All terms
539 terms found
Definition
A missile fired from an aircraft to destroy another aircraft.
Usage Example
“Fighter jets carry AAMs for air combat missions.”
Definition
The process of transferring fuel from one aircraft to another during flight.
Usage Example
“Military aircraft use AAR to extend their operational range.”
Definition
Controlled burning away of heat shield material during atmospheric reentry.
Usage Example
“Ablation shields protect spacecraft from extreme heating during Earth reentry.”
Definition
The maximum altitude an aircraft can reach under standard atmospheric conditions.
Usage Example
“At absolute ceiling, the aircraft can no longer climb.”
Definition
Digital datalink system for transmission of short messages between aircraft and ground stations.
Usage Example
“ACARS automatically transmits flight data and maintenance information to airline operations centers.”
Definition
Aircraft system designed to reduce the incidence of mid-air collisions between aircraft.
Usage Example
“ACAS provides traffic advisories and resolution advisories to pilots.”
Definition
Mandatory instructions issued by aviation authorities to address unsafe conditions.
Usage Example
“AD compliance is mandatory to maintain aircraft airworthiness.”
Definition
System that controls the orientation of a spacecraft in space using sensors and actuators.
Usage Example
“The ADCS keeps the spacecraft properly oriented toward Earth for communications.”
Definition
A radio navigation instrument that automatically points to a tuned radio beacon.
Usage Example
“ADF helps pilots navigate toward NDB stations.”
Definition
Surveillance technology where aircraft determine their position and broadcast it periodically.
Usage Example
“ADS-B enables more precise aircraft tracking for air traffic control.”
Definition
Intentional aircraft maneuvers involving unusual attitudes not used in normal flight.
Usage Example
“Aerobatics competitions showcase pilot skill in performing precise aerial maneuvers.”
Definition
A type of phased array radar with active transmit/receive modules.
Usage Example
“Modern fighter aircraft use AESA radars for superior tracking capabilities.”
Definition
An integrated system that automatically controls aircraft flight path, altitude, and attitude.
Usage Example
“The AFCS maintains precise flight parameters during instrument approaches.”
Definition
Additional combustion chamber that injects fuel into jet exhaust for extra thrust.
Usage Example
“Fighter jets use afterburners for rapid acceleration and supersonic flight.”
Definition
A missile designed to be launched from aircraft to attack ground targets.
Usage Example
“AGMs provide precision strike capability against surface targets.”
Definition
System that provides 3D orientation information using gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers.
Usage Example
“AHRS provides reliable attitude information for flight displays.”
Definition
A professional society for the field of aerospace engineering.
Usage Example
“AIAA publishes research papers on aerospace engineering topics.”
Definition
A hinged flight control surface attached to the trailing edge of each wing used to control roll.
Usage Example
“The pilot uses ailerons to bank the aircraft left or right.”
Definition
Weather advisory concerning weather phenomena of lower intensity than SIGMET.
Usage Example
“AIRMET advisories inform pilots of moderate weather hazards.”
Definition
An instrument that measures and indicates altitude based on atmospheric pressure.
Usage Example
“Pilots rely on the altimeter to maintain proper flight altitude.”
Definition
Technical documentation providing maintenance procedures and instructions.
Usage Example
“AMM contains detailed procedures for aircraft maintenance tasks.”
Definition
The downward angle of aircraft wings when viewed from the front or rear.
Usage Example
“Some aircraft use anhedral to reduce excessive lateral stability.”
Definition
The process of preventing ice formation on aircraft surfaces during flight.
Usage Example
“Anti-icing systems protect critical surfaces like wings and engine inlets.”
Definition
The angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the relative wind direction.
Usage Example
“Increasing the AOA can increase lift up to the stall point.”
Definition
An aircraft that cannot be operated due to technical problems or maintenance requirements.
Usage Example
“AOG situations require immediate attention to minimize operational disruption.”
