Top: Recreation: Aviation: Terminology



Agl

Definition: Acronym for Above Ground Level. This is the elevation in reference to the ground rather than to mean sea level.


Airfoil

Definition: The parabolic curved shaped of the wing that causes lift.

The airfoil has characteristics of being curved on the top side and flat on the bottom. The curve on top of the wing causes the air to take a longer time to travel across the top of the wing than the flat bottom of the wing. This causes more air to travel under the wing which results in greater pressure or lifing force on the bottom of the wing.


Airspeed

Definition: The speed of the glider through the air. The airspeed can be different than the ground speed because of headwinds or tailwinds.


Altimeter

Definition: A device that is used to measure the elevation of the aircraft.


Angle of Attack

Definition: The angle of the aircraft in reference to the level ground. It is also known as the 'pitch' of the glider.


Approach

Definition: The flight path the pilot uses to land the hang glider. The most common approach is call the 'Standard Aircraft Approach'. Also used is the 'Box Approach' where the pilot flies boxes above the airfield until the right elevation is reached for landing.


Aspect Ratio

Definition: The aspect ratio of a aircraft is determined by dividing the wing span by the average chord length.


Base Leg

Definition: Portion of the landing approach that precedes the final leg.


Base Tube

Definition: On a hang glider, the lower part of the control bar that is used to control the gliders motion in the prone position. It is the portion of the glider that the pilot places their hands on during flight while in the prone position.


Batten

Definition: A term used in hang gliding that describes the thin curved ribs of varying length that slide into the wing. It provides the wing with the curved airfoil section that provides lift. On most gliders it is made of a light-weight metal such as aluminum.


Best Glide Speed

Definition: The speed of the aircraft when it has the best glide ratio. This results in the least amount of fall per distance traveled.


Blue Day

Definition: A day that is not good for gliding. A day without thermals or clouds.


Blue Hole

Definition: An area of clear skies that is surrounded by clouds. The blue hole usually has areas of sink and little or no thermals.


Blue Thermal

Definition: A thermal that does not have any cloud formation.


Camber

Definition: The amount of curvature in the airfoil.


Carabiner

Definition: The lockable metal device that is used to connect the pilot's harness to the glider. Common in hang gliding and paragliding.


Chord

Definition: The distance from the leading edge of the aircraft to the trailing edge of the aircraft.


Cloudbase

Definition: The elevation of the bottom of the cloud.


Cloudstreet

Definition: The formation of clouds in a row that provides soaring pilots with an avenue of thermals.


Cocoon

Definition: A type of harness that encloses the pilot form the shoulder to the feet. It is used to reduce wind resistance. Term common in hang gliding.


Control Bar

Definition: In hang gliding, the triangular metal bar that is used by the pilot to navigate. It consists of two downtubes and a base tube.


Crabbing

Definition: The type of flying that is used to counteract a crosswind. The pilot angles the nose at a diagonal to the wind so that a straight flight is achieved.


Crossbar

Definition: In hang gliding, the main support bar that runs from the keel to the the leading edge.


Cumulus

Definition: A type of cloud that produces thermals. It is characterized by its tall billowing stack and is often associated with storm clouds.


Dacron

Definition: A material that is used in the hang glider sail.


Dihedral

Definition: The angle of the wing tips that provides stability in turns.


Double Surface Glider

Definition: In hang gliding, a glider that has two surfaces that encloses the frame of the glider. This type of glider more aerodynamic than a single surface glider.


Down Tubes

Definition: A term used in hang gliding to describe the vertical tubes that run from the cross bar to the base tube. The down tubes are part of the control bar. The tubes are pushed out on landing to cause the glider to flare.


Drag

Definition: The wind resistance that interupts the airflow around the aircraft. Drag increases as the speed of the glider increases. Drag can be reduced by using streamline shapes and materials for the aircraft.


Drag Chute

Definition: A small chute that is deployed on the after landing that causes the aircraft to lose forward airspeed as well as elevation. In hang gliding, the chute is deplyed on final approach. Used to assist high performance hang gliders land in small landing zones. Also known as a drogue chute.


FAA

Definition: An acronym for the Federal Aviation Administration.


Fairing

Definition: A compartment that fully or partially encloses the pilot during flight. It is used to reduce the drag of the aircraft and pilot.


Final

Definition: The last leg of the landing approach.


Flare

Definition: The final portion of the landing where the pilot trades airspeed for elevation.


Glide Ratio

Definition: The rate at which the aircraft falls, normally express in the amount of drop per distance traveled such as 10:1.


Global Positioning System

Definition: A $12 billion satellite system consisting of 24 satellites orbiting the earth to provide navigational assistance to pilots. Constructed by the United States military back in the 1980's for navigation of military planes, ships, and other weapons of offense such as guided missles and tanks. Now used by every country in the world for commercial and recreational navigation.


Ground Effect

Definition: The lift encounter when the air traveling over the wing encounters the ground.


Ground Speed

Definition: The speed at which the glider passes over the ground. Ground speed and air speed is different.


Hand Fairing

Definition: In hang gliding, a term used to describe a glove or mitt that is attached to the base tube and worn during cold weather to protect from frost bite.


Hang Check

Definition: In hang gliding, a term used to describe a preflight inspection of the pilot's helmet strap, leg straps, and carabiner locking mechanism.


Hang Loop

Definition: In hang gliding, the term used to describe the loop that connects the pilot's hang strap to the glider. Usually there are two loops on the glider with one of the loops shorter than the other. The longest loop is used as a back up in case the main loop fails.


