AVIONICS GLOSSARY

How to Speak Avionics-ese *

CONTENTS OF GLOSSARY
A . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 N . . . . . . . . . . . 65
B . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 O . . . . . . . . . . . 69
C . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 P . . . . . . . . . . . 72
D . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Q . . . . . . . . . . . 80
E . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 R . . . . . . . . . . . 80
F . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 S . . . . . . . . . . . 86
G . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 T . . . . . . . . . . . 96
H . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 U . . . . . . . . . . . 104
I . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 V . . . . . . . . . . . 105
J . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 W . . . . . . . . . . 109
K . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 X . . . . . . . . . . . 111
L . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Y . . . . . . . . . . . 112
M . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Z . . . . . . . . . . . 112

*Avionics-ese. Sometimes called Av-speak.

Its a confusing, sometimes frustrating language.

Thats why your friends at Rockwell Collins created this handy
compendium of acronyms, terms and definitions.

We hope it helps.

Copyright 2001 Rockwell Collins, Inc.

www.rockwellcollins.com

1
3-D, 4-D Three or four dimension Acclrm Accelerometer
4096 Code The octal base, four-digit code used between framing ACCTS Aviation Coordinating Committee for
pulses of a reply to identify the aircraft or for general Telecommunications Services
use and emergency codes (XPD)
ACE (1) The control character meaning technical
10BaseT 10 Mbps baseband data transmission over twisted acknowledge
copper wire (2) Actuator Control Electronics
(3) Advanced Certification Equipment
A (1) Autotuned NAVAID
(2) Amperes ACF Area Control Facility
AAC Aeronautical Administrative Communications ACID Aircraft Identification
AAD Assigned Altitude Deviation ACIPS Airfoil and Cowl Ice Protection System
AAI Airline Avionics Institute ACK The control character meaning technical
acknowledgement of an uplink, used in an ACARS
AAL Above Aerodome Level system
AAMP Advanced Architecture Micro-Processor ACMP Alternating Current Motor Pump
AATS Aviation and Air Traffic Services ACMS Aircraft Condition Monitoring System
AATT Advanced Aviation Transportation Technology ACP Audio Control Panel
A/B Autobrake ACS (1) Active Control System
ABE ARINC 429 Bus Emulator (2) Audio Control System

ABM Asynchronous Balanced Mode ACSG Aeronautical Communications Sub-Group

A-BPSK (1) Aeronautical Binary Phase Shift Keying ACT Active

(2) Aviation Binary Phase Shift Keying ACU (1) Apron Control Unit
ABRV Abbreviation (2) Antenna Control Unit
(3) Autopilot Control Unit
ABS Absolute
AC (1) Advisory Circular A/D Analog-To-Digital
(2) Alternating Current
AD Administrative Domain
A/C Aircraft
ADA Computer Programming Language
ACA Address Compression Algorithm
ADAS Automated Weather Observing System Data
ACAC Air-Cooled Air Cooler Acquisition System
ACAS Airborne Collision Avoidance System ADC Air Data Computer
ACARS Aircraft Communications Addressing and ADF Automatic Direction Finder
Reporting System
ADI Attitude Director Indicator
ACC (1) Active Clearance Control
(2) Area Control Center

2 3
ADIRS Air Data Inertial Reference System AF Airway Facilities
ADIRU Air Data Inertial Reference Unit AFC (1) Automatic Frequency Compensation
(2) Automatic Frequency Control
ADL Aeronautical Data Link
AFCAS Automatic Flight Control Augmentation System
ADLP (1) Airborne Data Link Protocol
(2) Aircraft Data Link Processor AFCS Automatic Flight Control System
ADLS Aeronautical Data Link Services AFD (1) Adaptive Flight Display
(2) Advanced Flight Deck
ADM Air Data Module (3) Autopilot Flight Director
ADMS Airline Data Management System AFDC Autopilot Flight Director Computer
ADP Air Data Processor AFDS Autopilot Flight Director System
ADRAS Airplane Data Recovery and Analysis System AFEPS ACARS Front End Processing System
ADS (1) Air Data System AFI Authority Format Identifier
(2) Automatic Dependent Surveillance
AFIS (1) Airborne Flight Information System
ADS-A Automatic Dependent Surveillance Address (2) Automatic Flight Information Service
ADS-B Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast AFM Aircraft Flight Manual
ADSEL Address Selective. A SSR system electronically AFN ATS Facilities Notification
arranged to address each transponder selectively.
Only a particular transponder will respond, thus AFS (1) Aeronautical Fixed Service
avoiding garbling. ADSEL uses a monopulse technique (2) Airborne File Server
to provide more accurate bearing measurement. (3) Automatic Flight System
ADSEL is compatible with DABS. (Refer to Mode S
transponders.) AFSS Automatic Flight Service Station

ADSP Automatic Dependent Surveillance Panel AFSK Audio Frequency Shift Keying

ADSU (1) Automatic Dependent Surveillance System AFTN Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications
(2) Automatic Dependent Surveillance Unit AFTRCC Aerospace and Flight Text Radio Coordinating
ADTN Administrative Data Transmission Network Council

AECU Audio Electronic Control Unit A/G Air/Ground

AEEC Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee AGACS Automatic Ground-Air Communication System.
It is also known as ATCSS or DATA LINK.
AEP (1) Audio Entertainment Player
(2) Autopilot Engage Panel AGATE Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiment

AERA Automated En Route traffic control AGC Automatic Gain Control. AGC is used to maintain
the output level of the receiver.
AES Aircraft Earth Station
AGIS Air Ground Intermediate System
AEU Auxiliary Equipment Unit

4 5
AGL Above Ground Level AIT Advanced Intelligence Tape - used for the storage of
digital video and audio files
AGR Air/Ground Router
AIV Accumulator Isolation Valve
AGRM Air/Ground Router Regional Manager
AIX Advanced Interactive Executive
AGRMS Air/Ground Router Management System
AJPS AFEPS Journal Processing System
AGS Air/Ground System
A/L Autoland
AGSS ACARS Ground System Standard (AEEC)
ALC Automatic Level Control. A circuit used to maintain
AGTS Air/Ground Test Station the output of a transmitter regardless of variations in
AHC Attitude Heading Computer the attenuation of the system.

AHRS Attitude Heading Reference System ALE Automatic Link Establishment

AI (1) Alternative Interrogator ALI Altimeter

(2) Artificial Intelligence ALPA Airline Pilots Association
AIC Aeronautical Information Circular ALS Application Layer Structure
AID Altered Item Drawing. A drawing that details what ALSIP Clear
alteration or change is made to an already existing
component.Examples may be shortening the shaft ALT (1) Airborne Link Terminal
of a variable resistor, or adding a program to a circuit (2) Alternate
card to produce a programmed circuit card. (3) Altimeter
(4) Altitude
AIDC Air Traffic Services (ATS) Inter-Facility Data
Communications ALT HOLD Altitude Hold Mode
AIDS Aircraft Integrated Data System Altitude Height determined by barometric pressure
AIEM Airlines International Electronics Meeting Altitude A continuous return across the display at a range
Ring equivalent to aircraft altitude (WXR)
AIMS Aircraft Information Management System
ALTS Altitude Select
AINSC Aeronautical Industry Service Communications
ALU Arithmetic and Logic Unit
AIP Aeronautical Information Publication
AM Amplitude Modulation. A signal where the carrier
AIRAC Aeronautical Information Regulation and Control signal is varied in amplitude to encode voice or
AIRCOM Digital air/ground communications services provided data information.
by SITA. A system similar to ACARS. AMASS Airport Movement Area Safety System
AIR DATA Those parameters that can be derived from AMC Avionics Maintenance Conference
knowledge of the air mass surrounding the aircraft.
AMCP Aeronautical Mobile Communications Panel
AIRMET Airmans Meteorological (Information)
AME Amplitude Modulation Equivalent. An AM type signal
Airways The standard ICAO IFR routes that processes the modulated information signal and
AIS Aeronautical Information Services carrier frequency separately and then reconstructs
the two signals to make an equivalent AM signal.

6 7
AMI Airline Modifiable Information AODC Age Of Data, Clock (GPS term)
AMLCD Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display AODE Age Of Data, Ephemeris (GPS term)
AMM Aircraft Maintenance Manual AOG Aircraft On Ground
AMP Audio Management Panel AOHE Air/Oil Heat Exchanger
AMS (1) Apron Management Service AOM Aircraft Operating Manual
(2) Avionics Management Service
AOP (1) Aeronautical OSI Profile
AMS(R)S Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Service (2) Airline Operational Procedure
AMSS Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service AOPA Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
AMTOSS Aircraft Maintenance Task Oriented Support System. AOPG Aerodrome Operations Group
An automated data retrieval system.
AOR Atlantic Ocean Region
AMTS Aeronautical Message Transfer Service
AOR-E Atlantic Ocean Region-East
AMU Audio Management Unit
AOR-W Atlantic Ocean Region-West
AMUX Audio Multiplexer
A/P Autopilot. A computer commanded system for
ANC Air Navigation Commission (ICAO) controlling aircraft control surfaces.
Aneroid An evacuated and sealed capsule or bellows that AP Airport Location (ACARS/AFERS)
Capsule expands or contracts in response to changes in pressure.
APA (1) Allied Pilots Association
ANICS Alaskan NAS Interfacility Communication System (2) Autopilot Amplifier
ANLP ARINC Network Layer Protocol APB Auxiliary Power Breaker
ANP Actual Navigation Performance APC (1) Autopilot Computer
(2) Aeronautical Public Correspondence
ANS (1) Ambient Noise Sensor (3) Aeronautical Passenger Communication
(2) Area Navigation System
API Application Programming Interface
ANSI American National Standards Institute
APMS Automated Performance Measurement System
ANT Antenna
APN ARINC Packet Network
ANTC Advanced Networking Test Center
APP (1) Approach Control
AOA Angle Of Attack (2) Autopilot Panel
AOC (1) Aeronautical Operational Control APPR Approach
(2) Aircraft Operational Control
(3) Airline Operational Control APR Actual Performance Reserve
(4) Airport Obstruction Chart
(5) Airport Operational Communications APRL ATN Profile Requirement List

AOCC Airline Operation Control Center APS Autopilot System

AOD Audio on Demand APU Auxiliary Power Unit

8 9
APUC Auxiliary Power Unit Controller ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange
AQF Avionics Qualification Facility ASCPC Air Supply and Cabin Pressure Controllers
AQP (1) Advanced Qualification Program ASD Aircraft Situation Display
(2) Avionics Qualification Procedure
ASDE Airport Surface Detection Equipment
A-QPSK Aeronautical Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
ASDL Aeronautical Satellite Data Link
AQS Advanced Quality System
ASE Altimetry System Error
ARAC Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee
ASECNA Agency for the Security of Aerial Navigation in
ARB Arbitrary Waveform Generator Africa and Madagascar
ARF Airline Risk Factor ASG ARINC Signal Gateway
ARINC Aeronautical Radio, INCorporated ASI Avionics System Integration
ARINC 429-13 Mark 33 Digital Information Transfer System (DITS), ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
Supplement 13
ASM (1) Airspace Management
ARINC 629-2 Multi-Tester Data Bus: Part 1 - Technical Description (2) Autothrottle Servo Motor
ARMC Area Regional Maintenance Center ASN.1 Abstract Syntax Notation One
ARP (1) Aeronautical Recommended Practice ASOS Automated Surface Observing System
(2) Air Data Reference Panel
ASP (1) Altitude Set Panel
ARPA Advanced Research Projects Agency (2) Aeronautical Fixed Service (AFS) Systems
Planning for data interchange
ARR Arrival
ASPP Aeronautical Fixed Service (AFS) Systems Planning
ARS Automated Radar Summary chart.These are hourly for data interchange Panel
generated charts showing location and intensity of
radar echoes. A-SMGCS Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and
Control Systems
ARSR Air Route Surveillance Radar
ASR Airport Surveillance Radar
ART Automatic Reserve Thrust
ASRS Aviation Safety Reporting System
ARTCC Air-Route Traffic Control Center. Approximately 20
centers cover the air traffic routes in the United States ASSTC Aerospace Simulation and Systems Test Center
using numerous radars and radio communication sets.
ASTF Airspace System Task Force
ARTS Automated Terminal Radar System
ASU Avionics Switching Unit
ASA (1) Aircraft Separation Assurance
(2) Autoland Status Annunciator (AFDS) ASSV Alternate Source Selection Valve

ASAA ACARS System Access Approval (AEEC) ASTA Airport Surface Traffic Automation

ASAS Aircraft Separation Assurance System (AEEC)

10 11
AT (1) Air Traffic ATSGF Air Traffic Services Geographic Filter
(2) Air Transport
ATSM Air Traffic Services Message Processor
A/T Autothrottle
ATSU Air Traffic Services Unit
ATA (1) Actual Time of Arrival
(2) Air Transport Association ATT Attitude
ATC Air Traffic Control AUX Auxiliary
ATCA Air Traffic Control Association AVIONICS Aviation Electronics
ATCC Air Traffic Control Center AVLAN Avionics Local Area Network
ATCRBS Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System AVLC Aviation VHF Link Control
ATCSS Air Traffic Control Signaling System. A system to AVM Airborne Vibration Monitor
provide information between the pilot and air traffic AVOL Aerodrome Visibility Operational Level
control using the VHF communications transceiver
in conjunction with data link equipment. AVPAC Aviation Packet Communication
ATE Automatic Test Equipment AWACS Airborne Warning And Control System
ATFM Air Traffic Flow Management AWAS Automated Weather Advisory Station
ATHR Autothrust System AWG American Wire Gauge
ATHS Automatic Target Handoff System AWIN Aviation Weather Information
ATI Instrument Size Unit of Measure AWIPS Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System
ATIS (1) Air Traffic Information Service AWM Audio Warning Mixer
(2) Automatic Terminal Information Service
(3) Automatic Terminal Information System AWO All Weather Operations
ATLAS Abbreviated Test Language for Avionics Systems AWOP All Weather Operations Panel
ATM (1) Air Traffic Management AWOS Automated Weather Observation System. A system
(2) Asynchronous Transfer Mode that gathers surface weather information and
transmits the information to the pilot via VOR,
ATN Aeronautical Telecommunications Network Comm Freq or telephone lines.
ATNP Aeronautical Telecommunication Network Panel Bandwidth The difference between the highest and lowest
frequency components of a signal.
ATP Acceptance Test Procedure (Air Transport)
BAP Bank Angle Protection
ATR Air Transport Racking
BARO Barometric
ATS (1) Air Traffic Services
(2) Air Turbine Starter Baro-Corrected Pressure altitude-corrected local barometric pressure.
(3) Autothrottle System Altitude
ATSC Air Traffic Service Communication BATAP Type B Application to Application Protocol

