Radio Abbreviations

A list of all used radio abbreviations

A

Abbreviation	Term
AAE	above aerodrome elevation
AAL	above aerodrome level
A/C	aircraft
ACARS	Aircraft Communication and Addressing Reporting System
ACAS	airborne collision avoidance system
ACC	active clearance control
ACFT	aircraft
ACI	Airports Council International
ACMS	aircraft condition monitoring system
ACU	air condition unit
AD	airworthiness directive
A/D	aerodrome
ADA	advisory area
ADAHRS	air data attitude heading reference system
ADC	air data computer
ADD	acceptable deferred defect
ADF	automatic direction finder
ADI	Attitude Director Indicator
ADIRS	Air Data Inertial Reference System
ADIZ	Air Defense Identification Zone
ADS	automatic dependent surveillance
AFCS	automatic flight control system
A/FD	Airport/Facility Directory
AFDS	autopilot flight director system
AFE	above field elevation
AFS	aeronautical fixed service
AFT	Aft The direction against the aircraft movement
AFTN	Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network
AGL	above ground level
AHRS	Attitude and heading reference system
AIP	Aeronautical Information Publication
AIRAC	Aeronautical information regulation and control
ALI	Airworthiness Limitation Item
ALS	approach lighting system
AMO	Approved Maintenance Organization
AMSL	above mean sea level
ANSP	air navigation service provider
AOA	angle of attack
AOC	air operator's certificate
AOG	aircraft on ground
AP	autopilot
A/P	airplane (US), aeroplane (ICAO)
APT	airport
APU	auxiliary power unit
AR	authorization required
ARINC	Aeronautical Radio Inc.
ARP	aerodrome reference point
ARTCC	air route traffic control centers
ASAS	Airborne Separation Assurance System
ASI	airspeed indicator
ASL	above sea level
ASM	airspace management
A/T	autothrottle
ATA	Air Transport Association
ATC	air traffic control
ATFM	air traffic flow management
ATIS	Automatic Terminal Information Service
ATM	air traffic management
ATN	Aeronautical Telecommunication Network
ATQP	Alternative Training and Qualification Programme
ATPL	Airline Transport Pilot Licence
ATS	air traffic service

B

Abbreviation	Term
BC	back course
BITE	Built-In Test Equipment
BL	Butt Line
B/P	Blue Print
BPR	bypass ratio
BOM	Bill of Material
BWC	bird watch condition

C

Abbreviation	Term
C2	command and control
CAA	Civil Aviation Authority
CAR	civil aviation requirements
CAS	calibrated airspeed
CDI	course deviation indicator
CDU	control/display unit
CFIT	controlled flight into terrain
CG	center of gravity
CTR	controlled traffic region/control zone

E

Abbreviation	Term
EAS	equivalent airspeed
EASA	European Aviation Safety Agency
EBOM	engineering Bill of Material
ECAM	electronic centralised aircraft monitor
ECET	end of civil evening twilight
ECR	Engineering Change Request
EDTO	extended diversion time operations
EFB	electronic flight bag
EFIS	electronic flight instrument system
EGT	exhaust gas temperature
EICAS	engine-indicating and crew-alerting system
E-LSA	experimental light-sport aircraft
ELT	emergency locator transmitter
EMAS	engineered materials arresting system
EOBT	estimated off-blocktime
EPR	engine pressure ratio
ESA	emergency safe altitude
ETA	estimated time of arrival
ETD	estimated time of departure
ETOPS	Extended-range Twin-engine Operation Performance Standards, see ETOPS
EUROCAE	European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
EW	Empty Weight

F

Abbreviation	Term
FIR	flight information region
FL	flight level

G

Abbreviation	Term
GA	general aviation
G/A or GA	go-around
GCA	Ground-controlled approach
GEA	Ground effect area
GLOC	g-induced loss of consciousness, where g is acceleration relevant to the acceleration caused by gravity
GND	ground
GP	glide path. See Instrument landing system
GPS	Global Positioning System
GPU	Ground Power Unit
GPWS	ground proximity warning system
G/S	glideslope
GS	groundspeed
GSE	ground support equipment

H

Abbreviation	Term
H	Heavy (in the context of wake turbulence categories)
H	High
HAZMAT	Hazardous Material
HDG	Heading
HFE	Human Factors Engineering^[2]
HFES	Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
HIRO	High Intensity Runway Operation
HIRTA	High Intensity Radio Transmission Area
HIWAS	Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service
HL	Height loss
HLD	hold (hold altitude or speed or something else) (same as maintain, but not maintenance!)
HPA	human-powered aircraft
HSI	horizontal situation indicator
HUD	head-up display
HUM	Human Remains
HW	headwind
HYD	hydraulic
HYDIM	hydraulic interface module

