Below are abbreviations used in aviation, avionics, aerospace, and aeronautics.
A
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
! Notes
|-
| A/A
| Air to air TACAN function
|
|-
| A/C
| Aircraft
| In aviation, above aerodrome level (AAL), or above aerodrome elevation (AAE), denotes that an altitude is given above the nearest aerodrome or airport.
|-
| AAIB
| Air Accident Investigation Bureau/Branch/Board
| (Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Iceland, India, Switzerland)
|-
| AAIM
| Aircraft Autonomous Integrity Monitoring
|
|-
| AAO
| Assumed adverse obstacle
|
|-
| AAS
| Airport advisory service
| Information and guidance publication
|-
| ACAM
| Aircraft continuous airworthiness monitoring
|
|-
| ACARS
| Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System
|
|-
| ACAS
| Airborne collision avoidance system
|
|-
| ACC
| Area control centre
|
|-
| ACI
| Airports Council International
|
|-
| ACLS
| Automatic carrier landing system
| Aircraft carrier operations
|-
| ACM
| Air cycle machine
| Part of A/C air conditioning system
|-
| ACMS
| Aircraft condition monitoring system
|
|-
| ACP
| Audio Control Panel
|
|-
| ACR
| Avionic Communication Router
|
|-
| ACS<sup>1</sup>
| Airman Certification Standards
| FAA pilot testing
|-
| ACS<sup>2</sup>
| Audio control system
|
|-
| ACU<sup>1</sup>
| Air conditioning (or cooling) unit
|
|-
| ACU<sup>2</sup>
| Alternator control unit
| Piloting term of judgment
|-
| ADM<sup>2</sup>
| Air data module
|
|-
| ADN
| Aircraft Data Network
| Ethernet derivative for Commercial Aircraft
|-
| ADS<sup>1</sup>
| Air data system
|
|-
| ADS<sup>2</sup>
| Automatic dependent surveillance
|
|-
| ADS-A
| Automatic dependent surveillance – address
|
|-
| ADS-B
| Automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast
|
|-
| ADS-C
| Automatic dependent surveillance – contract
|
|-
| ADV
| Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Verkehrsflughäfen
| "German Airports Association"
|-
| AEA
| Association of European Airlines
|
|-
| AESA
| Active electronically scanned array
|
|-
| AFCS
| automatic flight control system
|
|-
| AFD
| Autopilot flight director
|
|-
| AFDC
| Autopilot flight director computer
|
|-
| AFDS
| Autopilot flight director system
|
|-
| AFDX
| Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet
|
|-
| AFE
| Above field elevation
|
|-
| AFIS
| Airborne flight information system
| Also called automatic flight information service
|-
| AFM
| Aircraft flight manual
|
|-
| AFS
| Aeronautical fixed service
|
|-
| AFT
| Aft The direction against the aircraft movement
|
|-
| AFTN
| Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network
|
|-
| AGACS
| Automatic ground–air communications system
| Also known as ATCSS or data link
|-
| AGB
| Accessory gear box
| Mainly used in turbine engine
|-
| AGC
| Automatic gain control
|
|-
| AGDL
| Air–ground data link
|
|-
| AGL
| Above ground level
|
|-
| AHC
| Attitude heading control
|
|-
| AHRS
| Attitude and heading reference system
|
|-
| AIDS
| Aircraft integrated data system
|
|-
| AIM
| Aeronautical Information Manual
|
|-
| AIP
| Aeronautical Information Publication
|
|-
| AIRAC
| Aeronautical information regulation and control
|
|-
| AIRMET
| Air-mission's Meteorological Advisory
| In-flight advisory given over 126.7
|-
| AIS
| Aeronautical Information Services
| A place mostly for presenting Flight Plans and filing reports
|-
| AIXM
| Aeronautical information exchange model
|
|-
| ALC
| Automatic level control
|
|-
| ALI
| Airworthiness Limitation Item
|
|-
| ALNA
| Airline network architecture
|
|-
| ALS
| Approach lighting system
|
|-
| ALT<sup>1</sup>
| Alternate
|
|-
| ALT<sup>2</sup>
| Altimeter
|
|-
| ALT<sup>3</sup>
| Altitude
|
|-
| ALT hold
| Altitude hold mode
|
|-
| ALTS
| Altitude select
|
|-
| ALUM
| Aluminum
|
|-
| AMC
| Acceptable Means of Compliance (EASA)
|
|-
| AME
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
|
|-
| AME
| Aviation Medical Examiner
|
|-
| AMLCD
| Active-matrix liquid-crystal display
|
|-
| AMM
| Aircraft Maintenance Manual
|
|-
| AMO
| Approved Maintenance Organization
|
|-
| AMS
| Air management system
|
|-
| AMSL
| Above mean sea level
|
|-
| AMP
| Aircraft maintenance program
|
|-
| AMT
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician
|
|-
| ANC
| Active noise cancellation
|
|-
| AND