12 13
BB Base Band Bit A binary digit. Smallest data unit in a microprocessor
system.
BCD Binary Coded Decimal.A coding system in which
each digit from 0 to 9 is represented by a four bit BIT Built-In-Test
binary number.
BITE Built-In-Test Equipment
B CRS Back Course
BLK (1) Black
BCS Block Check Sequence. BCS is a cyclic code that is (2) Block
used as reference bits in an error detection process.
BMV Brake Metering Valve
BDI Bearing Distance Indicator
BNR Binary
BDMIS Business Data Management and Invoicing
BNS Boundary Notification System (Squitters)
Beam Width The beam width is the width of the beam as
measured at the half-power points of the radiated BOC Bottom Of Climb
signal (WXR). BOM Bill Of Material
Bearing The direction of a point or navigational aid measured BOP Bit Oriented Protocol
clockwise from a reference through 360.
Boresighting The process of aligning a directional antenna system.
BEP Back-End Processor
BP (1) BITE Processor
BEPMS Back-End Processor Management System (2) Bottom Plug
BER Bite Error Rate BPCU Bus Power Control Unit
BFE Buyer Furnished Equipment bps bites per second
BFO Beat Frequency Oscillator. An oscillator that produces Bps Bytes per second
a signal to be mixed with the received frequency to
produce an audible beat note, for the purpose of BPSK Binary Phase Shift Keying
decoding the Morse code identifier of an NDB. The
oscillator produces frequencies equal to the sum and BR Bridge
difference of the combined frequencies.
BRG Bearing
BGI Bus Grant Inhibit. A term used in CAPS transfer
bus processing. BRI Basic Rate Interface

BGP Border Gateway Protocol BRNAV Basic Area Navigation

BI Burn-In BRT Brightness

BiGS Bilingual Ground Station (ACARS and VDML2) BSCU Brake System Control Unit

Binary Base-2 counting system. Numbers include 0, 1. BSN Backbone Subnetwork

BIS Boundary Intermediate System BSP Board Support Package

BISMS BIS Management System BSU (1) Beam Steering Unit

(2) Bypass Switch Unit
BIST Built-In Self Test
BTB Bus Tie Breaker

14 15
BTMU Brake Temperature Monitor Unit CASE Computer Aided Software Engineering
BWAN Backup WAN CAT (1) Categories (I, II, III) for Visibility Requirements
(2) Clear Air Turbulence
Byte A grouping of eight bits. (3) Computer Aided Testing
C&C Command and Control CAT I Operational performance Category I. An ILS facility
C&W Control and Warning providing operation down to a 60-meter (200 feet)
decision height and with runway visual range not less
CAA Civil Aviation Authority. A regulatory agency in the than 800 meters (2600 feet) and a high probability of
United Kingdom. approach success.
CAAC Civil Aviation Administration of China CAT I An ILS Approach to lower-than-standard Category I
Enhanced and in some cases to Category II, minimums, based
CAC Caution Advisory Computer on guidance-to-touchdown provided by a Category
III-capable Head-up Guidance System, per FAA Order
C /A Code (1) Course Acquisition Code 8400.13.
(2) GPS Course Acquisition Code
CAT II Operational performance Category II. An ILS facility
CACP Cabin Area Control Panel providing operation down to a 30-meter (100 feet)
CAD Computer Aided Design decision height and with runway visual range not less
than 400 meters (1200 feet) and a high probability of
CADAG Communications Automation and Data Link approach success.
CAE Component Application Engineer CAT III a Operational performance Category III a. An ILS facility
providing operation with no decision height limit to
CAGE Commercial Avionics GPS Engine and along the surface of the runway with external
CAH Cabin Attendant Handsets visual reference during final phase of landing and
with a runway visual range of not less than 200 meters
CAI Caution Annunciator Indicator (700 feet).
Calibrated Corrected for instrument errors and errors due to CAT III b Operational performance Category III b. An ILS
Airspeed position or location of the pressure source. At facility providing operation with no decision height
standard sea level conditions, CAS is equal to true limit to and along the surface of the runway without
airspeed (TAS). reliance on external visual reference; and subse-
quently taxiing with external visual range of not
CALSEL A variation of the SELCAL system in which the less than 50 meters (150 feet).
SELCAL signal is combined with a special gating tone
to produce an automatic function by the receiver. This CAT III c Operational performance Category III c. An ILS
system is only a proposal and not yet implemented. facility providing operation with no decision height
limit to and along the surface of the runway and
CAL VER Calibration Verification taxiways without reliance on external visual reference.
CAM Computer Aided Manufacturing CAT EVS Clear Air Turbulence Enhanced Vision System
CAPT Captain C-BAND The frequency range between 4,000 and 8,000 MHz.
Carrier An ac signal that can be modulated by changing the CBT Computer-Based Training
amplitude, frequency or pulse of the signal.
CC C-Check
CAS (1) Collision Avoidance System
(2) Computed Airspeed

16 17
CCB (1) Configuration Control Board CEU Checklist Entry Unit
(2) Converter Circuit Breaker
CF Change Field
CCD (1) Charged Coupled Device
(2) Cursor Control Device CFDIU Central Fault Display Interface Unit

CCIR International Radio Consultative Committee CFDS Centralized Fault Display System
CCITT Consultative Committee International Telephone CFIT Controlled Flight Into Terrain
and Telegraph cfm Cubic Feet per Minute
CCMS Content Compilation Management System CFMU Central Flow Management Unit
CCS Cabin Communication System CFS Cabin File Server
CCU Control and Compensation Unit CG Center of Gravity
CCW Counterclockwise CHG (1) Change
CD (1) Carrier Detect (2) Charge
(2) Chrominance Difference CHI Computer Human Interface
(3) Compact Disc
CHIS Center Hydraulic Isolation System
CDA Coordinating Design Authority
CHOL Collins High Order Language
CDBR Cabin Data Bus Repeater
CI (1) Cabin Interphone
CDG Configuration Database Generator (2) Configuration Item
CDI Course Deviation Indicator CID Category Interaction Diagram
CDL Cabin Discrepancy Log CIDIN Common ICAO Data Interchange Network
CDM Collaborative Decision Making CIDS Cabin Interphone Distribution System
CDMS Collaborative Decision Making System CIE Commission Internationale de I Eclairage
CDP Continuous Data Program CIS Corporate Information System
CDR Critical Design Review CLB Climb
CD-ROM Compact Disc Read-Only Memory CLK Clock
CDS (1) Cabin Distribution System CLNP Connectionless Network Protocol
(2) Common Display System
CLNS Connectionless Network Service
CDTI Cockpit Display of Traffic Information
Cloud Water or ice particles having radii smaller than
CDU Control Display Unit Droplets 0.01 cm
CEPT Conference Europene des Postes et CLR Clear
Telcommunications
CLTP Connectionless Mode Transport Protocol

18 19
CM Context Management Compass A low-powered radio beacon, used in conjunction
Locator with ILS. A compass locator has a two-letter
CMA Central Maintenance Application identification and a range of at least 15 miles.
CMC Central Maintenance Computer COMP Compressor
CMCF Central Maintenance Computer Function CON Continuous
CMCS Central Maintenance Computer System Cone of An inverted conical shaped area extending vertically
CMD Command Confusion above a VOR ground facility that is void of the
bearing signal.
CMF Common Message Format
CONOPS Concept of Operations
CMM (1) Common Mode Monitor. A type of monitor
common to automatic flight control systems. Consolan A low-frequency, keyed, CW, short baseline system
(2) Component Maintenance Manual using two antennas to radiate a daisy-shaped pattern
for navigational aid purposes. The frequency range is
CMN Control Motion Noise in the 300 kHz region. It is in limited use today.
CMP Configuration Management Plan Contour Contour or iso-contour refers to a weather radar
display presentation that blanks the echo returns in
CMS Cabin Management System the center of a storm cell. The area blanked out is
called contour and corresponds to the return levels
CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor that exceed a predetermined threshold.
CMU Communications Management Unit CONUS Continental United States
CNDB Customized Navigation Database COP Character-Oriented Protocol
CNES Centre national detudes spatiales CO ROUTE Company Route
C/NO Carrier-to-Noise Density Ratio Correction A correction is applied to static source pressure
CNP Comm/Nav/Pulse (SSEC) measurements to partly or completely correct for
pressure errors that are caused by airflow changes. It is
CNS Communication, Navigation, Surveillance computed as a function of Mach and altitude based on
measured errors for a particular static system.
CNS/ATM Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic
Management Corrective A resolution advisory that instructs the pilot to
Advisory deviate from current vertical rate (e.g. DONT CLIMB
Coasted A track that is continued based on previous track when the aircraft is climbing). (TCAS)
Track characteristics in the absence of surveillance data
reports (TCAS). COTP Connection Oriented Transport Protocol
CODEC Coder/Decoder COTS Commercial Off-The-Shelf
COM Cockpit Operating Manual CP (1) Circular Polarization
(2) Conflict Probe
COM/MET/OPS Communications/Meteorological/Operations (3) Control Panel
COMM Communications CPA Closest Point of Approach

20 21
CPC (1) Cabin Pressure Controller CS Common Service
(2) Controller Pilot Communication
(3) Cursor Position Control CSC Cargo System Controller

CPCI Computer Program Configuration Item. A CPCI CSCI Computer Software Configuration Item
number identifies the configuration of a computer CSCP Cabin System Control Panel
software program.
CSDB Commercial Standard Data Bus
CPCS Cabin Pressure Control System
CSDS Cargo Smoke Detector System
CPDLC Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications
CSEU Control Systems Electronics Unit
CPE Circular Position Error
CSF Command/Status Frame
CPM Core Processor Module
CSMA Carrier Sense Multiple Access
CPN Collins Part Number
CSMA/CD Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision
CPRSR Compressor
CSMM Crash Survivable Memory Modules
CPS Cabin Pressure Sensor
CSMU Cabin System Management Unit
CPU Central Processing Unit
C/SOIT Communications /Surveillance Operational
C/R Command/Response Implementation Team
CR (1) Change Request CSU Configuration Strapping Unit
(2) Contrast Ratio
CTA (1) Control Area (ICAO Term)
CRC (1) Cyclic Redundancy Checking (2) Controlled Time of Arrival
(2) Cyclic Redundancy Code
CTAF Common Traffic Advisory Frequency
CRES Corrosion Resistant Steel
CTAI Cowl Thermal Anti-Icing
CRD Current Routing Domain
CTAS Center Tracon Automation System
CRDA Cooperative Research and Development Agreement
CTC Cabin Temperature Controller
CRM (1) Cockpit Resource Management
(2) Collision Risk Model CTL Control
(3) Crew Resource Management
CTMO Centralized Air Traffic Flow Management
CRPA Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna Organization
CRR Cutover Readiness Review CTOL Conventional Take Off and Landing
CRS Course CTR (1) Center
(2) Control zone
CRT Cathode Ray Tube
CTRD Configuration Test Requirements Document
CRU Computer Receiver Unit
CTRL Control
CRZ Cruise

22 23
CTS Clear To Send DAS Designated Alteration Station
CTU Cabin Telecommunications Unit Data Link A system that allows exchange of digital data over an
RF link. ATCSS is a data link system used by the air
CU (1) Channel Utilization traffic control system. ACARS is a data link system
(2) Combiner Unit (HUD) used by airline command, control and management
(3) Control Unit system, using VHF communication frequencies.
C/UT Code/Unit Test D-ATIS Digital Automatic Terminal Information System
CV/DFDR Cockpit Voice and Digital Flight Data Recorder DB Database
CVR Cockpit Voice Recorder dB Decibel
CVRCP Cockpit Voice Recorder Control Panel dBA Decibels Adjusted
CW (1) Clockwise (cw) DBi (1) Decibels above isotopic circular
(2) Continuous Wave. A continuous train of (2) Decibels referenced to an isotopic antenna
identical oscillations.
DBI Downlink Block Identifier
CWC Comparator Warning Computer
dBm Decibel(s) below 1 milliwatt
CWI Continuous Wave Interference
DBMX Database Management System
CWP (1) Controlled Working Position
(2) Controller Working Position DBS Direct Broadcast Satellite
CWS Control Wheel Steering DBw Decibels referenced to 1 watt
D8PSK Differential Eight Phase Shift Keying dBW Decibel-Watts
D&O Description and Operation DBU Database Unit
DA (1) Descent Advisor DC Direct Current
(2) Drift Angle
DCAS Digital Control Audio System
D/A Digital-to-Analog
DCD Double Channel Duplex. A communication system
DABS Discrete Addressable Beacon System using two RF channels, one channel for receive and
one channel for transmit operations, for simultaneous
DADC Digital Air Data Computer communication.
DADS Digital Air Data System DCE Data Communications Equipment
DAP Digital Service Access Product DCGF Data Conversion Gateway Function
DARC Direct Access Radar Channel. An independent backup DCMF Data Communication Management Function
to main ATC computers.
DCMS Data Communication Management System
DARPA Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
DCN (1) Design Change Notice
DARPS Dynamic Aircraft Route Planning Study (2) Document Change Notice
(3) Drawing Change Notice

24 25
DCP Display Control Panel Demand An ACARS mode of operation in which
Mode communications may be initiated by the ground
DCS Double Channel Simplex. A communication system processor or the airborne system.
using two RF channels for non-simultaneous
communication. One channel is disabled while the DEP Departure
other channel is used to transmit.
DER Designated Engineering Representative
DCU Data Concentrator Unit
DES Descent
DCV Directional Control Valve
DESCR Description
DD Data Delivery
Desensitization TCAS sensitivity level (threat volume) reduction
DDA (1) Digital Differential Analyzer
(2) Distance Data Adapter DEST Destination
DDD Dual Disk Drive DEV Deviation
DDI Direct Dial Indicator DFA Direction Finding Antenna
DDM Difference in Depth of Modulation DFCS Digital Flight Control System
DDP Declarations of Design and Performance. A control DFDAF Digital Flight Data Acquisition Function
document required by the United Kingdom Civil DFDAMU Digital Flight Data Acquisition Management Unit
Aviation Authority (CAA) for certification of avionics
equipment. DFDAU Digital Flight Data Acquisition Unit. The DFDAU
samples, conditions and digitizes the flight data.
DDR Draft Document Review
DFDR Digital Flight Data Recorder
DDS Direct Digital Synthesizer
DFDU Digital Flight Data Unit
DDT Downlink Data Transfer
DFIDU Dual Function Interactive Display Unit
DDTC Data Link Delivery of Expected Taxi Clearances
DFIU Digital Flight Instrument Unit
DECCA A navigation system widely used by shipping in
Europe. The ground facilities consist of a master DFS Digital Frequency Select
station and several slave stations.
DFU Digital Function Unit
Decimal Base-10 counting system. Numbers include
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. DG Directional Gyro
ded Dedicated DGNSS Differential Global Navigation Satellite System
DEFDARS Digital Expandable Flight Data Acquisition and DGPS Differential Global Positioning System
Recording System
DH (1) Dataflash Header
DEFL Deflection (2) Decision Height
DEG Degree DI Data Interrupt
DEL Delete DIAGS Diagrams
DID Data Item Description

26 27
DIP (1) Data Interrupt Program DLU Download Unit
(2) Dual In-line Package. The most common
package configuration for integrated circuits. DM Disconnected Mode

