Chapter 14: Glossary
Aviation Terms
AD (Airworthiness Directive)
A legally enforceable rule issued by the FAA that requires inspection, repair, or modification of an aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance when an unsafe condition exists.
AFM (Airplane Flight Manual)
The official flight manual approved by the FAA for a specific aircraft. Contains operating limitations, procedures, and performance data.
Airframe
The mechanical structure of an aircraft excluding the engine(s), propeller(s), and instruments. Includes fuselage, wings, and tail surfaces.
Airworthiness
The condition of an aircraft, engine, propeller, or part that meets its type design and is in a condition for safe operation.
Annual Inspection
A comprehensive inspection required every 12 calendar months for most general aviation aircraft. Must be performed by an A&P mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA).
A&P (Airframe and Powerplant)
A mechanic certificate issued by the FAA allowing the holder to perform maintenance on aircraft airframes and engines.
Compression Check
A test measuring the ability of engine cylinders to hold pressure, indicating the condition of pistons, rings, and valves. Recorded as actual/standard (e.g., 72/80).
Docket Number
The FAA's internal tracking number for an AD or regulatory document.
Effective Date
The date an AD becomes legally enforceable.
8130-3
FAA Form 8130-3, "Authorized Release Certificate," used to document that a part has been manufactured, inspected, or overhauled in accordance with FAA standards.
FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations)
The rules governing all aviation activities in the United States. Part 43 covers maintenance, Part 91 covers general operating rules.
Form 337
FAA Form 337, "Major Repair and Alteration," used to document major repairs or alterations to an aircraft.
Hobbs Meter
A flight time recording device that typically runs whenever the engine is running or the aircraft is in motion. Usually reads higher than tach time.
100-Hour Inspection
An inspection required every 100 flight hours for aircraft used for hire or flight instruction. Similar in scope to an annual inspection.
IA (Inspection Authorization)
A special authorization that allows an A&P mechanic to perform and sign off annual inspections and approve major repairs/alterations.
N-Number
The FAA registration number assigned to a US-registered aircraft. Begins with "N" followed by up to 5 alphanumeric characters.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
Technology that converts images of text into searchable, editable text data.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
The company that originally manufactured a component or aircraft.
Overhaul
A comprehensive restoration of an engine, propeller, or component to manufacturer's specifications or FAA-approved limits.
POH (Pilot's Operating Handbook)
A manual provided by the aircraft manufacturer containing operating procedures, performance data, and systems information.
Progressive Inspection
An alternative to annual inspection that divides the inspection into smaller segments performed at regular intervals.
Return to Service
The formal approval that an aircraft, engine, or component is airworthy after maintenance, inspection, or repair.
SB (Service Bulletin)
A notice from a manufacturer recommending specific inspections, modifications, or maintenance procedures. May be voluntary or become mandatory via AD.
Serial Number
A unique identifier assigned by the manufacturer to a specific aircraft, engine, or component.
SMOH (Since Major Overhaul)
Hours accumulated since the last major overhaul of an engine or component.
SNEW (Since New)
Hours accumulated since the item was manufactured.
STC (Supplemental Type Certificate)
FAA approval for a modification to an existing aircraft type design.
Tachometer (Tach)
An engine instrument measuring RPM. Tach time is accumulated based on engine speed and typically reads less than real time at cruise power.
TBO (Time Between Overhaul)
The manufacturer's recommended operating time before an engine or component should be overhauled. Mandatory for aircraft operated commercially.
TSMO (Time Since Major Overhaul)
Same as SMOH - hours since the last major overhaul.
TSN (Time Since New)
Total hours on an item since manufacture.
Type Certificate
FAA approval of an aircraft design, specifying its airworthiness requirements.
Application Terms
Book Type
A category for organizing logbook entries, similar to physical logbooks (Airframe, Engine, Propeller, etc.).
Component
A trackable part or system in Aircraft-logs.com with its own maintenance history.
Dashboard
The main home page showing an overview of all aircraft and recent activity.
Entry
A single logbook record documenting maintenance, inspection, or flight activity.
Help Panel
The slide-in panel on the right side of forms providing contextual help information.
Monitor Type
How an AD's compliance is tracked: Lifetime (one-time), Years (calendar), Time (hours), or Both.
Schedule
A user-defined recurring maintenance task with due dates based on calendar time and/or flight hours.
Squawk
A discrepancy or issue reported for an aircraft that needs attention.
Tracking Status
The current status of an AD: Active, Complied, Not Applicable, Superseded, or Archived.
Work Item
An individual task within a logbook entry, which can be linked to an AD for compliance tracking.
Acronyms
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AD | Airworthiness Directive |
| AFM | Airplane Flight Manual |
| A&P | Airframe and Powerplant |
| ELT | Emergency Locator Transmitter |
| FAA | Federal Aviation Administration |
| FAR | Federal Aviation Regulations |
| GPS | Global Positioning System |
| IA | Inspection Authorization |
| IFR | Instrument Flight Rules |
| MEL | Minimum Equipment List |
| N/A | Not Applicable |
| OAT | Outside Air Temperature |
| OCR | Optical Character Recognition |
| OEM | Original Equipment Manufacturer |
| P/N | Part Number |
| POH | Pilot's Operating Handbook |
| S/N | Serial Number |
| SB | Service Bulletin |
| SMOH | Since Major Overhaul |
| SNEW | Since New |
| STC | Supplemental Type Certificate |
| TBO | Time Between Overhaul |
| TC | Type Certificate |
| TSMO | Time Since Major Overhaul |
| TSN | Time Since New |
| VFR | Visual Flight Rules |