| Aircraft Nose Down
|
|-
| ANN
| Annunciator panel
| Caution warning system normally containing visual and audio alerts to the pilot
|-
| ANPT
| Aeronautical national pipe taper
|
|-
| ANR
| Active noise reduction
|
|-
| ANSP<sup>1</sup>
| Air navigation service provider
|
|-
| ANSP<sup>2</sup>
| Authorization of Aircraft Network Security Program (FAA)
|
|-
| ANT
| Antenna (radio)
|
|-
| ANSOG
| Airport Network Security Operator Guidance (Boeing)
|
|-
| A/O
| Air oil
| In turbine engines
|-
| AOA
| Angle of attack
|
|-
| AOC<sup>1</sup>
| Air operator's certificate
|
|-
| AOC<sup>2</sup>
| Aeronautical operational control
|
|-
| AOG
| Aircraft on ground
|
|-
| AOM<sup>1</sup>
| Aircraft operations manual
|
|-
| AOM<sup>2</sup>
| Airport/aerodrome operating minima
|
|-
| AOP
| Airport operating plan
|
|-
| AP
| Autopilot
|
|-
| A/P
| Airplane (US), Aeroplane (ICAO)
|
|-
| APARS
| Automatic pressure altitude reporting system
|
|-
| APC
| Auto pilot computer
|
|-
| APIRS
| Attitude and positioning inertial reference system
|
|-
| APOA
| Airport of arrival
|
|-
| APOD
| Airport of departure
|
|-
| APM
| Aircraft personality module
|
|-
| APP
| Appendix
|
|-
| APP
| Approach Control
| ATC
|-
| APPL
| Application
|
|-
| APPROX
| Approximately
|
|-
| APS
| Auto pilot system
|
|-
| APT
| Airport
|
|-
| APU
| Auxiliary power unit
|
|-
| APV
| Approach procedure with vertical guidance
| Instrumental approach
|-
| AQP
| Advanced Qualification Program
| FAA training and testing
|-
| AR
| Airworthiness review
|
|-
| AR
| Authorization required
|
|-
| AR
| As required
|
|-
| ARC
| Airworthiness review certificate
|
|-
| ARINC
| Aeronautical Radio Inc.
|
|-
| ARO
| Airport reservation office
|
|-
| ARP
| Aerodrome reference point
|
|-
| ARTCC
| Air route traffic control centers
|
|-
| ASAS
| Airborne Separation Assurance System
|
|-
| ASD
| Aircraft situation display
|
|-
| ASDA
| Accelerate Stop Distance Available
|
|-
| ASDE-X
| Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X
|
|-
| ASDL
| Aeronautical satellite data link
|
|-
| ASI
| Airspeed indicator
|
|-
| ASL
| Above sea level
|-
| ATE
| Advanced Technology Engine
|
|-
| ATF
| Aerodrome traffic frequency
|
|-
| ATFM
| Air traffic flow management
|
|-
| ATIS
| Automatic Terminal Information Service
|
|-
| ATM
| Air traffic management
|
|-
| ATN
| Aeronautical Telecommunication Network
|
|-
| ATO
| Approved Training Organisation
|
|-
| ATPL
| Airline Transport Pilot Licence
|
|-
| ATQP
| Alternative Training and Qualification Programme
|
|-
| ATR<sup>1</sup> <sup>1</sup>
| Air transportable racking
|
|-
| ATR<sup>2</sup>
| Automatic thrust restoration
|
|-
| ATS
| Air traffic service
|
|-
| ATSAW
| Airborne traffic situational awareness
|
|-
| ATSU
| Air traffic services unit
| Avionics LRU for ACARS
|-
| ATT
| Attitude
|
|-
| ATTCS
| Automatic Take-off Thrust Control System
|
|-
| AUPRTA
| Airplane Upset Prevention & Recovery Training Aid
|-
| AVAIL
| Available
|
|-
| Avionics
| Aviation electronics
|
|-
| AVSA
| "Adjust vertical speed adjust"
| TCAS Voice command to adjust traffic separation
|-
| AWACS
| Airborne Warning and Control System
| Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) or Boeing E-3 Sentry
|-
| AWBS
| Aviation weather briefing service
| In Canada
|}
B
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
! Notes
|-
| B RNAV
| Basic area navigation
|
|-
| BARO
| Barometric indication, setting or pressure
|
|-
| baro-VNAV
| Barometric vertical navigation
|
|-
| BC
| Back course
| Or 'BCRS'
|-
| BCAA
| Belgian Civil Aviation Authority
|
|-
| BDC
| bottom dead centre
|
|-
| CARS
| Canadian Aviation Regulations
|
|-
| CAS
| calibrated airspeed
|
|-
| CASS
| Commercial Air Service Standards
|
|-
| CASS
| continuing analysis and surveillance system
|
|-
| CAT (I–IIIc)
| Operational performance Category
| CAT I: Operational performance Category 1<br />
CAT I Enhanced: Allows for lower minimums than CAT I in some cases to CAT 2 minimums<br />
CAT II: Operational performance Category II<br />
CAT IIIa: Operational performance Category IIIa<br />
CAT IIIb: Operational performance Category IIIb<br />
CAT IIIc: Operational performance Category IIIc
|-
| CAT<sup>1</sup>
| clear air turbulence
| Visibility is at least 10 kilometres and no clouds below 5000 feet with no forecasted significant weather change such as precipitation.
