FAA BGI key terms

An alternative medical qualification path that lets pilots who meet certain conditions fly under specified limits without holding a traditional FAA medical certificate. It requires a physical exam, an online course, and self-certification before flight.

Three tiers of FAA airman medical certificates, each with different examination standards and privileges. First class is the most stringent, third class the least, and each expires on its own schedule depending on the pilot's age and operating privileges.

A pilot's legal declaration, made before each flight, that they are fit to fly and aware of any known medical conditions that could impair safe operation. It applies to all pilots, including those using BasicMed.

Currency means meeting the FAA's minimum recent-experience requirements, such as landings within a set period. Proficiency is the broader, ongoing ability to fly safely, which currency alone does not guarantee.

A required review of flight rules, maneuvers, and aeronautical knowledge with an authorized instructor, normally every 24 calendar months. Satisfactory completion is a prerequisite for acting as pilot in command of most aircraft.

The recent-experience standard for flying under instrument flight rules, involving a set number of approaches, holding procedures, and intercepting or tracking courses within a defined lookback period. Falling out of currency requires a proficiency check or an instrument experience program.

A mandatory FAA-issued correction notice for a known unsafe condition in a specific aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance. Compliance is required for the aircraft to remain legally airworthy, often within a stated time or operating limit.

An FAA document confirming that an aircraft conforms to its approved type design and is safe to operate. It remains valid only while the aircraft is maintained and inspected per regulations, and it must be aboard during flight.

A complete inspection of the aircraft, airframe, engine, and required equipment performed at least every 12 calendar months by an authorized person. The aircraft may not be flown unless the inspection is current and properly recorded.

A written record of inspections, repairs, and alterations, signed by the person who performed the work. It documents return to service and establishes compliance with required inspections and directives.

Simple, minor preservation work and part replacement that a pilot may legally perform on an aircraft they operate, when listed in the regulations. The pilot must record the work and return the aircraft to service.

An authorization allowing an aircraft that does not currently meet all airworthiness requirements to be flown for a limited purpose, such as maintenance relocation or delivery. Specific operating limitations accompany the permit.

An airworthiness classification for aircraft used in testing, research, exhibition, or amateur construction rather than routine transportation. Operating limitations are issued with the certificate and restrict where and how the aircraft may fly.

Regulations that determine which aircraft must yield in converging or overtaking situations. They rank categories such as balloons and gliders above powered aircraft and require the less maneuverable or lower aircraft to be given priority.

The pilot's continuous responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft, terrain, and obstacles, regardless of air traffic control clearances. It relies on scanning, communication, and situational awareness rather than on right-of-way rules alone.

A standardized rectangular flight path around an airport used for takeoff, approach, and landing sequencing. It includes legs such as upwind, crosswind, downwind, base, and final, flown at a published or locally established altitude.

The person with final authority and responsibility for the aircraft and its operation during flight. This includes compliance with regulations, safety of passengers and cargo, and decisions about whether a flight can proceed.

The effective use of all available resources, including crew, equipment, and information, to achieve safe flight. It emphasizes communication, workload management, leadership, and decision-making rather than individual technical skill alone.

A structured process for choosing the safest course of action in flight by assessing risks, options, and outcomes. It uses tools such as checklists, personal minimums, and hazard models to reduce error.

A pilot's accurate perception of what is happening around the aircraft, including position, traffic, weather, and systems status. Loss of it is a common precursor to accidents and is countered by active scanning and verbal confirmation.

A set of operating and clearance rules used when flight by reference to instruments is required or chosen, often in reduced visibility. Pilots must hold an instrument rating and follow ATC clearances and published procedures.

Operating rules that require the pilot to maintain specified visibility and cloud clearance from other aircraft and terrain. Flight is conducted primarily by outside visual reference, with defined minimums for different airspace classes.

A lettered system (A through G) that defines operating rules, equipment requirements, and pilot qualifications for different volumes of airspace. Classes differ in control status, visibility minimums, and clearance requirements.

Rules specifying when an aircraft must carry and operate a radar transponder, often with altitude reporting, in certain airspace. Compliance supports traffic separation and collision avoidance services.

The altitude the aircraft's performance feels, based on pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature. High density altitude reduces engine power, propeller thrust, and lift, lengthening takeoff and climb distances.

The altitude indicated when the altimeter is set to standard sea-level pressure, 29.92 inches of mercury. It is the basis for performance charts and is affected by actual atmospheric pressure at the aircraft's location.

The local pressure value entered into the altimeter so it displays height above a reference datum, usually mean sea level. Using the correct setting, especially when crossing pressure regions, prevents altitude errors.

The horizontal distance required to accelerate, lift off, and reach a specified height above the runway. It increases with weight, altitude, temperature, wind, and runway slope or surface condition.

The distance needed from crossing the runway threshold at a specified height to a full stop. It grows with higher weight, tailwind, upslope, and contaminated runway surfaces.

The calculation confirming that the aircraft's total weight and center of gravity fall within approved limits for the planned flight. Exceeding either limit degrades performance, stability, and controllability.

The point where the aircraft's total weight is considered concentrated. Its position affects stability and control, and it must remain within a specified forward and aft range throughout the flight.

The difference between the aircraft's maximum allowable gross weight and its empty weight. It represents the combined weight available for fuel, occupants, baggage, and cargo.

The process of calculating fuel needed for taxi, trip, reserve, and contingency, then comparing it with usable capacity. Regulations require specified reserves, and running short of fuel is a leading cause of accidents.

The visibility and cloud-clearance values a pilot must maintain for a given airspace class and flight rules. They are legal limits, not targets, and personal minimums should be set higher when conditions are marginal.

The practice of keeping well clear of convective cells because of severe turbulence, hail, icing, and wind shear. Radar returns and visual cues help identify hazards, but safe margins are far larger than the visible cloud.

A sudden change in wind speed or direction over a short distance, often near thunderstorms or frontal boundaries. It can cause abrupt airspeed loss or gain and is most dangerous at low altitude.

The accumulation of ice on an airframe or engine intake when flying through supercooled water droplets. It adds weight, disrupts airflow, and can degrade lift and control, so avoidance is the primary defense.

A condition in which body tissues receive insufficient oxygen, causing impaired judgment, vision, and coordination. It can develop gradually with altitude and is often unnoticed by the affected pilot.

A pilot's mistaken perception of the aircraft's attitude or motion, often when visual references are lost. The resulting illusions can lead to incorrect control inputs, so trusting instruments over sensations is essential.

A loss of lift when the wing exceeds its critical angle of attack, which can occur at any airspeed or attitude. Recovery requires reducing the angle of attack and adding power as appropriate.

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