Helicopter Flight Information

Definitions and Abbreviations

AF/D - Airport Facility Directory

AGL - Above Ground Level

AIM - Aeronautical Information Manual

AOPA - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

ASF - Air Safety Foundation

ATC - Air Traffic Control

DME - Distance measuring equipment - Stated as DME in communications, "what is   your DME from the airport"?

ETL - Effective Translational Lift

FPM - Also fpm, Feet per minute

GPS - Global positioning system

GPU - Ground Power Unit

H/V Curve - Height / Velocity Curve - The area of recommended avoidance during normal operations and ultimately autorotation.

IFR - Instrument flight rules

IGE - in Ground Effect

IIMC - Inadvertent Instrument meteorological conditions

ILS - Instrument landing system

IMC - Instrument meteorological conditions

KIAS - Knots Indicated Airspeed

LTE - Loss of tail rotor effectiveness

Magnetic Deviation - This is the error in a magnetic compass caused by the electrical interference with cockpit radios etc. The error is printed on the deviation card in the aircraft

Magnetic Variation - This is the difference in the compass caused by the isogonic lines. These lines are depicted on VFR sectional charts with their values. East is least -, West is best +.

MCA - Minimum Controllable Airspeed

MCP - Maximum Continuous Power

MLS - Microwave Landing System

MSL - Mean Sea Level

NDB - Non-directional beacon

NOTAM - Notices to Airmen - can be found by calling flight service or through other sources such as duats

OAT - Outside Air Temperature

OGE - Out of Ground Effect

PAN, PAN, PAN - Pilot Assistance Needed. Usually announced over the emergency frequency of 121.5 when the pilot is in distress.

PIC - Pilot in command

POH - Pilot Operators Handbook, aka RFM

PTS - Practical Test Standards

Radar Vectoring - Headings and courses assigned by air traffic controllers

RBS - Retreating Blade Stall

RFM - Rotorcraft Flight Manual

RPM - Revolutions Per Minute, referring to engine or rotor speed

SIC - Second in command

SID - Standard Instrument Departure - A published procedure that many pilots do not understand and consequently fear.

Squawk code - A unique code to set in the transponder for identification

STAR - Standard Terminal Arrival - A published procedure that many pilots do not understand and consequently fear.

TFE - Transverse Flow Effect

TFR - Temporary Flight Restriction

VFR - Visual flight rules

VMC - Visual meteorological conditions

Vne - Velocity never exceed - This is the never exceed speed of all aircraft

VOR - VHF Omni-directional radio

VRS - Vortex Ring State (aka, Settling with Power)

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Last modified: 12/31/2011