Aircraft classification number To Alight (Aviation)

Aircraft classification number noun a number expressing the relative effect of an aircraft on a pavement for a specified sub-grade strength.

Abbreviation CAN

aircraft condition monitoring system

noun full form of AC MS

aircraft configuration noun a particular combination of moveable parts such as flaps and landing gear that affects the aerodynamics of the aircraft aircraft proximity hazard

noun same as airprox aircraft stability

noun the tendency of an aircraft to return to its original attitude after being deflected

aircrewnoun the pilot, navigator and other crew members of an aircraft

air cushion vehicle noun same as hovercraft air data computer noun an electronic device which provides information such as air temperature, airspeed and static pressure.

Abbreviation ADC air densitynoun the density of the atmosphere airfieldnoun an area of land given over to runways, taxiways and aprons o When the pressure setting on the altimeter is set to 1013.25 millibars, the pressure altitude of the airfield is known as QNE.

air filternoun a device to filter solid particles out of the air in engine and ventilation systems airflownoun 1. the movement of air over the aircraft as it travels through the atmosphere 2. a current of air flowing through or past an object or body o The compressor must provide an adequate airflow through the engine.

airfoilnoun US same as aerofoil

airframenoun the body of the aircraft without the engines, instruments and internal fittings o The air-frame has to be built to very specific requirements.

airframe icing noun ice that forms on the aircraft structure as opposed to on components such as carburettors

air gapnoun a space between two things □ air gap type spark plug a spark plug with a space between the electrodes, across which the spark jumps

air intake .noun the front part of a jet engine where air enters air lanenoun a regular route that aeroplanes fly along airlinenoun a company which manages air transport services for passengers or goods o Which airline is she working for, Air France or Air Canada? o Most airlines do not allow passengers to smoke during flight. airlinernoun an aeroplane designed to carry large numbers of passengers o Concorde is the world’s fastest airliner.

airline representative

noun a person who acts on behalf of an airline, or a person who works for an airline o Passengers should assemble in the departure lounge where an airline representative will meet them.

airlinesecurity area noun an area in which measures are taken by an airline to ensure the safety of people and property Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence noun the licence that a person must have to be the pilot-in-com-mand or co-pilot of a public transport aircraft.

Abbreviation ATPL

airmannoun a person who is a member of a country’s Air Force airmanshipnoun all- round skill in piloting an aircraft which includes academic knowledge, common sense, quick reactions, awareness, experience, consideration for other people and property o Keeping a careful lookout for other aircraft in the circuit is good airmanship. ‘I was always told by my airmanship instructor, in an emergency, to find the largest piece of asphalt with the biggest fire trucks’ [INTER PILOT]

air massnoun a very large mass of air in the atmosphere in which the temperature is almost constant and which is divided from another mass by a front o ^4ir masses are divided into two types according to source region, and these are known as polar and tropical air masses.

airparknoun a small air port, usually found near a business or industrial centre

airplaneUS same as aero plane

air pocketnoun a small area where the air is less dense or where there is a downward air current, and which makes an aircraft lose height suddenly

air pollutionnoun pollution of the air by gas, smoke, ash, etc. o Solid particles in the air include dust, sand, volcanic ash and atmospheric pollution. Also called atmospheric pollution

airportnoun a civil aerodrome designed for the take-off and landing of passenger-carrying aircraft for the general public and/or cargo aircraft o London Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world. Abbreviation A/P

airport authority noun the organisation responsible for the running of an airport

airport security officer noun a person employed by an airport authority to check passengers and baggage for illegal substances or devices, e.g. drugs, guns

airport surface detection equipment noun short-range radar equipment that scans the surface area of an airport and tracks the movement of aircraft and other vehicles on the ground

airshownoun a public display of aircraft in flight and on the ground, held at an airfield airsidenoun the part of an airport where the aircraft take off and land, load, or unload air socknoun same as wind-sock

airspacenoun the part of the atmosphere that is above a particular geographical area and is subject to the laws of a particular country or controlling authority o The Korean 747 flew into Soviet airspace and was shot down. airspeednoun the speed of the aircraft relative to the air around it o Maintain a constant airspeed on final approach.

airspeed indicator noun a primary cockpit or flight deck instrument which shows the pilot the speed of the aircraft in relation to the air around it o Airspeed is shown in knots on the airspeed indicator. Abbreviation ASI

Comment: The position of the pitot tube and the attitude of an aircraft can affect the accuracy of the airspeed indicator. Aircraft operating handbooks usually have a table to help pilots calculate calibrated airspeed (CAS).

air stationnoun a small airfield with facilities for the maintenance of aircraft airstreamnoun the flow of air caused by the movement of the aircraft through the air o Pressure is built up inside the pitot tube by the air-stream.

