GAEN N201 – Oxford – English for Aviation

Unit 2 Vocabulary

Tail assembly (n) The rear part of an aircraft.

The tail assembly provide stability to the aircraft.

Cargo (n) The goods that are being carried on a ship or

plane or other large vehicle; freight

The plane was carrying a cargo of medicine and food supplies to the refugee camp.

Cowling (n) A metal cover for an aircraft engine

The mechanic had the cowling open so he could check the engine.

Trailing edge (n) The rearmost, back edge of a wing

Flaps are used to increase lift and are located on the trailing edge of wings.

Access hatch (n) A trap door set into a floor or ceiling

The access hatch is sometimes used as an emergency

exit.

Navigation (n) The science of planning which way you need to

go when you are travelling from one place to another

Successful air navigation involves piloting an aircraft from place to place without getting lost, breaking the laws applying to aircraft or injuring anyone in the air or on the ground.

Undercarriage (n) The part of an aircraft, including the wheels, that

supports it when it is taking off or landing; landing gear

The undercarriage was damaged on landing and caused the aircraft to skid off the runway.

Leading edge (n) The front edge of a wing

The front of the wing is called the leading edge.

Fuselage (n) The main part of a plane, in which people sit

or goods are carried

A close inspection found cracks in the aircraft’s fuselage and wings.

Damage (n) Physical harm that is done to something or to

a part of someone’s or something’s body, so that it is broken or injured

The damage to the aircraft happened when another vehicle backed into it by accident.

Manual (n) A book that gives instructions about how to do

something, especially how to use a machine

Sony has an online user guide manual for PlayStation 3.

Medical kit (n) A collection of supplies and equipment for use in

giving first aid

Everyone should keep a small medical kit at home in case anyone cuts or burns themselves.

Checklist (n) A list that helps you by reminding you of the

things you need to do or get for a particular job or activity

Pre-flight Checklists PRE-EXTERNAL CHECK

Parking Brakes — ON Batteries — ON

External Power — a/r Flight Controls — Locked

Safety Equipment — Checked Batteries — a/r

EXTERNAL CHECK

A checklist helps you make sure that everything is done.

Equip (v) / equipment (n) The tools, machines, clothes, etc. that you

need to do a particular job or activity

Flying can be fun but it’s import to make sure you have the right aviation equipment for a safe and enjoyable flight.

Troubleshoot (v) Find and correct faults in mechanical and

electrical systems

The mechanic is always ready to troubleshoot any engine problems.

Fault (n) Something that is wrong with a machine,

system, design, etc., which prevents it from working properly

There is no power so it must be an electrical fault.

Precaution (n) Something that is done to prevent possible

harm or trouble from happening in the future

Be sure to follow the usual safety precautions when cooking outdoors.

Prohibit (v)/ prohibited (adj) to say that an action is illegal or not allowed;

ban, forbid

The military prohibit the use of mobile phones by cadets.

Departure (n) An act of leaving a place, especially at the start

The departure of the aircraft for London was delayed because of engine problems.

Arrival (n) The act of coming to or reaching a place

They were waiting for the arrival of the passengers.

Unreadable (adj) That cannot be understood or read; illegible

The notes he took at the meeting were unreadable.

Pitot cover (n) A cover used when an aircraft is parked to keep

obstructions like insects and ice off the pitot tube

A blocked pitot tube can cause problems with aircraft instruments so it needs to be protected with a pitot cover when the aircraft is parked.

ATIS (Automated Terminal Information Service) A continuous broadcast of recorded non-

control aeronautical information at busier terminal / airport

areas

ATIS broadcasts contain essential information, such as weather information, which runways are active, available approaches, and any other information required by the pilots.

NOTAM(Notice to AirMen) A written notification issued to pilots before a flight,

advising them of circumstances relating to the state of flying

Example: NATURE OF THE NOTAM : Replacing NOTAM 1212 issued in 2014 FIR: EGTT (LONDON FIR) SUBJECT: Taxiway (MX) CONDITION: Closed (LC) TRAFFIC: NOTAM issued for IFR (I) flights and VFR flights (V) PURPOSE: NOTAM selected for immediate attention of flight crew members (N)

A NOTAM is filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft of any hazards along the way or at a specific location.

Hazard (n) Something that may be dangerous, or cause

accidents or problems; a risk that cannot be avoided; danger; peril; jeopardy

Birds around an aircraft are a common hazard around many airports, often resulting in damage to aircraft.

Visibility (n) The distance it is possible to see, especially

when this is affected by weather conditions

The visibility during landing was very poor due to fog conditions.

Ceiling (n) The greatest height an aircraft can fly at or

the level of the clouds

Most commercial jetliners have a ceiling of 42,000 feet.

Disaster (n) Disastrous (adj) An unexpected event that kills a lot of people

and causes a lot of damage; calamity; catastrophe; cataclysm

The bad weather could have a disastrous effect on the area's tourism industry.