CANOPY—A covering; for example, a cockpit
canopy is a transparent covering for a cockpit.
CELSIUS—The temperature scale using the freezing
point as zero and the boiling point as 100, with 100
equal divisions between, called degrees. A reading
is usually written in the abbreviated form, for
example, 75 C. This scale was formerly known as
the Centigrade scale, but was renamed Celsius in
recognition of Andrew Celsius, the Swedish
astronomer who devised the scale.
COCKPIT—A compartment in the top of an aircraft
fuselage for the pilot and other crew members.
COWLING—A removable cover or housing placed
over or around an aircraft component or section,
especially an engine.
DE-ICING—The breaking off or melting of ice from
aircraft surfaces, or fuel induction systems.
DENSITY—The weight per unit volume of a
substance.
DESCENT—Relative to an aircraft, to come down,
under control, from a higher to a lower altitude.
DYE MARKER—A substance that, when placed in
water,
spreads
out
and
colors
the
water
immediately to make a spot readily visible from the
air.
ELEVATOR—As applied to aircraft, a control surface,
usually hinged to a horizontal stabilizer, that is used
to control the aircraft about its lateral axis. As
applied to aircraft carriers, elevators are used to
move aircraft between the flight deck and hanger
deck.
EMPENNAGE—The tail section of an aircraft,
including the stabilizing and control surfaces.
ENERGY—The ability or capacity to do work.
ETA—Estimated time of arrival.
FACE CURTAIN—A sheet of heavy fabric, installed
above an ejection seat, that is pulled down to trigger
the ejection seat and to protect the pilot or crew
member's face against wind blast.
FAIRING—A part or structure that has a smooth,
streamlined outline, used to cover a nonstreamlined
object.
FLAP—The tendency of a blade to rise with high-lift
demands as it tries to screw itself upward into the
air.
FLASH POINT—The temperature at which a
substance, such as oil or fuel, will give off a vapor
that will flash or burn momentarily when ignited.
FLIGHT CONTROL MECHANISM—The linkage
that connects the control(s) in the cockpit with the
flight control surface(s).
FORCE—The action of one body on another tending
to change the state of motion of a body acted upon.
Force is usually expressed in pounds.
FUSELAGE—The main or central structure of an
aircraft that carries the crew, passengers, or other
load.
HORSEPOWER—A unit of power equal to the power
necessary to raise 33,000 pounds one foot in 1
minute.
HUMIDITY—Moisture or water vapor in the air.
HYDRAULICS—The branch of mechanics that deals
with the action or use of liquids forced through
tubes and orifices under pressure to operate various
mechanics.
INERTIA—The tendency of a body at rest to remain at
rest, and a body in motion to continue to move at a
constant speed along a straight line, unless the body
is acted upon in either case by an unbalanced force.
JETTISON—To throw or dump overboard.
For
example, to drop or eject fuel, tanks, or gear from
an aircraft to lighten the load for emergency action.
LAG—The tendency of rotor blades to remain at rest
during acceleration.
LANDING GEAR—The components of an aircraft
that support and provide mobility foe the aircraft on
land, water, or other surfaces.
LAUNCH—To release or send forth. For example, to
launch aircraft from an aircraft carrier.
LEAD—The tendency of rotor blades to remain in
motion during deceleration.
LEADING EDGE—The forward edge of an airfoil
that normally meets the air first.
LONGERON—A main structural member along the
length of an airplane body, to fuselage.
LONGITUDINAL—The lengthwise dimension; for
example, the longitudinal axis of an aircraft runs
lengthwise from the nose to the tail.
MIM—Maintenance Instruction Manual.
AI-2
