Module 11 Airline Terminology

Working as cabin crew you will notice that there is a common aviation language used within the airline
industry. In this module you will learn new phrases, abbreviations and terms used.
Time
The airline industry use the 24 hour clock in all timetables, rosters, departure times etc. The 24 hour
clock is used so people don't mix up A.M. and P.M. times. A.M. is everything between midnight and
noon; P.M. is everything between noon and midnight. Whilst working as a cabin crew member you need
to be confident and fully conversant using this time method. Here is how the 24 hour clock works:

All the P.M. times are the larger numbers on the top in red and all the A.M. times are the smaller
numbers on the bottom in blue. Another easy way to remember the time in a 24 hour clock is to add the
P.M. time to 12. For example it is 2 P.M. so by adding 2 to 12 = 14. The time in a 24 hour clock at 2
P.M. is 1400.
Phonetic Alphabet
English is used as an international flying language. Because some of the letters in the English language
sound familiar to each other, it was recognised that an alphabet of words rather then sounds was
needed.

Cabin Crew Ticket Diploma Module 11

Alpha

Bravo

Charlie

Delta

Echo

Foxtrot

Golf

Hotel

India

Juliette

Kilo

Lima

Mike

November

Oscar

Papa

Quebec

Romeo

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Sierra

Tango

Uniform

Victor

Whiskey

X-Ray

Yankee

Zulu

Definition of aviation terms and words

Aeroplane means an engine-driven fixed wing aircraft heavier than air that is supported in flight by
the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings.
Aft - The rear of an aircraft
Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) - A JAA approved document that contains information required to
operate the aircraft at the level of safety established by the aircrafts certification basis.
Aircraft Operating Manual (AOM) - The part of the operations manual describing in detail the
characteristics and operation of the aircraft and its systems.
Aircraft Means a machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air
other than the reactions of the air against the earths surface.
Air Operator Certificate (AOC) A certificate authorising an operator to carry out specified
commercial air transport operations.
Alternate Airport Means an airport at which an aircraft may land if a landing at the intended airport
becomes inadvisable.
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) - means any gas turbine-powered unit delivering rotating shaft power,
compressor air, or both which is not intended for direct propulsion of an aircraft.
Base - The airport at which you are based
Belly Landing Is a landing without the main landing-gear extended.
Block Is a series of flights away from base
Briefing Is an information-meeting, e.g. prior to flight.
Bulkhead Is a partition or wall divider.
Cabin Crew Member A crew member required by JAR-OPS to be carried on a flight for the purpose
of performing duties assigned by the operator or the commander, in the interest of the safety of
passengers, but who is not a flight crew member.
Captain Old terminology for Commander
Commander The pilot designated by the operator to be in command of the aircraft.
Co-pilot A member of the flight crew acting in any piloting capacity, other than as pilot-in-command
or commander.
Commercial Air Transportation Means the transportation by air of passengers, cargo or mail for
remuneration or hire.
Crew Member Means a person assigned to perform duty in an aircraft during flight time.
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Debriefing Is a meeting e.g. after flight, to summarise what has happened.

De-fuel - Taking fuel off the aircraft.
De-icing Is a process of snow and ice removal from aircraft.
Demo Is a safety demonstration on board aircraft.
Ditching Is landing on water.
Doghouse Is a compartment located under/behind certain cabin crew seat areas.
Emergency Position is the same as assigned duty station.
Exit Row Is seating adjacent to emergency exits.
Ferry Is a position flight, a flight without passengers. Ferry flights may be conducted with the
minimum crew and reduced airworthiness as permitted by the ICAA (Ferry Permit).
Fuel Jettison Same as fuel dumping, process of removal of excess fuel from aircraft.
First Aid Oxygen Means the additional oxygen provided for the use of passengers, who do not
satisfactorily recover following subjection to excessive cabin altitudes, during which they had been
provided with supplemental oxygen.
Flight Crew Member Means a pilot, system panel operator (flight engineer), or flight navigator
assigned to duty in an aircraft during flight time.
Galley Is an area where food or beverage is prepared on board aircraft.
Gashbag - Rubbish bag
Impact Is a collision, force exerted by one object when striking against another.
Infant Is a child under 2 years of age.
Jet-way/Air-bridge Is a retractable boarding system.
Lay-over/Stop-over Is a period when crew rests at destination.
Overhead Bin/Locker Is a stowage compartment for passengers hand-luggage over passengers
seats.
Passenger Manifest Is a list of all passengers on board aircraft.
Pilot in Command Means the pilot responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft during flight
time.
Protective Breathing Equipment Means breathing equipment for protection against smoke, fumes
and other harmful gases.
Push-Back Is when aircraft is moved back from gate by a truck.
Runway Is where the aircraft takes off and lands.
Sector Is one part segment of the flight, also called leg
Self-help Exits Exits that passengers might have to open unassisted, such as over-wing exits.
Senior Cabin Crew Member is nominated whenever more than one cabin crew member is assigned.
The Senior Cabin Crew Member shall have responsibility to the commander for the conduct and coordination of cabin safety and emergency procedure(s) specified in the FOM.
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Silent Review Is a personal review of evacuation duties prior to take-off and landing.
Slot Time Is official departure time allocated.
Supplemental Oxygen Means the additional oxygen required to protect each occupant against the
adverse effects of excessive cabin altitude and to maintain acceptable physiological conditions.
Tarmac Is the area where the aircrafts are parked.
Taxi Is when the aircraft moves on ground.
Torching Is when an engine or APU is exhausting fire or smoke upon starting of engines.