DIR Director DMA Direct Memory Access

Directed A DME operating mode that allows an FMCS to DME Distance Measuring Equipment. A system that
Mode select one to five DME stations for interrogation. provides distance information from a ground station
to an aircraft.
DIR/INTC Direct Intercept
DME/N Abbreviation for a DME normal system
DISC Disconnect
DME/P Abbreviation for a DME precision system
DISCH Discharge
DMIR Designated Manufacturing Inspection Representative
DISCR Discrepancy
DMM (1) Data Memory Module
DIST Distance (2) Digital Multimeter
DITS Data Information Transfer System DMN Data Multiplexing Network
DL (1) Data Link DMS Debris Monitoring Sensor
(2) Downlink
DMU Data Management Unit
DLAP Data Link Application Processor
DO-160 RTCA Document 160, Environmental Conditions and
DLC Data Link Control Display Unit Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment, Issued
12/04/89
DLCI Data Link Control Identifier
DO-178 RTCA document 178, Software Considerations in
DLE Data Link Entity Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification,
DLGF Data Load Gateway Function Issued 03/22/85

DLI Data Link Interpreter program DOC Documentation

DLK Data Link (AEEC) DOD Department of Defense

DLL Data Link Library DOORS Dynamic Object Orientated Requirements System

DLM Data Link Management Unit Doppler The change in frequency observed at the receiver
Effect when the transmitter and receiver are in motion
DLME Data Link and Message Engineering relative to each other.
DL/MSU Data Loader/Mass Storage Unit DOS Disk Operating System
DLODS Duct Leak and Overheat Detection DOT Department of Transportation
DLP Data Link Processor DOTS Dynamic Ocean Tracking System
DLS Data Load System Downlink The radio transmission path downward from the
aircraft to the earth.
DLT Digital Lineal Tape - used for the storage of video
and audio files dpi dots per inch

28 29
DPR Dual Port RAM DTMF Dual Tone Multi-Frequency
DPSK Differential Phase Shift Keying DTM Demonstration Test Milestone
DR (1) Data Reconing DTPDU Data Protocol Data Unit
(2) Data Receptacle
DTU Data Transfer Unit
DRER Designated Radio Engineering Representative (FAA)
DU Display Unit
Drift Angle The angle between heading and track. It is due to
the effect of wind currents. Sometimes called the Dual Mode An airborne DME RT capable of processing DME/N
crab angle. DME and DME/P ground station signals. Operation is in
the L-band frequency range.
DRN Document Release Notice
DUAT Direct User Access Terminal
DSAD Digital Service Access Device
Duplex A communication operation that uses the
DSARC Defense System Acquisition Review Cycle simultaneous operation of the transmit and
receive equipment at two locations.
DSB Double Side Band.An AM signal with the carrier
removed. Requires the same bandwidth as the DVF Demonstration and Validation Facility
AM signal.
DVM Digital Voltmeter
DSDU Data Signal Display Unit
DWAN Direct WAN
DSF Display System Function
DX Distance
DSP (1) Digital Signal Processor
(2) Display Select Panel Dynamic Dynamic Pressure is the difference between pitot and
(3) Domain Specific Part Pressure static pressure.
DSPDRV Display Driver Dynamic RAM constructed of capacitor elements. Memory
RAM cells must be periodically refreshed to keep capacitors
DSPY Display (annunciation on CDU) from discharging and losing data. (See Static RAM)
DSR Display System Replacement E East
DSS Decision Support Systems EAA Experimental Aircraft Association
DSSS Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum EADI Electronic Attitude Director Indicator
DSU (1) Data Signaling Unit EAI Engine Anti-Ice
(2) Domain Service Unit
EAP Engine Alert Processor
DTD (1) Data Terminal Display
(2) Document Type Definition EAROM Electrically Alterable ROM
DTE Data Terminal Equipment EARTS En route Automated Radar Tracking System
DT & E Development Test and Evaluation EAS Equivalent Airspeed
DTG Distance-to-go EASIE Enhanced ATM and Mode S Implementation
in Europe

30 31
EATCHIP European Air Traffic Control Harmonization and EDDS Electronic Document Distribution Service
Integration Programme
EDI Engine Data Interface
EATMS European Air Traffic Management Systems
EDIF Engine Data Interface Function
EBACE European Business Aviation Convention and
Exhibition EDIU Engine Data Interface Unit
EC Event Criterion EDMS Electronic Data Management System
ECAC European Civil Aviation Conference EDP (1) Electronic Data Processing
(2) Engine Driven Pump
ECAM Electronic Caution Alert Module (3) Engineering Development Pallet
ECARS Enhanced ACARS EDU Electronic Display Unit
ECEF Earth-Centered, Earth-Fixed EE Electronics Equipment (e.g. EE-Bay)
Echo The portion of the radiated energy reflected back EEC Electronic Engine Control
to the antenna from the target (WXR).
EEPROM Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
ECM Electronic Control Module
EEU ELMS Electronics Unit
ECMP Electronic Component Management System
EFC Expected Further Clearance
ECON Economy (minimum cost speed schedule)
EFD Electronic Flight Display
ECP EICAS Control Panel
EFDR Expanded Flight Data Recorder
ECS (1) Engineering Compiler System. An automated
data storage system. EFIC Electronic Flight Instrument Controller
(2) Environmental Control System EFIP Electronic Flight Instrument Processor
(3) Event Criterion Subfield
EFIS Electronic Flight Instrument System
ECSL Left Environmental Control System Card
EFIS CP EFIS Control Panel
ECSMC ECS Miscellaneous Card
EGIHO Expedited Ground Initiated Handoff
ECSR Right Environmental Control System Card
EELV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle
ECU (1) EICAS Control Unit
(2) Electronic Control Unit EGNOS European Geostationary Overlay System
(3) External Compensation Unit
EGP Exterior Gateway Protocol
ED EICA SD i s play
EGPWS Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System
E/D End-of-Descent
EGT Exhaust Gas Temperature
EDA Electronic Design Automation
EHSI Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator
EDAC Error Detection and Correction
(used interchangeably with EDC) EHV Electro-Hydraulic Valve
EDC Error Detection and Correction

32 33
EIA Electronic Industries Association EOM End Of Message
EICAS Engine Indication and Crew Alert System EOT End Of Text
EICASC Engine Indication and Crew Alert System Controls EP External Power
EIPI Extended Initial Protocol Identifier EPC External Power Contactor
EIRP Earth Incident Radiated Power EPCS Engine Propulsion Control System
EIS (1) Electronic Instrument System E-PIREPS Electronic Pilot Reports
(2) Engine Indication System
E-Plane The E-Plane is the plane of an antenna that contains
EISA Extended Industry Standard Architecture the electric field.The principal E-Plane also contains
the direction of maximum radiation.
EIU EFIS/EICAS Interface Unit
EPLD Electrically Programmable Logic Device
EL/FCG Electronic Logbook and Fault Correction Guide
EPP Enhanced Parallel Port
ELB/ISE Electronic Logbook In-Service Evaluation
EPR Engine Pressure Ratio
ELC Emitter Coupled Logic
EPROM Erasable Programmable ROM
ELEC Electrical
EPS Electrical Power System
ELM Extended Length Message
EQUIP Equipment
ELMS Electrical Load Management System
Equivalent Equivalent Airspeed is a direct measure of the
ELS Electronic Library System Airspeed incompressible freestream of dynamic pressure.
ELT Emergency Locator Transmitter (EAS) It is CAS corrected for compressibility effects.

EM Element Manager ER PDU Echo Reply Protocol Data Unit

EMC (1) Electromagnetic Compatibility ERA European Regional Airlines Association

(2) Entertainment Multiplexer Controller ERB Engineering Review Board
EMER Emergency ERD End Routing Domain
EMI Electro-Magnetic Interference ERDI En Route Domain Infrastructure
EMS (1) Emergency Medical Services ERE External Roll Extrusion
(2) Engine Management System
ERP Eye Reference Point
ENG Engine
ERP PDU Echo Reply Protocol Data Unit
ENOC Engineering Network Operations Center
ERQ PDU Echo Request Protocol Data Unit
ENQ Enquire
ERU Engine Relay Unit
E/O Engine-Out
ES End System
EOD End Of Day

34 35
ESA European Space Agency EUR European
ESAS (1) Electronic Situation Awareness System EURATN European ATN
(2) Enhanced Situational Awareness System
EURET European Transport
E-Scan Electronic Scanning
Eurocae European Organization for Civil Aviation Electronics.
ESD Electrostatic Discharge A regulatory agency for avionics certification in
Europe.
ESDS Electrostatic Sensitive Devices. Also known as ESSD.
EURO-CONTROL European Organization for the Safety of Air
ESH End System Hello Navigation Operations
ESID Engine and System Indication Display EV Earned Value
ESIS Engine and System Indication System EVM Error Vector Magnitude
ESR Energy Storage/Control EVS Enhanced Vision System
ESS (1) Electronic Switching System EXEC Executive
(2) Environmental Stress Screening
F Fahrenheit
ESSD ElectroStatic Sensitive Devices. See also ESDS.
FA Final Approach
EST Estimated
FAA (1) Federal Aviation Administration (U.S.)
ESU Environmental Sensor Unit (2) Federal Aviation Authority
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival FAATC FAA Technical Center (U.S.)
ETB (1) End of Block (ASCII/IA5 character) FAC Flight Augmentation Computer
(2) Engineering Test Band
FADEC Full Authority Digital Electronic Control
ETD Estimated Time of Departure
FAF Final Approach Fix
ETI Elapsed Time Indicator
FAI First Article Inspection
ETM Elapsed Time Measurement
Fan Marker A marker beacon used to provide identification
ETMS Enhanced Traffic Management System of positions along airways. Standard fan marker
ETOPS Extended Twin Engine Operations produces an elliptical-shaped pattern. A second
type produces a dumbbell-shaped pattern.
ETP Equal Time Point
FANS Future Air Navigation System
ETRC Expected Taxi Ramp Clearances
FAR (1) Federal Acquisition Regulation
ETVS Enhanced Terminal Voice Switch (2) Federal Aviation Regulation
ETX End of Transmission FAST Final Approach Spacing Tool
EUAFS Enhanced Upper Air Forecast System FAT Factory Acceptance Test
EUPS External Uninterruptible Power Supply FBL Fly-By-Light

36 37
FBO Fixed Base Operator FDRS Flight Data Recorder System
FBW Fly-By-Wire FDS Flight Display System
FC Foot Candles FDU Flux Detector Unit
FCA Functional Configuration Audit FEATS Future European Air Traffic Management System
FCAF Flight Data Acquisition FEC Forward Error Correction
FCC (1) Federal Communications Commission FEP Front End Processor
(2) Flight Control Computer
FF Fuel Flow
FCDC Flight Critical dc
FGC Flight Guidance Computer
FCP (1) Flight Control Panel
(2) Flight Control Processor FHA Functional Hazard Assessment
FCS (1) Flight Control System FHSS Frequency Hopped Spread Spectrum
(2) Frame Check Sequence FHW Fault History Word
FD (1) Final Data FIB Forwarding Information Base
(2) Flight Director
(3) Flight Dynamics FIFO First In, First Out
FDAF Flight Data Acquisition Function FIM Fault Isolation Manual
FDAU Flight Data Acquisition Unit FIR Flight Information Region
FDB Flight Plan Data Bank FIS (1) Flight Information Service
(2) Flight Information System
FDE Flight Detection Exclusion (3) Flight Instrument System
FDDI Fiber Distributed Data Interface FIS-B Flight Information Services-Broadcast
FDEP Flight Data Entry Panel FIX Position in space, usually on aircrafts flight plan
FDH Flight Deck Handset FL (1) Flight Level (as in FL410). This terminology is
FDI Fault Detection and Isolation used to describe aircraft attitude when the
altimeter is set at QNE.
FDIO Flight Data Input/Output (2) Foot Lambert
FDM Frequency Division Multiplex. A system where the FLCH Flight Level Change
messages are transmitted over a common path by
employing a different frequency band for each signal. FLIR Forward Looking Infra-Red
FDMA Frequency Division Multiple Access FLM Flight Line Maintenance
FDPS Flight Data Processing System FLT Flight
FDR Flight Data Recorder FLTA Forward Looking Terrain Avoidance
FLT CTRL Flight Control

38 39
FLT INST Flight Instrument FQR Formal Qualification Review
FLW Forward Looking Windshear Radar FR From
FM Frequency Modulation FRA Flap Retraction Altitude
FMA Flight Mode Annunciator FRAD Frame Relay Access Device
FMC (1) Flight Director Control (FD) Framing A pulse that is used to mark the beginning or end
(2) Flight Management Computer (FMCS) Pulse of the coded reply pulses.
FMCF Flight Management Computer Function FREER Free-Route Experimental Encounter Resolution
FMCS Flight Management Computer System Free Scan A DME operating mode that will provide distance
Mode data to all DME ground stations within the DME
FMCW Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave range (LOS).
FMEA Failure Mode and Effects Analysis FREQ Frequency
FMF Flight Management Function Frequency The ability of a receiver-transmitter to rapidly and
FMP Flight Mode Panel continually shift operating frequency.

