Fairing To Flight (Aviation)

Fairingnoun a device to improve the flow of air over a surface o There is a dorsal fairing at the base of the fin or vertical stabilizer. Wheel fairings, called spats, are fitted to light aircraft to reduce drag. i> spat, nacelle

fairlyadverb moderately,rather, quite □ fairly high levels moderately high levels □ fairly simple moderately simple

fallnoun 1. a drop or lessening in amount □ fall in pressure a drop in pressure 2. the amount of rain or snow which comes down at any one time o an overnight fall of snow 3. US autumn ■ verb 1. to become less in amount □ atmospheric pressure is falling atmospheric pressure is decreasing 2. to be included within the range of something o Aircraft fall into a number of type categories. o Design methods fall into four groups. o Long-range high-frequency communications fall in the frequency bracket 2-25 MHz. 3. to drop or come down freely because of gravity o Light rain may fall occasionally. 4. to occur at a particular time o New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday this year. (note: falling – fell – fallen)

falseadjective not true, incorrect o Lightning may cause false readings from sensitive instruments. □ false glide path information incorrect glide path information

familiaradjective 1. often seen, common o Clouds are the most familiar visible meteorological feature. 2. known o Symbols and abbreviations which are strange at present become familiar after a time. □ to be familiar with to have some knowledge of something o He is familiar with the procedure.

familiarisefamiliarize verb □ to familiarize yourself with to get to know something well fannoun a circular device with rotating blades, powered by an engine or motor, for moving a gas such as air  The compressor has large rotating fan blades and stator blades.

fanjetnoun US same as turbofan

FANS abbreviation future air navigation systems

FAR abbreviation US Federal Aviation Regulation

faradnoun the SI unit of capacitance.

Symbol F

fastenverb to secure or to close, as by fixing firmly in place □ fasten your seat belt put on and attach your seat belt o If in-flight conditions require the captain to activate the fasten seat belt sign, all cabin service ceases and cabin crew take up their assigned seats and strap in.

fatiguenoun 1. physical or mental tiredness resulting from exertion o Pilotfatigue was a contributing factor in the accident. 2. the weakening or failure of a material such as metal, resulting from stress o Fan blades must be resistant to fatigue and thermal shock. o Titanium has good fatigue resistance. □ fatigue crack crack due to material fatigue

faultnoun a defect in a circuit or wiring caused by bad connections, etc. o A fault in the automatic boost control unit was repaired.

faultyadjective containing a fault or defect, imperfect o The faulty component was replaced.

faxnoun 1. an exact copy of a document, drawing, etc., transmitted and received by a fax machine connected to a telephone link 2. an electronic apparatus linked to a telephone used to send and receive a fax o Charts are transmitted by fax to meteorological offices. » CAMFAX ■ verb to send a fax o Charts are faxed to meteorological offices.

FDPS abbreviation flight data processing system

FDR abbreviation flight data recorder FDS abbreviation flight director system

featherverb □ to feather a propeller to turn the blades of a stopped propeller edge on to the airflow in order to reduce drag or wind resistance o The feathered position not only reduces drag, but also minimises engine rotation, thus preventing any additional damage to the engine.

featheringnoun the act of turning the blades of a stopped propeller edge on to the airflow in order to reduce drag o Feathering is accomplished by moving the pilot’s control lever.

feathering gate noun a device on the propeller pitch control to prevent unwanted selection of the feathering position feathering positionnoun a position of the propeller pitch control in which the blades are feathered

featurenoun 1. an important,noticeable or distinctive aspect, quality, or characteristic o Sea breeze is a regular feature of coastal climates. 2. □ ground features noticeable, important objects in the landscape which are useful aids to navigation, e.g. bridges, rivers, railway lines, etc. ■ verb to have as a particular characteristic o Many Rutan designs feature a canard wing.

Federal Aviation Administrationnoun the body responsible for the regulation of aviation in the United States o The FAA issues licenses. Abbreviation FAA Federal Aviation Regulation noun a regulation governing aviation in the United States.