|-
| CAVU
| Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited
|
|-
| CAW
| continuing airworthiness (EASA)
|
|-
| CB
| Cumulonimbus cloud
|
|-
| CBT
| computer-based training
|
|-
| CCRs
| closed circuit mixed gas rebreathers
|
|-
| CCRs
| constant current regulators
|
|-
| CDA
| Continuous descent approach
|
|-
| CDCCL
| critical design configuration control limitation
|
|-
| CDI
| course deviation indicator
|
|-
| CDU
| Control Display Unit
|
|-
| CDFA
| Continuous Descent Final Approach
|
|-
| NUO
|
|-
| CDTI
| Cockpit display of traffic information
|
|-
| CDL
| configuration deviation list
|
|-
| CDU
| control/display unit
|
|-
| CFIT
| controlled flight into terrain
|
|-
| CFG
| constant frequency generator
|
|-
| CFR
| Code of Federal Regulations
| In the United States
|-
| CG
| center of gravity
|
|-
| CH
| Course Heading
|
|-
| CHDO
| certificate-holding district office (FAA)
|
|-
| CHP
| Course Heading Panel
|
|-
| CHT
| Cylinder Head Temperature (Piston engine aviation)
|
|-
| CI
| cost index
|
|-
| CID
| Customer induced damage
|-
| C/L
| Centre line
|
|-
| CL
| checklist
| A flight deck manual, usually part of a Quick Reference Handbook
|-
| CLR
| Clear
| Seen on GFA and is used for sky coverage
|-
| CMC
| central maintenance computer
|
|-
| CMM
| component maintenance manual
|
|-
| CMO
| Certificate Management Office
| FAA
|-
| CMV
| converted meteorological visibility
|
|-
| CMPA
| complex motor-powered aircraft
|
|-
| CMU
| Communications Management Unit
|
|-
| CNS
| Communication, navigation and surveillance
|
|-
| CNS/ATM
| Communication, navigation and surveillance / Air traffic management
|
|-
| CODEC
| Coder/decoder
|
|-
| CofA
| Certificate of airworthiness
|
|-
| COMM or COM
| Communications transceiver, Communications receiver, or Communications radio transmitter
| Now, normally: either VHF or UHF; HF communications avionics are usually abbreviated simply HF
|-
| CORSIA
| Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation
|
|-
| COTS
| Commercial off-the-shelf
|
|-
| CPA
| Closest point of approach
|
|-
| CPDLC
| controller–pilot data link communications
|
|-
| CPR
| Changed product rule
| EASA
|-
| CPS
| Cycles per second
|
|-
| CRD
| Comment-response document (EASA)
| Part of rule making process
|-
| CRES
| Corrosion resistant steel
|
|-
| CRM
| Crew resource management
|
|-
| CRT
| Cathode-ray tube
|
|-
| CS
| certification specification (EASA)
|
|-
| CSD
| constant speed drive
|
|-
| CSDB
| Commercial Standard Digital Bus
|
|-
| CSDB
| Collins Standard Digital Bus
|
|-
| CSN
| Cycles since new
| Normally measured in FC or EFC for an aircraft, engine or component
|-
| CSO
| cycles since overhaul
|
|-
| CSS
| cabin services system
|
|-
| CSU
| constant speed unit
|
|-
| CSCT
| Configuration Item Signer Crater Tool
| Boeing
|-
| CTAF
| common traffic advisory frequency
|
|-
| CTR
| controlled traffic region/control zone
|
|-
| CV/DFDR
| Cockpit voice and digital flight data recorder
| See Flight recorder
|-
| CVR
| cockpit voice recorder
| See Flight recorder
|-
| CWS
| control wheel steering
|
|}
D
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
! Notes
|-
| D
| Compass Deviation
|
|-
| DA/H
| decision altitude/height (rel. to THR)
| See instrument landing system
|-
| DA<sup>1</sup>
| Decision Altitude
| Precision approach or vertical guidance
|-
| DA<sup>2</sup>
| density altitude
|
|-
| DA<sup>3</sup>
| Drift angle
|
|-
| DAH
| design approval holder (EASA)
|
|-
| DAPs
| Downlink of aircraft parameters
|
|-
| DBER
| damaged beyond economic repair
| Hull loss
|-
| DCDU
| Datalink control and display unit
|
|-
| DCL
| Departure Clearance via CPDLC
|
|-
| DCP
| Display control panel
|
|-
| DDG
| Dispatch deviation guide
| https://fsims.faa.gov/WDocs/8400.10%20Air%20Transp%20Ops%20Insp%20Handbk/Volume%204.%20AIRCRAFT%20EQUIPMENT%20AND%20OPERATIONAL%20AUTHORIZATIONS/Vol%204-Chap%204-Sec%203.htm
|-
| DEFDARS
| Digital Expandable Flight Data Acquisition and Recording System
|
|-
| DER
| departure end of runway
|
|-
| DER
| Designated Engineering Representative
|
|-
| DEU
| display electronic unit
|
|-
| DFDR
