Acronyms and abbreviations in avionics

This is a list of the acronyms and abbreviations used in avionics.

A

A/A: Air to air TACAN function
A/P: Autopilot
AAIM: Aircraft Autonomous Integrity Monitoring
ABAS: Aircraft-based augmentation system
AC: Advisory circular
ACARS: Aircraft communications addressing and reporting system
ACAS: Airborne collision avoidance system
ACC: Area control centre
ACE: Actuator control electronics
ACMS: Aircraft condition monitoring system
ACP: Audio control panel
ACR: Avionic Communication Router
ACS: Audio control system
ADAHRS: Air data and attitude and heading reference system
ADC: Air data computer
ADF: Automatic direction finder
ADI: Attitude director indicator
ADIRS: Air data inertial reference system
ADIRU: Air data inertial reference unit
ADM: Air data module
ADS: Either; automatic dependent surveillance or air data system
ADS-A: Automatic dependent surveillance – address
ADS-B: Automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast
ADS-C: Automatic dependent surveillance – contract
AESA: Active electronically scanned array
AFCS: Automatic flight control system
AFD: Autopilot flight director
AFDC: Autopilot flight director computer
AFDS: Autopilot flight director system
AFDX: Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet
AFIS: Either: Automatic flight information service or airborne flight information system
AGACS: Automatic ground–air communications system, is also known as ATCSS or data link
AGC: Automatic gain control
AGDL: Air–ground data link
AGL: Above Ground Level
AHC: Attitude heading control
AHRS: Attitude and heading reference system
AHRU: Attitude and heading reference unit
AIDS: Aircraft integrated data system
AIP: Aeronautical Information Publication
AIRAC: Aeronautical Information Regulation & Control
AIXM: Aeronautical information exchange model
ALC: Automatic level control
ALT: Either; altimeter or altitude
ALT hold: Altitude hold mode
ALTS: Altitude select
AMLCD: Active-matrix liquid crystal display
AMO: Approved maintenance organisation
AMS: Air management system
ANC: Active noise cancellation
ANN: Annunciator – caution warning system normally containing visual and audio alerts to the pilot
ANR: Active noise reduction
ANT: Antenna
AOC: Aeronautical operational control
AOP: Airport operating plan
APARS: Automatic pressure altitude reporting system
APIRS: Attitude and positioning inertial reference system
APOA: Airport of arrival
APC: Auto pilot computer
APOD: Airport of departure
APM: Aircraft personality module
APS: Auto pilot system
APU: Auxiliary power unit
APV: Approach Procedure with Vertical guidance (Instrumental approach)
ARINC: Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated
ASD: Aircraft situation display
ASDL: Aeronautical satellite data link
ASI: Airspeed indicator
ASR: Airport surveillance radar
ASU: Avionics switching unit
AT: Auto throttle
ATC: Air traffic control
ATCC: Air traffic control centre
ATCT: Airport traffic control tower
ATCRBS: Air traffic control radar beacon system
ATCSS: Air traffic control signalling system
ATIS: Automated terminal information service
ATR: Air transportable racking
ATR: Automatic thrust restoration
ATSAW: Airborne traffic situational awareness
ATSU: Air traffic services unit
ATT: Attitude
ATTCS: Automatic Take-off Thrust Control System
Avionics: Aviation electronics
AWOS: Automated weather observation system
AWACS: Advanced warning and control systems
ALNA: Airline network architecture

B

B RNAV: Basic area navigation
BARO: Barometric indication, setting or pressure
baro-VNAV: Barometric vertical navigation
BITE: Built-in test equipment
BCRS: Back course
BDI: Bearing distance indicator
BGAN: Broadcast Global Area Network
BER: Beyond economic repair
BTV: Brake to Vacate

