Aviation Acronym Extravaganza Part 1!
Aviation Acronym Extravaganza Part 1!
Ladies and gents, from the Flight Blog, this is Cap’n Aux speaking.
By mucho popular demand, today we’ll explore even more EAA—No, not the “Experimental Aircraft Association,” but “Esoteric Aviation Acronyms!”
This post expanded so much that I had to break it down into two parts!
Aviation Acronym Extravaganza Part 1!
Aim Far with the FAR/AIM!
We begin our exploration with the granddaddy of all aviation acronyms: the “FAR/AIM.”
Often called the “Pilot and Controller’s Bible,” the FAR/AIM stands for “Federal Aviation Regulations/Airman’s Information Manual.”
This voluminous book lists all standard phraseology for pilots and controllers, aviation regulations, and, Yes, acronyms!
From VORs (Very High Frequency Omni Range) NAVAIDs (Navigation Aids) to ADFs (Automatic Direction Finders), if there’s an unknown aviation acronym lurking out there, chances are the FAR/AIM’s got it.
Every aviation enthusiast, from the “chairborne pilot” to the soon-to-solo flight student, would do well to grab a copy of this puppy.
Heck, “There’s even an app for that!”
Apple app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/far-aim/id361784690
FAR/AIM 101: VFR vs. IFR
Before we take off, there’s two more acronyms you need to to know to get anywhere in the skies:
VFR and IFR
VFR stands for “Visual Flight Rules,” and IFR for “Instrument Flight Rules.”
Basically, if you’re putzing around in your Cessna, heading up to Sedona for a $100 hamburger, or maybe teaching your daughter spins, then you’re probably free-wheelin’ it as a VFR pilot.
But, if you’re punching through clouds on a scheduled commercial airline flight, chauffeuring your CEO up to Aspen in a Learjet, or flying anywhere above 18,000 feet MSL in the US, you’re on an IFR flight plan.
Basically, VFR flights fly in VMC—visual meteorological conditions, and IFR flights fly in IMC—Instrument Meteorological Conditions (i.e., punching through clouds!)
Aviation Acronym Extravaganza Part 1!
Standard Aviation Acronyms
The FAR/AIM is massive—about the size of a Bible! And, as I said, chock full of aviation acronyms.
To wit, here’s just a (very tiny) smidgen of samplers for you:
ACARS—Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System. “Text messaging” for airplanes, to/from the Company, and ATC.
ACM – Air Cycle Machine. The air conditioner/pressurization.
ADIRU – Air Data Inertial Reference Unit. Boeing has one, with several separate channels; Airbus has 3 separate units.
AOM—Airplane Operating Manual
APU—Auxiliary Power Unit. Smaller jet engine that powers the plane and can supply airflow while on the ground with engines off, and also used inflight as an electrical backup source.
ARFF—Airplane Rescue and Fire Fighting
ATSU – Air Traffic Service Unit. Similar system to ACARS, above.
CI—Cost Index. Number calculated based on flight data and the cost of fuel, to maximize any given flight’s best performance. The higher the fuel cost, the lower the number (usually between 1-99) that is plugged into the flight computer, and the slower the plane will fly.
CVR—Cockpit Voice Recorder
DME—Distance Measuring Equipment. Measures distance in conjunction with VORs.
DFDR—Digital Flight Data Recorder
DH—Decision Height. Minimum altitude to descend on a precision (vertically-guided) instrument approach. Below this, the runway must be in sight.
EFIS – Electronic Flight Instrument System. Modern flight instruments displayed on screens, as opposed to the old “steam gauge” dials. Most new planes have these.
EGPWS – Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System. World database of terrain (and some man-made) elevations. Gives pilots advanced warning if projected flight path comes close to terrain.
ETOPS—Extended Twin Engine Operations
F/D—Flight Director
FADEC – Full Authority Digital Engine Control. Computer that runs the engine based on inputs. Most modern aircraft have some type of FADEC.
GS—Glide Slope. Vertical guidance on an ILS.
ILS—Instrument Landing System. A radio navigation system similar to a VOR beam that provides an approach a runway in low weather, typically around 200 feet over the ground, a 1⁄2 mile (CAT I). Lower minimums (CAT 11 & III) can also be attained with special ground and plane equipment, and pilot training.
ABOVE: Breaking out of IMC on the ILS to DCA Runway 01. Thanks to Jumpseater Jeff B. for sending this in!
IRS—Inertial Reference System
LAHSO—Land and Hold Short (of an intersecting runway)
MDA—Minimum Descent Altitude. Lowest altitude one can descend to on a non-precision (no vertical guidance) approach. Below this, the runway must be in sight.
NAVAID – Navigation Aid VOR—VHF Omni Range
Qne—Altimeter (air pressure) setting for local height above sea level. This is standard for aircraft flying below Flight Levels. Qfe is for height above field elevation; rarely used, except in Russia. Qnh is standard altimeter setting (29.92 in Hg; 1013 millibars) for aircraft flying higher up (above 18,000′ in the US), to keep separated from crossing aircraft.
RAT – Ram Air Turbine. Emergency generator that can be used to power electrics and sometimes hydraulics when other sources fail. Used on both the Boeing and Airbus.
TCAS—Traffic Collision Avoidance System
TMC—Thrust Management Computer
TOGW – TakeOff Gross Weight.
