Last updated: 15/06/2023
| A | aeroplane |
| AARC | aircraft airworthiness review certificate |
| AB | advisory body |
| AC, A/C, ac, a/c, acft (ICAO) | aircraft |
| ACAS | airborne collision avoidance system |
| ACC | acceptance; area control centre |
| ACN | aircraft classification number |
| ACNS | airborne communications, navigation and surveillance |
| AD | airworthiness directive; aerodrome (ICAO) |
| ADR | aerodrome |
| AeMC | aero-medical centre |
| AFC | approval of flight conditions |
| AFM | aircraft flight manual |
| AGL | above ground level |
| AIP | aeronautical information publication |
| AIRAC | aeronautical information regulation and control |
| AIRPROX | aircraft proximity |
| AIS | aeronautical information services |
| ALARP | as low as reasonably practicable |
| AltMoC | alternative means of compliance |
| AMC-20 | General Acceptable Means of Compliance for Airworthiness of Products, Parts and Appliances |
| AMC | acceptable means of compliance |
| AME | aeromedical examiner |
| AML | aircraft maintenance licence |
| AMM | aircraft maintenance manual |
| AMO | approved maintenance organisation |
| AMS | apron management services |
| A-NPA | advance notice of proposed amendments |
| ANS | air navigation services |
| ANSP | air navigation service provider |
| AOC | air operator certificate |
| APAPI | abbreviated precision approach path indicator |
| APU | auxiliary power unit |
| AR | authority requirements |
| ARA | authority requirements (in the aircrew Regulation) |
| ARC | airworthiness review certificate; area chart |
| ARC | aerodrome reference code |
| ARO | authority requirements (in the air operations Regulation) |
| ASBU | aviation system block upgrades |
| ASC | Air Safety Committee |
| ASDA | accelerate-stop distance available |
| A-SMGCS | advanced surface movement guidance and control system |
| ATA | Air Transportation Association |
| ATC | air traffic control |
| ATCO | air traffic controller |
| ATIS | automatic terminal information service |
| ATM | air traffic management |
| ATO | approved training organisation |
| ATPL | airline transport pilot licence |
| ATS | air traffic services |
| ATT | attestation |
| ATTN | attention |
| AT-VASIS | abbreviated T — visual approach slope indicator system |
| AUR | airspace usage requirements |
| A-VDGS | advance visual docking guidance system |
| AWO | all-weather operations |
| AWOSG | All Weather Operations Steering Group (JAA) |
| BASA | Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement |
| BIS | best intervention strategy |
| BPL | balloon pilot licence |
| BR | Basic Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (OJ L 212, 22.8.2018, p. 1)) |
| C/S | certifying staff; cycles per second |
| CA | competent authority |
| CAA | civil aviation authority |
| CAEP | Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection |
| CAG | collaborative analysis group |
| CAMO | continuing airworthiness management organisation |
| CAT | commercial air transport; clear-air turbulence |
| CAW | continuing airworthiness |
| CBA | cost–benefit analysis |
| CBR | California bearing ratio |
| CBT | computer-based training |
| CC | cabin crew |
| CCA | cabin crew attestation |
| CCD | cabin crew data |
| CCM | cabin crew member |
| CDL | configuration deviation list |
| CEA | cost-effectiveness analysis |
| CEO | chief executive officer |
| CERT-EU | Computer Emergency Response Team of the EU Institutions |
| CGA | clear and graded area |
| CIE | International Commission on Illumination (Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage) |
| CM | certification memorandum |
| CMPA | complex motor-powered aircraft |
| CNS | communications, navigation and surveillance |
| CO/CO2 | carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide |
| COA | continuing airworthiness organisation |
| CofA | certificate of airworthiness |
| COM | commercial other than CAT communications |
| CON | conversion of national licences |
| CP | concept paper |
| CPDLC | controller–pilot data link communications |
| CPL | commercial pilot licence |
| CRC | cyclic redundancy check |
| CRD | comment-response document |
| CRE | class rating examiner |
| CRI | certification review item |
| CRM | crew resource management |
