Aviation Glossary
10A comprehensive glossary of aviation terms, acronyms, and technical jargon explained in plain language.
Auto-Flight System
AFSThe integrated automation suite comprising autopilot, auto-throttle, and flight director that manages aircraft trajectory and energy state from shortly after takeoff to touchdown, reducing crew workload and improving precision.
Aircraft SystemsElectrical Bus
NoneA power distribution network within an aircraft that routes electrical energy from generators, APU, or batteries to avionics and systems, organized in priority tiers to ensure critical equipment receives power first.
Aircraft SystemsEnvironmental Control System
ECSThe integrated system that maintains cabin temperature, pressure, and air quality by conditioning engine bleed air or electrically compressed air for passenger and crew comfort and safety.
Aircraft SystemsFlight Data Monitoring
FDMA proactive safety program that systematically records and analyzes routine flight data from aircraft systems to identify operational risks, exceedances, and unsafe trends before they escalate into incidents or accidents.
Aircraft SystemsFuel Tank Inerting System
FTISA safety system that reduces oxygen concentration inside fuel tanks to below the flammable threshold by filling the ullage space with nitrogen-enriched air, preventing fuel vapor ignition.
Aircraft SystemsHydraulic System
NoneA high-pressure fluid power system that actuates flight controls, landing gear, brakes, and other critical aircraft mechanisms by transmitting force through pressurized hydraulic fluid.
Aircraft SystemsIce Protection System
IPSSystems that prevent or remove ice accumulation on critical aircraft surfaces — including wing leading edges, engine inlets, pitot tubes, and windshields — using thermal, mechanical, or chemical methods.
Aircraft SystemsNo-Bleed Architecture
NoneA modern aircraft design philosophy pioneered by the Boeing 787 that eliminates engine bleed air extraction entirely, replacing pneumatic systems with electric compressors, pumps, and heating elements for improved fuel efficiency and reliability.
Aircraft SystemsPneumatic System
NoneAn aircraft system using compressed air — typically extracted from engine compressor stages as bleed air — for cabin pressurization, anti-icing, engine starting, and hydraulic reservoir pressurization.
Aircraft SystemsRam Air Turbine
RATA small emergency turbine that automatically deploys into the airstream during total power loss, using ram air to drive a propeller that generates hydraulic pressure and electrical power for essential flight controls and instruments.
Aircraft Systems