100 terms
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A
ACS (Airman Certification Standards)
The ACS is the FAA document that defines exactly what a candidate must know, consider and do to pass a checkride, task by task with tolerances. ...
Read definition →AD (Airworthiness Directive)
An airworthiness directive is a legally binding order from an authority requiring inspection, modification or replacement to correct an unsafe ...
Read definition →Aircraft Maintenance Programme (AMP)
An aircraft maintenance programme defines every scheduled inspection, check and component replacement for a specific aircraft, with intervals in ...
Read definition →Aircraft Utilization
Aircraft utilization measures how many revenue hours each aircraft actually flies versus its available capacity, typically expressed as hours per ...
Read definition →Airworthiness
Airworthiness is the condition of an aircraft conforming to its approved design and being in a state for safe flight — with all required maintenance ...
Read definition →Annual Inspection
An annual inspection is the comprehensive FAA airworthiness inspection required every 12 calendar months for most US-registered aircraft, signed off ...
Read definition →AOC (Air Operator Certificate)
An AOC is the certificate authorising an organisation to conduct commercial air transport — carrying passengers or cargo for remuneration. Flight ...
Read definition →ARC (Airworthiness Review Certificate)
The ARC is the EASA certificate confirming an aircraft's airworthiness has been formally reviewed — records, AD status, maintenance programme ...
Read definition →ATO (Approved Training Organisation)
An ATO is a flight training organisation certified by an EASA (or equivalent) authority to deliver approved courses such as CPL, ATPL and instrument ...
Read definition →ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence)
The ATPL is the highest pilot licence and is required to command multi-crew commercial air transport aircraft. In EASA training, students often ...
Read definition →B
C
Cadet Program
A cadet program is an airline-sponsored or airline-affiliated ab-initio training pipeline taking candidates from zero experience to the right-hand ...
Read definition →CAME (Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition)
The CAME is the approved manual describing how a CAMO works: its organisation, procedures, personnel and compliance monitoring. It is the reference ...
Read definition →CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation)
A CAMO is an EASA-approved organisation responsible for managing an aircraft's continuing airworthiness: maintenance planning, AD compliance, records ...
Read definition →Cancellation Rate
Cancellation rate is the share of booked lessons that never fly, split by cause: weather, maintenance, student no-show or instructor absence. ...
Read definition →CBTA (Competency-Based Training and Assessment)
CBTA is an ICAO-endorsed training philosophy that assesses pilots against defined competencies — such as flight path management and decision-making — ...
Read definition →Checkride
A checkride is the FAA practical test a candidate must pass to earn a certificate or rating. Administered by a Designated Pilot Examiner, it combines ...
Read definition →Class Rating
A class rating covers a category of similar aircraft — most commonly Single-Engine Piston (SEP) or Multi-Engine Piston (MEP) — rather than one ...
Read definition →Compliance Monitoring
Compliance monitoring is the internal audit function EASA requires at ATOs and CAMOs: a nominated Compliance Monitoring Manager runs a programme of ...
Read definition →Cost of Flight Training
The cost of flight training ranges from roughly €10,000–15,000 for a PPL to €70,000–120,000+ for a full commercial programme, driven by aircraft ...
Read definition →Course Approval
Course approval is the authority's formal acceptance of a specific training course — its syllabus, manuals, aircraft and personnel — at an ATO or ...
Read definition →CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence)
The CPL is the licence that permits a pilot to be paid for flying. Candidates need substantially more experience than for a PPL — around 150–250 ...
Read definition →Cross-Country Time
Cross-country time is flight time on trips beyond the local area, defined by distance and landing criteria that differ between FAA and EASA rules. ...
Read definition →CRS (Certificate of Release to Service)
A CRS is the signed certification by authorised staff that maintenance has been completed correctly and the aircraft or component is released to ...
Read definition →Currency (Recency Requirements)
Currency (recency) rules require pilots to have completed defined recent experience — such as takeoffs and landings within 90 days — before ...
Read definition →D
Defect Deferral
Defect deferral is the controlled postponement of a repair when the defect does not affect airworthiness or is permitted by the MEL, with a ...