C

C/L: Centre line
CAA: Civil Aviation Authority
CACTCS: Cabin Air Conditioning and Temperature Control System (pronounced "Cactus")
CAI: Caution advisory panel (sometimes spelled "caution-advisory" or "caution/advisory")
CAS: Calibrated airspeed
CAM: Cockpit area microphone (part of the cockpit voice recorder)
CAT I: Operational performance Category 1
CAT I Enhanced Allows for lower minimums than CAT I in some cases to CAT 2 minimums
CAT II: Operational performance Category II
CAT IIIa: Operational performance Category IIIa
CAT IIIb: Operational performance Category IIIb
CAT IIIc: Operational performance Category IIIc
CB: Cumulonimbus cloud
CBT: Computer-based training
CDA: Continuous descent approach
CDCCL: Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations
CDI: Course deviation indicator
CDTI: Cockpit display of traffic information
CFIT: Controlled flight into terrain
CHP: Course Heading Panel
CHT: Cylinder Head Temperature
CMU: Communications Management Unit
CNS: Communication, navigation and surveillance
CNS/ATM: Communication, navigation and surveillance / Air traffic management^[1]
CODEC: Coder/decoder
COMM or COM: Communications transceiver, Communications receiver, or Communications radio transmitter (now, normally: either VHF or UHF; HF communications avionics are usually abbreviated simply HF)
COTS: Commercial off-the-shelf
CPA: Closest point of approach
CPDLC: Controller–pilot data link communications
CPS: Cycles per second
CRM: Crew Resource Management
CRT: Cathode ray tube
CTAF: Common traffic advisory frequency
CV/DFDR: Cockpit voice and digital flight data recorder
CVR: Cockpit voice recorder
CWS: Control wheel steering

D

DA: Decision Altitude (Precision approach or vertical guidance)
DA: Drift angle
DAPs: Downlink of aircraft parameters
DCDU: Data link control and display unit
DCL: Departure Clearance via CPDLC
DCP: Display control panel
DFDR: Digital Flight Data Recorder
DFMC: Dual Frequency Multiple Constellation
DG: Directional gyroscope
DGPS: Differential global positioning system
DH: Decision height (Precision approach, referred to threshold elevation)
DLR: Data link recorder
DME: Distance measuring equipment
DNC: Direct noise canceling
DP: Departure procedures
DPU: Display Processor Unit
DSP: Digital signal processing
DTU: Data transfer unit
DUAT: Direct user access terminal
DVE: Degraded Visual Environment
DRMC : Direct Reading Magnetic Compass .

E

EADI: Electronic attitude director indicator
ECAM: Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor
ECU: Engine Control Unit (=EEC)
EEC: Electronic Engine Control
EFD: Electronic flight display
EFIS: Electronic flight instrument system
EGI: Embedded GPS Inertial
EGNOS: European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service
EGPWS: Enhanced ground proximity warning system
EGT: Exhaust gas temperature
EHS: Enhanced surveillance
EHSI: Electronic horizontal situation indicator
EICAS: Engine indication crew alerting system
EIS: Electronic Instrument System
ELT: Emergency locator transmitter
ENC: Electronic noise canceling
ENG: Engine
ENR: Electronic noise reduction
EPR: Engine pressure ratio
EPU: Emergency Power Unit
ERAM: En Route Automation Modernization
ETOP(S): Extended-range twin-engine operation(s)

F

FAA: Federal Aviation Administration
FADEC: Full authority digital engine control
FAF: Final approach fix
FANS: Future Air Navigation System
FAS: Final Approach Segment
FAT: Free air temperature
FATO: Final Approach and Take-off Area
FBO: Fixed Base Operator
FBW: Fly-by-wire
FCC: Flight Control Computer
FCMC: Fuel Control & Monitoring Computer
FCS: Flight Control System
FD: Flight Director
FDAU: Flight-data acquisition unit
FDPS: Flight plan Data Processing System
FDR: Flight Data Recorder
FDRS: Flight data recorder system
FDU: Flux detector unit
FF: Fuel flow
FG: Flight Guidance
FIC: Flight Information Centre
FIKI: Flight Into Known Ice
FIS-B: Flight information services – broadcast
FL: Flight Level
FLIR: Forward-looking infra-red
FLTA: Forward-looking terrain avoidance
FMA: Flight Mode Annunciator
FMGS: Flight Management & Guidance System
FMS: Flight management system
FOB: Fuel On-Board
FOD: Foreign object damage
FQIS: Fuel Quantity Indication System
FREQ: Frequency
FSS: Flight service station
FWS: Flight warning system
FYDS: Flight director/ Yaw damper system

G

GA: General Aviation
GAST: GBAS Approach Service Type
GBAS: Ground based augmentation system
GCAS: Ground collision avoidance system
GCU: Generator control unit
GDOP: Geometric dilution of precision
GGS: Global positioning system ground station
GHz: Gigahertz
GLNS: GPS Landing and Navigation System
GLNU: GPS landing and navigation unit
GLONASS: Global Navigation Satellite System
GLS: GBAS Landing System
GLU: GPS landing unit
GMT: Greenwich Mean Time
GND: Ground
GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System
GO: Go Around
GPS: Global Positioning System
GPWC: Ground proximity warning computer
GPWS: Ground proximity warning system
G/S: Glide Slope
GS: Ground speed