| CRS | certificate of release to service |
| CRT | Comment-Response Tool |
| CS(s) | certification specification(s) |
| CS-22 | Certification Specifications for Sailplanes and Powered Sailplanes |
| CS-23 | Certification Specifications for Normal, Utility, Aerobatic and Commuter Aeroplanes |
| CS-25 | Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Large Aeroplanes |
| CS-26 | Additional Airworthiness Specifications for Operations |
| CS-27 | Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Small Rotorcraft |
| CS-29 | Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Large Rotorcraft |
| CS-31GB | Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Free Gas Balloons |
| CS-31HB | Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Hot Air Balloons |
| CS-31TGB | Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Tethered Gas Balloons |
| CS-34 | Certification Specifications, Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material for Aircraft Engine Emissions and Fuel Venting |
| CS-36 | Certification Specifications, Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material for Aircraft Noise |
| CS-ACNS | Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Airborne Communications, Navigation and Surveillance |
| CS-ADR-DSN | Certification Specifications and Guidance Material for Aerodromes Design |
| CS-APU | Certification Specifications, including Airworthiness Codes and Acceptable Means of Compliance, for Auxiliary Power Units |
| CS-AWO | Certification Specifications, including Airworthiness Codes and Acceptable Means of Compliance, for All Weather Operations |
| CS-CCD | Certification Specifications and Guidance Material for Cabin Crew Data |
| CS-Definitions | Definitions and abbreviations used in the Certification Specifications for Products, Parts and Appliances |
| CS-E | Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Engines |
| CS-ETSO | Certification Specifications for European Technical Standard Orders |
| CS-FCD | Certification Specifications for Operational Suitability Data (OSD) — Flight Crew Data |
| CS-FSTD(A) | Certification Specifications for Aeroplane Flight Simulation Training Devices |
| CS-FSTD(H) | Certification Specifications for Helicopter Flight Simulation Training Devices |
| CS-FTL.1 | Certification Specifications and Guidance Material for Commercial Air Transport by Aeroplane — Scheduled and Charter Operations |
| CS-FTL.2 | Certification Specifications and Guidance Material for Commercial Air Transport by Aeroplane — Air Taxi Operations and Aeroplane Emergency Medical Service (AEMS) Operations |
| CS-FTL.3 | Certification Specifications and Guidance Material for Commercial Air Transport by Helicopter — Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Operations |
| CS-GEN-MMEL | Certification Specifications and Guidance Material for Generic Master Minimum Equipment List |
| CS-LSA | Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Light Sport Aeroplanes |
| CS-MMEL | Certification Specifications and Guidance Material for Master Minimum Equipment List |
| CS-P | Certification Specifications for Propellers |
| CS-SIMD | Certification Specifications and Guidance Material for Simulator Data |
| CS-STAN | Certification Specifications for Standard Changes and Standard Repairs |
| CS-VLA | Certification Specifications for Very Light Aeroplanes |
| CS-VLR | Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Very Light Rotorcraft |
| CT | certification |
| CVR | cockpit voice recorder |
| CWY | clearway |
| DA | decision altitude |
| DAH | Design Approval Holder |
| DA/H | decision altitude/height |
| D-ATIS | data link — automatic terminal information service |
| DEC | declaration; declared |
| DEF | definition(s) |
| DG | Directorate-General; Director-General |
| DGCA | Directors General Civil Aviation (ICAO); Directorate-General of Civil Aviation |
| DGs | dangerous goods |
| DH | decision height |
| DME | distance-measuring equipment |
| DOA | design organisation approval |
| DS(s) | detailed specification(s) |
| DTO | declared training organisation |
| D-VOLMET | data link — VOLMET |
| E | engine |
| EAFDM | European Authorities Coordination Group on Flight Data Monitoring |
| EAB | EASA Advisory Bodies |
| EASA | European Union Aviation Safety Agency |