I

Abbreviation	Term
IB	Inboard
IAC	instrument approach chart
IAF	initial approach fix
IAP	instrument approach procedure
IAS	indicated airspeed
IATA	International Air Transport Association
ICA	Instructions for Continuous Airworthiness
ICAO	International Civil Aviation Organization
ICD	Interface Control Document
ICO	idle cut-off
IDT	identify (XPDR)
IEPR	integrated engine pressure ratio
IF	intermediate approach fix
IFA	International Federation of Airworthiness
IFATCA	International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations
IFE	In Flight Entertainment
IFR	instrument flight rules
IFSD	in-flight shutdown
ILS	instrument landing system
IMC	instrument meteorological conditions
IML	Inside Mold Line
INS	inertial navigation system
IR	Initial Release
IRS	inertial reference system
IRT	instrument rating test
ISA	International Standard Atmosphere
ISFD	integrated standby flight display
ISIS	integrated standby instrument system
ITAR	International Traffic in Arms Regulations
ITT	interstage turbine temperature
IAW	In accordance with

K

Abbreviation	Term
KCAS	knots calibrated airspeed
KIAS	knots indicated airspeed
KTAS	knots true airspeed

L

Abbreviation	Term
L	Light (in the context of wake turbulence categories)
LAME	licensed aircraft maintenance engineer
LCC	low-cost carrier
LCG	load classification group
LCN	load classification number
LHO	live human organs
LIR	Loading Instruction Report
LKP	last known position
LLC	Life Limited Component
LLZ	localizer (ILS)
LM	land and marine
LOC	loss of control; localizer
LOFT	line-oriented flight training
LOTC	loss of thrust control
LNAV	lateral navigation
LPV	localizer performance with vertical guidance
LRU	line-replaceable unit
LSAS	longitudinal stability augmentation system
LTP	Landing Threshold Point
LW	Landing Weight
LOM	Limitation Of Movement

M

Abbreviation	Term
M	Medium (in the context of wake turbulence categories)
MAC	mean aerodynamic chord
MAP	missed approach point
MATS	Manual of Air Traffic Services
MCP	mode control panel
ME	Manufacturing Engineer
MEA	Minimum En-route Altitude
MCDU	Multi control display unit
MDA	minimum descent altitude
MDH	minimum descent height
MEDEVAC	medical evacuation
MEF	maximum elevation figure
MMEL	master minimum equipment list
MEL	minimum equipment list
METAR	meteorological aerodrome report (METAR)
MFD	multi function display
MLDW	maximum landing weight
MLS	microwave landing system
MM	middle marker
MOC	minimum obstacle clearance
MOCA	Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude
MORA	Minimum Off Route Altitude
MP	manifold pressure
MRB	Material Review Board
MRO	maintenance repair overhaul
MROT	Minimum Runway Occupancy Time
MRP	Material Resources Planning
MRW	maximum ramp weight
MSA	minimum safe altitude / minimum sector altitude
MSDS	Material Safety Data Sheet
MSL	mean sea level
MSLW	Max. Structural Landing Weight
MSTOW	Max. Structural Take-off Weight
MTOW	maximum take-off weight
MSZFW	Max. Structural Zero Fuel Weight
MVA	Minimum Vectoring Altitude
MZFW	maximum zero-fuel weight

N

Abbreviation	Term
NADP	Noise Abatement Departure Procedure
NDB	Non-directional beacon
NDT	Non-destructive testing
NOTAM	notice to airmen
NTZ	No-transgression zone

O

Abbreviation	Term
OBE	overcome by events
OBS	omni-bearing selector
OCA	obstacle clearance altitude
OCH	obstacle clearance height
OEI	one engine inoperative
OEM	original equipment manufacturer
OIS	obstacle identification surface
OM	outer marker
OTS	out of service
OW	operational weight

P

Abbreviation	Term
P	(as a prefix:) prohibited airspace
PA	pressure altitude
PANS-OPS	procedures for air navigation services – aircraft operations
PAPI	precision approach path indicator
PAOG	Pre Aircraft on Ground
PAR	precision approach radar
PAX	passenger
PBD	place bearing distance (RNAV waypoint)
PCN	pavement classification number
PDG	procedure design gradient
PDAS	public domain aeronautical software
PET	point of equal time
PF	pilot flying
PFD	primary flight display
PFAF	precision final approach fix
PIC	Pilot In Command
PICUS	Pilot In Command, under supervision^[3]
PIO	Pilot Induced Oscillations
PIP	performance improvement package
PIREP	Pilot Report
PJE	Parachute jumping exercise
PM	pilot monitoring
PNF	pilot not flying
PNR	Point of No Return
POA	Production Organisation Approval
POH	Pilot's Operating Handbook
POF	Principles Of Flight
PPL	private pilot licence
PPR	prior permission required
PSR	point of safe return
PSR	power supply reset
PSU	personal service unit
PS	Pax Step
PTT	push to talk

