4-H Aerospace Glossary of Terms

727 Boeing - a three engine jet aircraft

above ground level (AGL) - refers to altitude above terrain or airport elevation

aerial photography - any photograph made from a vehicle in flight

aerospace engineer - a person who designs airplanes and space ships using computers

afterburner - The afterburner is located at the aft part of the engine. It is essentially a part of the engine. Fuel is poured into the hot exhaust and then ignited. An afterburner typically increases thrust by 50%, but uses a lot of fuel for this increased thrust.

ailerons - moving parts attached to the rear edge of an aircraft's wing that helps the aircraft bank/turn

air currents - constantly flowing streams of air that move through the atmosphere

air density - a measure of the number of molecules in relation to volume of air

air foil - a wing, propeller blade or other object shaped to provide lift as it move through the air

air frame and power plant mechanic - person who is qualified to work on the engines and airframe of the aircraft. Checks and repairs airframe, power plant and maintains mechanical functions of aircraft.

air traffic control towers - not all airports have towers, only the busiest. A glassed-in observation tower from where air traffic controllers observe and direct airport air and ground traffic.

air traffic controller - a person who helps provide safety to aircraft in the air and on the ground

aircraft mechanic - a person who repairs and helps keep in good condition aircraft engines, power plants and electrical wiring systems

airfoil - the shape of a wing that helps make it possible for the aircraft to fly

airline transport pilot - Must have a commercial certificate, pass a Class I medical exam within the last six months, have a minimum of 1,500 flight hours, pass a FAA written examination and a check ride.

airplane - a machine with wings, heavier than air, that is driven by an engine or jet

airport - place where aircraft can take off and land; usually equipped with a control tower, hangars, and places for passengers and cargo

airspace - the space lying above the earth or above a certain area of land or water. Classification of airspace for aircraft is regulated by the FAA.

airspeed indicator¹ - shows the speed in knots of the aircraft in the air

all weather capable - an aircraft that has special equipment for flying in poor visibility

altimeter - an instrument that measures absolute altitude above sea level

altitude - the height above sea level

altitude tracker - a device using trigonometric principles to determine the altitude of an object

amphibian airplane - an airplane that can land on both land and water

angle of attack² - the angle a kite leans against the wind. If it is too large, the kite can be overpowered by the wind. If it is too small, there is not enough lift.

apogee - peak altitude that an object reaches in flight

artificial horizon (attitude indicator)¹ - shows aircraft's position relative to the Earth's horizon

astronaut - a person who operates a space vehicle, conducts experiments and gathers information during a space flight

automated terminal information system (ATIS) - a continuous taped broadcast of an airport's current weather air traffic and runway information in a separate air traffic control frequency

aviary - a place where birds are kept

aviation - related to aircraft

avionics - the science and technology of electronics applied to aeronautics and astronautics

balloon - a bag filled with a gas that is lighter than air, moved by the wind

barometric pressure - the pressure of the atmosphere, registered on an instrument called a barometer

base leg - the standard traffic pattern leg at an airport linking the down wind and final legs. The traffic flies at a 90 degree angle to the landing runway before turning to final

basket - See gondola

beacon - a light or other signal showing direction

Beech King air E90 - a twin-engine, turbo-prop, low wing, retractable tricycle gear aircraft

biplane - an airplane with two sets of wings, one wing above the other

black hole - the most complete state of stellar collapse, in which all matter is squeezed into a mere point. Nothing can escape from its gravitational field, not even light, hence its name.

body tube^3,4 - a tube, often made of cardboard, fiberglass or carbon fiber, that is the body of the rocket. It houses the motor and recovery system and often has fins and the launch lug attached to it.

booster - a rocket that assists the main propulsive system of a spacecraft

bridle - the length of line that connects the kite to the flying line at the tow point and sets the angle of the kite to the wind

bridle point - where the bridle attaches to the kite

bridle² - lines connecting a kite's sail and frame. They support the kite, orient it to the wind, and provide an adjustable tow point.

burner⁵ - device that makes the flame which heats the air in a hot-air balloon

cabin - main body of an aircraft (see fuselage)

canopy⁶ - the large window on an aircraft that also acts as a door for the aircraft

capsule - a small, sealed, pressurized cabin that a human or animal can live in while in space

celestial navigation - navigating by the sun, moon and stars

center of gravity - the point where an object, such as a kite or aircraft, is perfectly balanced

centrifugal - moving or directed away from a center or axis

centripetal - moving or directed toward a center of axis

Cessna 152 - a single-engine, propeller drive, high wing, tricycle gear aircraft

Cessna ag husky - a 1 seat, single engine prop, low wing, taildragging aircraft

charging jack - the jack for recharging a model airplane

cirrus - high, white, curled, thin, wispy clouds. Often called mare's tail.