| EASA MB | EASA Management Board |
| EASP | European Aviation Safety Programme |
| EASp | European Aviation Safety Plan |
| EBT | evidence-based training |
| EC | European Commission |
| EC | European Community |
| ECAC | European Civil Aviation Conference |
| ECAST | European Commercial Aviation Safety Team |
| ECCSA | European Centre for Cybersecurity in Aviation |
| ECofA | export certificate of airworthiness |
| ECQB | European Central Question Bank |
| ED | Executive Director |
| EDD | Executive Director Decision |
| EEA | European Economic Area |
| EEA | European Environment Agency |
| EEC | European Economic Community |
| EFTA | European Free Trade Association |
| EGAST | European General Aviation Safety Team |
| EGNOS | European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service |
| EHEST | European Helicopter Safety Team |
| EHSIT | European Helicopter Safety Implementation Team |
| ELOS | equivalent level of safety |
| ELT | emergency locator transmitter |
| EMAS | engineered material arresting system |
| EMK | emergency medical kit |
| END | EU Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC (OJ L 189, 18.7.2002, p. 12) |
| EOFDM | European Operators Flight Data Monitoring forum |
| EP | European Parliament |
| EPAS | European Plan for Aviation Safety (former ‘EASp’) |
| ER | essential requirement |
| ESPN-R | European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft |
| ESSI | European Strategic Safety Initiative |
| ETOPS | extended range operation; extended twin-engine operation; extended range operation by twin-engined aeroplane |
| ETS | EU emissions trading system |
| ETSO(A) | European Technical Standard Order (authorisation) |
| EU | European Union |
| EU-OPS | It stands for Regulation (EC) No 859/2008 of 20 August 2008 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 3922/91 as regards common technical requirements and administrative procedures applicable to commercial transportation by aeroplane.
It represents the basis of commercial air transport (CAT) operations with aeroplanes, on which the CAT operations requirements for aeroplanes in the current Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 on air operations were built. |
| EVP | executive vice president |
| EVS | enhanced vision system |
| EVT | evaluation task |
| FAA | Federal Aviation Administration (USA) |
| FAB(s) | functional airspace block(s) |
| FAK | first aid kit |
| FC | flight crew |
| FCD | flight crew data |
| FCL | flight crew licensing |
| FCM | flight crew member |
| FDM | flight data monitoring |
| FDP | flight duty period |
| FDR | flight data recorder |
| FE | flight examiner |
| FI | flight instructor |
| FIC | flight information centre |
| FIE | flight instructor examiner |
| FIR | flight information region |
| FIS | flight information service |
| FL | flight level |
| FMEA | failure modes and effects analysis |
| FOD | foreign object damage/debris |
| FRMS | fatigue risk management system |
| FS | flight standards |
| FSTD | flight simulation training device |
| FSTD(A) | flight simulation training device (aeroplane) |
| FSTD(H) | flight simulation training device (helicopter) |
| FTE | full-time equivalent |
| FTI | flight test instructor |
| FTL | flight time limitations |
| FTL.1 | commercial air transport by aeroplane — scheduled and charter operations |
| FTS | flight time specifications |
| GA | general aviation |
| GAMET | area forecast for low-level flights |
| GBAS | ground-based augmentation system |
| GEN | general |
| GHG | greenhouse gas |
| GLONASS | GLObal NAvigation Satellite System |
| GM | guidance material |
| GMP | general medical practitioner |
| GNSS | global navigation satellite system |
| GPWS | ground proximity warning system |
| H | helicopter |
| HAPI | helicopter approach path indicator |
| HAZOP | hazard and operability |
| HB | hot-air balloon |
| HC | hydrocarbons |
| HEFA | hydroprocessed esters and fatty acid |
| HELO | helicopter external load operation |
| HEMS | helicopter emergency medical services |
| HHO | helicopter hoist operations |
| HIGE | hover in ground effect |
| HOGE | hover out of ground effect |
| HSST | Helicopter Sub-Sectorial Team (JAA) |
| HUDLS | head-up display landing system |
| HV | height velocity |