Abbreviation FAR

feednoun a supply of fuel,energy, etc. provided for use feedbacknoun 1. the return of part of the output of a process or system to the input, especially when used to maintain performance or to control a system o The LC ensures that a feedback signal of the monitored output frequency is sent back to the CSDU. 2. a feedback mechanism ferryverb to make a delivery of an aircraft by flying it to its operator fibrenoun a natural or synthetic filament like cotton or nylon (note: The US English is fiber.) FIC abbreviation flight information centre

fieldnoun 1. an area of grass on farmland, in the countryside o In the event of a power failure, it is important to select the most suitable field for a forced landing. 2. an imaginary area field of vision noun the area in which something can be seen without moving the head or the eyes

fighternoun small, single-seat or two-seat aircraft for use in military conflict o The F16 is an American-built fighter.

figurenoun 1. a diagram or drawing o Figure 1 shows a cross-section of an internal combustion engine. 2. a number, especially in mathematical calculations □ a head for figures good at figures, arithmetic, accounting, etc. □ a two-figure code a code with two numbers between 0 and 9 3. a form consisting of any combination of points or lines, e.g. a triangle

filmnoun 1. a thin skin or layer o An electrical element made of gold film is sandwiched between the layers of glass. 2. a thin covering or coating o There is a film of oil between the piston and cylinder wall.

filternoun 1. a material or device through which a liquid or a gas is passed in order to separate the fluid from solid matter or to remove unwanted substances o fuel filter o oil filter 2. an electric, electronic, acoustic, or optical device used to reject signals, vibrations, or radiations of particular frequencies while passing others o The tuner is a band pass filter which confines the bandwidth passed to the receiver to that required. ■ verb to pass a liquid or gas through a filter in order to remove unwanted substances o Fuel is filtered before entering the carburettor.

filter cartridge noun same as filter element filter elementnoun a removable paper or metal component in a filter housing which must be replaced periodically o From time to time the filter element must be removed and cleaned or replaced. Also called filter cartridge

finnoun a fixed vertical aerofoil at the rear of a plane, the vertical stabiliser o The fin provides directional stability about the vertical axis. Also called vertical stabiliser

finalnoun the end part of a series or process ■ adjective coming at the end □ final assembly the last in a series of stages of construction of an aircraft when all the pre-assembled parts are put together

final approachnoun 1. a flight path in a direction along the extended centre line of the runway on which a plane is about to land o The aspect of the runway on final approach helps the pilot to judge height and progress. 2. the last stage of an aircraft’s descent before landing, from when it turns into line with the runway to the procedures immediately before it lands fineadjective 1. of superior quality, skill, or appearance □ a fine day a day when the weather is good □ fine weather good weather 2. very small in size, thickness or weight o Cirrus cloud has a fine, hair-like appearance. □ fine powder powder consisting of very small particles □ fine spray a spray consisting of very small drops of liquid 3. □ fine wire very thin wire 4. referring to the pitch or blade angle setting of the propeller o Fine pitch enables full engine .speed to be used on take-off and coarse pitch allows an economical engine speed to be used for cruising. FIR abbreviation flight information region

firenoun an area of burning o To guard against the risk of fire, passengers are requested not to smoke in the toilets. □ an engine fire a fire in an engine ■ verb to shoot a gun, or to launch something such as a flare or a rocket

fire deluge systemnoun a system which extinguishes fire by spraying large quantities of water on it o A lever actuates the fire deluge system.

fire detection systemnoun a system to detect the presence of fire in an aircraft fire extinguishernoun a portable device full of foam, water, powder, etc., for putting out fires

fireproofadjective designed to resist the effect of fire o A fireproof bulkhead is provided to separate the cool area of the engine from the hot area.

fire trianglenoun the illustration of the chemistry of fire as the three sides of a triangle representing fuel, oxygen and heat o If fuel, oxygen or heat is removed from the fire triangle, combustion will cease.

first aid kitnoun a small pack containing plasters, bandages, antiseptic cream, etc., to be used in case of an emergency first officernoun the officer who is second-in-command to the captain of an aircraft FIS abbreviation flight information service

fishtailverb to move the tail of an aircraft from side to side as a way of reducing speed

FISO abbreviation flight information service operator

fitadjective in good physical condition, healthy o Keep fit with diet and exercise. ■ noun the exactness with which surfaces are adjusted to each other in a machine o There should be a loose fit between the cylinder and the piston, the difference being taken up by the piston rings. ■ verb 1. to be the correct size and shape for o Oxygen masks should fit the wearer properly. 2. to put on or attach o Wheel fairings, called spats, are fitted to some light aircraft to reduce drag. (note: fitting – fitted)

fitmentnoun an act of attaching or fixing o Attachment points are supplied for the fitment of heavy equipment.