H

"Hg: Symbol for unit of pressure, Inch of Mercury
HDG: Heading
HDG SEL: Heading select
HDOP: Horizontal dilution of precision
HF: High frequency
HHLD: Heading hold
HIRF: High intensity radiated field
HMD: Helmet-mounted display
HPR: High Pressure Rotor
HSD: High-speed data
HSI: Horizontal situation indicator
HSL: Heading select
HUMS: Health and usage monitoring systems
HUD: Head-up display
Hz: Symbol for unit of frequency, Hertz

I

IAF: Initial Approach Fix (Instrumental Approach)
IAP: Instrument approach procedure
IAS: Indicated airspeed
IAS: Intermediate Approach Segment (Instrumental Approach)
ID: Identify/Identification or identifier
IDENT: Identify/identifier
IDS: Information display system or integrated display system
IF: Intermediate Fix (Instrumental approach)
IFE: In-flight entertainment
IFF: Identification Friend or Foe
IFICS: Integrated Flight Instrument and Control System^[2]
IFR: Instrument Flight Rules
ILS: Instrument landing system
IMC: Instrument meteorological conditions
IND: Indicator
InHg: Inch of Mercury
INS: Inertial Navigation System
IRS: Inertial Reference System
IRU: Inertial reference unit
ISA: International Standard Atmosphere
ISP: Integrated switching panel
ISIS: Integrated standby instrument system
ITT: Interstage turbine temperature
IVSI: Instantaneous vertical speed indicator

J

JTIDS: Joint Tactical Information Distribution System

K

KIAS: Knots Indicated airspeed
KTAS: Knots true airspeed

L

LAAS: Local Area Augmentation System
LADGPS: Local Area Differential GPS
LCD: Liquid crystal display
LDGPS: Local area differential global positioning satellite
LED: Light-emitting diode
LMM: Locator middle marker
LOC: Localizer
LOM: Locator outer marker
LOPA: Location of Passenger Accommodations
LORAN: Long-range navigation
LPR: Low Pressure Rotor
LPV: Localizer performance with vertical guidance
LRU: Line-replaceable unit
LTE: Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness Helicopters
LVP: Low visibility procedures, a designated state of operations at aerodromes where instrument approaches and low visibility takeoff procedures are using during inclement weather
LX: Lightning

M

MAP: Manifold absolute pressure or missed approach point
MAPS: Minimum Aviation Performance Standards
MAHF: Missed Approach Holding Fix (used in RNAV)
MAPt: Missed Approach Point (Instrument approach)
MAP: Missed Approach Procedure
MB: Marker beacon
MCBF: Mean cycles between failures
MCDU: Multi-purpose/Multi-function Control and Display Unit
MDA: Minimum Descent Altitude (non-precision approach)
MDH: Minimum Descent Height (non-precision approach)
MEA: Minimum en-route altitude
MEL: Minimum equipment list
METAR: Meteorological Aerodrome Report
MCP: Mode control panel
MF: Medium frequency
MFD: Multi-function display
MFDS: Multi-function display system
MIC: Microphone
MIDS: Multifunctional information distribution system
MILSPEC: Military specification
MKP: Multi-function Keypad
MKR: Marker beacon
MLS: Microwave landing system
MM: Middle marker
MMD: Moving map display
MNPS: Minimum navigation performance specifications
MOA: Military operations area
Mode A: Transponder pulse-code reporting
Mode C: Transponder code and altitude reporting
Mode S: Transponder code, altitude, and TCAS reporting
MOPS: Minimum Operational Performance Standard
MORA: Minimum Off Route Altitude
MOSArt: Modular Open System Architecture
MPU: Multifunction Processor Unit
MSA: Minimum safe altitude
MSD: Minimum Stabilization Distance
MSG: Message
MSP: Modes S-Specific Protocol
MSSS: Mode S-Specific Services
MTBF: Mean time between failures
MTBUR: Mean time between unscheduled removals
MTTF: Mean time to failure
MVA: Minimum vectoring altitude
MVFR: Marginal visual flight rules
MZFW: Maximum Zero Fuel Weight