| Digital Flight Data Recorder
| See flight recorder
|-
| DFMC
| Dual Frequency Multiple Constellation
|
|-
| DG
| directional gyro
|
|-
| DGPS
| differential GPS
|-
| FAROS
| final approach runway occupancy signal
|
|-
| FAS
| final approach segment
|
|-
| FAT
| Free air temperature
|
|-
| FATO
| final approach and take off
|
|-
| FB
| Winds aloft
| World Meteorological Organization abbrev. see also FD
|-
| FBO
| fixed-base operator
| Airfield operations
|-
| FBS
| fixed base simulator
| Flight crew training
|-
| FBW
| fly-by-wire
|
|-
| FCC
| Flight Control Computer
|
|-
| FC
| flight crew
|
|-
| FCF
| functional flight check
| Check functionality after maintenance
|-
| FCMC
| Fuel Control & Monitoring Computer
|
|-
| FCOM
| flight crew operating manual
| Aircraft operations
|-
| FCS
| flight control system
|
|-
| FCTM
| flight crew training manual
|
|-
| FCU
| fuel control unit
| In turbine engines
|-
| FD
| flight director
| Avionics
|-
| FD
| upper winds and temperature forecast
|
|-
| HFES
| Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
| U.S.-based nonprofit organisation
|-
| "Hg
| Inch of Mercury
| Symbol for unit of pressure
|-
| HHLD
| Heading hold
| Navigation
|-
| HIGE
| hover in ground effect
| Helicopter operations
|-
| HIRL
| High Intensity Runway lighting
| Airfield operations
|-
| HIRO
| High Intensity Runway Operation
| Airfield operations
|-
| HIRTA
| High Intensity Radio Transmission Area
|
|-
| HIWAS
| Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service
|
|-
| HL
| Height loss
|
|-
| HLD
| hold
| Maintain same altitude or speed or direction
|-
| HMG
| hydraulic motor generator
|
|-
| HMD
| Helmet-mounted display
|
|-
| HMU
| hydro-mechanical unit
| In turbine engine
|-
| HOGE
| hover out of ground effect
| Helicopter operations
|-
| HOTAS
| Hands On Throttle And Stick
|
|-
| HPA
| human-powered aircraft
| Aircraft type
|-
| HPC
| high pressure compressor
| In turbine engine
|-
| HPR
| High Pressure Rotor
|
|-
| HPT
| high pressure turbine
| In turbine engines
|-
| HPTACC
| high pressure turbine active clearance control
| Mainly used in turbofan engines
|-
| HSD
| High-speed data
|
|-
| HSI
| horizontal situation indicator
| Avionics
|-
| HSL
| Heading select
|
|-
| HUD
| head-up display
| Avionics
|-
| HUM
| Human Remains
|
|-
| HUMS
| Health and usage monitoring systems
|
|-
| HW
| headwind
|
|-
| HYD
| hydraulic
| Aircraft equipment
|-
| HYDIM
| hydraulic interface module
|
|-
| Hz
| Hertz
| Symbol for unit of frequency
|}
I
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
! Notes
|-
| IAC
| instrument approach chart
|
|-
| IAF
| initial approach fix
|
|-
| IAN
| Integrated Approach Navigation
| IAN approaches provide the functions, indications and alerting features similar to an ILS approach (B737 FCTM)
|-
| IAP
| instrument approach procedure
|
|-
| IAS
| indicated airspeed
|
|-
| IATA
| International Air Transport Association
|
|-
| IB
| inboard
|
|-
| ICA
| Instructions for Continuous Airworthiness
|
|-
| ICAO
| International Civil Aviation Organization
|
|-
| ICAS
| International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences
|
|-
| ICD
| interface control document
|
|-
| ICO
| idle cut-off
|
|-
| ICTS
| ice-contaminated tailplane stall
|
|-
| ID
| identify/identification or identifier
|
|-
| IDENT
| identify/identifier
|
|-
| IDG
| integrated drive generator
| Combination of a CSD and generator in a single case
|-
| IDS
| information display system
| Or: integrated display system
|-
| IDT
| identify
| XPDR
|-
| IEPR
| integrated engine pressure ratio
|
|-
| IETM
| interactive electronic technical manual
|
|-
| IF
| intermediate approach fix
| Instrumental approach
|-
| IFA
| International Federation of Airworthiness
|
|-
| IFATCA
| International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations
|
|-
| IFE
| in-flight entertainment
|
|-
| IFF
| identification friend or foe
|
|-
| IFICS
| integrated flight instrument and control system
| British Aircraft Corporation, now British Aerospace
|-
| IFLD
| In-flight Landing Distance
| Airbus term
|-
| IFP
| instrument flight procedure
|
|-
| IFR
| instrument flight rules