FMS Flight Management System FRM Fault Reporting Manual

FMU Fuel Metering Unit FRMR Frame Reject

F/O (1) First Officer FRP Federal Radionavigation Plan

(2) Fuel/Oil Cooler FRPA Fixed Reception Pattern Antenna
FOC (1) Fuel/Oil Cooler FRQ Frequency
(2) Full Operational Capability
FSAS Flight Service Automation System
FOG Fiber Optic Gyro
FSE Field Service Engineer
FOQA Flight Operations Quality Assurance
FSEU Flap Slat Electronics Unit
FPA (1) Flight Path Angle
(2) Focal Plane Array FSF Flight Safety Foundation
FPAC Flight Path Acceleration FSS Flight Service Station
FPC Flight Profile Comparator FT Functional Test
FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array FTE Flight Technical Error
FPM Feet Per Minute FTP File Transfer Protocol
FPV Flight Path Vector FTPP Fault Tolerant Power Panel
FQIS Fuel Quantity Indicating System FW Failure Warning
FQPU Fuel Quantity Processor Unit FWC Flight Warning Computer

40 41
FWD Forward GGTFM Ground-Ground Traffic Flow Management
FWS Flight Warning System GGR Ground-Ground Router
FYDS Flight Director/Yaw Damper System GGS Global Positioning System Ground Station
GA (1) General Aviation GH Ground Handling
(2) Go Around
GHz Gigahertz (billion hertz)
GAAS Galium Arsenide
GI Group Identifier
GACS Genetic ATN Communications Service
GIB GNSS Integrity Broadcast
GAIT Ground-based Augmentation and Integrity
GIC GNSS Integrity Channel
GAMA General Aviation Manufacturers Association
GICB Ground-Initiated Comm-B
GATM Global Air Traffic Management
GIGO Garbage-In Garbage-Out
GBST Ground-Based Software Tool
GIHO Ground Initiated Handoff
Gbyte Gigabyte (billon bytes)
GL (1) Ground Location (ACARS/AFEPS)
GCAS Ground Collision Avoidance System (2) Group Length
GCB Generator Circuit Breaker Glidepath The approach path used by an aircraft during an
instrument landing or the portion of the glideslope
GCC Ground Cluster Controller (ACARS) that intersects the localizer. The glidepath does not
GCS Ground Clutter Suppression provide guidance completely to a touchdown point
on the runway.
GCU Generator Control Unit
Glideslope The vertical guidance portion of an ILS system.
GDLP Ground Data Link Processor
GLNS GPS Landing and Navigation System
GDOP Geometric Dilution Of Precision. A term referring to
error introduced in a GPS calculation due to the GLNU GPS Landing and Navigation Unit
positioning of the satellites and the receiver. GLONASS Global Navigation Satellite System
GDP Ground Delay Program GLS (1) GPS Landing System
GEN Generator (2) Gun Laying System

GEO Geostationary Earth Orbit GLU GPS Landing Unit

GES Ground Earth Station GM Guidance Material

GFE Government Furnished Equipment GMC Ground Movement Control

GFI General Format Identifier GMT Greenwich Mean Time. GMT is a universal time
scale based upon the mean angle of rotation of the
GFSK Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying earth about its axis in relation to the sun. It is
referenced to the prime meridian that passes through
GG (1) Graphics Generator Greenwich, England.
(2) Ground-Ground
GMU Global Network Architecture

42 43
GND Ground Gray Code Special binary code used to transmit altitude data
between framing pulses of a transponder reply. A
GNE Gross Navigational Error cyclic code having only one digit change at a time.
GNR Global Navigation Receiver Used in Mode C to transmit aircraft barometric
altitude. Also known as Gilham code.
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
Ground A radio wave that travels along the earths surface.
GNSSP Global Navigation Satellite System Panel Wave
Goniometer A device that combines the two signals from two loop GRP Geographic Reference Point
antennas. The goniometer (or resolver) contains two
fixed coils and one rotating coil. The rotating coil is GS (1) Glideslope
connected to the ADF bearing indicator needle to (2) Ground Speed
indicate the relative bearing from the aircraft to the G/S Glideslope
NDB station. The mechanical position of the rotor
represents the bearing of the station, and the position GSC Ground Station Controller (ACARS)
is electrically transmitted to the RMI.
GSE Ground Support Equipment
GOS Grade of Service
GSIF Ground Station Information Frame
GOSIP Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile
GSM Global Systems Mobile
GPADIRS Global Positioning, Air Data, Inertial Reference System
GSMS Ground Station Management System
GPIB General Purpose Instrument Bus
GSP Glare Shield Panel
GPP General Purpose Processor
GSV Gray Scale Voltage(s)
GPS (1) Global Positioning System (See NAVSTAR)
(2) Global Positioning Satellite GT Greater Than
GPS L1 Global Positioning System L1 Frequency GTA General Terms Agreement
GPSSU Global Positioning System Sensor Unit GTC Data Link Ground Terminal Computer
GPU Ground Power Unit GTR General Technical Requirements
GPWC Ground Proximity Warning Computer GUI Graphic/User Interface
GPWS Ground Proximity Warning System GVE Graphics Vector Engine
GR Ground Router GW Gateway
GRIB Gridded Binary (National Weather Service GWS Graphical Weather Services
Model Output) Gyroscope A rotating device that will maintain its original plane
Gradient The rate at which a variable quantity increases of rotation, no matter which direction the gyroscope
or decreases. mount is turned.
HAD Hardware Architecture Document
HAMS Hot Air Management System

44 45
HARS High Altitude Route System HGC Head-Up Guidance Computer
HCP Head-Up Control Panel HGS Head-Up Guidance System
HCI Human Computer Interface HHLD Heading Hold
HCS Host Computer System HI High
HCW Heavily Cold Worked Pipe and Tube (Sean-Free) HIC Head Impact Criteria
HDBK Handbook HIL Horizontal Integrity Limit
HDG Heading HIRF (1) High Intensity Radiated Field
(2) High Intensity Radio Frequency
HDG SEL Heading Select
HLCS High Lift Control System
HDISK Hard Disk
HLE Higher Layer Entity
HDL Hybrid Data Link
HLL High Level Language
HDLC High-Level Data Link Control
HMI Human Machine Interface
HDLC-B High-Level Data Link Control - Balanced
HMOS High Density Metal Oxide Semiconductor
HDLMS Hybrid Data Link Management System
HMU Height Monitoring Unit
HDOP Horizontal Dilution of Precision
HO Handoff
HDOT Inertial Vertical Speed
HOW Hand Over Word
HDP Hardware Development Plan
HP (1) High Pressure
HE Altitude Error (2) Holding Pattern
Heading The direction of an aircraft path with respect to HPA High Power Amplifier
magnetic or true north.
hPa hecto Pascal
HF High Frequency. The portion of the radio spectrum
from 3 to 30 MHz. HF communication systems HPC High Pressure Compressor
operate in the 2 to 30 MHz portion of the spectrum.
H-Plane The H-Plane is the plane in which the magnetic field
HFDL High-Frequency Data Link of the antenna lies. The H-Plane is perpendicular to
the E-Plane.
HFDM HF Data Modem
HPR High-Power Relay
HFDR High Frequency Data Radio
HPRES Pressure Altitude
HFNPDU High Frequency Network Protocol Data Unit
HPSOV High-Pressure Shutoff Valve
HFS High Frequency System
HPT High-Pressure Turbine
HFSG Human Factor Study Group
HRD Home Routing Domain
HFSNL HF SubNetwor kL ayer
HSA Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator
HGA High Gain Antenna

46 47
HSACE Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator Control Electronics IAPA Instrument Approach Procedures Automation
HS-DSAD High Speed Frame Relay Service Access Device IAPS Integrated Avionics Processing System
HSI Horizontal Situation Indicator. An indicator that IARP Inverse Address Resolution Protocol
displays bearing, glideslope, distance, radio source,
course and heading information. IAS Indicated Airspeed is the speed indicated by a
differential pressure airspeed indicator that
HSIT Hardware and Software Integration Test measures the actual pressure differential in the
pitot-static head. It is the actual instrument
HSL Heading Select indication for a given flight condition.
HSR High Stability Reference IATA International Air Transport Association
HSRP Hot Standby Routing Protocol IBAC International Business Aviation Council
HSTA Horizontal Stabilizer Trim Actuator IC (1) Integrated Circuit
HTC Highest Two-way Channel (2) Intercabinet

HUD Head-Up Display ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization (Montreal)

HVPS High-Voltage Power Supply ICC IAPS Card Cage

HW Hardware ICCAIA International Coordinating Council of Aerospace

Industries
HWCI Hardware Configuration Item
ICD (1) Installation Control Drawing
HX Heat Exchanger (2) Interface Control Drawing
(3) Interactive Design Center
HYD Hydraulic
ICM Interline Communications Manual
HYDIM Hydraulic Interface Module
ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol
Hz Hertz (cycles per second)
ICNIA Integrated Communications, Navigation and
I2S Integrated Information System Identification Avionics
IACSP International Aeronautical Communications ICP Initial Conflict Probe
Service Provider
ICSS Integrated Communication Switching System
I/F Interface
ICU Instrument Comparator Unit
IA5 International Alphabet Number 5
ID Identifier
IAGS Integrated ARINC Ground Station
IDC Indicator Display/Control
IANA Internet Assigned Number Authority
Ident The action of the transponder transmitting an extra
IAOA Indicated Angle-of-Attack pulse along with its identification code (at the request
of a controller).
IAOPA International Council of Aircraft Owners and
Pilots Associations IDI Initial Domain Identifier

48 49
IDG Integrated Drive Generator IMC Instrument Meteorological Conditions
IDP Initial Domain Part IMG Implementation Management Group
IDRP Inter-Domain Routing Protocol IMI Imbedded Message Identifier
IDS (1) Ice Detection System IMOK Im Okay
(2) Integrated Display System
(3) Information Display System IMPATT Impact Avalanche and Transmit Time. This type of
Diode diode, when mounted in an appropriate cavity,
IDU Interactive Display Unit produces microwave oscillations and amplification.
IEC IAPS Environmental Control Module In Inch
IED Insertion Extraction Device INBD (1) Inboard
(2) Inbound
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
IND Indicator
IEPR Integrated Engine Pressure Ratio
Indicated The altitude above mean sea level (uncorrected
IF (if) Intermediate Frequency. A frequency to which a Altitude for temperature).
signal is shifted as an in-between step in the reception
or transmission of a signal. INFO Information Frame
IFALPA International Federation of Airline Pilots Association in.hg. Inches of Mercury
IFATCA International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers INIT Initialization
Associations
INJ Injection
IFE In-Flight Entertainment
INMARSAT International Maritime Satellite Organization
IFPS Integrated Initial Flight Plan Processing System
INPH Interphone
IFR Instrument Flight Rules
INS Inertial Navigation System. A self-contained,
IFRB International Frequency Registration Board dead-reckoning system that senses the acceleration
along the three axes of the aircraft and calculates the
IGES Standardized Graphics Exchange File distance traveled from a reference point. Accuracy
IGIA Interagency Group on International Aviation of the system decreases with respect to time.

IGV Inlet Guide Vane INST Instrument

ILM Independent Landing Monitor INTC Intercept

ILS Instrument Landing System. The system provides InterNIC Internet Network Information Center
latera l ,a long-course and vertical guidance to aircraft Intruder An altitude reporting aircraft that is being considered
attempting a landing. as a potential threat and processed by the threat
IMA Integrated Modular Avionics detection logic (TCAS).

IMAS Integrated Mission Avionics System I/O Input/Output. Refers to bi-directional data ports.

50 51
IOC (1) Initial Operational Capability ISDOS Information System Design and Optimization System
(2) Input/Output Concentrator
(3) Input/Output Controller ISH Intermediate System Hello

ION Institute of Navigation ISLN Isolation

IOR Indian Ocean Region ISO (1) International Organization for Standardization
(2) International Standards Organization
IOS Internet Operating System (3) Isolation
IOT & E Initial Operational Test and Evaluation Iso-Contour Refer to contour
IP (1) Instructor Pilot ISO PA ISO Protocol Architecture
(2) Intermediate Pressure
(3) Internet Protocol ISQC Intersound Quality Control facility. Facility that
checks, labels and distributes all video cassettes.
IPACG Informational Pacific Air Traffic Control
Coordinating Group ISP (1) Integrated Switching Panel
(2) Internet Service Provider
IPB Illustrated Parts Breakdown
ISR Interrupt Service Routine
IPC (1) Illustrated Parts Catalog
(2) Integrated Processing Cabinet ISSN Intermediate System Subnetwork
(3) Intermediate Pressure Compressor ISU Initial Signal Unit
IPD (1) Industrial Products Division ITA Institute of Air Transport
(2) Integrated Product Delivery
ITM Information Technology Management is the ground
IPI Initial Protocol Identifier based portion of an ADMS (See also EDMS).
IPL Illustrated Parts List ITO Indium-Tin Oxide
IPR Internet Protocol Router ITS Integrated Test System
IPT Intermediate Pressure Turbine ITSE Integrated Test and Support Environment
IRD Integrated Receiver/Decoder ITT (1) Interstage Turbine Temperature
IRE Internal Roll Extrusion (2) Inter-Turbine Temperature

IRP Integrated Refuel Panel ITU International Telecommunications Union

IRS (1) Inertial Reference System IUPS Internal Uninterruptible Power Supply
(2) Interface Requirements Specification IV Isolation Valve
IRU Inertial Reference Unit IVSI Instantaneous Vertical Speed Indicator
ISA (1) Industry Standard Architecture ITWS Integrated Terminal Weather System
(2) International Standard Atmosphere
JAA Joint Aviation Authority
ISC Integrated Systems Controller
JAR Joint Airworthiness Requirement
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network

52 53
JAR-AWO Joint Airworthiness Requirements All Weather L5 Civil Satellite Frequency
Operations
L AAS Local Area Augmentation System
JATO Jet Assisted Takeoff
Lab Laboratory
JCDP Joint Conceptual Definition Phase
LADGPS Local Area Differential GPS
JDP Joint Definition Phase
LAN Local Area Network
JFET Junction Field Effect Transistor
LAPB Link Access Protocol - Balanced
JPS Journal Processing System
LAT Latitude
J/S Jammer to Signal Ratio
L-Band A radio frequency band from 390 to 1,550 MHz
JSAT Joint System Acceptance Test
LCA Layered Component Architecture
JTAG Joint Test Action Group
LCC Leadless Chip Carrier
JTIDS Joint Tactical Information Distribution System
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
KB Kilo-Bytes (thousand bytes)
LCF Link Control Field
KBITS Kilobits
LCI Logical Channel Identifier
Kbps Kilobits per second
LCM Logic Control Module
kb/s Kilobits Per Second
LCN Local Communications Network
KBU Keyboard Unit
LCP Lighting Control Panel
Key A hand-operated switching device or the act of
operating such a device. LCR Link Connection Refusal
KG Kilogram LCSTB Low Cost Simulation Testbed
kHz Kilohertz (1000 cycles per second) LD Lower Data
km Kilometer LDCC Leaded Chip Carrier
KPS Kilobytes Per Second LDGPS Local Area Differential Global Positioning Satellite
kts Knots LDOC Long Distance Operational Control
kVA Kilovolt-ampere LDU Lamp Driver Unit
kW Kilowatt LE Link Establish
L Left LED Light Emitting Diode
L1 L-Band carrier (1575.42 MHz) Leg The section of the flight between two waypoints.
L2 L-Band carrier (1227.6 MHz) LEO Low Earth Orbiting

54 55
LF Low Frequency. The frequency range from 30 to Lock-On The condition that exists when the DME receives
300 kHz. reply pulses to at least 50 percent of the
interrogations. Valid distance information is then
LFR Low Frequency Radio Range available.
LGA Low Gain Antenna LOM Locator Outer Marker. An NDB that is co-located at
LHP Lightning HIRF Protection the same site as the 75 MHz outer marker beacon.