Q

Abbreviation	Term
QFE	the Q-code for: Atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation (or at runway threshold)
QNH	the Q-code for: Altimeter sub-scale setting to obtain elevation when on the ground, i.e. altitude above MSL
QRA	quick reaction alert
QRH	quick reference handbook

R

Abbreviation	Term
R	(as a prefix:) restricted airspace
RA	radio altitude or radar altimeter
RA	resolution advisory (in the context of TCAS)
RAS	rectified air speed
RA(T)	restricted area (temporary)
RAT	ram air turbine
RCO	remote communications outlet
RDH	reference datum height for ILS
RESA	runway end safety area
RFI	recreational flight instructor
RNAV	area navigation
RNP	required navigation performance
RSA	runway safety area
RSR	en-route surveillance radar
RT	radiotelephony
RTO	rejected take-off
RTOW	regulatory take-off weight
RVR	runway visual range
RVSM	reduced vertical separation minima
RWY	runway
RW	ramp weight
RPL	Repetitive Flight Planning

S

Abbreviation	Term
SAS	stability augmentation system
SCAP	Standard Computerized Airplane Performance
SESAR	Single European Sky ATM Research
SIGMET	Significant Meteorological Information
SMOH	Since major overhaul
SMR	surface movement radar
SOC	start of climb at missed approach
SOP	standard operating procedure
SOW	Statement of Work
SID	standard instrument departure
SR	sunrise
SS	sunset
STC	supplemental type certificate
STAR	standard terminal arrival route
SODPRO	simultaneous opposite direction parallel runway operations

T

Abbreviation	Term
TA	traffic advisory (see TCAS)
TAA	terminal arrival area
TACAN	tactical air navigation
TAF	terminal aerodrome forecast
TAM	total airport management
TAR	terminal approach radar
TAS	true airspeed
TAT	total air temperature
TAWS	terrain awareness and warning system
TCA	terminal control area
TCAS	traffic collision avoidance system
TCH	threshold crossing height
TDZ	touchdown zone
TERPS	terminal procedures
TFC	traffic
TFR	temporary flight restriction
TGB	transfer gearbox
TGL	temporary guidance leaflet
THLD	threshold
THR	runway threshold
THS	trimmable horizontal stabilizer, see tailplane
TLD	time-limited dispatch
TMA	terminal manoeuvring area (Europe)/terminal control area (USA and Canada)
TMZ	transponder mandatory zone
TOD	top of descent
TODA	take-off distance available
TO/GA	take-off/go around
TOR	take-off runway
TORA	take-off runway available
TOW	take-off weight
TOWS	take-off warning system
TP	turning point at missed approach
TRA	temporary reserved area (airspace)
TRACON	terminal radar approach control
TRP	thrust rating panel
TSO	technical service order
TTAF	total time air frame
TTSN	total time since new
TTSO	total time since overhaul
TWR	tower
TWY	taxiway

U

Abbreviation	Term
UAS	Unmanned Aircraft System^[4]
UAV	unmanned air vehicle
UHF	ultra-high frequency
UIR	upper information region
UTC	Universal Time Coordinated

V

Abbreviation	Term
V&V	Video & Vision^[5]
VASI	visual approach slope indicator
VDP	Visual descent point
VFR	visual flight rules
VHF	very high frequency
VMC	visual meteorological conditions
VNAV	vertical navigation
VOR	VHF omnidirectional range
VSI	Vertical speed indicator
VVI	Vertical velocity indicator (the same as VSI)

V speeds

Abbreviation	Term
V₁	speed at or above which takeoff cannot be safely interrupted
V_a	maneuvering speed
V_fe	maximum flaps extended speed
V_le	maximum landing gear extension sp
V_lo	maximum landing gear operating speed
V_mc	minimum control speed
V_mca	velocity of minimum control in the air
V_mcg	velocity of minimum control on ground
V_mo	maximum operating speed
V_ne	never-exceed speed
V_no	normal operating speed limit
V_s	stall speed
V_so	stall speed in landing configuration
V_x	best angle of climb speed
V_y	best rate of climb speed

W

Abbreviation	Term
WAT	weight, altitude, temperature: variables that affect takeoff performance
W&B	Weight & Balance
WEF	with effect from
WOFW	weight-off-wheels, indicates aircraft is off ground since lift off
WONW	weight-on-wheels, indicates aircraft is on ground since touch down
WS	wind shear
WTC	Wake Turbulence Category

X

Abbreviation	Term
XMIT	transmit
XPDR	transponder
XPNDR	transponder

Y

Abbreviation	Term
Y	yaw or yaw angle
Y/D	yaw damper

Z

Abbreviation	Term
Z	Zulu Time (UTC)
ZFT	zero-fuel time
ZFW	zero-fuel weight