N

N1: Low Pressure rotor (spool) speed (see Jet engine)
N2: High Pressure rotor (spool) speed (see Jet engine)
NAS: National Airspace System
NAV: Navigation receiver (normally VHF navigation receiver for VOR system.)
Navaid: Navigational aid
NAVCOMM, NAV/COM or NAV-COM: Combination navigation and communications equipment (normally VHF navigation receiver integrated with VHF communications transceiver).
NAVSTAR-GPS: NAVigation Satellite Timing And Ranging (The formal name for the space-borne or satellite navigation system)
NCAT: National Center for Aviation Training
NCATT: National Center for Aircraft Technician Training
ND: Navigation display
NDB: Non-directional radio beacon
NFF: No fault found
NGS: Nitrogen Generation System, found in aircraft to reduce fire risk in fuel tanks.
NHA: Next Higher Assembly.
NM or NMI: Nautical mile
NORDO: No radio
NoTAM: Notice to Airmen
NOZ: Normal Operating Zone (Parallel runways operation)
NPA: Non-precision approach (Instrumental approach)
NVD: Night vision device
NVG: Night vision goggles
NTSB: National Transportation Safety Board
NTZ: No-Transgression Zone (Parallel runways operation)

O

OAS: Obstacle Assessment Surface
OAT: Outside air temperature
OBI: Omnibearing indicator (see CDI)
OBS: Omnibearing selector
OCC: Operations control center
OCH: Obstacle Clearance Height
OFZ: Obstacle Free Zone
OIS: Obstacle Identification Surface (Instrumental procedures)
OIS: Operational Information System
OM: Outer marker
OWE/OEW: Operating Weight Empty/Operating empty weight

P

PA: Public address system
PAEW: Personnel and equipment working
PAL: Pilot Activated Lighting
PAPI: Precision approach path indicator
PAR: Precision approach radar
PCL: Pilot Controlled Lighting
P-Code: GPS precision code
PD: Profile descent
PDC: Pre-Departure Clearance
PDOP: Position dilution of precision
PESA: Passive electronically scanned array
PFD: Primary flight display or primary flight director
PMG: Permanent magnet generator
PND: Primary navigation display
PNR: Passive noise reduction
POF: Phase of flight
POH: Pilot's Operating Handbook
POS: Position
P-RNAV: precision area navigation
PRA: Pre-recorded announcement
PSR: Primary surveillance radar
PSU: Passenger service unit
PTT: Push-to-talk

Q

QAR: Quick Access Recorder
QNH: Barometric pressure adjusted to sea level
QRH: Quick Reference Handbook

R

RA: Resolution advisory (TCAS)
RAAS: Runway Awareness and Advisory System
Rad Alt: Radio Altitude
Radar: RAdio Detection And Ranging
RAI: Radio altimeter indicator
RAIM: Receiver-autonomous integrity monitoring, also remote autonomous integrity monitoring
RALT: Radar or radio altimeter
RAT: Ram air turbine
RCR: Reverse current relay
RCVR: Receiver
RDH: Reference Datum Height
RDMI: Radio distance magnetic indicator
RDP: Radar data processing system
RDR: Radar
REF: Reference
REIL: Runway end identifier lights
REL: Relative
RF: Radio frequency
RFI: Radio frequency interference
RHSM: Reduced horizontal separation minimal
RLG: Ring laser gyroscope
RLY: Relay
RMI: Radio magnetic indicator
RNAV: Area navigation
RNG: Range
RNP: Required Navigation Performance
ROC: Rate Of Climb
ROD: Rate Of Descent
RPA: Remotely Piloted Aircraft (Unmanned aerial vehicle)
RPAS: Remotely Piloted Aircraft System
RPM: Revolutions per minute
RSP: Reversion switch panel
RTE: Route
RTO: Rejected takeoff
RVR: Runway visual range
RVSM: Reduced vertical separation minimum
RX: Receiver

S

SAR: Search and Rescue, Smart ACMS Recorder
SAT: Static air temperature
SATCOM: Satellite communication
SATNAV: Satellite navigation
SD: Secure digital
SDF: Simplified directional facility
SDU: Satellite data unit
SELCAL: Selective calling
SID: Standard Instrument Departure
SIU: Satellite interface unit
SMS: Short Messaging Service
SNR: Signal-to-noise ratio
SPKR: Speaker
SQ or SQL: Squelch
SRS: Speed Reference System
SSCV/DR: Solid-state cockpit voice/data recorder
SSCVR: Solid-state cockpit voice recorder
SSFDR: Solid-state flight data recorder
SSR: Secondary surveillance radar
STAR: Standard Terminal Arrival Route
STARS: Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System
STC: Supplemental Type Certificate
STCA: Short-Term Conflict Alert
STP: Standard temperature and pressure
SUA: Special use airspace

