Glossary -

These terms don't all appear in this course, but they appear in FAA documents.

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14 CFR Part 48: This regulation pertains to the registration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) or drones.

14 CFR Part 91: This regulation outlines the general operating rules for all aircraft, including manned aircraft and drones, in the United States airspace.

A

Above Ground Level (AGL): Height measured from the ground.

Advisory Circular (AC): Guidance material provided by the FAA to assist in understanding regulations and standards.

Aeronautical Advisory Stations (UNICOM): Non-governmental communication facilities providing airport information.

Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM): Process of making safe decisions while flying.

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM): FAA publication with information on flight rules, procedures, and regulations.

Aeronautical Knowledge Test: Exam for pilots to demonstrate understanding of aviation principles.

Airspace Authorization: Permission to enter specific airspace.

Air Traffic Control (ATC): Service that manages aircraft movements and safety in controlled airspace.

Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET): Advises of weather that may be hazardous, excluding convective activity, to single-engine and other light aircraft, as well as Visual Flight Rule (VFR) pilots.

Anti-collision lights: Lights on aircraft that are designed to reduce the risk of collisions. 

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out: A surveillance technology that allows aircraft to broadcast information about their position, altitude, and other data to other aircraft and air traffic control (ATC).

Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS): A nonstop broadcast of recorded flight information at busy airports.

Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR): A standard international format for reporting current surface weather conditions.

B

B4UFly App: A free tool from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that helps recreational drone flyers and other drone users understand where they can and cannot fly.

C

Center of Gravity (CG): The point where the weight is even on all sides.

Certificate of Waiver (CoW): A numbered document or sticker indicating that a motor vehicle meets the department's standards and criteria.

Chart Supplement U.S. (formerly Airport/Facility Directory):  A book with information about airports, landing facilities, and other things pilots need to know.

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF): A specific radio frequency used for communication between aircraft operating at uncontrolled airports.

Control Station (CS): A facility that provides air traffic control services to aircraft.

Corrective Lenses: Glasses or contact lenses

Crew Resource Management (CRM): Training that helps pilots work together effectively as a crew.

D

Declaration of Compliance: A document that a drone or module producer submits to the FAA to confirm that their product meets all the required production standards.

E

Error Chain: The idea that accidents are usually caused by a series of human errors rather than a single event or mechanical failure.

F

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, and Private Pilot (FAA-CT-8080-2G):  A document that provides additional information and testing standards for pilots seeking these specific certifications.

FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA): A defined geographic area where drones can be flown without Remote ID equipment.

FAA Regional Operations Center (ROC): Centers that manage information sharing and response activities during emergencies and aircraft accidents

Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA): A United States federal government agency that regulates and oversees civil aviation in the U.S. and surrounding international waters.

Flight Services Station (FSS): An air traffic facility that helps pilots with flight plans, advisories during flight, and emergencies.

Flight Standards District Office (FSDO): A local office that ensures aviation operations follow federal aviation regulations in its area.

I

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR): Rules and regulations for flying when it's not safe to rely on outside visual references.

M

Mean Sea Level (MSL): The average sea level used as a reference point for measuring heights.

Means of Compliance (MOC): The categorization of the ways to show that requirements are met.

Model Aircraft: A physical model of an existing or imagined aircraft, and is built typically for display, research, or amusement.

MULTICOM: A frequency used by aircraft to communicate near airports without air traffic control.

N

National Airspace System (NAS): A network of controlled and uncontrolled airspace that covers over 29 million square miles of the United States.

Nautical Mile (NM): A unit of measure to measure the distance traveled through water.

Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) (formerly Notice to Airmen): A notice with important flight operation information that isn't known early enough to be shared in other ways.

O

Open-Air Assembly: A large group of people in an open space.

Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Over People Rule: Rule which allows drone pilots to fly over people and at night without a waiver if they meet certain requirements.

P

Person Manipulating the Controls: The person who operates a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) under the direct supervision of the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC).

R

Radio Frequencies (RF): Waves used to transmit signals for communication or broadcasting.

Remote ID: The ability of a drone in flight to provide identification and location information that can be received by other parties through a broadcast signal.

Remote Pilot Certificate: An official authorization that allows for the commercial use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as drones.

Remote Pilot in Command (Remote PIC): The person responsible for the safe and secure operation of a small unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

S

Sectional Chart: A navigational aid that pilots use to identify terrain, airports, and obstructions.

Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET): A type of inflight aviation weather advisory that warns aircraft of potentially hazardous weather.

SFC: On a sectional chart, 'SFC' can indicate that the airspace begins at the surface

Small Unmanned Aircraft (sUA): An unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft.

Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS): A small unmanned aircraft and its associated elements that are required for its safe and efficient operation in the national airspace system

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airman Certification Standards: A document outlining what you need to know to get a Remote Pilot Certificate for small drones.

Standard Remote ID Unmanned Aircraft: A drone that is produced with built-in FAA Remote ID broadcast capabilities

Standard Remote ID Message: Identification and location information about the drone and control station.

Statute Miles (SM): A unit of measurement equal to 5,280 feet, commonly used in the US and UK for flight maps, aircraft positions, and navigation.

Sustained Flight: Hovering, flighting back and forth, or circling above an outdoor gathering.

T

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): An area restricted to air travel due to a hazardous condition, a special event, or a general warning for the entire FAA airspace

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF): The official FAA forecast of aviation activity for U.S. airports

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 107 (Part 107): You can't fly a small drone in Class B, C, or D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of Class E airspace around an airport without permission from Air Traffic Control.

U

Unmanned Aircraft (UA): An aircraft operated without the possibility of human intervention onboard.

Unmanned Aircraft with Remote ID Broadcast Module: Aircraft with a device that broadcasts identification and location information of the drone and take-off location in accordance with the Remote ID rule.

Unmanned Aircraft Broadcast Module Remote ID Message: The drone's identity, latitude, longitude, altitude, and velocity. The controller's latitude, longitude, and altitude. A UTC time mark. The drone's emergency status for Standard Remote ID UAS.

V

Visibility: The distance a pilot can see and identify objects in the air depending on weather conditions.

Visual Flight Rules (VFR): Regulations that permit pilots to fly aircraft under clear weather conditions

Visual Line-of-Sight (VLOS): Operating condition where the operator keeps constant visual contact with the unmanned aircraft.

Visual Observer (VO): A helper who watches for dangers and keeps pilots informed during flights.