LIB Left Inboard LON Longitude

LIM Limit LOP Line Of Position

LIMNATRAN Limited North Atlantic Regional Air Navigation LORAN Long Range Navigation. A system using a ground
facility composed of a master station and a slave
LINCS Long-Haul Interfacility Communications System station. The airborne receiver computes the position
of the aircraft by using two or more received
LISN Line Impedance Stabilization Network master-slave pairs of signals. LORAN-A operates at
1850, 1900 and 1950 kHz. LORAN-C operates at
LLC Logical Link Control 100 kHz. LORAN-A was replaced by LORAN-C in
LLMS Liquid Level Measurement System 1980.
LLP Left Lower Plug. Identifies the plug on the rear LORAN C Long Range Navigation System
connector of an avionics unit. LOS (1) Line Of Sight
L/M List of Materials (2) Line-Oriented Simulation
LME Link Management Entity LP Linear Polarization
LMI Logical Management Interface LPC Low Pressure Compressor
LMM Locator Middle Marker. An NDB that is co-located at LPDU Link Protocol Data Unit
the same site as the 75 MHz middle marker beacon. LPT Low Pressure Turbine
LMP Left Middle Plug. Identifies the plug on the rear LRA or LRRA (1) Low-Range Radio Altimeter
connector of an avionics unit. (2) Line Replaceable Assembly
LMT Local Mean Time LRC Long Range Cruise
LNA Low Noise Amplifier LRM Line Replaceable Module
LNAV Lateral Navigation LRN Long Range Navigation
LO Low LRR Long Range Radar
LOB Left Outboard LRU Line Replaceable Unit
LOC Localizer. The lateral guidance portion of an LSB (1) Lower Sideband. The lower sideband is the
ILS system. difference in frequency between the AM carrier
signal and the modulation signal.
(2) Least Significant Bit

56 57
LSD Least Significant Digit Magnetic The direction north as determined by the earths
North magnetic field. The reference direction for
LS-DSAD Low-Speed Frame Relay Service Access Device measurement of magnetic directions.
LS-FRAD Low-Speed Frame Relay Access Device MAINT Maintenance
LSI Large Scale Integration MALDT Mean Administrative and Logistics Delay Time
LSK Line Select Key MAP (1) Missed Approach Point
LSN Local Subnetwork (2) Mode Annunciator Panel

LSP Link State PDU Marker A transmitter operating at 75 MHz that provides
Beacon identification of a particular position along an airway
LTC Lowest Two-way Channel or on the approach to an instrument runway. The
marker beacon is continuously tone-modulated by a
LTP Left Top Plug. Identifies the plug on the rear 400-Hz, a 1,300-Hz or a 3,000-Hz tone. Marker
connector of an avionics unit. beacons along an instrument runway provide
along-course (range) guidance and designate when an
Lubber Line A fixed line placed on an indicator to indicate the aircraft should be at a certain altitude if the aircraft is
front-to-rear axis of the aircraft. following the glidepath.
LV Lower Sideband Voice M/ASI Mach/Airspeed Indicator
LVDT (1) Linear Variable Differential Transformer MASPS Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards
(2) Linear Voltage Differential Transducer (used with
aircraft control surface servos). MAT Maintenance Access Terminal
LVLCHG Level Change MAWP Missed Approached Waypoint
LVPS Low Voltage Power Supply MAX Maximum
LVTO Low Visibility Take-Off MAX CLB Maximum engine thrust for two-engine climb
M Mach Number MAX CRZ Maximum engine thrust for two-engine cruise
m Meter MB Marker Beacon
MAA Maximum Authorized IFR Altitude MBE Multiple Bit Error
MAC Medium Access Controller Mbps Megabytes per Second
Mach Mach number is the ratio of the true airspeed to the MC Master Change
Number speed of sound at a particular flight condition. It is
the chief criterion of airflow pattern and is usually MCA Minimum Crossing Altitude
represented by the free-stream steady-state value.
MCB Microwave Circuit Board
Mag Magnetic
MCBF Mean Cycles Between Failures
Magnetic The bearing with respect to magnetic north.
Bearing MCC Maintenance Control Computer
MCDP Maintenance Control Display Panel

58 59
MCDU Multifunctional Control Display Unit MFM Maintenance Fault Memory
MCN Manufacturing Control Number MFS Media File Server
MCP (1) Maintenance Control Panel MGSCU Main Gear Steering Control Unit
(2) Mode Control Panel
MHD Magnetic Hard Drive
MCT Max Continuous Thrust
MHz Megahertz (1,000,000 cycles per second)
MCU (1) Modular Concept Unit (approximately 1/8-ATR,
Airline Transport Rack) MIB Management Information Base
(2) Motor Control Unit (used in autothrottle) MIB II Management Information Base II
(3) Multifunction Concept Unit
MIC Microphone. Also refers to the output signal of
MDA Minimum Descent Altitude the microphone.
MDC Maintenance Diagnostic Computer MicroEARTS Micro En route Automated Radar Tracking System
MDCRS Meteorological Data Collection and Reporting Service MIDU Multipurpose Interactive Display Unit
MDL Multipurpose Data Link MIL Military
MDS Minimum Discernible Signal. The MDS is the lowest MIL-HDBK-217General Prediction of Electronic Equipment (MTBF)
RF signal level that can be detected as a valid signal.
MILSPEC Military Specifications
MDT Maintenance Display Terminal
MIL-STD-882 System Safety Requirements
MEA Minimum En route Altitude
Min (1) Minimum
MEC Main Equipment Center (2) Minutes
MEL Minimum Equipment List. The list of equipment that MIPS Million Instructions Per Second
the FAA requires be aboard and working on an
aircraft before flying. MKR (1) Marker
(2) Marker Beacon
MEO Medium Earth Orbit
MLA Maneuver Limited Altitude
MES Main Engine Start
MLS Microwave Landing System
MET Meteorology
MLW Maximum Landing Weight
MF Medium Frequency. The portion of the radio
spectrum from 300 kHz to 3 MHz. MM Mass Memory
MFCP Multifunction Control Display Panel MME Modular Mounting Enclosure
MFD Multifunction Display MMI Man-Machine Interface
MFDS Multifunction Display System MMIC Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit
MFDU Multifunction Display Unit Mmo The maximum Mach number at which an aircraft
has been certified to operate.
MFIT Mean Fault Isolation Time

60 61
MMR Multi-Mode Receiver MPEL Maximum Permissible Exposure Level
MMS Maintenance Management System MPU Multifunction Process Unit
MN Magnetic North MRA Minimum Reception Altitude
MNCID Network Management Category Interaction Diagram MRDU Multichannel Receiver/Decoder Unit
MNPS Minimum Navigation Performance Specification MROSE Multiple-tasking Real-time Operating System
Executive
MO Magneto-Optical
MRR Manufacturing Revision Request
MOA (1) Memorandum of Agreement
(2) Military Operation Area MRT Mean Response Time
MOCA Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude MS Millisecond
MOD (1) Magneto-Optical Drive m/s Meter per Second
(2) Modification
(3) Modulator MSAS Ministry of Transportation Satellite
Augmentation System
Mode A The pulse format for an identification code
interrogation of an ATCRBS transponder. MSB Most Significant Bit

Mode B An optional mode for transponder interrogation. MSC Message Sequence Chart

Mode C The pulse format for an altitude information MSCP Mobile Satellite Service Provider
interrogation of an ATCRBS transponder. MSD (1) Mass Storage Device
Mode D An unassigned, optional transponder mode. (2) Most Significant Digit

Mode S (1) Mode Select (a transponder format to allow MSG Message

discrete interrogation and data link capability) MSI Medium Scale Integration
(2) Selective interrogation mode of SSR
MSK Minimum Shift Keying
MODEM Modulator/Demodulator
MSL Mean Sea Level
MOPR Minimum Operational Performance Requirements
M-SNDCF Mobile - Subnetwork Dependent Convergence
MOPS Minimum Operational Performance Standards
MSP Mode S Specific Protocol
MORA Minimum Off-Route Altitude
MSSR Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar
MOS Metal Oxide Semiconductor
MSSS Mode S Specific Services
MOSFET Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transmitter
MSU Mode Select Unit
MOU Memorandum Of Understanding
MT Minimum Time
MP (1) Main Processor
(2) Middle Plug. Identifies the plug position on the
rear connector of an avionics unit.
MPCU Multiport Protocol Converter Unit

62 63
MTBF Mean Time Between Failures. A performance figure
calculated by dividing the total unit flying hours
(airborne) accrued in a period of time by the number
of unit failures that occurred during the same time.
Where total unit hours are available, this may be used
in lieu of total unit flying hours.
MTTMA Mean Time to Maintenance Alert
MTTR Mean Time To Repair. A performance figure calculated
by dividing the sum of the active repair elapsed times
accrued in a period on a number of designated items by
the number of these items repaired in the same period.

MTBO Mean Time Between Outages MTTRS Mean Time To Restore Service

MTBR (1) Mean Time Between Removal MTTUR Mean Time To Unscheduled Removal. A performance
(2) Mean Time Between Repairs. A performance figure calculated by dividing the summation of times
figure calculated by dividing the total unit flying to unscheduled removal for a sample of removed
hours accrued in a period by the number of unit items by the number of removed items in the sample.
removals (scheduled plus unscheduled) that This is different from MTBUR since no allowance is
occurred during the same period. given to items that have not been removed.
MTBUR (1) Mean Time Between Unscheduled Removal MU ACARS Management Unit
(2) Mean Time Between Unit Replacements. A MULT Multiplier
performance figure calculated by dividing the
total unit flying hours (airborne) accrued in a MUS Minimum Use Specification. A generic description by
period by the number of unscheduled unit parameter and characteristics of the test equipment
removals that occurred during the same period. and resources required for testing a unit or system.
MTC Maintenance Terminal Cabinet MUX Multiplexer
MTD Maintenance Terminal Display MWARA Major World Air Route Area
MTF Maintenance Terminal Function N North
MTI Moving Target Indicator. This type of radar display N1 Fan speed
will show only moving targets.
N2 Intermediate compressor speed
MTM Module Test and Maintenance
N3 High speed compressor
MTMIU Module Test and Maintenance Bus Interface Unit
N/A Not Applicable
MTSAT Multifunction Transport Satellite System (Japan)
NACA National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
MTTDA Mean Time To Dispatch Alert
NADIN National Airspace Data Interchange Network
MTTF Mean Time To Failure. A performance figure
calculated by dividing the summation of times to NAK Negative Acknowledgement
failure for a sample of failed items by the number of
failed items in the sample. The same item failing N NAS (1) National Aircraft Standard
times constitutes N failed items in the sample. This is (2) National Airspace System
different from mean time between failures since no NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
allowance is given to items that have not failed.
NASPALS NAS Precision Approach and Landing System
MTTM Mean Time To Maintenance. The arithmetic mean of
the time intervals between maintenance actions. NAT North Atlantic Tracks

64 65
NATA National Air Transport Association, Inc. NEG Negative
NATCA National Air Traffic Controllers Association NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association
NATS North Atlantic Track System NESDIS National Environmental Satellite, Data and
Information Service
NAT/NAM/PAC North Atlantic/North American/Pacific
NET Network Entity Title
NAV Navigation
NEXCOM Next Generation Communications
NAVAID Navigational Aid
NEXRAD Next Generation Radar
Navigation A medium holding the customized navigation
Datacard database. NFF No Faults Found
NAVSTAR The NAVSTAR global positioning system (GPS) is a NGATM New Generation Air Traffic Manager
system using 24 satellites, all reporting precise time
signals, along with location keys. Eight satellites are in NH High Pressure Gas Generator RPM
each of three 63-degree inclined plane circular orbits NHE Notes and Helps Editor
at 11,000 nmi in altitude. The system is used for
navigation and determining exact position. NICE NAT Implementation Management Group
Cost Effectiveness
Nautical Mile Equivalent to 6,076.1 feet, or approximately 1.15
(nmi) statute miles. NIMS NAS Infrastructure Management System
NBAA National Business Aviation Association NIP Network Interface Processor
NC Numerical Control NIR Network Interface Router
NIC New Installation Concept NIRV Network interface Router VDL
NCD No Computed Data NIS Not-In-Service
NCI Not Currently Implemented NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
NCS Network Coordination Station N-Layer N is set for any layer name (such as link, network, etc.)
or for the initial (e.g. N-SDU means LSDU at the link
ND Navigation Display. An EFIS presentation substituting layer). OSI model definition.
for the horizontal situation indicator (HSI).
NL Low-Pressure Gas Generator RPM
NDB (1) Navigation Data Base (as stored in FMC memory)
(2) Non-Directional Radio Beacon. A ground station NLM Network-Loadable Module
designed specifically for ADF use that operates in
the 190-to-550-kHz range.Transmits a continuous NLP Network Layer Protocol
carrier with either 400-or-1020 Hz modulation
(keyed) to provide identification. NLR Netherlands National Aerospace Laboratory

NDI Nondevelopmental Item NLT Not Less Than

NE Network Element NM or NMI Nautical Mile

NEAN North European ADS-B Network NM Network Management

66 67
NMC National Meteorological Center NS Network Service
NMCCD Network Management Category Class Diagram NSAP Network Service Access Point
NMCD Network management Category Diagram NSDU Network Service Data Unit
NMF Network Management Function NSEU Neutron Single Event Upset
NMIRS Network Management Interface Requirements NSSL National Severe Storms Laboratory
Specification
NTF No Trouble Found. (Referring to testing or checkout of
NMOS N-type Metal Oxide Semiconductor unit/module.)
NMP Network Management Plan NTIA National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (U.S.)
NMS Network Management System
NTSB National Transportation Safety Board
NMT Not More Than
NUI Network User Identification
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NVM Non-Volatile Memory
NOC Notice Of Change
NVRAM Non-Volatile RAM
NOCAR North Atlantic Oceanic Concept and Requirements
NWS National Weather Service. The NWS provides a
NOCC National Operations Control Center ground-based weather radar network throughout the
NO COM No Communication. A NO COM annunciation United States. The radar network operates
indicates that a downlink message has not been continuously and transmits the data to the National
acknowledged in an ACARS system. Meteorological Center, where it correlates with other
weather observations.
NOI Notice of Inquiry
OAC Oceanic Area Control Center
Noise Undesired random electromagnetic disturbances or
spurious signals that are not part of the transmitted or OAG Official Airline Guide
received signal. OAS Oceanic Automation System
NOPAC North Pacific OAT (1) Operational Acceptance Test
NOTAM Notice to Airmen (2) Optional Auxiliary Terminal. The OAT may be in
the form of a CRT/Keyboard device capable of
NOTUS Notice to Users (ARINC) interfacing with other sources of data on the
aircraft and supplying data to a hard copy printer.
NPA Non-Precision Approach (Used in an ACARS system.)
(3) Outside Air Temperature. The uncorrected
NPDU Network Protocol Data Unit reading of the outside temperature gauge.
NR Network Router Different types of gauges require different
correction factors to obtain static air temperature.
NRD Network Routing Domain
OATS Orbit and Attitude Tracking
NRP National Route Program
OBP Operational Build Plan
NRZ Non-Return to Zero

68 69
OBS (1) Omnibearing Selector. A panel instrument that OMEGA A navigation system that uses two high-powered
contains the controls and circuits to select an transmitter ground stations to broadcast a continuous
omnibearing and determine the TO-FROM wave signal. The receiver measures the range
indication. difference between the two stations to determine
(2) Optical Bypass Switch position.
OCA Oceanic Control Area O m n i b e a r i n g The bearing indicated by a navigational receiver on
transmissions from an omnidirectional radio range
OCC Operations Control Center (VOR).
OCD Oceanic Clearance Delivery OMS (1) Onboard Maintenance System
OCIG Oceanic Communications Improvement Group (2) Order Management System

