FAA Ground Instructor key terms

The federal rules for aviation published in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. They cover aircraft certification, airmen certification, airspace, flight rules, maintenance, and operating requirements that pilots and operators must follow.

An FAA publication that explains a regulation or describes an acceptable method of complying with it. Advisory circulars are not regulations themselves, but following their guidance is generally accepted as a reliable means of compliance.

A legally enforceable rule issued by the FAA when an unsafe condition exists in a type-certified aircraft, engine, propeller, or component. It states the required corrective action and the deadline or hours by which owners must comply.

A time-critical notice about a change to aeronautical facilities, services, or hazards that could not be published far enough in advance in other documents. Pilots are expected to review NOTAMs for their route during preflight planning.

The FAA publication that explains air traffic control procedures, operating rules, and available aviation services. It is not regulatory, but it is treated as the authoritative plain-language reference for how the air traffic system works.

The pilot who has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight time. This pilot may deviate from any rule to the extent necessary to meet an in-flight emergency.

Controlled airspace that extends from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including flight level 600 over the designated domestic area. All flight in Class A must be conducted under instrument flight rules with an ATC clearance.

Controlled airspace that is not Class A, B, C, or D. It commonly begins at 1,200 feet above ground level but may extend to the surface at some airports; VFR aircraft need no clearance but must meet visibility and cloud clearance minimums.

Airspace that has not been designated as controlled. Air traffic control has no authority or responsibility for separating traffic there, and the weather minimums that apply depend on altitude and whether it is day or night.

Airspace of defined dimensions where certain activities must be confined or where limitations may be placed on aircraft that are not part of the activity. It includes prohibited, restricted, warning, alert, and military operations areas.

A restriction issued by the FAA that temporarily limits or prohibits flight in a defined area, often for major events, disasters, wildfires, or security reasons. Flying into one without authorization violates regulations.

The airspace within a 30-nautical-mile ring around the primary airport of a Class B area, generally from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL, where aircraft must carry an operating Mode C altitude-reporting transponder.

For VFR flight more than 3,000 feet above ground level, the rule requiring altitudes of odd thousands plus 500 feet when tracking 0 to 179 degrees magnetic, and even thousands plus 500 feet when tracking 180 to 359 degrees.

The angle between the wing's chord line and the relative wind. It determines how much lift the wing generates, and increasing it increases lift up to the point where the wing stalls.

The angle of attack at which airflow separates from the wing and lift decreases sharply, producing a stall. A wing reaches this angle regardless of airspeed, weight, or pitch attitude.

The ratio of the total load acting on the aircraft structure to the aircraft's actual weight. It increases in turns and abrupt maneuvers, which raises stall speed and stresses the airframe.

The part of total drag created as a byproduct of producing lift. It is greatest at low airspeed and high angle of attack and decreases as airspeed rises, which is why the total drag curve is U-shaped.

Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature. High density altitude reduces engine power, propeller thrust, and wing lift, which lengthens takeoff and landing distances and reduces climb performance.

The tendency of an aircraft to yaw away from the intended turn when ailerons are deflected. The down-going aileron creates more lift and more drag, pulling that wing back; rudder pressure is used to counteract it.

A coded report of current surface weather at an airport, usually issued once each hour. It includes wind, visibility, cloud layers, temperature, dew point, altimeter setting, and significant weather phenomena.

A forecast of expected weather at an airport covering a stated period, typically 24 to 30 hours. It describes expected wind, visibility, clouds, and significant weather and is used for flight planning and alternate selection.

The height above ground level of the lowest broken or overcast cloud layer, or of an obscuration that hides the sky. It is a key factor in deciding whether visual flight rules minimums can be met.

An in-flight advisory warning of moderate hazards to all aircraft, such as moderate turbulence, sustained surface winds of 30 knots or more, widespread visibility below 3 miles, or extensive mountain obscuration. It covers conditions less severe than a SIGMET.

A rapid change in wind speed or direction over a short distance, either horizontally or vertically. Low-level wind shear near thunderstorms or fronts can cause sudden, dangerous airspeed and altitude changes during approach or departure.

Ice that builds on the airframe when the aircraft flies through supercooled water droplets. It adds weight, disturbs airflow, reduces lift, increases drag, and raises the stall speed.

Navigation by reference to visible landmarks on the ground, such as highways, rivers, towns, and towers, compared against an aeronautical chart. It requires adequate visibility and familiarity with the route and terrain.

Navigation by calculating position from a known starting point using planned course, true airspeed, wind, and elapsed time. It relies on computation rather than on seeing landmarks or receiving radio navigation signals.

The angular difference between true north and magnetic north at a given location. It appears on charts as isogonic lines and must be applied when converting between true and magnetic directions.

The angle at which the aircraft is turned into or away from the wind so its resulting ground track matches the desired course. It is derived from wind speed and direction relative to the planned true course.

The weight of a standard aircraft including unusable fuel, full operating fluids, and full engine oil. It is the starting figure from which weight and balance calculations begin.

The difference between the aircraft's maximum allowable gross weight and its empty weight. It represents everything the aircraft can carry: pilot, passengers, baggage, cargo, and usable fuel.

A measure of the rotational effect of a weight about a reference point, found by multiplying the weight by its arm, or distance from the datum. Individual moments are added to locate the center of gravity.

The range of center of gravity positions, from forward limit to aft limit, within which the aircraft may be operated at a given weight. Operating outside these limits can seriously degrade handling and performance.

A systematic approach to choosing the safest course of action in flight by identifying hazards, assessing the risk they pose, and applying appropriate risk controls. It uses all available information about the pilot, aircraft, environment, and external pressures.

A preflight self-assessment checklist covering Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and Emotion. It helps a pilot judge whether personal fitness and judgment make it safe to accept a flight.

A condition in which body tissues receive insufficient oxygen. Symptoms vary with altitude and can include euphoria, headache, and impaired judgment, so supplemental oxygen and descent are the primary remedies.

A pilot's mistaken perception of the aircraft's attitude, position, or motion, usually caused by vestibular cues conflicting with reality when no horizon is visible. The remedy is to trust the instruments and avoid abrupt head movements.

The principle that what a learner experiences first makes the strongest impression and is the hardest to change later. Instructors should therefore teach correct procedures from the beginning to avoid having to unlearn errors.

A period during training when apparent progress stops even though practice continues. It is normal, often caused by fatigue, boredom, or the need to consolidate skills, and usually resolves with varied or refreshed practice.

A teaching method in which the instructor explains and demonstrates a maneuver, the learner practices it, and the instructor then evaluates and critiques the result. It is well suited to teaching physical flight skills.