| HVO | hydrotreated vegetable oil |
| IA | impact assessment |
| IAS | indicated airspeed |
| IATA | International Air Transport Association |
| IAW | initial airworthiness |
| IBIS | ICAO bird strike information system |
| ICA | instructions for continued airworthiness |
| ICAO | International Civil Aviation Organization |
| ICAO SARPs | ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices |
| IED | improvised explosive device |
| IFALPA | International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations |
| IFR | instrument flight rules |
| IHST | International Helicopter Safety Team |
| ILS | instrument landing system |
| IMC | instrument meteorological conditions |
| INS | inertial navigation system |
| IORS | Internal Occurrence Reporting System |
| IPR | intellectual property rights |
| IR | implementing regulation; implementing rule |
| IRE | instrument rating examiner |
| IRI | instrument rating inspector |
| ISA | International Standard Atmosphere |
| ISO | International Organization for Standardization |
| JAA | Joint Aviation Authorities |
| JAR | Joint Aviation Requirement |
| KPI | key performance indicator |
| LAPL | light aircraft pilot licence |
| LCFZ | laser-beam critical flight zone |
| LDA | landing distance available |
| LDAH | landing distance available (helicopter) |
| Lden/Lnight | day-evening-night/night-time average sound level |
| LFFZ | laser-beam free flight zone |
| LIC | licensing |
| LO | learning objective |
| LoA | letter of agreement |
| LOC-I | loss of control in-flight |
| LOFT | line-oriented flight training |
| LoI | level of involvement |
| LPL | leisure pilot licence |
| LRST | local runway safety team |
| LSA | light sport aeroplane |
| LSFZ | laser-beam sensitive flight zone |
| LTO | landing and take-off |
| LVO | low-visibility operations |
| LVP | low-visibility procedures |
| MAB | Member State Advisory Body |
| MB | Management Board |
| MC | medical certificate |
| MCA | multi-criteria analysis |
| MCCI | multi-crew cooperation instructor |
| MCF | maintenance check flight |
| MDA | minimum decision altitude |
| MDA/H | minimum descent altitude/height |
| MDH | minimum decision height |
| MDM | multi-disciplinary measure |
| MED | medical |
| MEL | minimum equipment list |
| MET | meteorological |
| MLRs | manuals, logs and records |
| MLS | microwave landing system |
| MMEL | master minimum equipment list |
| MNPS | minimum navigation performance specification |
| MOA | maintenance organisation approval |
| MoM | minutes of meeting |
| MPE | maximum permissible exposure |
| MPL | multi-crew pilot licence |
| MPSC | maximum passenger seating configuration |
| MRB | Maintenance Review Board |
| MRI | mountain rating instructor |
| MS(s) | Member State(s) |
| MST | Member State task |
| MTO | maintenance training organisation |
| Mtoe | million tonnes of oil equivalent |
| MTOM | maximum take-off mass |
| MTOW | maximum take-off weight |
| NAA | national aviation authority |
| NAVAID | navigation aid |
| NCC | non-commercial air operations with complex motor-powered aircraft |
| N-CMPA | non-complex motor-powered aircraft |
| NCO | non-commercial air operations with other than complex, motor-powered aircraft |
| NextGen | Next Generation Air Transportation System (FAA) |
| NOTAM(s) | notice(s) to airmen |
| NOX | nitrogen oxides |
| NPA | notice of proposed amendments |
| NPV | net present value |
| NSA | national supervisory authority |
| NVIS | night-vision imaging system |
| OCA/H | obstacle clearance altitude/height |
| OEMs | Original Equipment Manufacturers |
| OFZ | obstacle-free zone |
| OHMP | occupational health medical practitioner |
| OJ | Official Journal of the European Union |
| OLS | obstacle limitation surfaces |
| OM | operations manual |
| OPC | operator proficiency check |
| OPS | operations |
| OPSG | Operational Procedures Steering Group (JAA) |
| OR | organisation requirements |
| ORA | organisation requirements (in the aircrew Regulation) |
| ORO | organisation requirements (in the air operations Regulation) |
| OSC | operational suitability certificate |
| OSD | operational suitability data |
| P | propeller |
| PANEP | Pan-European Partners; Pan-European Partner Countries |
| PANS | procedures for air navigation services |