Read definition →Discovery Flight
A discovery flight is a short introductory lesson where a prospective student flies with an instructor, usually handling the controls. It is the most ...
Read definition →Dispatch
Dispatch is the process of releasing a training flight: confirming the aircraft is airworthy, the pilot or student is qualified and current, weather ...
Read definition →Dispatch Rate
Dispatch rate is the percentage of scheduled flights that actually depart, after losses to weather, maintenance, no-shows and instructor absence. It ...
Read definition →DPE (Designated Pilot Examiner)
A DPE is a private individual designated by the FAA to conduct checkrides on its behalf. DPE availability is a well-known bottleneck in US flight ...
Read definition →DTO (Declared Training Organisation)
A DTO is a lighter-touch EASA training organisation that operates on a declaration to the authority instead of full certification. DTOs may train for ...
Read definition →Dual Instruction
Dual instruction is flight training received with an instructor on board, logged as 'dual received' by the student and as instruction given by the ...
Read definition →E
EASA
EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) is the EU's aviation regulator, setting common rules for licensing, training organisations, ...
Read definition →EASA to FAA Licence Conversion
Converting between EASA and FAA pilot licences involves validation or full conversion: the FAA issues a restricted certificate on the basis of a ...
Read definition →Endorsement
An endorsement is an instructor's formal signed authorisation in a student's record — for example to fly solo or take a knowledge test or checkride. ...
Read definition →English Language Proficiency (ELP / FCL.055)
ICAO requires pilots using radio communication to demonstrate English proficiency, graded Level 1–6. Level 4 is the operational minimum and expires ...
Read definition →F
FAA
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is the United States' aviation authority, regulating pilot certification, flight schools, maintenance and ...
Read definition →Fleet Planning
Fleet planning is deciding how many aircraft of which types a school needs to meet training demand — balancing utilization targets, maintenance ...
Read definition →Flight and Duty Time Limitations (FTL)
Flight and duty time limitations cap how many hours crew — including instructors in commercial operations — may fly and remain on duty over defined ...
Read definition →Flight Instructor (CFI / FI)
A flight instructor (CFI under FAA, FI under EASA) is a certificated pilot qualified to deliver flight training and sign off student progress. ...
Read definition →Flight Risk Assessment (FRAT)
A flight risk assessment tool (FRAT) scores planned flights against risk factors — pilot experience, weather, aircraft status, mission type — before ...
Read definition →Flight School CRM
A flight school CRM manages the pipeline from first enquiry to enrolled student: capturing leads, booking discovery flights, following up and ...
Read definition →Flight School KPIs
Flight school KPIs are the operational metrics that reveal a school's health: aircraft utilization, dispatch rate, cancellation causes, instructor ...
Read definition →Flight School Management Software
Flight school management software is a platform that runs a school's core operations in one system: scheduling, digital training records, dispatch, ...
Read definition →FSTD / FNPT (Flight Simulators)
FSTDs (Flight Simulation Training Devices) are certified simulators — from FNPT trainers to full-flight simulators — that may replace defined amounts ...
Read definition →Fuel Planning
Fuel planning is the calculation of fuel required for a flight including taxi, trip, contingency and legally mandated reserves. For schools it is ...
Read definition →G
GDPR for Flight Schools
Flight schools in the EU/EEA process substantial personal data — training records, medical information, ID documents — and are fully subject to GDPR. ...
Read definition →Ground School
Ground school is the classroom or online theory portion of pilot training, covering subjects such as air law, meteorology, navigation and aircraft ...
Read definition →H
Head of Training (HT)
The Head of Training is the nominated person accountable to the authority for all training delivered at an ATO — syllabus compliance, instructor ...
Read definition →Hobbs Time vs Tach Time
Hobbs time counts clock time while the engine runs; tach time counts engine revolutions normalised to cruise RPM, so it runs slower at low power. ...
Read definition →Hour Building
Hour building is the phase where a licensed pilot accumulates the flight experience required for the next licence — typically PIC hours between PPL ...
