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Aviation Terminology Glossary

Aviation Authorities & Organizations

  • ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organization

  • IATA – International Air Transport Association

  • EASA – European Union Aviation Safety Agency

  • FAA – Federal Aviation Administration

  • DGCA – Directorate General Of Civil Aviation

  • NTSB – National Transportation Safety Board

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Pilot Licenses & Ratings

  • SPL – Sport Pilot License

  • RPL – Recreational Pilot License

  • PPL – Private Pilot License

  • CPL – Commercial Pilot License

  • ATPL – Airline Transport Pilot License

  • R-ATP – Restricted ATP

  • IR – Instrument Rating

  • ME – Multi-Engine Rating

  • ME-IR – Multi-Engine Instrument Rating

  • TR – Type Rating

  • CFI – Certified/Certificated Flight Instructor

 

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Flight Rules & Conditions

  • IFR – Instrument Flight Rules

  • VFR – Visual Flight Rules

  • SVFR – Special Visual Flight Rules

  • VMC – Visual Meteorological Conditions

  • IMC – Instrument Meteorological Conditions

 

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Navigation & Communication

  • ADF – Automatic Direction Finder

  • VOR – VHF Omnidirectional Range

  • DME – Distance Measuring Equipment

  • NDB – Non-Directional Beacon

  • VHF – Very High Frequency

  • ADS-B – Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast

  • ATIS – Automatic Terminal Information Service

  • ACARS – Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System​​​

Landing Systems

  • ILS – Instrument Landing System

  • MLS – Microwave Landing System

 

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Weather & Flight Info

  • NOTAM – Notices to Airmen

  • METAR – Meteorological Aerodrome Report

  • TAF – Terminal Aerodrome Forecast

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Cockpit Displays & Monitoring Systems

  • PFD – Primary Flight Display

  • MFD – Multi-Function Flight Display

  • EICAS – Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System

  • ECAM – Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitoring

 

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Automation Systems

  • FD – Flight Director

  • AP – Autopilot

  • FADEC – Full Authority Digital Engine Control

 

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Power And Safety Systems

  • APU – Auxiliary Power Unit

  • GPU – Ground Power Unit

  • RAT – Ram Air Turbine

  • GPWS – Ground Proximity Warning System

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Manuals & Publications

  • FAR – Federal Aviation Regulations

  • AIM – Aeronautical Information Manual

  • AIP – Aeronautical Information Publication

  • POH – Pilot’s Operating Handbook

  • QRH – Quick Reference Handbook

  • AFM – Aircraft Flight Manual

Note: The acronyms above are key terms you'll run into in ground school, training materials, and conversations. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and is intentionally limited to ensure you're not overwhelmed, and to serve as a starting point.

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