climate - meteorological conditions, including temperature, precipitation, and wind, that characteristically prevail in a particular region

cockpit - where the pilot sits and flies the airplane

collective - the lever in the cockpit used by the pilot to change the angle of the main rotor blades

collective pitch - term used to describe the change of angle for each blade of the helicopter rotor at the same time and angle. Changes the lift of each blade.

commander - the crew member of a space flight who is the leader of the flight and crew

commercial pilot regulations - "Fly-for-hire" pilots must have an instrument rating, be at least 18 years old, hold a Class II medical certificate, have a minimum of 250 hours of flight time and pass a written FAA exam and checkride.

common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) - the radio frequency used by pilots to self-announce their positions in the traffic pattern

constellation - a stellar group of stars considered to resemble one of various mythological characters, inanimate objects or animals

control horns⁷ - help the pilot move a surface (such as a rudder or elevator) by deflecting that surface

co-pilot - an assistant to the pilot who also has a pilot's license. Plans path and distance to be traveled and estimated time of arrival (ETA)

cosmology - the study of the origin, structure, processes, and space-time relationships of the universe

crew module - the forward portion of the Shuttle where the crew members stay while in space

cross strut (spar or spreader)² - a stick that spreads the wings of a kite sail

crosswind - wind that blows across the path of a kite, aircraft or other object

cumulonimbus - dark and towering storm clouds

cumulus - white, billowing fluffy top clouds with flat bases. They look like cauliflower or cotton balls.

cyclic - control used by the pilot in the cockpit to control horizontal movement of outside control surfaces

cyclic pitch - the change of angle of each blade of a helicopter rotor at different times but at the same angle

dead reckoning - navigating by calculating the distance, time and speed using check points and landmarks

deployment - the process of placing into position, used in referring to the release of satellites into orbit

directional control - tendency of a rocket to maintain a flight path

dirigible - a self-propelled lighter-than-air craft with directional control. This control does not need to come from an engine. It can be controlled from the ground.

down wind - the standard traffic pattern leg at an airport where traffic flies parallel to the landing runway in the direction opposite of the wind direction and landing runway

drag - See Four forces of flight

earth observing system (EOS) - an ambitious study of the Earth combining orbital instruments to study atmosphere, ocean, land surfaces and the solid Earth

elevation - the height of an airport, obstruction or terrain above sea level

elevator trim tab⁸ - a small tab that helps to reduce pilot fatigue. It is a small flap that, when air passes over it in flight, it deflects the elevator to the proper position so the pilot does not have to manually hold it there.

elevators - moving parts on the horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft that move up or down to make the aircraft climb or descend

engine - the part of the aircraft that provides power to move the aircraft through the air

engine (motor) hook⁴ - a device that attaches the motor to the rocket

engine intake⁹ - where air comes in to a jet engine to provide oxygen for combustion

engine mount¹⁰ - where the engine transmits its energy to the body tube causing the rocket to move

envelope⁵ - the relatively impermeable cloth bag that holds heated air (for hot-air balls) or gas (for gas balloons)

escape velocity - the speed that a spacecraft or particle needs to attain to escape from the gravitational field of a planet or star. In the case of Earth, the velocity needed is 11.2 km (36,700 feet) per second.

exhaust¹¹ - where superheated air comes out of a jet engine to propel an aircraft forward

Federal Aviation Administration - U.S. Government Agency that sets the rules, regulations and guidelines for pilot safety, qualifications and aircraft safety

fighter kite² - small, maneuverable kites flown on one line. In Asia, their lines may be coated with powdered glass to cut an opponents line. In the U.S.A., a flyer touches their opponent's line with their own line to score points.

final - the last leg of the traffic pattern at an airport when the aircraft is aligned to fly straight onto the landing runway

fins - act like feathers on an arrow to guide the rocket in flight

Fixed Base Operator (FBO) - an airport-based business that parks, services, fuels and may repair or rent aircraft or provide flight training

flaperons¹² - a single surface that combines the control of a flap and an aileron

flaps¹³ - found on the wing closer to the fuselage than the ailerons. They can be lowered to provide more lift at slower speeds so an airplane can take off and land.

flashing beacon - flashing light on an aircraft that helps pilots avoid mid-air collisions

flight attendant - a person who helps passengers and crew

flight deck - the part of the spacecraft where the commander and pilot fly the shuttle

flight path - imaginary line that an object follows when traveling through the air in relation to the ground

floater kite - a kite with a small angle of attack. It rides high in the sky and tends to pull lightly on the string.

fog - a cloud at ground level

four forces of flight - forces acting on object during flight:

lift - upward force created by airflow as it passes over a wing

weight - causes an object to be pulled downward. Works against lift.

thrust - force that moves an object through the air

drag - limits the speed of an object; opposite of thrust

free fall - the condition of an object falling freely in a gravitational field

fuel - the gasoline or kerosene used to run engines

fuselage - the streamlined body of an aircraft

g - a unit of force equal to the standard gravitational acceleration on Earth

galley - the area on the shuttle's middeck where food is prepared

geosynchronous Earth orbit - path in which a spacecraft orbits 35,680 kilometers (22,300 miles) above the equator in a circular orbit. From Earth, the spacecraft goes around Earth in the same amount of time as Earth turns on its axis.