|
|-
| IFSD
| in-flight shutdown
|
|-
| IGV
| inlet guide vane
|
|-
| ILS
| instrument landing system
|
|-
| IMC
| instrument meteorological conditions
|
|-
| IML
| inside mold line
|
|-
| IND
| indicator
|
|-
| InHg
| inch of mercury
|
|-
| INS
| inertial navigation system
|
|-
| IPC
| illustrated parts catalog (e.g. by Boeing, Airbus)
|
|-
| IR
| initial release
|
|-
| IRS
| inertial reference system
|
|-
| IRT
| instrument rating test
|
|-
| IRU
| inertial reference unit
|
|-
| IRVR
| instrumented runway visual range
|
|-
| ISA
| International Standard Atmosphere
|
|-
| ISFD
| integrated standby flight display
|
|-
| ISIS
| integrated standby instrument system
|
|-
| ISP
| integrated switching panel
|
|-
| ITAR
| International Traffic in Arms Regulations
|
|-
| ITT
| interstage turbine temperature
|
|-
| IVSI
| instantaneous vertical speed indicator
|
|}
J
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
|-
| JAA
| Joint Aviation Authorities
|-
| JAR
| Joint Aviation Requirements
|-
| JTIDS
| Joint Tactical Information Distribution System
|}
K
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
|-
| KCAS
| knots calibrated airspeed
|-
| KIAS
| knots indicated airspeed
|-
| KRE
| key risk element
|-
| KTAS
| knots true airspeed
|-
|}
L
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
! Notes
|-
| L
| Light
| Wake turbulence category
|-
| LAAS
| Local Area Augmentation System
|
|-
| LADGPS
| Local Area Differential GPS
|
|-
| LAHSO
| Land And Hold Short Operations
|
|-
| LAME
| licensed aircraft maintenance engineer
|
|-
| LAT
| large air tanker
| A class of waterbomber
|-
| LCC
| low-cost carrier
|
|-
| LCD
| liquid crystal display
|
|-
| LCG
| load classification group
|
|-
| LCN
| load classification number
|
|-
| LDA
| landing distance available
|
|-
| LDA
| localizer type directional aid
|
|-
| LDGPS
| local area differential global positioning satellite
|
|-
| LDR
| landing distance required
|
|-
| LED
| light-emitting diode
|
|-
| LHO
| live human organs
|
|-
| LHS
| left hand seat
| Jargon for captain
|-
| LIFR
| Low Instrument Flight Rules
| ceiling < 500 ft and/or visibility < 1 sm
|-
| LIR
| Loading Instruction Report
|
|-
| LKP
| last known position
|
|-
| LLC
| Life Limited Component
|
|-
| LLP
| Life Limited Part
| EASA, ICAO
|-
| LLZ
| localizer
| ILS approach
|-
| LM
| land and marine
|
|-
| LMM
| Locator middle marker
|
|-
| LNAV
| lateral navigation
|
|-
| LOA
| letter of authorization
| FAA
|-
| LOC
| localizer
|
|-
| LOC
| loss of control
|
|-
| LOCI
| loss of control inflight
|
|-
| LOFT
| line-oriented flight training
|
|-
| LOM
| limitation of movement
|
|-
| LOM
| locator outer marker
|
|-
| LOPA
| Location of Passenger Accommodations
|
|-
| LORAN
| Long-range navigation
|
|-
| LOTC
| loss of thrust control
|
|-
| LPC
| low pressure compressor
| In turbine engines
|-
| LPR
| Low Pressure Rotor
|
|-
| LPT
| low pressure turbine
|
|-
| LPTACC
| low pressure turbine active clearance control
| Mainly used in turbofan engines
|-
| LPV
| localizer performance with vertical guidance
|
|-
| LRC
| long range cruise
|
|-
| LRD
| load reduction device
|
|-
| LRU
| line-replaceable unit
|
|-
| LSAP
| loadable software aircraft part (EASA)
| Introduced in RMP for technical records
|-
| LSAS
| longitudinal stability augmentation system
|
|-
| LTC
| line training captain
|
|-
| LTE
| Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness
| Helicopters
|-
| LTP
| landing threshold point
|
|-
| LVP
| low visibility procedures
| Designated state of operations at aerodromes where instrument approaches and low-visibility takeoff procedures are used during inclement weather
|-
| LW
| landing weight
|
|-
| LX
| Lightning
|
|-
| LZ
| landing zone
|
|}
M
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
! Notes
|-
| M
| medium
| Wake turbulence category
|-
| MAC
| mean aerodynamic chord
|
|-
| MAC
| mid-air collision
|
|-
| MAHF
| Missed Approach Holding Fix
| Used in RNAV
|-
| MANAB
| Manual of Word Abbreviations
| Used in Canada
|-
| MAP
| manifold absolute pressure
|
|-
| MAP
| missed approach point
| Or: MAPt. Instrument approach.