Read definition →I
ICAO
ICAO is the UN agency that sets global standards and recommended practices for civil aviation, which national regulators like EASA and the FAA ...
Read definition →Instructor Scheduling
Instructor scheduling is the matching of instructor availability, qualifications and duty limits against student bookings and aircraft. It is ...
Read definition →Instrument Rating (IR)
An instrument rating qualifies a pilot to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), relying on cockpit instruments rather than visual reference. It ...
Read definition →L
LAPL (Light Aircraft Pilot Licence)
The LAPL is an EASA-specific licence for leisure flying in light aircraft, requiring fewer training hours than a PPL (minimum 30) and a simpler ...
Read definition →Life-Limited Parts
Life-limited parts are components with a mandatory maximum life in hours, cycles or calendar time — after which they must be replaced regardless of ...
Read definition →M
Maintenance Tracking
Maintenance tracking is the continuous monitoring of every upcoming maintenance requirement — inspections, ADs, life-limited parts — against each ...
Read definition →Medical Certificate (Class 1 / Class 2)
An aviation medical certificate confirms a pilot meets the health standards for their licence: Class 1 for commercial flying, Class 2 for private. ...
Read definition →MEL (Minimum Equipment List)
An MEL is an approved list defining which aircraft equipment may be inoperative for flight, under what conditions and for how long. Derived from the ...
Read definition →MEL Deferral
An MEL deferral is the formal act of postponing repair of an inoperative item under the MEL, with a rectification deadline set by its category (A–D). ...
Read definition →METAR
A METAR is a coded aerodrome weather observation, issued every 30–60 minutes, reporting wind, visibility, cloud, temperature and pressure. Students ...
Read definition →MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot Licence)
The MPL is an airline-oriented licence that trains pilots from the start for the co-pilot role in multi-crew aircraft, using extensive simulator ...
Read definition →N
Night Rating
A night rating is an EASA add-on qualification allowing PPL holders to fly VFR at night. It requires at least five hours of night flight training, ...
Read definition →NOTAM
A NOTAM is an official notice of temporary or short-notice changes affecting flight operations — closed runways, unserviceable navaids, airspace ...
Read definition →O
P
Part 141 vs Part 61
Part 141 and Part 61 are the two FAA frameworks for pilot training. Part 141 schools follow FAA-approved syllabi with audited standards and reduced ...
Read definition →Part-145
Part-145 is the EASA approval for organisations that physically perform aircraft maintenance. A Part-145 organisation employs certifying staff who ...
Read definition →Part-FCL
Part-FCL is the EASA regulation governing flight crew licensing — the rulebook defining every pilot licence, rating, certificate and their training, ...
Read definition →Part-M
Part-M is the EASA regulation governing continuing airworthiness of aircraft — defining responsibilities for maintenance programmes, airworthiness ...
Read definition →Part-ML
Part-ML is EASA's simplified continuing airworthiness regime for light aircraft (up to 2,730 kg, non-complex, non-AOC) — the category covering most ...
Read definition →Part-ORA
Part-ORA is the EASA regulation setting organisational requirements for aircrew training organisations — management systems, nominated personnel, ...
Read definition →PIC (Pilot in Command)
The pilot in command is the pilot legally responsible for the operation and safety of a flight. PIC time is the most scrutinised column in a logbook ...
Read definition →Pilot Logbook
A pilot logbook is the personal record of a pilot's flight time, split by function (PIC, dual, solo), conditions and aircraft. Logbook accuracy has ...
Read definition →PPL (Private Pilot Licence)
The PPL is the licence that allows a pilot to fly as pilot in command for private, non-commercial purposes. It typically requires 35–45 hours of ...
Read definition →Proficiency Check
A proficiency check is a recurrent flight check with an examiner used to revalidate or renew a rating — for example an expiring instrument or class ...
Read definition →Progressive Inspection Program
A progressive inspection splits the annual/100-hour inspection workload into smaller scheduled phases, so aircraft cycle through short maintenance ...
Read definition →R
Regulatory Audit
A regulatory audit is the authority's periodic inspection of a training or maintenance organisation against its approvals — sampling records, ...