g-force - force produced on the body by changes in velocity; measured in increments of Earth gravity

glider - an airplane without an engine

global positioning system (GPS) - navigating by using space satellites to triangulate the position of an aircraft

gondola - a basket or cabin that hangs beneath a balloon used to hold passengers or equipment

gravity - the force of attraction between all mass in the universe

ground speed - speed relative to the ground while traveling in the air

ground support crew - a person or group of people who helps with aircraft, crew and passengers

hang glider - a glider where the pilot hangs underneath the wing

hangar - a large building at the airport where planes are stored or repaired

heading indicator¹⁴ - shows aircraft's direction as measured by a remote compass

headset - headphones that fit over the pilot's ears to help him or her hear better

helicopter - an aircraft that flies by using a rotating wing

"hold present position" - a predetermined maneuver which keeps the aircraft within a specified air space while awaiting further instructions from the air traffic controller

"hold short" - used during ground operations to keep an aircraft within a specified area while awaiting further instructions from the air traffic controller

horizontal/vertical stabilizer - airfoils located on the tail of an aircraft that help maintain a straight path through the air

Hubble space telescope - the largest astronomical observatory ever to be placed in orbit, able to make high-quality interplanetary and interstellar observations

IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) pilots - can fly by instruments during poor visibility conditions or by visual flight rules. An IFR pilot still has requirements and minimums such as being required to file a flight plan, receive air traffic control clearance and follow IFR cruising altitude or flight levels. Communication and information are key to an IFR pilot's safety.

instrument rating regulations - An instrument rating allows you to fly when visibility is poor and you are flying in the clouds. You must have a minimum of 125 hours pilot experience, at least 40 hours instrument instruction and pass a written examination and a FAA checkride.

interlock key - safety key to assure proper procedures are followed before a launch

ionization - build-up of ions around an orbiter during re-entry

jet aircraft - an aircraft that travels very fast and is powered by a jet engine

jet deflector - shield for safety purposes sidetracking the high velocity, hot jet stream that rushes from a rocket's nozzle

jet engine - an engine that turns air and fuel into a hot gas that shoots out the back of the engine and pushes the airplane through the air

keel of kite² - provides stability. Also provides a fixed tow point.

kitchen/food service - beverages and other snacks provided to passengers

landing gear - the wheels on an airplane so it can land and taxi

landing skids - the skids whose main purpose is to support and absorb shock of the aircraft during landing

latitude - the east-west line around the Earth/measures north-south in relation to 0o in England

launch - to take off

launch lug³ - a short piece of tubing that resembles a straw. It is attached to the outside of the body tube and makes sure the rocket travels straight up the launch rode when the rocket is first ignited.

launch rod - cylindrical rod used to guide a rocket in its first few feet of flight

launching system - devices used to send off a rocket vehicle under its own rocket power

lighter-than-air - aircraft that is lifted into the air by a gas that weighs less than air

lift - See four forces of flight

line-person - person who provides ground services, such as fueling aircraft, moving aircraft, etc.

load tapes⁵ - reinforced vertical seams in the envelope that are connected to the basket by load cables and carry the load for the envelope

longitude - the north-south line around the Earth/measures east-west in relation to the equator

luggage handler - makes sure proper baggage gets on each aircraft and to the appropriate destination

main rotor - main rotor blades attached to the hub whose purpose is to create lift

mean sea level (MSL) - altitude above sea level irrespective of local terrain or airport elevation

medical -

first class - allows pilot medical clearance to exercise the privileges of the Airline Transport Pilot certificate for six months

second class - allows pilot medical clearance to exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate for compensation or hire for one year

third class - required before a student pilot may fly alone. Allows pilot medical clearance to exercise the privileges of the private pilot certificate for two years over 40 years old or three years under 30 years.

meteorologist - a person who studies the weather forecasts changes and gives weather reports

microgravity - term used to describe the apparent weightlessness and fractional g-forces produced in orbit. In orbit, you essentially fall around the Earth, producing a floating condition.

middeck - portion of the crew module that serves as the shuttle crew's home in space. It is on the middeck that they prepare meals, use the bathroom, clean up and sleep.

monoplane - an airplane with one set of wings

multi-engine aircraft - aircraft with two or more engines, often located on the wings

multi-engine aircraft - an aircraft with more than one engine

National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Rules - official safety rules governing the launch of model rockets

navigation light¹⁵ - lights that show an aircraft's location for other pilots. The lights are coded to show an aircraft's left (red light) and right (green light) sides.

non-directional beacon (NDB) - navigating by radio signals within the vicinity of an airport

nose - the forward part of an aircraft

nose cone³

Glossary of Aerospace Terms