Glossary – Miscellaneous Aviation Terms (Part 1 of 2)

Friday again! Time for another installment in our Glossary series. Want to learn more about an aviation term that hasn’t yet appeared in our glossary, just let us know!

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER Ground-based personnel responsible for coordinating, directing, and guiding airplanes through their landing and takeoff procedures. They also monitor weather systems that can affect planes and ensure safe travel once planes are airborne.

APPROACH (DEPARTURE) CONTROL Radar-based air traffic control, associated with the tower at larger airports. Provides traffic separation services from outside the immediate airport area to a distance of about 40 miles.

ASOS (Automated Surface Observation System) The primary surface weather observing system in the U.S., supporting aviation operations and weather forecasting. Automated sensors record wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud ceiling, precipitation, etc. Data is sent automatically to the National Weather Service. At many locations, a computer-generated voice broadcasts the minute-by-minute weather reports to pilots on a discrete radio frequency.

ATIS (Automated Terminal Information System) A continuous broadcast on a separate ATC frequency of an airport’s current weather (updated at least hourly). Eliminates controller requirement to read local weather data to each landing or departing aircraft.

CERTIFICATE FAA-issued license (sometimes referred to as ticket, Part 135 license, etc.) to carry passengers for hire.

Part 91: Non-commercial operations such as corporate flight departments

Part 135: Charter operations

Part 145: Repair Stations certified to perform maintenance and alterations on U.S.-registered aircraft and engines

CLASS I NAVIGATION Operation of aircraft under VFR in visual meteorological conditions primarily based on “see and avoid” procedures for all obstacles along the flight route as well as other aircraft.

CLASS II NAVIGATION Any en route flight operation that is not Class I. Often instrument-based navigation dependent on the use of a Long Range Navigation System.

CONTRAILS Streaks of condensed water vapor created in the air by aircraft flying at high altitudes; aka vapor trails.

CONTROLLED AIRSPACE An airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided to IFR flights and to VFR flights in accordance with the airspace classification. Controlled airspace is a generic term that covers Class A, B, C, D and E airspace.

CRUISE SPEED The normal speed attained at altitude once the aircraft is no longer climbing and is en route.

DEPRECIATION Method to account for assets whose value decrease over time because of factors such as age, wear or market conditions. In practice, depreciation serves as an income tax deduction that allows a taxpayer to recover the cost of assets placed in service.

FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP The purchase of a “share” of an aircraft, typically in increments of 1/16th, each of which represents 50 hours of flight time per year. Fractional owners are guaranteed access to an aircraft but not necessarily the one they own. They also pay a monthly maintenance fee and an hourly fee.

GENERAL AVIATION Portion of civil aviation which encompasses all facets of aviation except air carriers holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Civil Aeronautics Board and large aircraft commercial operators. Includes 92% of U.S. aircraft and more than 65% of U.S. flight hours flown by other than major and regional airlines or the military. Often misunderstood as only small, propeller-driven aircraft. Even a large jet or cargo plane operated under FAR Part 91 can be a general aviation aircraft.