Reference
Aviation glossary
Concise definitions for aviation terminology — from METAR and NOTAM to aerodynamics and airline operations. Search directly or scan alphabetically.
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TAFA TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) is an official aviation weather forecast for the airspace around a specific airport, issued four times daily and covering 24 to 30 hours of expected conditions. TailwindA tailwind is a wind that blows in the same direction an aircraft is traveling, increasing groundspeed but requiring longer takeoff and landing distances. Takeoff RollThe takeoff roll is the distance an aircraft travels down the runway from the moment it begins accelerating until its main wheels lift off the ground. It is one component of total takeoff distance, which also includes the climb to screen height. TaxiwayA taxiway is a paved airport path used by aircraft to move between runways, terminals, hangars, and other facilities. Marked with yellow centerlines and blue edge lights, taxiways keep ground traffic organized and prevent conflicts with active... Temperature deviationTemperature deviation is the difference between actual air temperature at a given altitude and the standard temperature predicted by the International Standard Atmosphere model. Expressed as ISA+ or ISA-, it directly affects air density and... Terminal Aerodrome ForecastA Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is a coded weather forecast for a specific airport covering the next 24 to 30 hours, including wind, visibility, weather phenomena, and cloud layers in standardized ICAO format. Through-FareA single ticket covering a multi-airline journey sold as one combined itinerary. Typically costs less than purchasing separate tickets and includes automatic baggage transfer to the final destination. ThrustThrust is the forward force produced by an aircraft engine pushing air or exhaust rearward, propelling the aircraft through the air. Touchdown ZoneThe touchdown zone (TDZ) is the first 3,000 feet of runway from the threshold where aircraft are designed to land. Its RVR (Runway Visual Range) reading is the critical visibility measure that determines go/no-go authorization for low-visibility... TransmissometerAn instrument that measures atmospheric transparency by transmitting a light beam across a fixed distance and measuring how much light reaches the receiver, enabling airports to calculate runway visual range for pilots. TropopauseThe tropopause is the boundary layer where the troposphere ends and the stratosphere begins. At this altitude, temperature stops falling and levels off, creating a natural ceiling that contains most weather and shapes jet stream behavior. True airspeedTrue airspeed (TAS) is the actual speed of an aircraft relative to the air mass around it, adjusted for altitude and temperature effects on air density. TSA PreCheckTSA PreCheck is a U.S. government trusted traveler program that allows pre-approved, low-risk passengers to move through airport security faster using dedicated screening lanes with lighter restrictions. TurbineA turbine is a rotary device that extracts energy from high-velocity gas flow and converts it into shaft power. In jet engines, turbines drive the compressor and fan that produce thrust. Turbofan EngineA turbofan engine is a jet engine that uses a large front fan to direct air through both a combustion core and a bypass channel, producing thrust more efficiently than traditional turbojets by leveraging the cooler bypass airflow. Turboprop EngineA turboprop engine is a gas turbine that drives a propeller through a reduction gearbox, combining jet engine power with propeller efficiency for optimal performance below 350 knots and 35,000 feet. TurbulenceTurbulence is irregular, unsteady airflow that causes an aircraft to experience sudden bumps, jolts, or changes in altitude during flight. It results from temperature differences, terrain features, and weather systems that create uneven air masses.
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