|-
| MAPS
| Minimum Aviation Performance Standards
|
|-
| MATS
| Manual of Air Traffic Services
|
|-
| MB
| Marker beacon
|
|-
| MBC
| Main Base Check
|-
| MCAS
| Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System
| Held responsible for Boeing 737 MAX groundings
|-
| MCBF
| Mean cycles between failures
|
|-
| MCC
| Multi-crew cooperation
|
|-
| MCDU
| multifunction control display unit
|
|-
| MCH
| Manufacturer Certificate Holder
| TCCA; see also PAH and POA
|-
| MCP
| mode control panel
|
|-
| MCT
| maximum continuous thrust
|
|-
| MCDU
| multi control display unit
|
|-
| MDA
| minimum descent altitude
| Or: minimum decision altitude. Non-precision approach.
|-
| MDDR
| maintenance deferred defect record
|
|-
| MDH
| minimum descent height
| Or: minimum decision height. Non-precision approach.
|-
| MDM
| multi-disciplinary measure
| EASA
|-
| ME
| Manufacturing Engineer
|
|-
| MEA
| Minimum En-route Altitude
|
|-
| MEDEVAC
| medical evacuation
|
|-
| MEF
| maximum elevation figure
|
|-
| MMEL
| master minimum equipment list
|
|-
| MEL
| minimum equipment list
|
|-
| MEP
| multi-engine piston
|
|-
| METAR
| meteorological aerodrome report
|
|-
| MF
| Medium frequency
|
|-
| MFD
| multi-function display
|
|-
| MFDS
| multi-function display system
|
|-
| MFRA
| minimum flap retraction altitude
|
|-
| MH
| magnetic heading
|
|-
| MIC
| Microphone
|
|-
| MIDS
| Multifunctional information distribution system
|
|-
| MIJI
| Meaconing, intrusion, jamming, and interference
|
|-
| MILSPEC
| Military specification
|
|-
| MKP
| Multi-function Keypad
|
|-
| MKR
| Marker beacon
|
|-
| ML
| maintenance laptop
|
|-
| MLDW
| maximum landing weight
|
|-
| MLG
| Main Landing Gear
|
|-
| MLS
| microwave landing system
|
|-
| MM
| middle marker
|
|-
| MMD
| Moving map display
|
|-
| MNPS
| Minimum navigation performance specifications
|
|-
| MOA
| Military operations area
|
|-
| MOCA
| Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude
|
|-
| Mode A
| Transponder pulse-code reporting
|
|-
| Mode B
| Transponder code and altitude reporting
|
|-
| Mode C
| Transponder code, altitude, and TCAS reporting
|
|-
| MOE
| maintenance organisation exposition
|
|-
| MOPS
| Minimum Operational Performance Standard
|
|-
| MORA
| Minimum Off Route Altitude
|
|-
| MOSArt
| Modular Open System Architecture
|
|-
| MP
| manifold pressure
|
|-
| MPL
| multi-crew pilot license
|
|-
| MPU
| Multifunction Processor Unit
|
|-
| MRB
| Material Review Board
|
|-
| MRO
| maintenance, repair, overhaul
|
|-
| MRO
| maintenance and repair organization
|
|-
| MROT
| Minimum Runway Occupancy Time
|
|-
| MRP
| Material Resources Planning
|
|-
| MRW
| maximum ramp weight
|
|-
| MSA
| minimum safe altitudeminimum sector altitude
|
|-
| MSD
| Minimum Stabilization Distance
|
|-
| MSDS
| Material Safety Data Sheet
|
|-
| MSG
| Message
|
|-
| MSL
| mean sea level
|
|-
| MSLW
| Max. Structural Landing Weight
|
|-
| MSP
| Modes S-Specific Protocol
|
|-
| MSSS
| Mode S-Specific Services
|
|-
| MSTOW
| Max. Structural Take-off Weight
|
|-
| MSZFW
| Max. Structural Zero Fuel Weight
|
|-
| MTBF
| Mean time between failures
|
|-
| MTBSV
| Mean time between shop visit
|
|-
| MTBUR
| Mean time between unscheduled removals
|
|-
| MTOW
| maximum take-off weight
|
|-
| MTTF
| Mean time to failure
|
|-
| MVA
| Minimum Vectoring Altitude
|
|-
| MVFR
| Marginal visual flight rules
| ceiling 1000-3000′ and/or visibility 3-5 miles
|-
| MX
| Maintenance
|
|-
| MZFW
| Maximum Zero Fuel Weight
|
|}