Definition
The moment when a ground station or another spacecraft successfully establishes communication with a space vehicle.
Usage Example
“AOS was confirmed as Starship passed over the tracking station.”
Definition
The point in an elliptical orbit where an object is farthest from the body it is orbiting.
Usage Example
“The satellite reaches its apogee of 35,786 kilometers above Earth in geostationary orbit.”
Definition
Final phase of flight where aircraft descends and aligns for landing at airport.
Usage Example
“Pilots execute precision approaches using electronic guidance for safe runway alignment.”
Definition
A device that provides energy for functions other than propulsion when the main engines are not running.
Usage Example
“The APU provides electrical power and air conditioning when the aircraft is parked.”
Definition
The ratio of the wingspan to the mean chord of a wing, or the ratio of wingspan squared to wing area.
Usage Example
“High AR wings are more efficient but may have structural challenges.”
Definition
An instrument that displays aircraft attitude relative to the horizon.
Usage Example
“The artificial horizon shows whether the aircraft is climbing, descending, or banking.”
Definition
International quality management system standard specifically for the aerospace industry.
Usage Example
“Aerospace suppliers must maintain AS9100 certification.”
Definition
Organization that develops technical standards for materials and testing.
Usage Example
“ASTM standards ensure consistent material properties in aerospace applications.”
Definition
A service provided to direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace.
Usage Example
“ATC coordinates aircraft movements to ensure safe separation.”
Definition
A continuous broadcast of recorded non-control information at busy airports.
Usage Example
“Pilots listen to ATIS before contacting approach control for current airport information.”
Definition
Automated system that applies wheel brakes during aircraft landing roll.
Usage Example
“Autobrake systems provide consistent deceleration rates for precise landing performance.”
Definition
An automated landing system that guides aircraft to touchdown without pilot control.
Usage Example
“Autoland systems are essential for landing in zero visibility conditions.”
Definition
Automated system that controls engine power to maintain selected airspeeds or thrust settings.
Usage Example
“Autothrust reduces pilot workload during critical phases of flight.”
Definition
An airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft, ships, and ground vehicles at long ranges.
Usage Example
“AWACS aircraft provide surveillance and command capabilities for military operations.”
Definition
An industry term for large lift equipment (e.g., scissor lifts, boom lifts) used to access high areas of the rocket or tower.
Usage Example
“AWPs are frequently seen around the Starship and Super Heavy during integration.”
Definition
Weight added to aircraft to achieve proper center of gravity balance.
Usage Example
“Ballast may be required when flying with reduced passenger or cargo loads.”
Definition
Flight path determined solely by initial velocity and gravitational forces.
Usage Example
“Ballistic missiles follow predictable trajectories after engine shutdown.”
Definition
Flight path perpendicular to runway direction in airport traffic pattern.
Usage Example
“Pilots turn from base leg to final approach for runway alignment.”
Definition
Refers to the area in South Texas where SpaceX's Starbase facility is located, originally a small village.
Usage Example
“Many residents of BCV have moved due to Starbase operations.”
Definition
A specific term for the shutdown of the Super Heavy booster's engines during a Starship launch.
Usage Example
“BCO marks the end of the booster's powered flight.”
Definition
Angular direction from one point to another, typically measured from north.
Usage Example
“The pilot flew a bearing of 090 degrees to reach the destination airport.”
Definition
A Chinese satellite navigation system consisting of two separate satellite constellations.
Usage Example
“BeiDou provides navigation services across Asia-Pacific region.”
Definition
Automated self-testing capabilities of aircraft systems and components.
Usage Example
“BIT functions help identify system failures during operation.”
Definition
Automated testing capabilities integrated into aircraft systems.
Usage Example
“BITE systems automatically detect and report system malfunctions.”
Definition
The layer of fluid in the immediate vicinity of a bounding surface where viscous effects are significant.
Usage Example
“Understanding BL behavior is crucial for drag reduction.”
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