VSI—Vertical Speed Indicator
Vspeeds. Speeds used while inflight. Examples: V1-takeoff safety speed. Above this speed, the crew is committed to fly, as opposed to abort the takeoff. Vr—rotation speed. Pull up and fly! Vfe—Max flap speed. Vle—max gear speed. Vmo/Mmo—Max V/Mach speed.
Aviation Acronym Extravaganza Part 1!
Airbus Vs. Boeing
I thought y’all might like a quick primer on acronyms from both the Airbus and Boeing side of things. The Airbus has an entire booklet full (and we were issued that booklet when first introduced to the bird!) But, Boeing has a few up its own winged sleeves as well!
Below are screenshots of Airbus and Boeing acronyms…but just the ones that start with A!
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- Airbus Acronym A’s
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- Boeing Acronym A’s
In this post, we’ll concentrate on the Boeing side of things. Next post, we’ll hit Airbus in detail.
Boeing Acronyms
A (teeny tiny) sampling of Boeing acronyms:
ACARS—Aircraft and Communications Addressing and Reporting System. Inflight “Texting” for pilots, company, and sometimes controllers.
AFDS—Autopilot & Flight Director System.
CACTS—Cabin Air Conditioning & Temperature Control System
CADS—Central Air Data System
CFDS—Centralized Fault Detection System
COM/NAV—Communication/Navigation
DSP—Display Select Panel. Section on glare shield.
EICAS— Engine-Indicating and Crew-Alerting System. Similar to Airbus ECAM system.
ELMS—Electrical Load Management System
HUD—Heads-Up Display. Captain’s see-through viewport for low-vis landings. Some 737s and 787s have it, but we don’t have it on the 777.
MCP—Mode Control Panel. Section on glare shield.
PFC—Primary Flight Computer
PFD—Primary Flight Display
PMG—Permanent Magnet Generator. Backup generator internal to the engine.
RMCP—Radio Management Control Panel
SAARU—Standby Attitude/Air Data Reference Unit
T/R—Thrust Reverser
WAI—Wing Anti-Ice
WXR—Weather Radar
XPNDR—Transponder
ZMU—Zone Management Unit
AAE Aviation Acronym Extravaganza!
LBP and AAE
Can I let you in on a fun little secret?
When I wrote LBP (The Last Bush Pilots), I consciously named many of the characters so that they would spell out common aviation acronyms!
For example, the lead character, Daniel Christopher Alva, is named after two of my nephews, and a skateboard star (Tony Alva) that I idolized in high school.
But, take a look at his initials: DCA, the identifier for Ronald Reagan Airport, Washington, DC!
His best friend, co-lead character Allen David Foley, is named after my brother (Allen), another nephew (David), and his initials make up an acronym I’ve already mentioned, above: ADF!
What other acronyms can you discover in your copy?
AAE Aviation Acronym Extravaganza!
An AAE Contest!
Quick!
Go grab your dogged-eared copy of The Last Bush Pilots off the shelf, dust it off, and look up the character who changed her name mid-story.
Q: What’s her two names, and what are the 2 aviation acronyms that her initials stand for?
The FIRST right answer to email me gets a FREE signed Hardcover copy of The Last Bush Pilots—a collector’s edition!
Email me at:
Hemisphere Dancing Report
Interstellar coolness!
As mentioned last week, my flight to SCL (Santiago, Chile) afforded some spectacular views of the Andes. But, the night flight down was in itself amazing as well. As we closed in on SCL, no fewer than 4 planets And the Moon joined us in the wee hours!
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- Venus (top) & Mars, and Saturn & Mercury (Lowest), along with the moonrise over Chile!
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- Closeup of Saturn & Mercury, dancing with the moon!
Until the next post…
This is C.A...
S.O.!
Cleared to Land
Touching Down Next Week
Aviation Acronym Extravaganza Part 2!
Acronyms from the Airbus Side of Things!
Including my favorite acronym, and a great Airbus acronym Prank to play on your newbie Flight Attendant!
*Note! In preparation for next week’s post, if you don’t know who Marvin the Martian is, above, be sure to check out an old cartoon of his with Bugs Bunny on YT! Take note of how he speaks, hint hint! ;o)
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Related Links
- FAR/AIM on “MyPilotStore.com”: https://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/secp/99?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=4-3&keyword=far%20aim&msclkid=71deced5db651ed5c477acf37a62cb5d
- Exhaustive List of Aviation Acronyms https://www.aviationtoday.com/2021/02/05/aerospace-acronym-abbreviation-guide/
- Comprehensive list of Boeing Acronyms https://www.allacronyms.com/boeing/abbreviations
- List of Airbus Acronyms (at our Go-to Airbus website!) http://www.airbusdriver.net/airbus_acronyms.htm
- Cap’n Aux Books https://www.amazon.com/Eric-Auxier/e/B00971H8VW
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- Maiden Voyage of the Boeing 777 https://capnaux.com/maiden-voyage-of-the-boeing-777/
- Getting Certified on the Boeing 777 https://capnaux.com/whats-it-like-to-get-certified-on-one-of-the-worlds-largest-airliners-the-boeing-777-type-rating/
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- Cap’n Aux Vimeo Page https://vimeo.com/capnaux/
- All Word on the Ramp Videos https://vimeo.com/manage/showcases/3162370/info
- Best of Videos https://vimeo.com/manage/showcases/3162373/info
- Pilots of the Caribbean https://capnaux.com/there-i-wuz-pilot-of-the-caribbean/
- Part 2: Stranded in Paradise https://capnaux.com/pilot-of-the-caribbean-part-2/
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