Read definition →Revenue per Flight Hour
Revenue per flight hour measures what a school earns for each hour flown, set against the fully loaded hourly cost of fuel, maintenance reserves, ...
Read definition →RII (Required Inspection Item)
An RII is a maintenance task whose incorrect performance could cause catastrophic failure — such as flight control rigging — and which therefore ...
Read definition →S
Service Bulletin (SB)
A service bulletin is a manufacturer's notice recommending inspections, modifications or improvements for its aircraft or components. SBs are ...
Read definition →Skill Test (EASA)
The skill test is the EASA practical examination for issuing a licence or rating, flown with an authorised examiner against defined tolerances and ...
Read definition →SMS (Safety Management System)
An SMS is a structured, organisation-wide system for managing safety: hazard identification, risk assessment, safety reporting, assurance and ...
Read definition →Solo Flight
A solo flight is one the student flies without an instructor on board, under authorisation and supervision of the school. First solo is a defining ...
Read definition →Squawk
A squawk is a reported aircraft defect or discrepancy — anything from a worn brake to a failed radio — logged by a pilot or instructor for ...
Read definition →Stage Check
A stage check is an internal progress evaluation flown with a senior or standardisation instructor at defined points in a course. It verifies a ...
Read definition →Student Financing
Student financing covers the loan and payment structures that make flight training affordable — bank partnerships, dedicated aviation lenders and ...
Read definition →Student Onboarding
Student onboarding is the process from signed enrolment to first lesson: collecting ID and medical documentation, setting up training records, ...
Read definition →Student Pilot Certificate
A student pilot certificate is the FAA document a trainee must hold before flying solo, issued via an FAA process that can take several weeks. ...
Read definition →T
TAF
A TAF is a coded aerodrome weather forecast, typically covering 24–30 hours, used to plan flights beyond the immediate observation window. Comparing ...
Read definition →TBO (Time Between Overhaul)
TBO is the manufacturer's recommended operating time between engine or component overhauls — typically 1,800–2,200 hours for piston training engines. ...
Read definition →Tech Log (Technical Log)
The technical log is the aircraft's legal operational record: flight times, defects, deferred items, fuel/oil uplift and the current maintenance ...
Read definition →Theoretical Knowledge Exams
Theoretical knowledge exams are the official written tests required for EASA licences — 9 subjects for PPL-level and 13 for ATPL. They are sat at ...
Read definition →Training Records
Training records are the auditable file of every lesson, grade, endorsement, test and approval for each student. Regulators require them to be ...
Read definition →Training Syllabus
A training syllabus is the structured lesson-by-lesson plan of a course, defining objectives, exercises, standards and prerequisites for each sortie ...
Read definition →Type Rating
A type rating is a qualification to fly a specific aircraft type — typically larger, turbine or complex aircraft such as an A320 or B737. Training ...
Read definition →U
UK CAA
The UK CAA is the United Kingdom's aviation regulator. Since Brexit it operates a standalone framework that mirrors EASA structures (UK Part-FCL, UK ...
Read definition →UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training)
UPRT teaches pilots to prevent, recognise and recover from aircraft upsets such as stalls and unusual attitudes. EASA mandates Advanced UPRT as a ...
Read definition →W
Weight and Balance
Weight and balance is the calculation confirming an aircraft's total mass and centre of gravity are within certified limits for the flight. It is a ...
Read definition →Work Order
A work order is the controlled maintenance document that scopes a job — tasks, parts, references and sign-offs — from squawk or scheduled trigger ...
Read definition →No terms match those filters.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this glossary for?
Flight school owners, Heads of Training, instructors and student pilots who need clear, practical definitions — written from the operator's perspective, not just the textbook's.
Does it cover both EASA and FAA terminology?
Yes. Every term is tagged by regulatory region, and where FAA and EASA use different words for the same thing — like checkride and skill test — the definitions cross-reference each other.
How is the glossary maintained?
Every definition carries a "last verified" date and is reviewed against the current regulations. New terms are added continuously — if something is missing, tell us and we will add it.