Q-Corner or Coffin Corner is a term used to describe operations at high altitudes where low indicated airspeeds yield high true airspeeds (MACH number) at high angles of attack. The high angle of attack results in flow separation which causes buffet. Turning maneuvers at these altitudes increase the angle of attack and result in stability [...]
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Posted in Aircraft | Tagged Aerodynamics, Aircraft
MACH -Named after Ernst Mach, a 19th century Austrian physicist, is the ratio of an aircraft’s true speed as compared to the local speed of sound at a given time or place.
MACH number (MACH Speed) is a decimal number (M) representing the true airspeed (TAS) relationship to the local speed of sound (e.g., TAS [...]
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Posted in Aircraft | Tagged Aerodynamics, Aircraft, Airspeed, Systems
Type Certificate Data Sheets- Type Certificate Data Sheets (TCDS) are a part of the Type Certification Process and contain information relevant to the certification of particular aircraft. TCDS contain information that is useful, not only at the time the aircraft undergoes certification, but as an ongoing resource for the life of an aircraft. Any time a Certificate of [...]
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Posted in Abbreviations and Acronyms, FAA Terms | Tagged Aircraft, Airworthiness, FAA, Regulatory
Electronic Flight Directors display cues to guide pilot or autopilot control inputs along a selected and computed flight path. The Flight Director receives inputs such as altitude, airspeed heading data and temperature data. The Flight Director receives information from an Air Data Computer and a flight data computer
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Posted in Avionics Terms, Video | Tagged Aircraft, Avionics, Navigation
The aviation definition of the term Night has a significant Regulatory impact on aviation and worldwide aircraft operations . Many international regulations and standards apply specifically to aviation operations conducted at night or differentiate between operations permitted by day and those permitted at night.
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Posted in Aircraft Navigation Terms | Tagged Aircraft, Aviation, Aviation Term Night, CAA, FAA, ICAO, Transport Canada
Accelerated Stop Distance is the distance required to accelerate to V1 with all engines at takeoff power, experience an engine failure at V1, and abort the takeoff and bring the airplane to a stop using braking action only and not reverse thrust. Here is a video undergoing an Accelerate Stop Test during certification
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Posted in Aircraft, Video | Tagged Aircraft, Certification, FAA Pilot's Handbook, Take Off
Mean Aerodynamic Chord – MAC- In relation to the aerodynamics of a wing, the average length of the chord on tapered swept-back wings is known as the mean aerodynamic chord (MAC). Business jets and commercial transport airplanes have wings that are tapered and that are swept back, so the width of their wings is different along their entire length. The width is greatest where the wing meets the fuselage and progressively decreases toward the tip.
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Posted in Aircraft | Tagged Aerodynamics, Aircraft
Visual Docking Guidance Systems (VDGS), sometimes referred to as Nose-in Docking Guidance Systems or Stand Entry Guidance Systems (SEG), provide guidance where accurate aircraft parking is required.
This is usually the case where Jetways /airbridges are used. The AGNIS VDGS currently in use in many major airports in the world include Azimuth Guidance for Nose-in Stands (AGNIS), supported by [...]
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Posted in Airline Terms, Airport Terms | Tagged Aircraft, Airlines, Airports
Airworthy – To be Airworthy – From FAA ORDER 8130 Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products:
The term “airworthy” is not defined in Title 49, United States Code (49 U.S.C.), or in 14 CFR; however, a clear understanding of its meaning is essential for use in the agency’s airworthiness certification program. Below is a summary [...]
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Posted in Aviation Maintenance Terms, FAA Terms | Tagged Aircraft, Airworthiness, FAA, Inspection
Loadmeter - A Loadmeter is a type of ammeter installed between the generator output and the main bus in an aircraft electrical system.
This type of gauge has a scale beginning with zero and shows the load being placed on the alternator/generator. The loadmeter reflects the total percentage of the load placed on the generating capacity [...]
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Posted in Aircraft Systems Terms | Tagged Aircraft, electrical, FAA Pilot's Handbook, Instruments