| PANS-OPS | Procedures for Air Navigation Services — Aircraft Operations (ICAO) |
| PAPI | precision approach path indicator |
| PBN | performance-based navigation |
| PBR | performance-based regulation |
| PC | performance class |
| PCM | project certification manager |
| PCN | pavement classification number |
| PIC | pilot-in-command |
| PL | pilot licence |
| PM | particulate matter; project manager |
| POA | production organisation approval |
| PPB | principal place of business |
| PPL | private pilot licence |
| PPO | principal place of operation |
| PRB | performance review board |
| QE | qualified entity |
| R/T | radiotelephony |
| RAG | Rulemaking Advisory Group |
| RES | research task |
| RESA | runway-end safety area |
| RETILS | rapid exit taxiway indicator lights |
| RFFS | rescue and firefighting services |
| RG | review group |
| RI | rectification interval |
| RIA | regulatory impact assessment |
| RIE | rectification interval extension |
| RM | rulemaking |
| RMG | rulemaking group |
| RMT | rulemaking task |
| RNAV | area navigation |
| RNP | required navigation performance |
| RO | regulations officer |
| rpm | revolutions per minute |
| RSC | Rotorcraft Sectorial Committee |
| RTC | restricted type certificate |
| RTF | radiotelephony |
| RVR | runway visual range |
| RVSM | reduced vertical separation minima |
| RWY | runway |
| SAB | Stakeholder Advisory Body |
| SACA | safety assessment of community aircraft |
| SAFA | safety assessment of foreign aircraft |
| SEC | security |
| SE-IMC | single engine — instrument meteorological conditions |
| SERA | Standardised European Rules of the Air |
| SES | single European sky |
| SESAR | single European sky ATM research |
| SFE | synthetic flight examiner |
| SFI | synthetic flight instructor |
| SFL | safe forced landing |
| SIB | safety information bulletin |
| SIC | safety information communication |
| SIMD | simulator data |
| SKPI | safety key performance indicator |
| SMGCS | surface movement guidance and control system |
| SMM | safety management manual |
| SMS | safety management system |
| SNP | specified navigation performance |
| SOP | standard operating procedure |
| SP | safety promotion; safety publication |
| SPA | specific approval |
| SPL | sailplane pilot licence |
| SPN | Safety Promotion Network; specific performance-based navigation |
| SPO | specialised operations |
| SPT | safety promotion task |
| SRM | safety risk management |
| SSP | State safety programme; State safety plan |
| SSR | secondary surveillance radar |
| STAN | standard changes and standard repairs |
| STC | supplemental type certificate |
| STD | synthetic training device |
| STI | synthetic training instructor |
| SWIFT | structured what-if technique |
| SWY | stopway |
| TAG | Thematic Advisory Group |
| TAWS | terrain awareness warning system |
| TC | type certificate |
| TCCA | Transport Canada Civil Aviation |
| TCO | third-country operator |
| TDZ | touchdown zone |
| TeB | Member State Technical Body |
| TEC | Stakeholder Technical Committee |
| TEM | threat and error management |
| TGB | tethered gas balloon |
| TGL | Temporary Guidance Leaflet (JAA) |
| TI | Technical Instructions (ICAO) |
| TK | theoretical knowledge |
| TOA | training organisation approval |
| TOCS | take-off climb surface |
| TODA | take-off distance available |
| ToR | terms of reference |
| TORA | take-off run available |
| TRA | training |
| TRE | type rating examiner |
| TRI | type rating inspector; type rating instructor |
| TSO | Technical Standard Order |
| UA | unmanned aircraft |
| UAS | unmanned aircraft system |
| UAV | unmanned aerial vehicle |
| UG | user guide |
| UPRT | upset prevention and recovery training |
| US | United States |
| VFR | visual flight rules |
| VLA | very light aeroplane |
| VLJ | very light jet |
| VLR | very light rotorcraft |
| VOLMET | meteorological information for aircraft in flight |
| VOR | very high frequency omnidirectional range |
| WA | working arrangement |
| WG | working group |
| WGS | world geodetic system |
| WHO | World Health Organization |
| WI | work instructions |
| WIP | work in progress |
| WOCL | window of circadian low |
| WP | working paper |
| ZFTT | zero flight time training |