A[edit]

AESA: Active electronically scanned array

A/P: Autopilot

AFCS: Automatic flight control system

ABAS: Aircraft-Based Augmentation System

AFD: Autopilot flight director

ACARS: Aircraft Communications Addressing and

AFDC: Autopilot flight director computer

AFDS: Autopilot flight director system

AFDX Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet

Reporting System

ACAS: Airborne collision avoidance system

ACC: Area Control Centre

ACMS: Aircraft Condition Monitoring System

ACP: Audio Control Panel

ACS: Audio Control System

AFIS: Either; Automatic flight information service or

airborne flight information system

AGACS: Automatic groundair communications

system, is also known as ATCSS or data link

AGC: Automatic gain control

AGDL: Air-Ground Data Link

ADAHRS: Air Data And Attitude Heading Reference

System

ADC: Air data computer

AHC: Attitude Heading Control

ADF: Automatic direction finder

AHRS: Attitude and Heading Reference Systems

ADI: Attitude director indicator

AIDS: Aircraft Integrated Data System

ADIRS: Air Data Inertial Reference System

AIXM: Aeronautical Information eXchange Model

ADIRU: Air data inertial reference unit

ALC: Automatic Level Control

ADM: Air data module

ALT: Either; altimeter or altitude

ADS: Either; Automatic Dependent Surveillance or air

ALT Hold: Altitude Hold Mode

ALTS: Altitude Select

AMLCD: Active-matrix liquid crystal display

AMS: Air Management System

ANC: Active Noise Cancellation

data system

ADS-A: Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Address

ADS-B: Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast

ADS-C: Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract

ANN: Annunciator caution warning system normally

ATSAW: Airborne Traffic Situational AWareness

ATSU: Air Traffic Services Unit

Avionics: Aviation electronics

AWOS: Automated Weather Observation System

AWACS: Advanced Warning And Control Systems

containing visual and audio alerts to the pilot

ANR: Active Noise Reduction

ANT: Antenna

AOC: Aeronautical Operational Control

AOP: Airport Operating Plan

B[edit]

APOA: Airport of Arrival

APC: Auto Pilot Computer

APOD: Airport of Departure

APM: Aircraft Personality Module

B RNAV: Basic area navigation

BARO: Barometric indication, setting or pressure

BITE: Built-In Test Equipment

BCRS: Back course

BDI: Bearing distance indicator

BGAN: Broadcast Global Area Network

BER: Beyond Economic Repair

APS: Auto Pilot System

APU: Auxiliary Power Unit

ARINC: Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated

ASD: Aircraft situation display

C[edit]

ASDL: Aeronautical satellite data link

CAI: Caution annunciator indicator

CAS: Calibrated airspeed

CAT I: Operational performance Category 1

ASR: Airport surveillance radar

ASU: Avionics switching unit

AT: Auto Throttle

CAT I Enhanced Allows for lower minimums than CAT

I in some cases to CAT 2 minimums

ATC: Air traffic control

ATCT: Airport Traffic Control Tower

CAT II: Operational performance Category II

ATCRBS: Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System

CAT IIIa: Operational performance Category IIIa

ATCSS: Air traffic control signalling system

CAT IIIb: Operational performance Category IIIb

ATIS: Automated Terminal Information Service

CAT IIIc: Operational performance Category IIIc

CDA: Continuous descent approach

DFMC: Dual Frequency Multiple Constellation

CDI: Course deviation indicator

DG: Directional gyroscope

CDTI: Cockpit display of traffic information

DGPS: Differential global positioning system

CFIT: Controlled flight into terrain

DH: Decision height

CNS: Communication, navigation, surveillance

DLR: Data link recorder

CNS/ATM: Communication, navigation,

DME: Distance measuring equipment

DNC: Direct noise canceling

DP: Departure procedures

DSP: Digital signal processing

DUAT: Direct user access terminal

DVE: Degraded Visual Environment

surveillance/air traffic Management[1]

CODEC: Coder/decoder

COMM or COM: Communications receiver

COTS: Commercial off-the-shelf

CPDLC: Controllerpilot data link communications

CPS: Cycles per second

CRT: Cathode ray tube

E[edit]

CTAF: Common traffic advisory frequency

CV/DFDR: Cockpit voice and digital flight data

recorder

EADI: Electronic attitude director indicator

ECU: Engine Control Unit (=EEC)