N
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
! Notes
|-
| NADP
| noise abatement departure procedure
|
|-
| NAS
| National Airspace System
| United States
|-
| NAV
| Navigation receiver
| Normally VHF navigation receiver for VOR
|-
| Navaid
| Navigational aid
| Or: aid to navigation (ATON)
|-
| NAVCOMM
| Combination navigation and communications equipment
| Or: NAV/COM or NAV-COM. normally VHF navigation receiver integrated with VHF communications transceiver
|-
| NAVSTAR-GPS
| Navigation Satellite Timing And Ranging
| The space-borne or satellite navigation system
|-
| NCAT
| National Center for Aviation Training
| US educational facility
|-
| NCATT
| National Center for Aircraft Technician Training
| US educational facility
|-
| ND
| Navigation display
|
|-
| NDB
| non-directional beacon
|
|-
| NDT
| non-destructive testing
|
|-
| NFF
| No fault found
| Or: no trouble found (NTF) or no defect found (NDF)
|-
| NGS
| nitrogen generation system
|
|-
| NHA
| next higher assembly
|
|-
| NIST
| National Institute of Standards and Technology
|
|-
| NLG
| nose landing gear
|
|-
| NLR
| Netherlands Aerospace Research Centre
|
|-
| NM
| Nautical mile
| Or: NMI
|-
| NNC
| non-normal checklist
|-
| NNM
| non-normal maneuver (Boeing QRH - 737 Flight Crew Operations Manual)
|
|-
| NORAD
| North American Aerospace Defense Command
| US-Canadian military security agency
|-
| NORDO
| no radio
|
|-
| NOTAM
| Notice to air missions / Notice to Airmen
|
|-
| NOTAR
| no tail rotor
|
|-
| PIO
| Pilot Induced Oscillations
|
|-
| PIP
| performance improvement package
|
|-
| PIREP
| Pilot Report
|
|-
| PJA
| Parachute Jumping Area
|
|-
| PJE
| Parachute jumping exercise
|
|-
| PM
| pilot monitoring
|
|-
| PMA
| Parts Manufacturer Approval
|
|-
| PMI
| Principal Maintenance Inspector
|
|-
| PMC
| power management computer
| Turbine engines
|-
| PMG
| permanent magnet generator
|
|-
| PN
| part number
| Also P/N
|-
| PND
| primary navigation display
|
|-
| PNF
| pilot not flying
|
|-
| PNR
| passive noise reduction
|
|-
| PNR
| Point of No Return
|
|-
| POA
| Production Organisation Approval
| EASA; see also PAH and MHC
|-
| POB
| persons on board
|
|-
| POF
| Phase of flight
|
|-
| POF
| Principles Of Flight
|
|-
| PO
| Pilot's Operating Handbook
| Sometimes referred to as a POH
|-
| POS
| Position
|
|-
| PPL
| private pilot licence
|
|-
| PPR
| prior permission required
|
|-
| PRA
| Pre-recorded announcement
|
|-
| P-RNAV
| precision area navigation|
|-
| PS
| passenger step
|
|-
| PSAA
| Product support and assurance agreement
|
|-
| PSEU
| Proximity Switch Electronic Unit / B737
|
|-
| PSR
| point of safe return
|
|-
| PSR
| power supply reset
|
|-
| PSR
| primary surveillance radar
|
|-
| PSU
| passenger service unit
|
|-
| PTCU
| power transfer Control unit
|
|-
| PTF
| permit to fly
|
|-
| PTOL
| point take-off and landing
|
|-
| PTR
| Pilot Training Record
|
|-
| PTT
| push to talk
|
|-
| PYLD
| payload
|
|}
Q
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
! Notes
|-
| QAR
| quick access recorder
|
|-
| QCM
| quality and compliance monitoring
|
|-
| QEC
| quick engine change
|
|-
| QFE
| the Q-code for: Atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation (or at runway threshold)
|
|-
| QNE
| the Q-code for pressure altitude
|
|-
| QNH
| the Q-code for: Altimeter sub-scale setting to obtain elevation when on the ground, i.e. altitude above MSL
|
|-
| QRA
| quick reaction alert
|
|-
| QRH
| quick reference handbook
|
|-
| QTOL
