Aviation Terminology 

Lingo is a common part of many industries, including aviation. These terms help professionals speak to one another quickly and efficiently. However, they can make you feel out of touch. 

We’ve compiled a list of common terms used within the industry to help you feel more connected to your crew. Remember that you can always ask your staff about anything you don’t understand.

Safety & Regulatory Terms 

These are common terms used within the aviation field relating to safety and airline safety regulations:

• Airworthiness: the condition of an aircraft ensuring it is safe for flight, meeting all regulatory requirements
• Safety management system (SMS): a systematic approach to managing safety, including organizational structures, accountabilities, policies, and procedures
• Minimum equipment list (MEL): a list specifying the equipment that must be operational for the aircraft to be considered airworthy
• Notice to air missions (NOTAM): a notice containing information essential to flight operations but not known far enough in advance to be publicized by other means
• Controlled airspace: airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control services are provided
• Part 91: regulations governing general aviation operations in the U.S., typically non-commercial flights
• Part 135: regulations for commuter and on-demand operations, including charter flights
• Cabotage: the transport of goods or passengers between two points in the same country by a foreign operator; often restricted
• Customs declaration: a form listing the details of goods that are being imported or exported; required for international flights

Aircraft Size & Performance Terms

Several different types of private aircraft exist, and they all perform slightly differently. These are terms relating to different aircraft classifications:

• Very light jet (VLJ): a small jet aircraft approved for single-pilot operation, typically seating four to six passengers
• Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW): the maximum weight at which the pilot is allowed to attempt to take off due to structural or other limits
• Cruising altitude: the altitude at which an aircraft travels for the majority of a flight after ascent and before descent
• Range: the maximum distance an aircraft can fly without refueling
• Stall speed: the minimum speed at which an aircraft can maintain level flight
• Rate of climb: the speed at which an aircraft gains altitude expressed in feet per minute
• Service ceiling: the maximum altitude at which an aircraft can sustain level flight under standard conditions
• Light jet: a category of small, efficient aircraft designed for short to medium-haul flights, typically with seating for four to eight passengers, and offering cruising speeds over 400 knots and ranges between 1,200 to 2,500 miles
• Midsize jet: a category of aircraft between light jets and heavy jets, typically with seating for six to 10 passengers and with flight ranges of 2,500 to 3,500 miles
• Super midsize jet: an upgrade from midsize jets, offering greater range, more cabin space, and often more advanced technology; typically with seating for 8 to 12 passengers and with flight ranges of 3,000 to 4,500 miles
• Heavy jet: large, long-range aircraft designed for extended flights, with seating for12 to 19 passengers and ranges of 3,000 to 6,000 miles
• Ultra-long-range jet: the pinnacle of private aviation, capable of flying non-stop over 5,000 nautical miles, with seating for 14 to 16 passengers and luxurious amenities

Chartering & Booking Terms 

The following words and phrases relate to the process of chartering a private plane and scheduling a flight. As a new customer, these may be some of the first words you need to know to get started:

• Ad hoc charter: a one-time, on-demand charter flight tailored to a client’s specific needs without a long-term commitment
• Air charter: the act of renting or leasing an entire aircraft for private use, transporting passengers or cargo
• Air charter agent: a professional who arranges charter flights on behalf of clients, liaising between the client and the operator to ensure optimal service and pricing
• Air charter operator: an entity authorized to operate charter flights, holding the necessary certifications and responsible for the aircraft’s maintenance and crew
• Air operator certificate (AOC): a certification granted by a national aviation authority allowing an operator to use aircraft for commercial purposes
• Block charter: an arrangement where a client purchases a set number of flight hours or segments in advance, often at discounted rates
• Broker: an intermediary who sources and arranges charter flights for clients without operating the aircraft themselves
• Cabotage: the transport of goods or passengers between two points in the same country by a foreign operator, often restricted by law
• Charter agreement: a contractual document outlining the terms, conditions, and specifics of a charter flight between the client and the operator or broker
• Charter flight: a non-scheduled flight arranged at the client’s request, offering flexibility in timing and routing
• Charter operator: a company that owns or manages aircraft and offers them for charter services to clients
• Charter quote: an estimate provided to a client detailing the cost and specifics of a proposed charter flight
• Charter request: an inquiry made by a client to arrange a charter flight, specifying requirements like destination, date, and aircraft type
• Crew duty time: the total time a crew member is on duty, including flight time and ground duties, regulated to ensure safety and prevent fatigue