EEC: Electronic Engine Control

CVR: Cockpit voice recorder

EFD: Electronic flight display

CWS: Control wheel steering

EFIS: Electronic flight instrument system

EGPWS: Enhanced ground proximity warning system

D[edit]

DA: Decision altitude

EGT: Exhaust gas temperature

DA: Drift angle

EHS: Enhanced surveillance

DAPs: Downlink of aircraft parameters

EHSI: Electronic horizontal situation indicator

DCDU: Data link control and display unit

EICAS: Engine indication crew alerting system

ELT: Emergency locator transmitter

FIS-B: Flight information services broadcast

ENC: Electronic noise canceling

FLIR: Forward-looking infra-red

ENG: Engine

FLTA: Forward-looking terrain avoidance

ENR: Electronic noise reduction

FMA: Flight Mode Annunciator

EPR: Engine pressure ratio

FMGS: Flight Management & Guidance System

ETOP(S): Extended-range twin-engine operation(s)

FMS: Flight management system

FOB: Fuel On-Board

F[edit]

FAA: Federal Aviation Administration

FREQ: Frequency

FADEC: Full authority digital engine control

FSS: Flight service station

FAF: Final approach fix

FWS: Flight warning system

FANS: Future Air Navigation System

FYDS: Flight director/ Yaw damper system

FAT: Free air temperature

G[edit]

FBW: Fly-by-wire

GAST: GBAS Approach Service Type

FCC: Flight Control Computer

GBAS: Ground based augmentation system

FCS: Flight Control System

GCAS: Ground collision avoidance system

FD: Flight Director

GCU: Generator control unit

FDPS: Flight plan Data Processing System

GDOP: Geometric dilution of precision

FDRS: Flight data recorder system

GGS: Global positioning system ground station

FDU: Flux detector unit

GHz: Gigahertz

FF: Fuel flow

GLNS: GPS Landing and Navigation System

FG: Flight Guidance

GLNU: GPS landing and navigation unit

FIC: Flight Information Centre

GLONASS: Global Navigation Satellite System

GLS: GBAS Landing System

HSI: Horizontal situation indicator

GLU: GPS landing unit

HSL: Heading select

GMT: Greenwich Mean Time

HUMS: Health and usage monitoring systems

GND: Ground

HUD: Head-up display

GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System

Hz: Hertz

GO: Go Around

I[edit]

GPS: Global Positioning System

IAS: Indicated airspeed

GPWC: Ground proximity warning computer

ID: Identify/Identification or identifier

GPWS: Ground proximity warning system

IDENT: Identify/identifier

G/S: Glide Slope

IDS: Information display system or integrated display

system

GS: Ground speed

IFE: In-flight entertainment

IFF: Identification Friend or Foe

IFR: Instrument Flight Rules

ILS: Instrument landing system

IMC: Instrument meteorological conditions

IND: Indicator

InHg: Inch of Mercury

INS: Inertial Navigation System

IRS: Inertial Reference System

ISA: International Standard Atmosphere

ISP: Integrated switching panel

ISIS: Integrated standby instrument system

H[edit]

"Hg: Inch of Mercury

HDG: Heading

HDG SEL: Heading select

HDOP: Horizontal dilution of precision

HF: High frequency

HHLD: Heading hold

HIRF: High intensity radiated field

HMD: Helmet-mounted display

HPR: High Pressure Rotor

HSD: High-speed data

ITT: Interstage turbine temperature

MAP: Manifold absolute pressure or missed approach

point

IVSI: Instantaneous vertical speed indicator

MAPS: Minimum Aviation Performance Standards

MB: Marker beacon

MCBF: Mean cycles between failures

MCDU: Multi-purpose/Multi-function Control and

J[edit]

JTIDS: Joint Tactical Information Distribution System

K[edit]

KTAS: Knots true airspeed

L[edit]

Display Unit

MDA: Minimum decent altitude

LAAS: Local Area Augmentation System

MEL: Minimum equipment list

LADGPS: Local Area Differential GPS

MF: Medium frequency

LCD: Liquid crystal display

MFD: Multi-function display

LDGPS: Local area differential global positioning

MFDS: Multi-function display system

MIC: Microphone

MIDS: Multifunctional information distribution system

MILSPEC: Military specification

MKP: Multi-function Keypad

MKR: Marker beacon

MLS: Microwave landing system

MM: Middle marker

MMD: Moving map display

satellite

LED: Light-emitting diode

LMM: Locator middle marker

LOC: Localizer

LOM: Locator outer marker

LORAN: Long-range navigation

LPR: Low Pressure Rotor

LPV: Localizer performance with vertical guidance

LRU: Line-replaceable unit

LTE: Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness Helicopters

LX: Lightning

M[edit]

MNPS: [Minimmum navigation performance

specifications]

MOA: Military operations area

Mode A: Transponder pulse-code reporting

Mode C: Transponder code and altitude reporting

NAVSTAR-GPS: NAVigation Satellite Timing And

Ranging (The formal name for the space-borne or satellite

navigation system)

Mode S: Transponder code, altitude,

and TCAS reporting

NCATT: National Center for Aircraft Technician

Training

MOPS: Minimum Operational Performance Standard

MOSArt: Modular Open System Architecture

ND: Navigation display

MSA: Minimum safe altitude

NDB: Non-directional radio beacon

MSG: Message

NFF: No fault found

MSP: Modes S-Specific Protocol

NM or NMI: Nautical mile

MSSS: Mode S-Specific Services

NORDO: No radio

MTBF: Mean time between failures

NoTAM: Notice to Airmen

MTBUR: Mean time between unscheduled removals

NPA: Non-precision approach

MTTF: Mean time to failure

NVD: Night vision device

MVA: Minimum vectoring altitude

NVG: Night vision goggles

MVFR: Marginal visual flight rules

O[edit]

N[edit]

OAT: Outside air temperature

N1: Low Pressure rotor (spool) speed (see Jet engine)

OBS: Omnibearing selector

N2: High Pressure rotor (spool) speed (see Jet engine)

OCC: Operations control center

NAS: National Airspace System

OM: Outer marker

NAV: Navigation receiver

OWE/OEW: Operating Weight Empty/Operating empty

weight

Navaid: Navigational aid

P[edit]

NAVCOMM: Navigation and communications

equipment or receiver

PA: Public address system

PAL: Pilot Activated Lighting

PAPI: Precision approach path indicator

R[edit]

PAR: Precision approach radar

RA: Resolution advisory (TCAS)

PCL: Pilot Controlled Lighting

RAI: Radio altimeter indicator

P-Code: GPS precision code

RAIM: Receiver-autonomous integrity monitoring,

also remote autonomous integrity monitoring

PD: Profile descent

RALT: Radar or radio altimeter

RAT: Ram air turbine

RCR: Reverse current relay

RCVR: Receiver

RDMI: Radio distance magnetic indicator

RDP: Radar data processing system

RDR: Radar

REF: Reference

REIL: Runway end identifier lights

REL: Relative

RF: Radio frequency

RFI: Radio frequency interference

RHSM: Reduced horizontal separation minimal

RLG: Ring laser gyroscope

RLY: Relay

RMI: Radio magnetic indicator

R-NAV: Area navigation

RNG: Range

PDOP: Position dilution of precision

PESA: Passive electronically scanned array

PFD: Primary flight display or primary flight director

PMG: Permanent magnet generator

PND: Primary navigation display

PNR: Passive noise reduction

POF: Phase of flight

POS: Position

P-RNAV: precision area navigation

PRA: Pre-recorded announcement

PSR: Primary surveillance radar

PSU: Passenger service unit

PTT: Push-to-talk

Q[edit]

QAR: Quick Access Recorder

QNH: Barometric pressure adjusted to sea level

QRH: Quick Reference Handbook

RNP: Required navigation performance

SQ or SQL: Squelch

ROC: Rate of climb

SRS: Speed Reference System

ROD: Rate of descent

SSCV/DR: Solid-state cockpit voice/data recorder

RPA: Remotely piloted aircraft (Unmanned aerial

SSCVR: Solid-state cockpit voice recorder

SSFDR: Solid-state flight data recorder

SSR: Secondary surveillance radar

STAR: Standard terminal arrival route

STARS: Standard Terminal Automation Replacement

vehicle)

RPM: Revolutions per minute

RTE: Route

RVR: Runway visual range

RVSM: Reduced vertical separation minimum

RX: Receiver

S[edit]