Comment: Unlike airflow, airstream does not refer to the movement of air around the airframe and its aerodynamic effect.

airstripnoun a place for air craft to take off and land that has no facilities and is often temporary air taxinoun a small commercial aircraft used for short flights between places not on a regular airline route

airterminalnoun 1. an airport building with a range of facilities where passengers check in before boarding their plane and where they arrive when their plane lands 2. a building in a city for receiving passengers who are being transported to or from an airport by train or bus air terrorism noun violent actions that aim to frighten or kill passengers, disrupt air services, or damage or destroy aircraft in an attempt to achieve a political objective air-tightadjective closed or sealed so that air cannot get in or out air-to-airadjective between one airborne aircraft and another o air-to-air communications □ air-to-air communications communications between one airborne aircraft and another air to air refuelling area

noun an area of airspace in which tanker aircraft are permitted to refuel other aircraft in flight. Abbreviation AARA air-to-ground visibility noun a description of how easily seen an object on the ground is from the air o Glare caused by reflection of sunlight from the top of a layer of fog or haze can seriously reduce the air-to-ground visibility. air-to-surfaceadjective directed from a flying aircraft to a point on the ground

air trafficnoun aircraft operating in the air or on the airport surface o Students practising circuit flying need to keep a very careful lookout especially at times when there is a lot of air traffic.

air traffic control noun a service that oversees and guides the movements of aircraft and provides for the safe and efficient flow of air traffic o Controllers in the tower provide an air traffic control service for aircraft in the air around the airfield.

Abbreviation ATC

Comment: Air Traffic Control’s main function is to maintain separation between aircraft operating within Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), but it also provides a service to aircraft using Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Ground control is for aircraft taxiing to and from runways. The tower controls aircraft around an airport, clearing them for take-off or landing. Departure and approach controls monitor and control aircraft around the airport, and en route centres control traffic between airports.

air traffic controller noun a person who works in air traffic control and whose main task is to ensure correct separation of aircraft in all phases of flight o The air traffic controller approved the emergency landing. Abbreviation ATC. t> controller

air traffic movements plural noun the number of aircraft taking off and landing o an increase in air traffic movements airwaynoun an area of the sky, usually rectangular in cross-section, along which civil aircraft fly from place to place o Airways provide a high degree of safety by ensuring adequate separation between aircraft. o Aircraft inside an airway are controlled by ATC. (note: Airways are usually 10 nm wide with a centreline joining navigational beacons.)

Airwaysnoun a commercial company operating flights (note: Usually used in the names of companies, e.g. British Airways, South African Airways)

airworthinessnoun the state of an aircraft with regard to whether it can fly safely, as determined by a national certifying authority airworthiness directive noun a regulation issued by an aviation authority when a problem has been identified with a particular aircraft part.

Abbreviation AD

airworthyadjective meeting the standards of a national certifying authority o It is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure that the aircraft is airworthy.

AIS abbreviation aeronautical information services

aislenoun a long passageway between the seats in the passenger cabin of an airliner □ aisle seat a seat which is by an aisle, as opposed to a window seat

alarmnoun 1. fear or worry If the ammeter shows a high level of charge after start-up, it is quite normal and no cause for alarm. 2. a warning sound or light o In the event of fire or overheat, the control unit will produce an alarm.verb to frighten or worry o Severe turbulence may alarm passengers.

alertadjective fully awake, watchful and ready to deal with any situation o The crew must be alert at all times to the possibility of hijacking, bombs and stowaways. noun a signal, warning everyone to be alert □ to be on the alert to be watchful and ready for anything that may happen verb to warn o It is the cabin staff’s responsibility to alert the flight crew if they see smoke coming from an engine.

Alightadjective on fire Although the passenger thought he had extinguished his cigarette, it was still alight when he threw it into the waste disposal bin. verb (formal) 1. (of people) to leave or get off an aeroplane o At some airports, passengers alight onto the apron when they leave the aircraft. 2. (of aircraft) to land o An aeroplane may not fly over a city below such a height as would allow it to alight in the event of an engine failure.