Aeronautical Glossary
So that acronyms hold no more secrets for you!
To help you understand the aeronautical terms used on this website, Aéropyrénées has compiled a list of abbreviations commonly used in the aviation training sector, making them easier to understand for both beginners and experienced individuals.
We also invite you to download the following guide: Download the Aeronautical English Method – BIA Level.
Training
- PPL (Private Pilot License): Private Pilot License
- CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence): Commercial Pilot License
- IR (Instrument Rating): Instrument Flight Rating
- Integrated CPL/IR: The core modules of initial pilot training
- MEP (Multi Engine Pilot): Multi-Engine Piston Aircraft License
- MCC (Multiple Crew Cooperation): Crew Resource Management Training
- Integrated ATP (Air Transport Pilot): Training for the Airline Transport Pilot License
- Theoretical ATPL (Air Transport Pilot Licence): Theoretical training for the Airline Transport Pilot License
- FI (Flight Instructor) and FH (Human Factors): Additional training modules
The terms used
A
- ATP: Airline Transport Pilot (USA) / Airline Transport Pilot License in the USA
- ATPL: Airline Transport Pilot Licence / Airline Transport Pilot License
B
- BB: Basic Pilot Certificate
- BBJ: Boeing Business Jet / Boeing Business Jet
C
- CAA: Civil Aviation Authority / Civil Aviation Administration
- CDB: Captain
- CEMPN: Medical Expertise Center for Flight Personnel
- CFI: Certificated Flight Instructor / Certified Flight Instructor
- CFII: CFI Instrument / Instrument Flight Instructor
- CPL: Commercial Pilot Licence / Commercial Pilot License
- CRI: Class Rating Instructor
- CRE: Class Rating Examiner
- CSS: Safety and Rescue Certificate
D
- DGAC: Directorate General of Civil Aviation
- DV: Flight Division
E
- EASA: European Aviation Safety Agency / European Agency for Aviation Safety
- EAT: Transport Aviation School (AA)
- EFIS: Electronic Flight Instruments System / Electronic Flight Instrument System
- ENAC: National School of Civil Aviation
- EPNER: National School for Flight Test and Acceptance Personnel
- ETOPS: Extended Twin Engine Operations
F
- FO: First Officer / Airline Pilot Officer (Co-Pilot)
- FAA: Federal Aviation Administration / U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
- FAR: Federal Aviation Regulations / U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations
- FE: Flying Examiner / Examiner
- FFS: Full Flight Simulator / Full Flight Simulator
- FI: Flying Instructor / Flight Instructor
- FNAM: National Federation of Commercial Aviation
- FNPT: Flight Navigation and Procedures Trainer / Flight Trainer (Simulator)
- FNPT I: Simulates the dashboard and controls of an aircraft
- FNPT II: Simulates the dashboard and controls of one or multiple aircraft types and includes enhanced visual realism
- FS: Flight Simulator / Flight Simulator
- FTD: Flight Training Device / Flight Trainer
- FTE: Crew Resource Management Training
- FTO: Flight Training Organisation / Certified Training Institution
H
- HDV: Flight Hours
- HT: Head of Training
I
- IFR: Instrument Flight Rules / Instrument Flight Regulations
- IMC: Instrument Meteorological Conditions / Weather Conditions for Instrument Flight
- IR: Instrument Rating / Instrument Flight Qualification
- IRE: Instrument Rating Examiner / Instrument Flight Qualification Examiner
- IRI: Instrument Rating Instructor / Instrument Flight Instructor
J
- JAA: Joint Aviation Authorities / Common Aviation Authorities of 36 European Countries
- JAR: Joint Aviation Requirements / Common Aviation Standards for JAA Member Countries
- JAR 25: Certification Standards of JAA for Multi-Engine Jet Aircraft over 5.7 Tons or Turboprop Aircraft over 8.6 Tons
M
- MCC: Multi-Crew Coordination / Multi-Pilot Coordination or Crew Resource Management Training
- MEP: Multi-Engine Piston / Multi-Engine Piston Aircraft
N
- NOTAM: Notice To Airmen / Information Notices to Pilots Regarding Sudden Changes Not Yet in Their Documentation
O
- OPL: Airline Pilot Officer (Co-Pilot)
P
- PAX: Passengers
- PL: Airline Pilot
- PN: Flight Personnel (Pilots, Flight Engineers, Flight Attendants, Stewards)
- PNC: Commercial Flight Personnel (Flight Attendants and Stewards)
- PNT: Technical Flight Personnel (Pilots, Flight Engineers)
- PP: American Private Pilot
- PPL/A: Private Pilot Licence Airplane / Private Pilot License (Airplane)
- PPL/H: Private Pilot Licence Helicopter / Private Pilot License (Helicopter)
- PPL: Private Pilot Licence / Private Pilot License
Q
- QT: Type Rating
- QC: Quick Change (e.g., 737 Cargo and Passenger Configuration)
S
- SEFA: Aeronautical Operations and Training Services
- SEP: Single Engine Piston / Single Piston Engine Aircraft
- SET: Single Engine Turbo (Propulsion) / Single-Turbine Aircraft Category
- SFA: Aeronautical Training Service
- SFE: Synthetic Flight Examiner / Flight Simulator Examiner
- SFI: Synthetic Flight Instructor / Flight Simulator Instructor
- SPIC: Student Pilot in Command / Student Pilot Acting as Captain
T
- TARMAC: Aircraft Parking Area (Derived from “tar” (tar) and “mac” (macadam))
- TRE: Type Rating Examiner / Examiner for Type Qualification
- TRI: Type Rating Instructor / Instructor for Type Qualification (e.g., A320, B737)
- TRTO: Type Rating Training Organisation / Certified Institution for Type Rating Training
V
- VMC: Visual Meteorological Conditions / Visual Flight Weather Conditions
- VNE: Velocity Never Exceed / Maximum Speed Limit