OCP Oceanic Clearance Processor OMT Object Modeling Technique

Octal Base-8 counting system. Numbers include 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, OOA Object Oriented Analysis
5, 6, 7. OOD Object Oriented Design
ODAPS Oceanic Display And Planning System. Will present OOOI OUT-OFF-ON-IN. An OOOI event is recorded as part
oceanic flight data to controllers in a display that will of the ACARS operation. The OUT event is recorded
enable better route and altitude assignments. when the aircraft is clear of the gate and ready to taxi.
ODID Operational Display and Input Development The OFF event occurs when the aircraft has lifted off
the runway. The ON event occurs when the aircraft
ODL Optical Data Link has landed. The IN event occurs when the aircraft has
taxied to the ramp area.
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
On-BlockTime The time that the aircraft arrives at the gate.
OEU Overhead Electronics Units
OP Operational
Off-Block Time The time that the aircraft leaves the gate.
OPT Optimum
OFP Operational Flight Program
OPAS Overhead Panel ARINC 629 System
OGE Operational Ground Equipment
OPBC Overhead Panel Bus Controller
OHU Overhead Unit (HUD)
OPER Operation
OID Outline Installation Drawing
OPR Once Per Revolution
OIU Orientation/Introduction Unit
OPS Operations Per Second
OLAN Onboard Local Area Network
OPSPECS Operational Specifications
OLDI On-Line Data Interchange
OPU Overspeed Protection Unit
O&M Operating and Maintenance
O-QAR Optical Quick Access Recorder
OM Outer Marker
OR Operational Requirements
OMD Onboard Maintenance Documentation
OS Operating System

70 71
OSC Order Status Report PANS-OPS Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Aircraft
Operations
OSDS Oceanic System Development Support
PAPI Precision Approach Path Indicators
OSI (1) Open Systems Interconnection
(2) Open System Interface PAR Precision Approach Radar. An X-band radar that
scans a limited area and is part of the
OSIE OSI Environment ground-controlled approach system.
OSI-RM Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model PAS Passenger Address System
OSPF Open Shortest Path First PAT Pilot Applications Terminal
OT & E Operational Test and Evaluation PAU Passenger Address Unit
OTA Office of Technology Assessment (U.S.) PAWES Performance Assessment and Workload Evaluation
OTFP Operational Traffic Flow Planning PAX Passenger
OTH Over The Horizon PBD Place Bearing/Distance (waypoint)
OTP Office of Telecommunications Policy (U.S.) PBID Post Burn-In Data
OTS Off-The-Shelf PBX Private Branch Exchange
OVRD Override PC (1) Personal Computer
OVS Overhead Video System (2) Printed Circuit

oxy Oxygen P-Code The GPS precision code

PA (1) Passenger Address PCA Physical Configuration Audit

(2) Power Amplifier PCB Printed Circuit Board
PAC Path Attenuation Compensation PCC Pilot Controller Communication
PA/CI Passenger Address/Cabin Interphone PCI Protocol Control Information. The N-PCI is
PACIS Passenger Address and Communication Interphone exchanged between peer network members
System (OSI Model) to coordinate joint information.

PAD Packet Assembler-Disassembler PCIP Precipitation

Paired DME channels are paired with a VORTAC or ILS PCM Pulse Code Modulation
Channels frequency and are automatically selected when the PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card Interface
VORTAC or ILS frequency is selected. Most navigation Association
controls have this feature.
PCU (1) Passenger Control Unit
PAL Programmable Array Logic (2) Power Control Unit
PAM Pulse Amplitude Modulation PD Profile Descent
PDA Premature Descent Alert

72 73
PDB Performance Data Base PET Pacific Engineering Trials
PDC Pre-Departure Clearance PETAL Preliminary Eurocontrol Test of Air/Ground Data Link
PDCU Panel Data Concentrator Unit PETAL II Preliminary Eurocontrol Test of Air/Ground Data
Link, Phase II
PDD Package Design Document
PETAL IIe Preliminary Eurocontrol Test of Air/Ground Data
PDDI Product Definition Data Interface. Standardizes digital Link, Phase II Extension
descriptions of part configurations and properties
needed for manufacturing. PF (1) Pilot Flying
(2) Power Factor
PDF Primary Display Function
PFC Primary Flight Computer
PDL Program Design Language
PFCS Primary Flight Control System
P-DME Precision Distance Measuring Equipment
PFD (1) Primary Flight Director
PDN Public Data Network (CCITT/ISD) (2) Primary Flight Display. An EFIS presentation
PDOP Position Dilution Of Precision. A GPS term for error substituting for the ADI.
introduced into the GPS calculations. PFIS Passenger Flight Information System
PDOS Powered Door Opening System PFR Pulse Repetition Frequency. The rate at which pulses
PDR Preliminary Design Review are transmitted.

PDS Primary Display System PFS Product File Sets

PDU (1) Power Distribution Unit PGA Pin Grid Array

(2) Power Drive Unit PHARE Program for Harmonized ATC Research in Europe
(3) Protocol Data Unit. The N-PDU is a combination
of the N-PCI and the N-UD or N-SDU. The PHIBUF Performance Buffet Limit
N-PDU is the total information that is transferred
between peer network members (OSI Model) PHINOM Nominal Bank Angle
as a unit. PHY Physical Interface Device
PECT Peer Entity Contact Table Phase A signal in which the phase varies (with respect to the
PEP Peak Envelope Power Modulation original signal) with the amplitude of the modulatory
signal, while the amplitude of the carrier wave
PERF Performance remains constant. Similar to a modified frequency
modulated signal.
Performance A relative number used to compare the performance
Index of different radar systems. It is calculated from PI Parameter Identifier
transmitter peak power, antenna gain, pulse width, prf,
antenna beam width and the receiver noise figure. PIA Performance Integrity and Availability

PERT Program Evaluation Review Techinque PICS Protocol Implementation Conformance Statements

PES Passenger Entertainment System

74 75
PID (1) Parameter Identifier PNF Pilot Not Flying
(2) Primitive Identifier
(3) Process Identifier PNR Point of No Return

PI/O Processor Input/Output POA Plain Old ACARS

PIRE Production or Pipe Internal Roll Extrusion POC Proof Of Concept

PIREPS Pilot Reports Polled Mode An ACARS mode of operation in which the airborne
system transmits only in response to received uplink
Pitot Pressure The sum of the static and dynamic pressures and is messages (polls).
the total force per unit area exerted by the air on the
surface of a body in motion. POP Point of Presence

Pitot Tube A forward facing probe attached to the outside of the POR Pacific Ocean Region
aircraft to sense the relative pressure of the aircraft POS Position
moving through the atmosphere. Named for Henri
Pitot who first used this method of measuring fluid POS INIT Position Initialization
flow pressure.
POS REF Position Reference
PL Parameter Length
POT Potentiometer
PLA (1) Power Level Angle
(2) Programmable Logic Array POTS Plain Old Telephone System/Service
PLGR Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver PPDU Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit
PLL Phase Locked Loop PPI Planned Position Indicator. A type of radar display
which shows aircraft positions and airways chart on
PM Phase Modulation the same display.
PMA (1) Parts Manufacturing Approval PPL Processor-to-Processor Link
(2) Permanent Magnet Alternator
ppm pages per minute
PMAT Portable Maintenance Access Terminal
PPM (1) Pulse Position Modulation
PMC Provisional Memory Cover (2) Parts Per Million
PMG Permanent Magnet Generator PPOS Present Position
PMOS P-Type Metal Oxide Semiconductor PPP Point-to-Point Protocol
PMS Performance Management System PPS (1) Packets Per Second
(2) Precise Positioning Service
PN (1) Part Number (3) Pulse Per Second
(2) Pseudo Noise
PRAIM Predictive Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring
PNCS Performance Navigation Computer System
PRAM Prerecorded Announcement Machine
PND Primary Navigation Display
PRELIM Preliminary Data
PNEU Pneumatic

76 77
PRESS Pressure PSEU Proximity Sensor Electronic Unit
Pressure The altitude measured above standard pressure level. PSL/PSA Problem Statement Language/Problem Statement
Altitude Based on the relationship of pressure and altitude Analyzer
with respect to a standard atmosphere.
PSM Power Supply Modules
PREV Previous
PSN Packet Switching Network
Preventive A resolution advisory that instructs the pilot to avoid
Advisory certain deviations from current vertical rate. (TCAS) PSPL Preferred Standard Parts List
PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency PSR Primary Surveillance Radar. The part of the ATC
system that determines the range and azimuth of an
PRI (1) Primary aircraft in a controlled air space.
(2) Primary Rate Interface
PSS Proximity Sensor System
PRM (1) Precision Runway Monitoring
(2) Proposed Rule Making PSU Passenger Service Unit

PRN Pseudo Random Noise PT Total Pressure

PROC Procedure PTD Performance Test Domain

PROF Profile PSE Packet Switching Exchange

PROG Progress Page on MCDU PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network

PROM Programmable ROM PTH Path

PR-NAV Precision Area Navigation PTI Packet Type Identifier

Protocol A set of rules for the format and content of messages PTM Peripheral Transition Module (I/O interface for SBC)
between communicating processes. PTR Production Test Requirements
PROV Provisional PTS Problem Tracking System
PROX Proximity PTSD Production Test Specification Document
PRSOV Pressure Regulating and Shutoff Valve PTT (1) Post, Telephone and Telegraph
P/RST Press To Reset (2) Push To Talk. Also refers to the switching signal
that enables the transmitter.
PRTR Printer (3) Push To Test
PS Power Supply PTU Power Transfer Unit
PSA Power Supply Assembly PVD Plan View Display
PSAS Primary Stability Augmentation System PV Parameter Value
PSD Port Sharing Device PVC Permanent Virtual Circuit
PSDN Packet Switched Data Network PVT Position, Velocity, Time

78 79
PWM Pulse-Width Modulation RAA Regional Airline Association
PWR Power Rabbit Tracks Rabbit Tracks, or running rabbits, refer to the
distinctive display produced by another (alien radar)
QAR Quick Access Recorder radar system transmission.
QC Quality Control RAD (1) Radial
QEC Quadrantral Error Corrector (2) Radio
(3) Rapid Application Development
QFE A method of setting the altimeter to compensate for
changes in barometric pressure and runway elevation. Radar Radio Detecting and Ranging. A system that measures
Pilot receives information from airfield and adjusts his distance and bearing to an object.
altimeter accordingly and it will read zero altitude at Radar Mile The time interval (approximately 12.359 microseconds)
touchdown on the runway. required for radio waves to travel one nautical mile
QM Quality Management and return (total of 2 nmi).

QMP Quality Management Plan Radial A line of direction going out from a VOR station
measured as a bearing with respect to magnetic
QNE The method of setting the altimeter to the standard north.
atmosphere datum -29.92 inches of mercury
(1,013.25 mb). This setting is used in the United States Radome The radome is the protective cover on the aircraft
airspace by all aircraft above FL180. nose that fits over the weather radar system antenna.
The radome is transparent at radar frequencies.
QNH The more common method of setting the altimeter to
compensate for changes in barometric pressure. Pilot RAF Requirements Analysis Folder
receives information from airfield, adjusts his RAI Radio Altimeter Indicator
altimeter accordingly and the altimeter will read
airfield elevation at touchdown. RAIM Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring
QOP Quality Operating Procedures RALT Radio Altimeter (also RA, RADALT, LRA, LRRA)
QoS Quality of Service RAM Random Access Memory. Generally used to describe
read/write integrated circuit memory.
QRH Quick Reference Handbook
RAPPS Remote Area Precision Positioning System
QTY Quantity
RAS Row Address Strobe
QUAD Quadrant
RAT RAM Air Temperature is the temperature of the air
Quadrantral Error in the relative bearing caused by the distortion entering an air scoop inlet. It is a factor in engine
Error of the received radio signal (RF fields) by the performance.
structure of the aircraft.
R/C Rate of Climb
R (1) Right
(2) Route Tuned NAVAID R-C Resistor-Capacitor network
RA (1) Resolution Advisory (generated by TCAS) R-C&W Rack Connectors and Wiring
(2) Radio Altimeter
(3) Routing Area RCAG Remote Center Air/Ground Station

80 81
RCC Remote Charge Converter REL Relative
RCE Radio Control Equipment REQ (1) Request
(2) Required/Requirement
RCL Radio Communications Link
RER Residual Error Rate
RCO Remote Communications Outlet
Resolution A display indication given to the pilot recommending
RCP (1) Radio Control Panel Advisory a maneuver to increase vertical separation relative to
(2) Required Communications Performance an intruding aircraft. A resolution advisory is also
RCR Routing and Circuit Restoral classified as corrective or preventive.

RCVR Receiver RESTR Restriction

RCU Remote Control Unit RESYNCING Resynchronizing

R&D Research and Development RET (1) Rapid Exit Taxiway

(2) Reliability Evaluation Test
Rd R-Channel used for data
REU Remote Electronics Unit
RDARA Regional Domestic Air Route Area
RF Radio Frequency. A general term for the range of
RDC Routing Domain Confederation frequencies above 150 kHz, to the infra-red region
(1012 Hz).
RDF Routing Domain Format
RFC Request for Comments
RDI Routing Domain Identifier
RFI (1) Radio Frequency Interference
RDMI Radio Distance Magnetic Indicator (2) Request For Information
RDP Radar Data Processing (system) RFP Request For Proposal
RDR Radar RFTP Request For Technical Proposal
RDSS Radio Determination Satellite Service RFU Radio Frequency Unit
RDU Receiver/Decoder Unit RGB Red/Green/Blue
RDV Requirements Development and Validation RGCSP Review of the General Concept of Separation Panel
RDVS Rapid Deployment Voice Switch RH Radio Handler
RECAP Reliability Evaluation and Corrective Action Program RHO Response on Handoff
REF Reference RHSM Reduced Horizontal Separation Minima
REFL Reflection RIB (1) Right Inboard
(2) Routing Information Base
Reflectivity This is a measurement of the ability of a target to
Factor (Z) reflect the energy from a radar beam. RIP Routing Information Protocol
Relative The bearing of a ground station relative to the RISC Reduced Instruction Set Computer
Bearing direction the aircraft nose points, or the direction of
an aircraft to or from an NDB. RIU Radio Interface Unit

82 83
RJ Regional Jet RPI Rapid Process Improvement
RLE Response on Link Establishment RPM Revolutions Per Minute
RLP Ring Laser Gyro RPOA Recognized Private Operation Agency (CCITT)
RLS (1) Reliable Link Source RR Receiver Ready
(2) Remote Light Sensor
RRI Router Reference Implementation
RLY Relay
RSDP Reliable Sequencing Delivery Confirmation Protocol
R&M Reliability and Maintainability
RSN Regional Subnetwork
RM&A Reliability Maintainability and Availability
RSP (1) Required Surveillance Performance
RMI Radio Magnetic Indicator (2) Reversion Select Panel
RMMS RM Management System RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
RMP (1) Radio Management Panel RT (1) Radio Telecommunication
(2) Remote Maintenance Panel (2) Receiver-Transmitter (R/T). Also referred to as a
transceiver. (See T/R)
R-NAV Area Navigation
RTA (1) Receiver-Transmitter Antenna
RNG Range (2) Required Time of Arrival
RNGA Range Arc RTC Real-Time Clock
RNP Required Navigation Performance RTCA Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics
RNR Receive Not Ready RTCA DO-160 RTCA Document 160, Environmental Conditions and
RNTP Radio Nav Tuning Panel Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment, Issued
12/04/89
RO (1) Radio Operator
(2) Roll Out RTCA DO-178 RTCA Document 178, Software Considerations in
Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification,
ROA Recognized Operating Agency issued 03/22/85
ROB Right Outboard RTE Route
ROC (1) Rate Of Climb RTF Radiotelephony
(2) Rate of Operational Capability
RTI Real-Time Interrogate
ROD Rate Of Descent
RTM Radio Transmission Module
ROM (1) Read Only Memory
(2) Rough Order of Magnitude RTP Reliability Test Plan