Maintenance & Technical Terms 

Aircraft are delicate and require a significant amount of maintenance to remain safe and operational. These are terms that relate to how jets are maintained:

• Time between overhauls (TBO): the manufacturer’s recommended time between major maintenance overhauls of an engine or component
• A-check: a light maintenance check performed approximately every 400 to 600 flight hours
• D-check: the most comprehensive maintenance check, involving complete disassembly and inspection, typically conducted every six to 10 years
• Ground support equipment (GSE): the equipment used to service aircraft between flights, including tugs, refueling trucks, and baggage carts
• Aircraft on ground (AOG): a situation where an aircraft is grounded due to technical issues, requiring immediate attention to return to service
• Non-destructive testing (NDT): inspection methods used to detect flaws or defects that do not damage the component being tested
• Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO): comprehensive services that ensure aircraft are maintained in airworthy condition

Flight Operation & Navigation Terms 

Specialized language helps pilots and other experts discuss their work with one another. These terms relate to navigation and flight operation:

• Flight plan: a document filed by pilots detailing the intended route, altitude, and other flight details
• Instrument flight rules (IFR): regulations and procedures for flying aircraft without visual reference to the ground
• Visual flight rules (VFR): Regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions clear enough to allow visual navigation
• Waypoint: a predetermined geographical position used for navigation
• Holding pattern: a maneuver designed to delay an aircraft already in flight while keeping it within a specified airspace
• Autopilot: a system that automatically controls the trajectory of an aircraft without constant manual input from the pilot
• Transponder: an electronic device that produces a response when it receives a radio-frequency interrogation, used for aircraft identification and tracking

Passenger Experience & Cabin Terms 

Your flight includes many technical terms involving your comfort and experience. These are phrases to know:

• Cabin altitude: the equivalent altitude inside the aircraft cabin, maintained for passenger comfort
• Pressurization: the process of maintaining cabin pressure at a comfortable level during flight
• In-flight entertainment (IFE): systems installed in aircraft to provide entertainment to passengers during a flight
• Lavatory service: the maintenance and cleaning of onboard restrooms between flights
• Galley: the compartment of an aircraft where food and beverages are prepared and stored
• Seat pitch: the distance between a point on one seat and the same point on the seat in front of it, indicating legroom
• Turbulence: irregular or disturbed air motion that an aircraft encounters during flight, which is caused by various atmospheric conditions such as jet streams, thunderstorms, mountain waves, or air currents interacting with obstacles

Weather & Environmental Terms 

The weather has a strong impact on your entire flight experience, including how long it might last. These terms relate to the weather and environment:

• Clear-air turbulence (CAT): turbulence that occurs in clear air, typically at high altitudes, without any visual warning
• Jet stream: a fast-flowing, narrow air current found in the atmospheres of some planets, including Earth
• METAR: an aviation routine weather report, providing information about the current weather conditions at an airport
• Terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF): a concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions at an airport during a specified period
• Icing conditions: weather conditions that can cause ice to form on aircraft surfaces, affecting performance and safety
• Dew point: the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and dew can form, relevant for predicting fog and icing
• Significant meteorological information (SIGMET): weather advisories that provide information about potentially hazardous weather conditions, which pilots use to avoid severe weather, such as thunderstorms, turbulence, and icing

International & Domestic Travel Terms 

Some words and phrases relate to where your flight originates and where it terminates. This is the language you need to know about this topic:

• Overflight permit: authorization required for an aircraft to fly over a foreign country’s airspace
• Landing permit: authorization required for an aircraft to land in a foreign country
• Schengen area: a zone comprising 26 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders
• Visa waiver program: a U.S. government program that allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP): the U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws