KCAA Flight Engineer key terms

A mandatory notice issued by the state of design or registry requiring inspection, modification, or repair of an aircraft or component to correct an unsafe condition. Compliance is legally required and must be recorded in the aircraft maintenance records.

A document issued by the state of registry confirming that an individual aircraft conforms to its approved type design and is safe to operate. It remains valid only while maintenance, modifications, and operating limitations are complied with.

The set of processes, inspections, and records that keep an aircraft in a condition meeting its type design and safe operating standards throughout its service life. It covers maintenance programmes, defect reporting, modifications, and record keeping.

A certification, signed by authorised maintenance personnel, stating that specified maintenance work has been completed satisfactorily and the aircraft or component is fit for return to service within stated limitations.

An approved document specifying which instruments or equipment may be inoperative while the aircraft still meets an acceptable level of safety for dispatch, subject to stated conditions and repair intervals.

An approved list identifying external missing items, such as fairings or panels, that may be absent at dispatch with defined performance penalties applied to the aircraft's approved figures.

An approval granted by a certificating authority for a specific aircraft, engine, or propeller design, confirming the design meets the applicable airworthiness requirements. It is the basis for individual certificates of airworthiness.

An organisation holding a regulatory approval to perform maintenance, repair, or overhaul on aircraft or components under defined scope and quality standards, with trained staff, facilities, and procedures acceptable to the authority.

The sequence of intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust through which a turbine engine converts fuel energy into shaft power or thrust. Understanding pressure and temperature changes across each stage explains engine performance and limitations.

The temperature of gases leaving the engine, measured by probes in the exhaust or turbine section. It is a primary indicator of engine health and is limited during start and high-power operation to protect turbine components.

The ratio of turbine discharge pressure to compressor inlet pressure, used on some engines as the primary thrust-setting parameter. It reflects the overall pressure increase produced by the engine.

Compressed air extracted from the engine compressor stages for uses such as cabin pressurisation, air conditioning, and anti-icing. Heavy bleed extraction reduces available thrust and increases fuel burn.

A takeoff performed using less than maximum rated thrust, permitted by runway and obstacle margins, to extend engine life. Assumed temperature or derate methods set the reduced thrust level.

The point at which the aircraft's total weight is considered to act. Its position must stay within forward and aft limits for control, stability, and performance throughout flight.

The average chord of a tapered wing, used as the reference for expressing centre of gravity position as a percentage. Limits are normally published in percent MAC for large aircraft.

The weight of the aircraft including crew, passengers, baggage, and cargo but excluding usable fuel. It is a structural limit because fuel carried beyond it must be added to the wing structure.

The maximum weight at which the aircraft is certified for the start of the takeoff run. Actual takeoff weight must not exceed it and is also constrained by performance, runway, and obstacle considerations.

The empty weight of the aircraft plus crew, crew baggage, and operational items such as unusable fuel and engine oil. It excludes payload and usable fuel and forms the basis for loading calculations.

A document recording aircraft weights and the resulting centre of gravity position, showing that the loading falls within approved limits before flight. It is part of the flight documentation.

The runway length at which the accelerate-stop distance equals the accelerate-go distance, giving the lowest takeoff speeds permitted for that runway. It determines the maximum weight for a given runway and condition.

The decision speed at which, following an engine failure, the takeoff can still be safely continued or the aircraft can still be brought to a stop on the remaining runway. It is determined from performance data before each takeoff.

The takeoff safety speed that must be attained by the time the aircraft reaches 35 feet above the runway with one engine inoperative. It ensures controllability and climb gradient during the second segment.

The calculated distances and speeds showing that an aircraft can safely accelerate, rotate, and climb clear of obstacles under given weight, temperature, pressure, wind, and runway conditions.

The vertical or lateral margin maintained between the aircraft's flight path and terrain, buildings, or other obstacles. It is assured by published procedures and performance calculations for each phase of flight.

The lowest altitude providing a defined margin above terrain and obstacles along a route or within an area. It is published on charts and used to plan safe cruising levels.

The altitude at or below which the aircraft's vertical position is expressed in altitude with the local altimeter setting, and above which flight levels referenced to standard pressure are used.

The lowest flight level available for use above the transition altitude, ensuring at least the required separation between aircraft using local pressure settings and those using standard pressure.