RON Remain Over Night RTO Rejected Takeoff

ROTHR Relocatable Over-The-Horizon Radar RTOS Real-Time Operating System

RP Routing Protocol RTP Radio Tuning Panel

84 85
RTR Remote Transmitter Receiver Site SAR Search and Rescue
RTS Request To Send SARPS Standards And Recommended Practices
RTTI Run-Time Type Identification SAS (1) Stability Augmentation System
(2) Station Address Set
RTU Radio Tuning Unit
SAT (1) Static Air Temperature is the total air temperature
RU Rack Unit corrected for the Mach effect. Increases in
Runway The act of inadvertently crossing the runway holding airspeed cause probe temperature to rise
Incursion point without ATC clearance. presenting erroneous information. SAT is the
outside air temperature if the aircraft could be
RVDT Rotary Voltage Differential Transducer brought to a stop before measuring temperatures.
(2) System Acceptance Test
RVR Runway Visual Range
SATCOM Satellite Communications
RVSM Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum
SATNAV Satellite Navigation
R/W Read/Write
SB Service Bulletin
RW Runway
SBC Single Board Computer
RWM Read-Write Memory. A memory in which each cell is
selected by applying appropriate electrical input SBD Schematic Block Diagram
signals, and the stored data may be either sensed at
the appropriate output terminal or changes in SBE Single Bit Error
response to other electrical input signals. S/C Step Climb
Rx Receiver SC Special Committee
RZ Return to Zero SCAT Special Category
S South SCD (1) Specification Control Drawing
S0 Segment O (2) System Category Diagram

S1 Segment 1 SCDU Satellite Control Data Unit

SA (1) Selective Availability SCID Software Configuration Index Drawing

(2) Situation Awareness SCIU Radio Altimeter Indicator
SAA Service Access Area SCM Software Configuration Management
SAARU Secondary Attitude Air Data Reference Unit SCPC Single Carrier Per Channel
SAE Society of Automotive Engineers SCS Single Channel Simplex. A communication system that
SAI System Architecture and Interface uses simplex.

SAMA Small Aircraft Manufacturers Association SCSI Small Computer System Interface

SAP Service Access Points SCU (1) Signal Conditioning Unit

(2) Signal Conversion Unit

86 87
SD (1) Side Display SEU (1) Single Event Upset
(2) Storm Detection. It is the designation for the (2) Seat Electronics Unit
hourly transmitted radar observations from the
NWS and ARTCC radars. Individual SDs are SFDF Subsystem Fault Detection Function
combined and transmitted once an hour as SFE Supplier Furnished Equipment
collectives(SDUs) over the aviation teletype
circuits. SG Signal Generator
SDD Standard Disk Drive SI (1) Selective Interrogation
(2) Standby Instruments
SDI Source Destination Identifier (3) Supporting Interrogator
SDM Speaker Drive Module SICAS Secondary Surveillance Radar Improvements and
SDP Surveillance Data Processing Collision Avoidance System

SDRAM Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory SICASP Secondary Surveillance Radar Improvements
And Collision Avoidance System Panel
SDRL Supplier Data Requirements List
SID Standard Instrument Departure
SDU (1) Satellite Data Unit
(2) Sensor Display Unit Sidetone The reproduction of sounds in a headset (or speaker)
(3) Service Data Unit from the transmitter of the same communication set.
This allows a person to hear his/her own voice when
Search In this mode, the DME scans from 0 mile to the outer transmitting.
range for a reply pulse pair after transmitting an
interrogation pulse pair. SIF (1) Standard Interchange Format
(2) System Integration Facility
SEC Secondary
SIGMETS Significant Meteorological Observations
SED Secondary EICA SD i s play
SIL (1) Systems Integration Lab
SEI (1) Software Engineering Institute (2) Service Information Letter
(2) Standby Engine Indicator
Simplex A communication operation that uses only a single
SEL (1) Select channel for transmit and receive operations.
(2) Selector Identifier Communications can take place in only one
direction at a time.
SELCAL Selective Calling System. A system used in
conjunction with HF and VHF communication SIP Single In-line Package
systems that allows a ground-based radio operator to
call a single aircraft or group of aircraft without the SITA Societe Internationale de Telecommunications
aircraft personnel monitoring the ground station radio Aeronautiques
frequency. SITP/D System Integration Test Plan/Description
Sensitivity An instruction given to the TCAS equipment for SIT System Integration and Test
Level control of its threat volume.
Command SITR System Integration Test Report
SEPC Secondary Electrical Power Contactor SIU Satellite Interface Unit
SEPP Stress Evaluation Prediction Program
SERNO Serial Number

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Skywave A radio wave that is reflected by the ionosphere. SMT (1) Aileron/Rudder Servo Mount
Depending upon the state of the ionosphere, the (2) Elevator Servo Mount
reflected radio wave may propagate along the layer (3) Servo Mount
of the ionosphere or be reflected at some angle. It (4) Stabilizer Trim Servo Mount
is also known as ionospheric or indirect wave. (5) Standard Message Text
(6) Station Management
SL Sensitivity Level
SN Subnetwork
S/L Sub-Level
SNA System Network Architecture
SLA Service Level Agreement
SNAC Subnetwork Access
Slant Range The line-of-sight distance from the aircraft to a DME
ground station. SNAcP Subnetwork Access Protocol
SLC Synchronous Link Control SNCR Subnetwork Connection Reference
SLH System Level Health SNDCF Subnetwork Dependent Convergence Function
SLI System Level Interface SNDCP Subnetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol
SLM Standard Length Message SNICF Subnetwork Independent Convergence Function
SLoC Source Lines of Code SNLE Subnetwork Link Establishment
SLS Side-Lobe Suppression. A system that prevents a SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol
transponder from replying to the side-lobe
interrogations of the SSR. Replying to side-lobe SNPA Subnetwork Point of Attachment
interrogations would supply false replies to the ATC SNPDU Subnetwork Protocol Data Unit
ground station and obscure the aircraft location.
SNR Signal-to-Noise Ratio
SLUC System Level Use Case
SNSDU Subnetwork Service Data Unit
SLV (1) Service Level Verifier
(2) Sync Lock Valve SOF Safety Of Flight
SMA Surface Movement Advisor SOH Start of Header
SMC System Management and Communication SOI System Operator Instructions
SMD Surface Mount Device SOIT Satellite Operational Implementation Team
SMDS Switched Multi-megabit Data Service SOM Software Operator Manual
SME System Management Entity SON Statement of Operational Need
SMGCS Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems SOP Standard Operating Procedure
SMI Standard Message Identifiers SOPA Standard Operating Procedure Amplified
SMLS Seamless Pipe and Tube SOS Silicon On Sapphire
SMS Spectrum Monitoring System SP Space

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SPATE Special Purpose Automatic Test Equipment Squitter (1) The random pulse pairs generated by the ground
station as a filler signal.
SPC Statistical Process Control (2) The transmission of a specified reply format at a
SPD Speed minimum rate without the need to be
interrogated. (Filler pulses transmitted between
SPE Seller Purchased Equipment interrogations) [XPD].
(3) Spontaneous Transmission generated once per
Speed of Represented by the symbol c and has a value of second by transponders.
Light 2.9979250 x 10 8 meters/second or
983,571,194 feet/second. SR Service Request
SPI Special Position Identification SRADD Software Requirements And Design Description
SPIP Designation for a transponder ident pulse. SRAM Static Random Access Memory
SPKR Speaker SRD Systems Requirements Document
SPM (1) Stabilizer Position Modules SREJ Selective Reject
(2) Surface Position Monitor
SRM Selective Reject Mode
Spoking Refers to a display presentation that radiates outward
from the display origin like the spokes on a wagon SRP Selected Reference Point
wheel. SRR Satellite Recognition Receiver
SPR Sync Phase Reversal. (Term is used in Mode S SRT Satellite Receiver Transmitter
transponders.)
SRU Shop Replaceable Unit
SPS (1) Sensor Processing Subsystem
(2) Standard Positioning Service SSB Single Sideband. An AM signal that has a reduced
carrier, with the power applied to a single sideband.
SQ or Sql Squelch Since the bandwidth of the information-carrying
SQ Service Quality signal is reduced, a better signal-to-noise ratio is
obtained at the receiver.
SQB Service Quality/Billing Processor
SSCV/DR Solid-State Cockpit Voice/Data Recorder
SQD Service Quality Data
SSCVR Solid-State Cockpit Voice Recorder
SQL Structured Query Language
SSEC Static Source Error Correction
SQP Signal Quality Parameter
SSFDR Solid-State Flight Data Recorder
Squall Line A squall line is a line of thunderstorms and
developing thunderstorms. SSM Sign Status Matrix

Squawk Reply to interrogation signal (XPD).
Squelch A control and/or circuit that reduces the gain in
response of a receiver. The squelch is used to
eliminate the output noise of the receiver when a
signal is not being received.
SSR Secondary Surveillance Radar. A radar-type
system that requires a transponder to transmit
a reply signal.
SSSC Single Sideband Suppressed Carrier. A SSSC signal is
a band of audio intelligence frequencies that have
been translated to a band of radio frequencies without
distortion of the intelligence signal.

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SSU Subsequent Signal Unit STDMA Synchronized Time Division Multiple Access
ST Statistics STEPCLB Step Climb
sta Station STIU Satellite Telecommunications Intermediate Unit
STAB Stabilizer STM Serial Transition Module
Standard Represents the mean or average properties of the STOL Short Takeoff and Landing
Atmosphere atmosphere. At sea level static pressure is 29.92 InHg
and temperature is +15C. STP Standard Temperature and Pressure
Standby A DME mode that applies power to the DME RT but STS Stable Time Subfield
Mode the unit does not transmit. STX Start of Text
STAR Standard Terminal Arrival Routes SU Signal Unit
STARS Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System SUA Special Use Airspace
Static Ports Flush-mounted openings in the skin of the aircraft SUL Yaw Damper Actuator
fuselage used to sense static pressure.
SUO (1) Aileron/Elevator/Rudder Servo
Static Ambient atmospheric pressure or static pressure is (2) Servo Actuator
Pressure the force per unit area exerted by the air on the
surface of a body at rest relative to the air. Super- A receiver in which the incoming RF signal
heterodyne is mixed to produce a lower intermediate
Static RAM RAM constructed of bistable transistor elements. Receiver frequency.
Memory cells do not require refreshing.
(See Dynamic RAM.) Suppressor A pulse used to disable L-band avionics during the
Pulse transmitting period of another piece of L-band
Static Source A correction applied to static source pressure airborne equipment. It prevents the other avionics
Error (SSEC) measurements to partly or completely correct for aboard the aircraft from being damaged or interfered
pressure errors that are caused by airflow changes. It is with by the transmission and any noise associated
computed as a function of Mach and altitude based on with that transmission.
measured errors for a particular static system.
SUPPS Regional Supplementary Procedures
STB Systems Testbed
SUT (1) Autothrottle Servo
STBY Standby Instruments (2) Stabilizer Trim Servo
STC (1) Sensitivity Time Control. A control circuit used (3) System Under Test
in radar applications to control receiver gain with SV Space Vehicle
respect to time.
(2) Supplemental Type Certificate SVC (1) Service
(2) Switched Virtual Circuit
STCM Stabilizer Trim Control Module
SVO Servo
STD (1) Standard
(2) System Technical Description SVRR Service Readiness Review
STDBY Standby Instruments SVT Servo Throttle

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SVU Satellite Voice Unit TAU TAU is the minimum time a flight crew needs to
discern a collision threat and take evasive action. It
S/W Software represents the performance envelope (speed and path
SWAP Severe Weather Avoidance Program of aircraft) divided by the closure rate of any intruder
aircraft (TCAS).
SWIT Software Integration and Test
TAWS Terrain Awareness Warning System
SWTRR Software Test Readiness Review
TBB Transfer Bus Breaker
sys System
TBD To Be Determined
SYS System Identifier
TBO Time Between Overhauls
SYSCAT-B System Category B (FAA Message Format)
TBS (1) To Be Specified
SYSCI System Configuration Item (2) To Be Supplied
TA Traffic Advisory (TCAS) TC (1) Transport Connection
(2) Type Certificate
TAD Terrain Awareness Display
T/C Top-of-Climb
TAC (1) Test Access Control
(2) Thrust Asymmetry Compensation TCA (1) Terminal Control Area
(2) Throttle Control Assembly
TACAN The Tactical Air Navigation System that provides
azimuth and distance information to an aircraft from TCAS Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System
a fixed ground station (as opposed to DME providing
only distance information). TCAS I A baseline system that provides a warning (TA) to the
flight crew of the presence of another aircraft
Tach Tachometer (potential collision threat) within the surveillance
area. No avoidance maneuver is suggested.
TACIU Test Access Control Interface Unit
TCAS II A collision avoidance system providing traffic
TAF Terminal Area Forecast (ICAO) information (within approximately 30 nmi of the
aircraft) to the flight crew, in addition to the resolution
TAI Thermal Anti-Icing advisories (RA) (for vertical maneuvers only). A
TAP Terminal Area Productivity TCAS II-equipped aircraft will coordinate with
TCAS II-equipped intruder aircraft to provide
TAR Trials ATN Router complementary maneuvers.
Target An aircraft within the surveillance range of TCAS. TCC Turbine Case Cooling
TAS True Airspeed TCF Terrain Clearance Floor
TAT (1) Total Air Temperature. The air temperature TCM Technical Coordination Meeting
including heat rise due to compressibility.
(2) True Air Temperature TCMS Test Content Management System

TATCA Terminal Air Traffic Control Automation TCN TACAN

TCP Transmission Control Protocol

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TCPIP Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol TFT Thin Film Transistor
TCQ Throttle Control Quadrant TFTP Trivial File Transfer Protocol
TCS Touch Control Steering TFTS Terrestrial Flight Telephone System
TCU (1) TACAN Control Unit TG (1) Timer - VDL Management Entity
(2) Telephone Conversion Unit (2) Transmission Gate
TCXO Temperature Controlled Crystal Oscillator TG3 GSs Maximum Time Between Transmissions
T/D Top-of-Descent TG4 Maximum Time Between GSIFs Timer
TDLS Tower Data Link System TGC Turbulence Gain Control
TDM In the Time Division Multiplex Systems a common TGS Maximum Link Overlap Timer
carrier is shared to transmit multiple messages (to
multiple receivers) by time sharing the carrier TGT Target
between the message sources. THDG True Heading
TDMA Time Division Multiplex Access. When multiple THR Thrust
transmitters are using a single carrier to transmit to a
single receiver, the carrier is time shared between THR HOLD Throttle Hold
each of the transmitters, so the multiple messages are
not garbled at the receiver. Threat A target that has satisfied the threat detection logic
and thus requires a traffic or resolution advisory
TDOP Time Dilution Of Precision. A term used to describe (TCAS).
the error introduced by variances in the calculated
time. THSA Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator
TDR Transponder TIA Telecommunications Industry Association
TDS Terminal Display System TIAS True Indicated Airspeed
TDST Tower Data Services Terminal TIS Traffic Information Service
TDWR Terminal Doppler Weather Radar TK Track Angle
TEC Thermo-Electric Cooler TKE Track Angle Error
TEI Text Element Identifiers T/L Top-Level
TEMP Temperature TL Terminal Location (ACARS/AFEPS)
Temperature A sensor protruding into the airstream to sense air TLA Thrust Lever Angle
Probe temperature. Requires correction to get static air
temperature. TLM Telemetry Word