T

TA: Traffic advisory (see TCAS)
TAA: Terminal Arrival Altitude
TACAN: Tactical air navigation system
Tach: Tachometer
TAD: Terrain awareness display
TAF: Terminal area forecast
TAS: True airspeed
TAT: True air temperature, or total air temperature
TAWS: Terrain awareness and warning system
TBO: Time before overhaul, or time between overhaul
TCA: Throttle control assembly, or terminal control area
TCAS: Traffic collision avoidance system
TCF: Terrain clearance floor
TCN: TACAN
TCU: TACAN control unit
TDOP: Time dilution of precision
TDR: Transponder (in some cases)
TERPS: Terminal instrument procedures, or terminal en route procedures
TFR: Temporary flight restrictions
TFT: Thin-film transistor
TGT: Turbine gas temperature, or target
THR: Threshold
THDG: True heading
TIS: Traffic information service
TIT: Turbine inlet temperature
TK: Track angle
TKE: Track-angle error
TLA: Thrust lever angle
TLA: Three-letter acronym
TOC: Top of climb
TOD: Top of descent point
TOGA or TO/GA: Takeoff/go-around switch, takeoff/go-around thrust
TOT: Turbine outlet temperature
TR or T/R: Transmitter receiver or transceiver
T/R: Thrust reverser or tail rotor
TRACON: Terminal radar approach control
TRANS: Transmit, transmission, or transition
TRK: Track
TRP: Mode S transponder
TTL: Tuned to Localizer
TTR: TCAS II transmitter/receiver
TTS: Time to station
TVE: Total vertical error
TWDL: Two-way data link, or terminal weather data link
TWDR: Terminal Doppler Weather Radar
TWIP: Terminal weather information for pilots
TWR: Terminal weather radar
Twr: Tower (aerodrome control)
TX: Transmit

U

UAC: Upper area control
UART: Universal asynchronous receiver transmitter
UAV: Unmanned aerial vehicle
UHF: Ultra-high frequency
ULB: Underwater locator beacon
USB: Universal Serial Bus
UTC: Universal Time Coordinate

V

V: Volts or voltage
V/L: VOR/Localizer
V/NAV: Vertical navigation
V/R: Voltage regulator
V/REF: Reference velocity
V/S: Vertical speed
V/TRK: Vertical track
VASI: Visual approach slope indicator
VASIS: Visual approach slope indicator (system)
VDF: VHF direction-finding
VDL: VHF Data Link
VDR: VHF digital radio
VFO: Variable frequency oscillator
VFR: Visual flight rules
VG/DG: Vertical gyroscope/directional gyroscope
VGA: Video Graphics Array
VHF: Very high frequency
VMC: Visual meteorological conditions or minimum control speed with critical engine out
VNE: Never exceed speed
VNO: Maximum structural cruising speed
VNR: VHF navigation receiver
VOR: VHF omnidirectional range and ranging
VOR/DME: VOR with Distance measuring equipment
VOR/MB: VOR marker beacon
VORTAC: VOR and TACAN combination
VOX: Voice transmission
VPA: Vertical Path Approach
VPATH: Vertical path
VRP: Visual point of reference
VSI: Vertical speed indicator
VSM: Vertical separation limit
VSO: Stall speed in landing configuration
VSWR: Voltage–standing wave ratio
VX: Speed for best angle of climb
VY: Speed for best rate of climb

W

WAAS: Wide Area Augmentation System
WD: Wind direction
WINDR: Wind direction
WMA: WXR waveguide adapter
WMI: WXR indicator mount
WMS: Wide-area master station
WMSC: Weather message switching center
WMSCR: Weather message switching center replacement
WPT: Waypoint
WRT: WXR receiver transmitter
WS: Wind shear
WX: Weather
WXR: Weather radar system
WYPT: Waypoint

X

XCVR: Transceiver
XFR: Transfer
XMIT: Transmit
XMSN: Transmission
XMTR: Transmitter
XPDR: Transponder
XTK: Crosstrack
X-Start: Cross-start. Use the air pressure or electrical power from a working engine.

Y

YD: Yaw damper
Y : YAW

Z

ZFW: Zero Fuel Weight

References

↑ "CNS/ATM Systems". https://www.icao.int/Meetings/AMC/MA/1998/rio/EXECSUM.pdf.
↑ British Aircraft Corporation now British Aerospace

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[1] "CNS/ATM Systems". https://www.icao.int/Meetings/AMC/MA/1998/rio/EXECSUM.pdf.

[2] British Aircraft Corporation now British Aerospace

[1]

[2]

Acronyms and abbreviations in avionics

Topic: Engineering

Contents

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

See also

References