Hang Strap

Definition: In hang gliding, the term used to describe the portion of the hang glider harness that connects the harness to the hang loops.


Hook In weight

Definition: In hang gliding, the term used to describe the Weight of the pilot and all accessories including items such as helmet, vario/gps, harness, reserve, clothing, etc...


Keel

Definition: Part of the structure in the aircraft that runs from wing end to wing end. Term commin in hang glidig.


King Post

Definition: In hang gliding, a term used to describe the vertical bar the protrudes from the top of the hang glider. Wires are attached from the post to several points on the each wing to give the wing support and shape.


Knot

Definition: A nautical mile per hour, 1.1508 statute miles per hour.


Landing Zone

Definition: An area designated as a desired point of landing.


Leading Edge

Definition: The front edge of the glider that causes the lift to form.


Lift

Definition: The rising of air that causes the glider to increase altitude. Lift can be in the form of ridge lift or thermal lift.


Lift-Drag Ratio

Definition: The ratio of lift to drag obtained by dividing the lift by the drag or the lift coefficient by the drag coefficient. Also called L/D ratio.


Luff Lines

Definition: In hang gliding, the term used to describe the structual lines that suspend from the kingpost to the trailing edge.


MSL

Definition: Abbreviation for Mean Sea Level elevation.


Minimum Controllable Airspeed

Definition: The minimum speed at which the glider is capable of being maneuvered.


Minimum Sink Speed

Definition: The speed of the aircraft that causes the slowest descent.


Nose Angle

Definition: The angle that is formed at the intersection of the leading edges of the wing.


Nose Plate

Definition: In hang gliding, a term used to describe the metal plate at the intersection of the keel and the leading edge.


Pitch

Definition: The angle of ascent or descent of the aircraft in reference to the horizon.


Pod

Definition: A term in hang gliding that describes a type of racing harness where the pilot's body is fully enclosed.


Polar

Definition: Curve Tool used to calculate speeds to fly.


Recommended Hook In Weight

Definition: A term in hang gliding that describes the weight range suggested by the glider manufacturer that includes the pilot's weight as well as all accessories. Any additional weight above the maximum range or lack of weight to meet the minimum range may cause problems in the operation of the glider.


Rib

Definition: A term in hang gliding that describes a thin curved rib that slides into the wing. It provides the wing with the curved airfoil section that provides lift. On most gliders it is made of a light-weight metal such as aluminum. Another word for batten.


Ridge Lift

Definition: A term used in soaring flight that describes the upward motion of air that is caused by wind blowing into a ridge.


Roll

Definition: The act of turning the aircraft.


Rotor

Definition: Turbulence created by air traversing around an obstacle such as a building.


Sink

Definition: Descending air.


Sled Ride

Definition: A term common in soaring flights where the pilot encounters no lift and is forced to return to the landing zone.


Soaring

Definition: The act of continued flight through the use of ridge lift or thermals.


Speedbar

Definition: A term in hang gliding that is used to describ a curved basetube that allows the pilot to pull in further and increase speed.


Stall

Definition: The loss of lift caused by slow airspeed.


Stall Speed

Definition: The speed at which a wing stop flying and begins falling.


Stuffing The Bar

Definition: A term used in hang gliding to describe the act of pulling in on the control bar so that the bar is below the chest. This causes the pilot to fly at a high rate of speed.


Sweep

Definition: The angle of the aircraft's wings.


Tandem

Definition: A flight in a specially designed aircraft that allows for two passengers, usually an instructor and a student.


Thermal

Definition: Rising currents of air that is used by the pilot to gain altitude. Thermals are caused by the uneven heating of the surface.


Tow

Definition: In soaring sports, a means of getting a glider into the air. The most popular method is aerotow, where a small plane or ultralight tows the glider skyward. Another popular methods utilizes a winch where a motor is attached to a long cable that is connected to the glider. The motro retracts the line causing forward motion of the glider. Other methods that are not as common includes towing by trucks and boats.


Trailing Edge

Definition: The most rear part of the aircraft wings.


Trim Speed

Definition: In soaring sports, the speed at which the glider flies without any control from the pilot. The speed is just faster than the minimum sink speed of the glider.


Trimming The Glider

Definition: Adjusting the speed to trim speed.


Turn Point

Definition: A point of reference used to navigate to. Often used in competition to set up a course of the pilots.


VG System

Definition: A system of pulleys and cam action levers that are used to adjust the nose angle of the glider so that the glider reacts differently at varying speeds. Normally flown loose at slower speeds and tight at higher speeds


VNE

Definition: An abbreviation that stand for Velocity to Never Exceed. This speed is the recommended speed provided by the manufacturer. Going faster than this speed may results in loss of control or may cause structural failure.


Variometer

Definition: A device used to determine if the glider is in lifting air or sinking air. Visual and/or audio signals notify the pilot of the change in vertical air motions.


Wave Lift

Definition: Lift generated downwind of mountain ridges, similar in concept to the waves generated behind a rock as water passes by it.


Whack

Definition: A term used in hang gliding to describe a bad landing, more specifically when the nose of the glider touches the ground after the landing. Usually caused by too much ground speed and not enough flare.


Wing Tip

Definition: The outermost portion of the wing.


Wing Tufts

Definition: In soaring flights, a device placed on the top of the wings to indicate a stall forth coming, usually made out of a piece of fabric such as yarn.


Yaw

Definition: The rotational or oscillatory movement of a aircraft about a vertical axis. 



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