TERPS (1) Terminal En Route Procedures TLS Target Level of Safety

(2) Terminal Instrument Procedures TM Timer - Media Access Control
TES Trials End System (for ATN) TMA Terminal Control Area
TFM Traffic Flow Management

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TMC Thrust Management Computer TR Temporary Revision. A document, printed on yellow
paper that temporarily amends a page or pages of a
TMCF Thrust Management Computer Function component maintenance manual.
TMCS Thrust Management Computer System T/R (1) Thrust Reverser
TMF Thrust Management Function (2) Transceiver (see RT)
(3) Transmitter-Receiver
TMS (1) Thrust Management System
(2) Traffic Management System TRA (1) Temporary Reserved Airspace
(2) Thrust Reduction Altitude
TMU Traffic Management Unit
TRAC Terminal Radar Approach Control
TN True North
Track (1) The actual path, over the ground, traveled by an
TO Take Off aircraft (navigation).
(2) In this mode the DME transmits a reduced pulse
TOC (1) Top of Climb pair rate after acquiring lock-on (DME).
(2) Transfer of Communications (3) Estimated position and velocity of a single
aircraft based on correlated surveillance data
TOD Top of Descent reports (TCAS).
TO EPR Takeoff Engine Pressure Ratio TRACON Terminal Radar Approach Control
TO/FROM Indicates whether the omnibearing selected is the TRACS Test and Repair Control System. An automated data
Indicator course to or from the VOR ground station. retrieval system.TRACS functions include: 1) provide
TOGA Take Off, Go-Around. Also seen as TO/GA. the location of any given unit at any time; 2) provide
an efficient flow of work to and from test stations;
TO N1 Take Off Engine Fan Speed 3) provide quick access to quality information
generated by the actual testing process (performed by
TOR Terms of Reference the technician); 4) provide statistical and historical
TOT Total data regarding throughput time for products, failure,
yield rates, WIP, etc.
Touchdown The point at which the predetermined glidepath
intercepts the runway. Traffic Information given to the pilot pertaining to the
Advisory position of another aircraft in the immediate vicinity.
TOW Time Of Week The information contains no suggested maneuvers.
(Traffic advisory airspace is 1200 feet above and below
TPMU Tire Pressure Monitor Unit the aircraft and approximately 45 seconds distant
with respect to closure speed of the aircraft.) [TCAS]
TP Test Point
Traffic The number of transponder-equipped aircraft within
TP4 Transport Protocol Class 4 Density R nautical miles (nmi) of own aircraft, divided by x
TPDU Transport Protocol Data Unit (R nmi)2. Transponder-equipped aircraft include
Mode S and ATCRBS Mode A and Mode C, and
TPL Terminal Permission List (ACARS/AFEPS) excludes own aircraft. (TCAS)
TPM Technical Performance Management TRANS Transition
TPR Transponder Transceiver A receiver and transmitter combined in a single unit.
Same as RT.
TQA Throttle Quadrant Assembly

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Transponder Avionics equipment that returns an identifying coded TSO Technical Standard Order. Every unit built with a TSO
signal. nameplate must meet TSO requirements. TSO
operating temperature extremes are not the same as
TRD Transit Routing Domain the manufacturing burn-in limits.
TRK Track TSS Technology Support and Services
TRP Mode S Transponder TSTM Time Source Transition Module
TRR (1) Test Readiness Review TT (1) Test Tools
(2) Test Rejection and Repair (2) Total Temperature
TRSB Time Reference Scanning Beam. The international TTFF Time To First Fix
standard for MLS installations.
TTL Transistor - Transistor Logic
TRU (1) Transformer Rectifier Unit
(2) True TTR TCAS II Receiver/Transmitter
True Airspeed The true velocity of the aircraft through the TTS Time To Station, an indication that displays the
surrounding air mass. amount of time for an aircraft to reach a selected
DME ground station while traveling at a constant
True Altitude The exact distance above mean sea level (corrected speed.
for temperature).
TTY Teletypewriter
True Bearing The bearing of a ground station with respect to
true north. TURB Turbulence
True North The direction of the north pole from the observer. Turbulence The U.S. National Weather Service defines light
turbulence as areas where wind velocity shifts are 0
TS (1) Time Source to 19 feet per second (0 to 5.79 meters per second) and
(2) Transport Service moderate turbulence as wind velocity shifts of 19 to 35
TSA (1) Tail Strike Assembly feet per second (5.79 to 10.67 meters per second).
(2) Technical Service Agreement TVBC Turbine Vane and Blade Cooling
TSAP Transport Service Access Point TVC Turbine Vane Cooling
TSC Term Service Commitment TVE Total Vertical Error
TSDIU Transport Service Data Unit TWDL (1) Terminal Weather Data Link
TSE Total System Error (2) Two Way Data Link

TSIP Trimble Standard Interface Protocol TWDR Terminal Doppler Weather Radar

TSM Autothrottle Servo Mount (without Clutch) TWIP Terminal Weather Information for Pilots

TSP (1) Transmitted Signal Power TWP Technical Work Program

(2) Twisted Shielded Pair TWR Turbulence Weather Radar
TWT Traveling Wave Tube

102 103
TX Transmit (see XMIT) USAF United States Air Force
UA Unnumbered Acknowledgment USB Upper Sideband is the information-carrying band and
is the frequency produced by adding the carrier
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter frequency and the modulating frequency.
UAT Universal Access Transceiver USTB Unstabilized
UB Utility Bus UTC Universal Coordinated Time
UBI Uplink Block Identifier UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair
UCI User Computer Interface UUT Unit Under Test
UCS Uniform Chromaticity Scale UV Upper Sideband Voice
UD User Data. The N-User data may also be transferred UW Unique Word
between peer network members (OSI Model) as
required. V (1) Velocity
(2) Volt
UDP User Datagram Protocol
V1 Critical engine failure velocity
UFDR Universal Flight Data Recorder
V2 Takeoff climb velocity
UHF Ultra-High Frequency. The portion of the radio
spectrum from 300 MHz to 3 GHz. VA Volt-Amperes
UI Unnumbered Information VAC Volts Alternating Current
UIR Upper Information Region VAP (1) Value Added Processor
(2) Visual Aids Panel
UL Uplink
VAPS (1) Virtual Applications Prototyping System
ULB Underwater Locator Beacon (2) Virtual Avionics Prototyping System
ULD Unit Load Device VAR (1) Variation
UML Unified Modeling Language (2) Visual-Aural Radio Range
(3) Volt-Amps Reactive
UMT Universal Mount
VASI Visual Approach Slope Indicator
Unpaired A DME channel without a corresponding VOR or
Channel ILS frequency. VAU Voltage Averaging Unit

Uplink The radio transmission path upward from the earth VBV Variable Bypass Valve
to the aircraft. VC (1) Design Cruising Speed
UP Universal Platform (2) Virtual Circuit

UPRM Universal Platform Resource Management VCB Virtual Circuit Bridge

UPSMS UPS Management System VCD (1) Variable Capacitance Diode

(2) Voltage Controlled Device
UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply

104 105
VCMAX Active Maximum Control Speed VIGV Variable Integral Guide Vane
VCMIN Active Minimum Control Speed VISTA Virtual Integrated Software Testbed for Avionics
VCO Variable Controlled Oscillator VIU Video Interface Unit
VCU VDL Control Unit V/L VOR/Localizer
VD (1) Design Diving Speed VLE Landing Gear Extended Placard Airspeed
(2) Heading to a DME Distance
VLF Very Low Frequency
VDC Volts Direct Current
VLO Maximum Landing Gear of Operating Speed
VDL VHF Data Link
VLOF Lift-off Speed
VDR VHF Digital Radio
VLSI Very Large Scale Integration
VER Version
VLV Valve
Vertical The rate of change of pressure altitude, usually
Speed calibrated in hundreds of feet per minute. VM Heading to a manual termination
VF Design Flap Speed V/M Voltmeter
VFE Flaps Extended Placard Speed VMAX Basic Clean Aircraft Maximum CAS
VFO Variable Frequency Oscillator VMC (1) Visual Meteorological Conditions
(2) Minimum Control Speed with Critical Engine
VFOP Visual Flight Rules Operations Panel Out
VFR Visual Flight Rules VME (2) Versa Module Eurocard Bus
(1) VHF Management Entity, VME bus
VFXR(R) Flap Retraction Speed
VMECC Versa Module Eurocard Card Cage
VFXR(X) Flap Extension Speed
VMIN Basic Clean Aircraft Minimum CAS
VG/DG Vertical Gyro/Directional Gyro
VM(LO) Minimum Maneuver Speed
VG or VGND Ground Velocity
Vmo The maximum airspeed at which an aircraft is
VGA Video Graphics Adapter certified to operate. This can be a fixed number or a
VH Maximum Level-flight Speed with Continuous Power function of configuration (gear, flaps, etc.), or altitude,
or both.
VHF Very High Frequency. The portion of the radio
spectrum from 30 to 300 MHz. VMON VNMS Health Monitoring

VHS Very High Speed V/NAV Vertical Navigation

VHSIC-2 Very High Speed Integrated Circuits - Phase 2 VNE Never-Exceed Speed

VI Heading to a course intercept VNO Maximum Structural Cruising Speed

VIs Lowest Selectable Airspeed VNR VHF Navigation Receiver

106 107
VOCRAD Voice Radio VSL Advisory Vertical Speed Limit Advisory may be preventive or
corrective (TCAS)
VOD Video On Demand
VSM Vertical Separation Minimum
Voispond A CALSEL function that would automatically identify
an aircraft by a voice recording. Voispond is not VSO Stalling Speed in the Landing Configuration
yet implemented.
VSTOL Vertical or Short Takeoff and Landing
VOM Volt-Ohm-Milliammeter
VSV Variable Station Vane
VOR VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range. A system that
provides bearing information to an aircraft. VSWR Voltage-Standing Wave Ratio. The ratio of the
amplitude of the voltage (or electric field) at a voltage
VOR/DME A system in which a VOR and DME station are maximum to that of an adjacent voltage minimum.
co-located. VSWR is a measurement of the mismatch between
the load and the transmission line.
VOR/MB VOR/Marker Beacon
VTK Vertical Track Distance
VORTAC A system in which a VOR and a TACAN station
are co-located. VTO Volumetric Top-Off
VOS Velocity Of Sound VTOL Vertical Takeoff and Landing
VOX Voice Transmission VTR Variable Takeoff Rating
VPATH Vertical Path V/TRK Vertical Track
VPN Vendor Part Number VU Utility Speed
VR (1) Takeoff Rotation Velocity VX Speed for Best Angle of Climb
(2) Heading to a radial
VY Speed for Best Rate of Climb
VRAM Video Random Access Memory
W (1) Watt
VREF Reference Velocity (2) West
VRG VDL Reference Guide WAAS Wide Area Augmentation System (Method of
Differential GPS)
V/S Vertical Speed
WADGNSS Wide Area Differential Global Navigation
VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal Satellite System
VSCF Variable Speed Constant Frequency WAFS World Area Forecast System
VSCS (1) Vertical Stabilizer Control System used on WAI Wing Anti-Ice
NOTAR helicopter
(2) Voice Switching and Control System WAN Wide Area Network
VSD VDL Specific DTE Address WARC-92 World Administrative Radio Conference (1992)
VSI (1) Vertical Speed Indicator WARC-MOB World Administrative Radio Conference for the
(2) Stalling Speed in a Specified Flight Configuration Mobile Service

108 109
WATRS West Atlantic Route Structure WOW Weight On Wheels
Waypoint A position along a route of flight. WP Working Paper
WBC Weight and Balance Computer WPT Waypoint
WCP W X RC on trol Panels WPR Waypoint Position Report
WD Wind Direction WRS Wide-area Reference Station
WES Warning Electronic System WRT WXR Receiver/Transmitter
WEU Warning Electronic Unit WSDDM Weather Support for Deicing Decision Making
WFA WXR Flat Plate Antenna W/STEP With Step Change in Altitude
WGS World Geodetic System WT Weight
WGS-72 World Geodetic Survey of 1972 WX Weather
WGS-84 World Geodetic System 1984 WXI WXR Indicator
Whisper- A sequence of ATCRBS interrogations and WXP Weather Radar Panel
Shout suppressions of varying power levels transmitted by
TCAS equipment to reduce severity of synchronous WXR Weather Radar System
interference and multipath problems. WWW World Wide Web
WINDMG Wind Magnitude WYPT Waypoint Altitude
WINDR Wind Direction XA ARINC
WIP Work In Progress X-BAND The frequency range between 8000 and 12500 MHz
WLD Welded Pipe and Tube XB International Air Transport Association (IATA)
WMA WXR Antenna Pedestal and WXR Waveguide X-Channel A DME channel.There are 126 X-Channels for DME
Adapter operation. For the first 63 channels, the ground-to-air
WMI WXR Indicator Mount frequency is 63 MHz below the air-to-ground
frequency. For the second 63-X Channels the
WMO World Meteorological Organization ground-to-air frequency is 63 MHz above the
air-to-ground frequency.
W/MOD With Modification of Vertical Profile
XCVR Transceiver
WMS Wide-area Master Station
XFR Transfer
WMSC Weather Message Switching Center
XID Exchange Identification
WMSCR Weather Message Switching Center Replacement
XLTR Translator
WMT WXR Mount
XM External Master
WN Week Number
XMIT Transmit
WORD Grouping of bits. Size of group varies from
microprocessor to microprocessor. XMTR Transmitter

110 111
XPD ATC Transponder (also XPDR, XPNDR, TPR)
XPDR Transponder
XS SITA
XTI X/Open Transport Interface
XTK Crosstrack (crosstrack error)
XTP Express Transfer Protocol
Yagi Antenna An antenna with its maximum radiation parallel to
the long axis of its array, consisting of a driven dipole,
a parasitic dipole reflector, and one parasitic dipole
director or more.
YSAS Yaw Stability Augmentation System
YD Yaw Damper
Z (1) Refer to reflectivity factor
(2) Zulu (GM Time)
ZFW Zero Fuel Weight
Z-Marker A marker beacon, sometimes referred to as a station
locator, that provides positive identification to the
pilot when the aircraft is passing directly over a
low-frequency navigation aid.

112