274 degrees would be runway 27) RVR: Runway Visual Range, the distance that a pilot can see down the runway from the approach end; needed for instrument landings in reduced visibility --- S --- Index of U.S. Sectional Charts SECTIONAL: A chart using a scale of 1:500,000 used for VFR flight SEE: Mallard's Scenery Enhancement Editor for FS4 with ASD SGA: Mallard's Sound and Graphics Upgrade for FS4 SID: Standard Instrument Departure, a specific airport departure route usually used for instrument flights SIGMET: A weather advisory concerning conditions of significant interest to all aircraft, such as severe turbulence, severe icing, etc. SQUAWK: Set the aircraft's transponder to a specific four digit code What a standard rate turn looks like on the FS5 Cessna turn indicator STANDARD RATE TURN: A turn of three degrees per second; also called a two minute turn because a complete circle takes two minutes to complete STAR: Standard Terminal Arrival, a specific airport arrival route that begins some distance away and puts the plane into a standard instrument landing approach STOP AND GO: A procedure where an aircraft will land, make a complete stop on the runway, and then take off again STRAIGHT IN: An approach and landing where the normal traffic pattern is skipped and the plane intercepts the runways heading and lands straight ahead --- T --- TCA: Terminal Control Area, an obsolete airspace definition now known as Class B Airspace TERRAIN MESH: Terrain mesh scenery became available starting with FS2000. The "mesh" is the ground altitude coordinates which are derived from real world data allowing for more accurate elevations that previously. TCAS: Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System TCH: Threshold Crossing Height, the height above the runway that an aircraft should cross the runway threshold on an ILS approach TDZE: Touchdown Zone Elevation, the highest elevation in the first 3000' of the landing runway TETRAHEDRON: A device normally used at non-tower airports to indicate the active runway; the pointed end indicates the landing direction THRESHOLD: the beginning of the portion of the runway that is usable for landing TOUCH AND GO: A practice landing where the plane touchs downs, continues rolling, and takes off again TOUCHDOWN ZONE: The first 3000' of the runway, beginning at the threshold TRACK: The actual path of the aircraft over the surface of the earth; in flight simulation often used to mean tracks of non-user controlled aircraft as generated by the FSTraffic add-on Components and traffic flow of a standard left hand traffic pattern TRAFFIC PATTERN: The traffic flow of airplanes landing and taking off from an airport, consisting of upwind, crosswind, downwind, base and final legs TRANSPONDER: A device in a plane that responds to ground signals and returns information such as the squawk code, altitude, etc. TRSA: Terminal Radar Service Area, airspace surrounding certain airports where ATC provides radar vectoring, sequencing and separation --- U --- UNICOM: A nongovernment radio facility which may provide airport information at certain airports UPWIND: The part of the traffic pattern where the plane flies parallel to the landing runway in the direction of landing --- V --- V1: Takeoff decision speed, the minimum speed where it will be possible to continue flight after an engine failue. This is also the maximum speed at which it will be possibel to bring the aircraft to a complete stop within the remaining runway length if takeoff is aborted. VR: Rotation speed, where the pilot initiates rotation to liftof aircraft attitude and clibm away with the scheduled takeoff performance. VR is greater than V1 V2: Takeoff safety and initial climb speed, the minimum speed at which climb can be continued safely. VASI: Visual Approach Slope Indicator, a system of lights place adjacent to a runway that allow the pilot to maintain a proper glideslope for landing VFR ON TOP: ATC authorization for an IFR aircraft to operate in VFR conditions at an appropriate VFR altitude above the clouds VFR: Visual Flight Rules, the rules that govern flight under visual conditions; also used to indicate that weather conditions are suitable for visual flight VISUAL APPROACH: An approach conducted on an IFR flight plan which authorizes the pilot to procede visually and clear of clouds to the airport VISUAL DESCENT POINT: A defined point on a non-precision instrument approach from which normal descent from the MDA to the runway can be commenced VMC: Visual Meteorological Conditions, weather conditions where visibility and cloud ceiling allows legal VFR flight VOR symbol as used on Sectional Charts VOR: Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range Station, a ground based navigation aid transmitting VHF navigation signals, 360 degrees in azimuth, oriented from magnetic north VORTAC: VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation, a radio navaid providing VOR azimuth, TACAN azimuth and TACAN distance measuring (DME) at one site --- W --- WAC: World Aeronautical Chart, a chart using a scale of 1:1,000,000 used for VFR flight (similar to a sectional chart) WAYPOINT: A geographical position used for route/instrument approach definition or progress reporting