fitnessnoun the state or condition of being physically fit, especially as the result of exercise and proper eating habits o The age and physical fitness of some passengers can be a limiting factor in an evacuation. □ fitness to fly description of the physical or mental capabilities a person needs to fly an aircraft

fixed-wingadjective referring to an aircraft that has wings that do not move, rather than rotor blades

FL abbreviation flight level flagnoun 1. a usually square or rectangular piece of cloth with a symbolic design or colour o Flags are flown from the signal mast. 2. a small visual warning or indicating device on the face of an instrument o There is a warning flag on the instrument if there is a problem.

flamenoun the usually yellow area of burning gases seen when something is burning o Flames were seen coming from number 2 engine.

flame arrester‘ noun a device to prevent flame from an external source from entering a fuel tank

flame outverb to cease from some cause other than the shutting off of fuel o Air in the fuel line can cause an engine to flame out or stop.

flame-outnoun the ceasing of combustion in a gas turbine engine from some cause other than the shutting off of fuel (note: The word is also written flameout.)

flammableadjective easily ignited and capable of burning fiercely and rapidly, and therefore hazardous o Aviation gasoline is a flammable liquid. (note: Flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.)

flange‘ noun the outside edge or rim of a part such as a beam or wheel o The web connects the upper and lower flanges of a beam.

flapnoun a movable control surface on the trailing edge of an aircraft wing, used primarily to increase lift and drag during final approach and landing o Flaps should be retracted immediately after landing to decrease lift and therefore increase brake effectiveness. i> cowl

comment: Flaps are not usually used for take-offs in light aircraft except when a short take-off run is required. Flaps are not primary control surfaces of an aircraft.

flarenoun 1. a stage of the flight immediately before touchdown when the nose of the aircraft is raised into the landing attitude o The approach, flare and landing can be carried out by automatic systems. 2. a small rocket-like device with a bright light, for attracting attention

flashnoun giving off light in sudden or periodic bursts o Lightning is accompanied by a brilliant flash. o Loss of vision may occur due to lightning flashes especially at night. ■ verb 1. to give off light in regular bursts □ warning lights flash warning lights go on and off rapidly 2. to appear or to happen suddenly o The image flashed onto the screen.

flash pointnoun temperature at which fuel vapour or oil vapour will burst into flame

flatadjective 1. having a horizontal surface without a slope, tilt or curvature o It has been shown that the flat chart misrepresents the globe-shaped earth. □ flat country country with no hills or mountains 2. having no air inside o The flat tyre had to be changed because it had a puncture. 3. electrically discharged or with no electrical charge left in it o The engine wouldn’t start because the battery was flat.

flat spinnoun a descent in small circles by an aircraft flying in a nearly horizontal position

flatten, flatten out verb to make flat o As altitude increases, the countryside appears to flatten out. o The Earth is spherical in shape but it is flattened at the poles.

flawnoun an imperfection in a material, often hidden, that may be an indication of future structural failure □ flaw detection a process or system by which small weaknesses in metal structures are found

flewfly

flexibility‘ noun 1. the amount or extent to which something can be bent or flexed o Wing structures must have flexibility in order to absorb sudden changes in loading. 2. the extent to which a system or device can change or respond to a variety of conditions or situations o The more reliable and quick fly-by-wire system allows a much greater degree of flexibility with aircraft stability.

Opposite rigidity flexibleadjective 1. not rigid, not stiff □ flexible pipes pipes made of soft material such as rubber or plastic 2. capable of responding to a variety of conditions or situations; adaptable o AC electrical energy is more flexible and more efficient than DC. Opposite rigid

Flier‘ noun 1. the pilot of an aircraft 2. a passenger on an aircraft

Flightnoun 1. the motion of an object in or through the Earth’s atmosphere or through space 2. the distance covered by a body, e.g. an aircraft, as it flies through the atmosphere o The flight from London to Paris took 55 minutes. 3. a scheduled airline journey o Passengers for flight GF 008 to Amman should proceed to gate number 4.