Abbreviations
ABP
AC

Able Bodied Persons

Alternate Current

JAR
P/A

Joint Aviation Requirements

Public Announcement System

ADHOC

Flights Not Rostered, Last

Minute, Standby

PAX

Passengers

AFM

Aircraft Flight Manual

PBE

Protective Breathing Equipment

AOG

Aircraft On Ground

PRM

Persons With Reduced Mobility

AOM

Aircraft Operating Manual

PTA

Prepaid Ticket Advice

APU

Auxiliary Power Unit

SCCM

Senior Cabin Crew Member

ATA

Actual Time Of Arrival

SOP

Standard Operating Procedure

ATC

Air Traffic Control

SPML

Special Meal

ATD

Actual Time of Departure

TBA

To Be Advised

ATS

Air Traffic Services

TM

Training Manual

CCM

Cabin Crew Member

UNMIN Unaccompanied Minor

CAM

Cabin Manual

VIP

Unaccompanied Minor

CAO

Cargo Aircraft Only

Wheelchair

CRM

Emergency Locator Transmitter

WCHR
XBAG

CGO

Cargo

ELT

Emergency Locator Transmitter

ETA

Estimated Time Of Arrival

ETD

Estimated Time Of Departure

FAK

First Aid Kit

FOM

Flights Operation Manual

FWD

Forward

ID

Identification Card, Issued by

Company/Airport Authorities

IATA

International Air Transport

Association

ICAO

International Civil Aviation

Organisation

JAA

Joint Aviation Authorities

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Excess Baggage

Airport Codes
Airport codes are very important to understand whilst working as cabin crew, you will however learn
these as you go along. To help you on your way in remembering some of the airport codes you may
come across here is a list from popular airports both in the UK and overseas.
United Kingdom

Greece & Greek Islands

BHX

Birmingham

ATH

Athens

BRS

Bristol

CFU

Corfu

EMA

East Midlands

HER

Heraklion (Crete)

EDI

Edinburgh

JSI

Skiathos

GLA

Glasgow

SKG

Thessoloniki

LBA

Leeds/Bradford

ZTH

Zante

LPL

Liverpool

RHO

Rhodes

LCY

London City

LGW

London Gatwick

Africa

LHR

London Heathrow

CAI

Cairo (Eygpt)

STN

Stanstead

CPT

Cape Town (South Africa)

MAN

Manchester

DUR

Durban International (South Africa)

NCL

Newcastle

JNB

Johannesburg (South Africa)

BFS

Belfast International

PLZ

Port Elizabeth (South Africa)

DES

Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)

Spain, Balearics and Canaries

AGP

Malaga

ALC

Alicante

India

LEI

Almeria

BOM

Chhatrapati Shivaji (Mumbai)

REU

Reus

DEL

Indira Gandhi (New Delhi)

IBZ

Ibiza

MAH

Mahon

PMI

Palma (Majorca)

European Countries

ACE

Arrecife (Lanzarote)

CDG

Paris Roissy Charles De Gaulle (France)

FUE

Fuertaventura

CPH

Copenhagen Airport (Denmark)

LPA

Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)

FRA

Frankfurt (Germany)

TFN

Tenerife North

LIN

Milan Linate International (Italy)

TFS

Tenerife South

AMS

Schiphol (Holland)

BCN

Barcelona (Spain)

DUB

Dublin (Ireland)

MAD

Madrid Barajas (Spain)

Other popular destinations

MCO

Orlando (USA)

SFB

Sanford (USA)

PEK

Beijing International (China)

HKG

Hong Kong International

DXB

Dubai International

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