You Can Fly - 2024 Edition - 48

AVIATION SPEAK
BY JULIE SUMMERS WALKER | ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOHN HOLM
WHAT DOES
THAT MEAN?
LEARNING THE SPECIAL LANGUAGE OF GENERAL AVIATION
G
eneral aviation is not a commonly used term outside
of the pilot community, yet it encompasses the most
diverse flying activities in the United States-essentially,
everything except commercial airlines and the military.
In fact, more than 90 percent of civil aircraft registered in
the United States are general aviation aircraft, and more
than 80 percent of pilots certificated in the country fly
only general aviation aircraft. General aviation generates
more than $247 billion in economic activity
annually and supports 1.2 million jobs.
Within the industry there
are terms, abbreviations, and
acronyms that could confuse
even the savviest new aviator.
Here are some common
terms and explanations for
the alphabet soup of GA.
100LL One hundred octane low-lead
fuel, which most piston-powered
aircraft use.
A&P Airframe and powerplant
mechanic, the person who repairs your
airplane.
AD Airworthiness directive, this
requires repair or inspection to keep
an aircraft safe.
ADS-B Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast,
a technology for
tracking aircraft and helping to avoid
collisions.
agl Above ground level.
48
FLIGHT TRAINING YOU CAN FLY 2024
Airspace Airspace is divided into
classes, each with its own requirements
for equipment, communications, cloud
clearances, and more.
AOPA Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association. The largest aviation
community in the world.
ATC Air traffic control.
ATIS Automatic Terminal Information
Service, which broadcasts weather and
runway information at larger airports.
AWOS/ASOS Automated Weather
Observing System or Automated Surface
Observing System; these broadcast
weather information at many airports.
BasicMed An alternate medical authorization
for pilots to fly without holding
a current FAA medical certificate. Pilots
must meet certain requirements, and
have passed an FAA medical exam within
a designated time period.
CAP Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary
of the U.S. Air Force.
CFI Certificated flight instructor, this is
the person who will teach you to fly.
CTAF Common traffic advisory frequency,
which you'll use to communicate
with other pilots
at airports without a
control tower.
EAA Experimental Aircraft Association;
the world's largest aviation gathering is
an annual event called EAA AirVenture.
E6B A manual flight computer; today
most are electronic.
EFB Electronic flight bag, for many
pilots this means using an iPad app.
eVTOL Electric vertical takeoff and
landing aircraft.
FAA Federal Aviation Administration,
regulates aviation in the United States.
FAR Federal aviation regulations, a reference
to Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, which govern aviation.
FBO Fixed base operator, an airport
business that services aircraft. Similar to
a gas station and repair shop for your car.
FSS Flight service station, provides
weather and airport information to pilots.
Ground school Where you learn the
theory about how airplanes fly, weather,
and more.
ILS Instrument landing system: helps
qualified pilots land in poor visibility.
You Can Fly - 2024 Edition

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