| quiet take-off and landing
|
|}
R
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
! Notes
|-
| R
| (as a prefix:) restricted airspace
|
|-
| RA
| radio altitude or radar altimeter
|
|-
| RA
| resolution advisory
| In the context of TCAS
|-
| RAAS
| Runway Awareness and Advisory System
|
|-
| RAAS
| remote airport advisory service
|
|-
| Rad Alt
| Radio Altitude
|
|-
| Radar
| RAdio Detection And Ranging
|
|-
| RAI
| Radio altimeter indicator
|
|-
| RAIM
| Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring
| Or: remote autonomous integrity monitoring
|-
| RALT
| Radar or radio altimeter
|
|-
| RAREPS
| Weather Radar Reports
|
|-
| UAV
| Unmanned aerial vehicle
| Commonly called 'drones', also 'Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)'
|-
| UHF
| ultra-high frequency
|
|-
| UIR
| upper information region
|
|-
| ULB
| underwater locator beacon
|
|-
| UNICOM
| Universal Communications, air-ground communication facility
|
|-
| UNL
| Unlimited
| Seen on GFA and is used for visibility
|-
| UPRT
| upset prevention and recovery training
|
|-
| USB
| Universal Serial Bus
|
|-
| UTC
| Universal Time Coordinated
| Indicates time zones
|}
V
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Abbreviation
! Term
! Notes
|-
| V
| magnetic variation
|
|-
| V
| Volts or voltage
|
|-
| V&V
| video & vision
|
|-
| VAR
| Variation
|
|-
|-
| VASI
| visual approach slope indicator
| VASIS = visual approach slope indicator system
|-
| VBV
| variable bleed valve
| In turbine engines
|-
| VCR
| visual control room
|
|-
| VCS
| vehicle control service
|
|-
| VDF
| VHF direction-finding
|
|-
| VDL
| VHF Data Link
|
|-
| VDP
| visual descent point
| Point in a direct approach where a 3º normal visual descent can be started to achieve a safe landing and stabilized approach to the RWY - VDP (in distance) = HAT (height over terrain) / 300 (HAT is the height of the MDA read in the approach chart of the AD)
|-
| VDR
| VHF digital radio
|
|-
| VFO
| Variable-frequency oscillator
|
|-
| VFR
| visual flight rules
|
|-
| VG
| vortex generator
|
|-
| VGA
| Video Graphics Array
|
|-
| VG/DG
| Vertical gyroscope/directional gyroscope
|
|-
| VGLS
| Visual Guidance Lighting Systems
| FAA navigation services
|-
| VGM
| voice generator module
| See AWOS
|-
| VHF
| very high frequency
|
|-
| VID
| visible impact damage
|
|-
| VIGV
| variable inlet guide vane
|
|-
| V/L
| VOR/Localizer
|
|-
| VMC
| visual meteorological conditions
|
|-
| VMC
| minimum control speed with critical engine out
|
|-
| VNAV
| vertical navigation
| Or: V/NAV
|-
| VNC
| VFR navigation chart
|
|-
| VNE
| Never exceed speed
|
|-
| VNO
| Maximum structural cruising speed
|
|-
| VNR
| VHF navigation receiver
|
|-
| VOR
| VHF omni-directional range
|
|-
| VOR/DME
| VOR with Distance measuring equipment
|
|-
| VOR/MB
| VOR marker beacon
|
|-
| VORTAC
| VOR and TACAN combination
|
|-
| VOX
| Voice transmission
| Voice Operated Transmitter
|-
| VPA
| Vertical Path Approach
|
|-
| VPATH
| Vertical path
|
|-
| V/R
| Voltage regulator
|
|-
| VRP
| Visual point of reference
|
|-
| VRS
| vortex ring state
| Helicopter flight phenomenon
|-
| V/S
| Vertical speed
|
|-
| VSCF
| variable speed constant frequency
| Electricity generation system
|-
| VSI
| vertical speed indicator
|
|-
| VSM
| Vertical separation limit
|
|-
| VSO
| Stall speed in landing configuration
|
|-
| VSV
| variable stator vane
| In a turbine engine
|-
| VSWR
| Voltage–standing wave ratio
|
|-
| VTA
| VFR terminal area chart