DGAC Bolivia Private Pilot (PPA) key terms

An official document issued by the civil aviation authority confirming that an aircraft meets its approved type design and is safe to operate. In Bolivia, DGAC issues and renews it, and it must be aboard during every flight.

The document that records the legal owner and the nationality and registration marks of an aircraft. It must be carried on board, and any change of ownership must be notified to the registering authority.

The letters and characters painted on an aircraft that identify the state of registry and the individual aircraft. Bolivian-registered aircraft carry the prefix CP followed by a hyphen and a letter group.

A set of rules under which a pilot may operate by reference to outside visual cues, provided minimum flight visibility and distance from cloud are maintained. It also requires specified cloud ceilings and, at higher altitudes, special authorization.

The weather conditions expressed in terms of visibility, distance from cloud, and ceiling that must exist for flight under visual flight rules. If conditions fall below these minima, the flight must change to instrument rules or obtain a clearance.

An authorization that lets a pilot operate under visual rules inside controlled airspace when the reported weather is below normal visual minima, usually within a control zone. It requires an air traffic control clearance and clear of cloud.

Controlled airspace extending upward from the surface to a specified upper limit around an aerodrome, protecting approach and departure paths. Aircraft need an air traffic control clearance to enter it, and it is often designated class D or C.

An authorization for an aircraft to proceed under conditions specified by an air traffic control unit. It does not relieve the pilot in command of responsibility for separation from terrain and from other aircraft in visual conditions.

The pilot designated as responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight time. This person has final authority over the aircraft and may deviate from rules to the extent needed in an emergency.

The steps a pilot must complete before flight, including studying available weather and flight information, checking the aircraft's documents and condition, and confirming fuel and loading are adequate for the intended flight.

The point through which the total weight of the aircraft acts. It must remain within a certified forward and aft range for every phase of flight, because its position affects stability, control forces, and stall recovery.

The calculation of total aircraft mass and the position of its centre of gravity, using the empty mass, crew, fuel, passengers, and baggage. Staying within limits ensures the aircraft performs and handles as certified.

The horizontal distance from a reference datum to a point where a mass is located. Multiplying a mass by its moment arm gives its moment, and summing moments locates the aircraft's centre of gravity.

The greatest total mass at which the aircraft is certified to begin the take-off run. Exceeding it degrades climb performance, increases take-off distance, and may overstress the structure on landing.

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. High density altitude, caused by heat, high elevation, or low pressure, reduces engine power, propeller thrust, and wing lift, lengthening take-off and reducing climb rate.

The altitude indicated when the altimeter subscale is set to the standard pressure of 1013.25 hectopascals. It is used for performance calculations and for flying at or above the transition altitude.

The pressure value entered in the altimeter subscale so that the instrument indicates height above a chosen reference, such as mean sea level or an aerodrome. Setting the local value avoids errors between aircraft.

The altitude at or below which a pilot sets the altimeter to the local pressure setting and above which the standard setting is used. It is published for each region and separates altitude from flight level.

The angle between the wing chord line and the relative airflow. Increasing it raises lift up to the critical angle, beyond which the airflow separates and the wing stalls regardless of airspeed.

A loss of lift caused by airflow separation when the wing exceeds its critical angle of attack. It can occur at any speed or attitude, and recovery requires reducing the angle of attack by easing control pressure.

The ratio of the lift produced by an aircraft to its weight, expressed in multiples of gravity. It increases in turns and pull-ups, raising stall speed and structural stress.

The rearward component of aerodynamic force created as a wing generates lift, caused by spanwise airflow and wingtip vortices. It is greatest at high angles of attack and low airspeed, and decreases as speed increases.

A yawing motion away from the intended turn direction, caused by the descending aileron producing more induced drag than the rising one. It is most noticeable at low airspeed and is corrected with coordinated rudder.

Ice that forms in the carburettor venturi and throttle area when fuel vaporization and pressure drop cool the air below freezing. It can occur at outside temperatures well above zero, causing power loss and rough running.

