Aviation Terms and Definitions

Atmospheric Conditions Haze, flight over open water, or an obscured horizon can make it difficult to see distant objects, impairing the ability to refocus vision. Induction icing This tops the charts as the number one cause of icing accidents, comprising a whopping 52 percent. The “Blossom Effect” Motion is invaluable in drawing the eye’s attention. Yet two aircraft on a collision course will appear virtually motionless to each other, maintaining a constant relative bearing. Structural Ice Pressure on the elevator may help to reattach airflow to the aileron. How quickly a surface collects ice depends in part on its shape. Thin, modern wings will be more critical with ice on them than thick, older wing sections. Wing Stall The wing will ordinarily stall at a lower angle of attack, and thus a higher airspeed, when contaminated with ice. Even small amounts of ice will have an effect, and if the ice is rough, it can be a large effect. Airport Advisory Area An area within 10 statute miles (SM) of an airport where a control tower is not operating, but where a flight service station (FSS) is located. At these locations, the FSS provides advisory service to arriving and departing aircraft. Maintain runway heading Means that you should maintain the compass alignment of the departure runway, not track the extended runway centerline. PAPIs Precision approach path indicators light units similar to the VASI but are installed in a single row of either two or four light units. ILS holding position sign ATC may hold you at this sign when the instrument landing system is being used at the airport. Vacuum Failures Vacuum pump failures are one of the most common squawks in general aviation aircraft. But pilots don't train enough for this possibility, and the training they get is often inadequate.

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	Did You Know?
	Commercial pilots must be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 250 hours of flight time 190 hours under Part 141, including 100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 hours in airplanes, 100 hours as pilot in command (of which 50 hours must be cross-country flight time). They must hold an instrument rating (or be restricted to flying for hire only in daylight, under visual flight rules, within 50 miles of the originating airport). They may fly for hire in accordance with applicable parts of the Federal Aviation Regulations.