Glossary
Navigating the complex world of aerospace can be daunting, especially when it comes to deciphering the industry's extensive list of abbreviations and technical terms. But fear not, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to help you make sense of it all.
From A to Z, this list of aerospace abbreviations and terms is your one-stop-shop for understanding the lingo used in this dynamic field. Whether you're an industry professional, a student, or simply curious about the aerospace industry, this resource will equip you with the knowledge you need to communicate effectively and stay ahead of the curve.
Explore this alphabetized guide and unlock the secrets of the aerospace world. With clear explanations and real-world examples, you'll be speaking the language of the skies in no time. Bookmark this page and refer to it whenever you encounter an unfamiliar acronym or technical jargon – your aerospace journey just got a whole lot smoother.
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| F | Fahrenheit |
| FAA | Federal Aviation Administration (US) |
| also: | Fleet Air Arm (UK) |
| FAC | Forward air control(ler) |
| FADEC | Full authority digital engine control |
| FAE | Fuel-air explosive |
| FAI | Fédération Aéronautique Internationale |
| FANS | Future Air Navigation System |
| FAR | Federal aviation regulations (US) |
| FARP | Forward arming and refueling point |
| also: | Forward area rearm/refuel point |
| FBL | re: Fly by light |
| FBW | re: Fly by wire |
| FCR | Fire control radar |
| FCS | Flight control system |
| FDO | Flight deck officer (on aircraft carrier) |
| FDR | Flight data recorder |
| FDS | Flight director system |
| feathering | Alignment of propeller blades with airstream to prevent windmilling and minimise drag with engine shut-down |
| FEBA | Forward edge of battle area |
| fence | Wing surface projection, parallel to chord, to prevent spanwise airflow |
| fenestrom | Tail rotor for helicopters, consisting of many narrow blades in a short duct |
| ferry range | Maximum safe range with no payload |
| FEWSG | Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group (USN) |
| FF | First flight |
| FFAR | Folding fin aircraft rocket |
| also: | Free flight aircraft rocket |
| FFOS | Forward flying observation station |
| FG | Fighter Group (USAF) |
| FGA | Fighter Ground attack (UK) |
| FGR | Fighter Ground attack Reconnaissance (UK) |
| field length | Distance needed for take-off and/or landing; varies upon circumstances |
| fine pitch | Propeller pitch most suitable for take-off and low-speed flight |
| FIR | Flight Information Region |
| FIRAMS | Flight incidence recorder and aircraft monitoring system |
| fire-and-forget missile | A missile with self-homing capability |
| firewall | Fire-resistant bulkhead seperating powerplant from rest of aircraft |
| fixed pitch | Propeller with blades fixed immovably to hub |
| FL | Flight Level; expressed in hunderds of feet: FL175 is 17500ft |
| flameout | Discontinuation of combustion in gas turbine not caused by fuel shut-off |
| flap | Part of trailing or leading edge of wing which can be moved to alter lift and drag characteristics during low-speed flight |
| flaperon | Trailing edge control surface combining functions of flap and aileron |
| flare | A source of heat energy used to divert infra-red (heat-seeking) homing missiles |
| flat-rated | Engine restricted in output at s/l but able to give constant power at higher ambient temperatures and/or higher altitude |
| FLCC | Flight control computer |
| FLCS | Flight control system |
| flight envelope | The design limits (speed, altitude, G-forces etc) of the aircrafts' performance |
| FLIR | Forward looking infra-red |
| flutter | High frequency oscillation caused by interaction of aeroelastic and aerodynamic forces |
| fly by light | Fibre-optically signalled flight control system |
| fly by wire | Electrically-signalled flight control system |
| FM | Frequency modulation |
| FMC | Flight management computer |
| FMCS | Flight management computer system |
| FMD | Flight management display |
| FMS | Flight management system |
| also: | Foreign military sales (US) |
| FOB | Forward operating base |
| FOC | Full operational capability |
| FOD | Foreign object damage |
| FOL | Forward operating location |
| footprint | re: noise footprint |
| foreplanes | Canard surfaces providing the primary pitch control |
| FOT&E | Follow-on test and evaluation |
| FOV | Field of view |
| Fowler flap | Trailing edge flap which moves rearwards first, then deflects downwards |
| fpm | Feet per minute; standard measure to express climb or descent speed of an aircraft |
| FR | Flight refueling |
| free turbine | Turbine which drives the output shaft but is mechanically independent of the compressor |
| frequency agile | Automatically switching over a range of frequencies to minimise chance of eavesdropping |
| FRS | Fleet Replenishment Squadron (USN) |
| also: | Fighter Reconnaissance Strike (UK) |
| FS | Fighter Squadron (USAF) |
| FSAT | Full-scale aerial target |
| FSD | Full scale development |
| FSED | Full scale engineering development |
| FSS | Flight Screening Squadron (USAF) |
| FSW | Forward swept wing |
| ft | Foot (= 12 inch; = 30.5 cm) |
| FTS | Flying Training Squadron (USAF) |
| also: | Flying Training School (RAF) |
| FTW | Flying Training Wing (USAF) |
| FW | Fighter Wing (USAF) |
| FY | Fiscal Year (US: October 1 to September 30; FY 2006 starts in October 2005) |