System

STC: Supplemental Type Certificate

STCA: Short-Term Conflict Alert

SAR: Search and Rescue, Smart ACMS Recorder

STP: Standard temperature and pressure

SAT: Static air temperature

SUA: Special use airspace

SATCOM: Satellite communication

T[edit]

SATNAV: Satellite navigation

TA: Traffic advisory (see TCAS)

SD: Secure digital

TACAN: Tactical air navigation system

SDF: Simplified directional facility

Tach: Tachometer

SELCAL: Selective calling

TAD: Terrain awareness display

SID: Standard instrument departure

TAF: Terminal area forecast

SIU: Satellite interface unit

TAS: True airspeed

SMS: Short Messaging Service

TAT: True air temperature, or total air temperature

SNR: Signal-to-noise ratio

TAWS: Terrain awareness warning system

SPKR: Speaker

TBO: Time before overhaul, or time between overhaul

TCA: Throttle control assembly, or terminal control

T/R: Thrust Reverser or Tail Rotor

TRACON: Terminal radar approach control

TRANS: Transmit, Transmission, or Transition

TRK: Track

TRP: Mode S transponder

TTR: TCAS II transmitter/receiver

TTS: Time to station

TVE: Total vertical error

area

TCAS: Traffic collision avoidance system

TCF: Terrain clearance floor

TCN: TACAN

TCU: TACAN control unit

TDOP: Time dilution of precision

TDR: Transponder (in some cases)

TERPS: Terminal instrument procedures, or terminal en

route procedures

TWDL: Two-way data link, or terminal weather data

link

TFR: Temporary flight restrictions

TFT: Thin-film transistor

TGT: Turbine gas temperature, or target

THDG: True heading

TIS: Traffic information service

TWDR: Terminal Doppler Weather Radar

TWIP: Terminal weather information for pilots

TWR: Terminal weather radar

TX: Transmit

U[edit]

TK: Track angle

TKE: Track-angle error

TLA: Thrust Lever Angle

TLA: Three-letter acronym

TOD: Top of Descent point

UART: Universal asynchronous receiver transmitter

UAV: Unmanned aerial vehicle

UHF: Ultra-high frequency

ULB: Underwater locator beacon

USB: Universal Serial Bus

UTC: Universal Time Coordinate

TOGA or TO/GA: Takeoff/Go-around switch,

Takeoff/go-around thrust

TOT: Turbine outlet temperature

V[edit]

TR or T/R: Transmitter receiver or transceiver

V: Volts or voltage

V/L: VOR/Localizer

VOR/MB: VOR marker beacon

V/NAV: Vertical navigation

VORTAC: VOR and TACAN combination

V/R: Voltage regulator

VOX: Voice transmission

V/REF: Reference velocity

VPA: Vertical Path Approach

V/S: Vertical speed

VPATH: Vertical path

V/TRK: Vertical track

VRP: Visual Point of Reference

VASI: Visual approach slope indicator

VSI: Vertical speed indicator

VASIS: Visual approach slope indicator (system)

VSM: Vertical separation limit

VDF: VHF Direction Finding

VSO: Stall speed in landing configuration

VDL: VHF Data Link

VSWR: Voltagestanding wave ratio

VDR: VHF digital radio

VX: Speed for best angle of climb

VFO: Variable frequency oscillator

VY: Speed for best rate of climb

VFR: Visual flight rules

W[edit]

VG/DG: Vertical gyroscope/directional gyroscope

WAAS: Wide Area Augmentation System

VGA: Video Graphics Array

WD: Wind direction

VHF: Very high frequency

WINDR: Wind direction

VMC: Visual meteorological conditions or minimum

WMA: WXR waveguide adapter

WMI: WXR indicator mount

WMS: Wide-area master station

WMSC: Weather message switching center

WMSCR: Weather message switching center

control speed with critical engine out

VNE: Never exceed speed

VNO: Maximum structural cruising speed

VNR: VHF navigation receiver

VOR: VHF omnidirectional range and ranging

VOR/DME: VOR with Distance measuring equipment

replacement

WPT: Waypoint

WRT: WXR receiver transmitter

XMSN: Transmission

WX: Weather

XMTR: Transmitter

WXR: Weather radar system

XPDR: Transponder

WYPT: Waypoint

XTK: Crosstrack

X[edit]

Y[edit]

XCVR: Transceiver

XFR: Transfer

XMIT: Transmit

YD: Yaw damper