A control that routes warm air from around the engine exhaust into the carburettor to melt or prevent ice. Applying it causes a temporary power drop as the richer, warmer mixture enters the engine.

The temperature of the air surrounding the aircraft, measured by a probe on the airframe. It is used to estimate density altitude and icing risk, and to compute true airspeed from calibrated values.

The network of tubes, ports, and instruments that supplies ram air pressure and static pressure. It drives the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator, and blockage causes serious instrument errors.

An instrument that compares ram air pressure from the pitot tube with static pressure to display speed. It shows indicated airspeed, and colour-coded markings identify stall, flap, manoeuvring, and never-exceed limits.

The actual speed of the aircraft through the air mass, obtained by correcting indicated airspeed for position error, instrument error, pressure altitude, and temperature. It is used for flight planning and navigation calculations.

The angular difference between true north and magnetic north at a given location, shown on charts as an isogon. It must be applied when converting between true and magnetic directions.

The error in a magnetic compass caused by magnetic fields from the aircraft's own structure and electrical equipment. It varies with heading and is recorded on a compass correction card.

The direction in which the aircraft's nose points, expressed in degrees from a reference north. It differs from the actual track flown because of wind drift and must be adjusted to hold a desired path.

A vector diagram relating true airspeed and heading to wind speed and direction, giving the resulting ground speed and track. It is the basis for dead reckoning flight planning and for correcting drift in flight.

A ground radio beacon that transmits signals allowing an aircraft receiver to determine the magnetic bearing from the station. Tracking two radials or a radial with distance fixes the aircraft's position.

A radio navigation aid that measures slant range from the aircraft to a ground transponder by timing signal exchanges. The reading is slightly greater than ground distance because of aircraft altitude.

A satellite-based system that provides position, velocity, and time to a receiver. In aviation it supports area navigation and non-precision approaches, but its accuracy must be monitored for integrity.

The repetition by a pilot of a safety-related clearance or instruction to confirm it was received correctly. Items such as route clearances, runway assignments, and altimeter settings must always be read back.

The standard set of spoken code words, such as Alfa, Bravo, and Charlie, used to spell out letters clearly over the radio. It reduces misunderstanding caused by similar-sounding letters and poor reception.

A condition in which body tissues receive insufficient oxygen, causing impaired judgement, euphoria, and loss of consciousness. It can occur at moderate altitudes in unpressurized aircraft and is insidious because the pilot may not notice it.

A pilot's mistaken perception of the aircraft's attitude or motion, usually when outside visual references are lost. Trusting instruments rather than sensations is the primary defence against it.

Rapid, shallow breathing that lowers carbon dioxide in the blood, producing dizziness, tingling, and confusion that resemble hypoxia. Slowing the breathing rate and reassuring the person usually restores normal function.

A false sensation of pitching up during strong acceleration, or pitching down during deceleration, caused by linear acceleration stimulating the inner ear. It can lead a pilot to push or pull the controls incorrectly after take-off.

A layer in which temperature increases with height, trapping cooler air beneath warmer air. It restricts vertical mixing, holds haze and smoke near the surface, and can produce low visibility and stable, smooth conditions.

The temperature to which air must be cooled at constant pressure for water vapour to condense. When it is close to the air temperature, cloud, fog, and carburettor icing become likely.

A deep, vertically developed cloud associated with thunderstorms, severe turbulence, icing, hail, and strong gusty winds. Pilots should give it a wide berth, since avoiding it is safer than attempting to fly through.

A sudden change in wind speed or direction over a short distance, often near thunderstorms, fronts, or mountain terrain. It can cause abrupt airspeed changes close to the ground and is a serious hazard on approach.

A certification, made by an authorized person after maintenance, that the aircraft is fit for return to service. It confirms the work was performed to approved standards and that required inspections and records are complete.

A device that transmits a distress signal on a dedicated frequency after a crash to help locate survivors. It must be inspected and its battery replaced within the periods set by the authority.