The pressure value set on the altimeter subscale so that the instrument indicates height above a reference datum, such as mean sea level or an aerodrome. Correct setting is essential for terrain separation.

A surface of constant atmospheric pressure, related to standard pressure, and separated from other such surfaces by specified pressure intervals. It is expressed as a three-digit number and used above the transition altitude.

An airspace and equipment standard permitting 1,000-foot vertical separation between suitably equipped aircraft at high flight levels, instead of the previously applied 2,000 feet.

A navigation specification stating the onboard performance monitoring and alerting capability required to operate within a defined airspace, expressed as a lateral accuracy value in nautical miles.

A method of navigation allowing aircraft to fly any desired path within the coverage of navigation aids or satellite systems, rather than being constrained to direct routes between ground stations.

A specified geographical location, defined by coordinates or by reference to navigation aids, used to define a route or flight path. Waypoints may be fly-by or fly-over types.

The shortest path between two points on the Earth's surface, forming part of a circle whose plane passes through the Earth's centre. Long-haul routes follow it to minimise distance and fuel.

A line on the Earth's surface crossing every meridian at the same angle, appearing straight on a Mercator chart. It simplifies constant-heading flight but is longer than the great circle except along the equator or meridians.

The vector relationship between true airspeed, wind velocity, and resulting ground speed and track. It is used to calculate heading and drift for a planned route.

The angular difference between true north and magnetic north at a given location, varying with position and slowly over time. It must be applied when converting between true and magnetic directions.

A defined model of pressure, temperature, and density against altitude, with sea-level values of 15 degrees Celsius and 1013.25 hectopascals. Performance data are based on it, with deviations applied as corrections.

The altitude in the standard atmosphere at which air density equals the actual density at a given place and time. High density altitude reduces engine power, lift, and propeller or rotor efficiency.

A regulatory framework for continuing airworthiness, covering maintenance programmes, organisations, records, and defect reporting for aircraft. It sets the obligations of owners and operators between design approval and daily operation.

The national civil aviation authority responsible for regulating aviation safety and security in Kenya, including licensing of personnel, certification of aircraft and operators, and oversight of air navigation services.

A flight crew licence issued to a person qualified to operate and monitor aircraft systems, engines, and performance on aircraft requiring a flight engineer. It specifies aircraft types and privileges.

An authorisation entered on a licence permitting the holder to act in a defined crew role on a specific aircraft type. It is normally granted after approved training and a skill test.

An approval granted to an operator authorising commercial air transport operations, specifying the aircraft types, routes, and conditions under which the holder may operate.

The requirement that a licence holder has performed specified recent experience, such as flights or simulator sessions, within a defined period to keep privileges valid.

The process of preparing and authorising a flight, covering flight planning, fuel, loading, weather assessment, and confirming that the aircraft is airworthy and legally equipped for the intended route.

The controlled maintenance of cabin pressure above ambient pressure at altitude, provided by bleed air and regulated by outflow valves. It protects occupants from hypoxia and decompression effects.

The equivalent altitude corresponding to the pressure inside the pressurised cabin. It is kept within limits to avoid hypoxia and is monitored as a warning of pressurisation failure.

Installed equipment supplying supplemental oxygen to crew and passengers when cabin altitude exceeds safe levels. It includes storage, regulators, masks, and indications of quantity and flow.

A system using pressurised fluid to transmit force for operating flight controls, landing gear, brakes, and other loads. Redundancy and pressure monitoring are critical to safe operation.

The primary and secondary controls, their linkages, actuators, and augmentation that allow the pilot to control the aircraft's attitude and configuration. It includes ailerons, elevators, rudder, flaps, and spoilers.

The undercarriage assembly supporting the aircraft on the ground, including struts, wheels, brakes, and retraction mechanisms. Its condition and indication are checked before and after flight.

A device giving audible or tactile warning as the wing approaches the critical angle of attack. It alerts the crew before lift is lost and is a required item on most aircraft.

The sequence of actions and monitoring during starting a turbine engine, including fuel introduction, light-off, acceleration, and stabilisation. Limits on exhaust gas temperature and spool-up time protect the engine.

An approval for a modification to an aircraft, engine, or propeller that has already been type certificated. It defines the changed design and any associated operating or maintenance requirements.

The angular difference between the aircraft's heading and the track actually made good over the ground, caused by wind. It is applied to calculate the heading needed to follow a desired track.