Acronyms and abbreviations in avionics

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

## Contents

* 1 A
* 2 B
* 3 C
* 4 D
* 5 E
* 6 F
* 7 G
* 8 H
* 9 I
* 10 J
* 11 K
* 12 L
* 13 M
* 14 N
* 15 O
* 16 P
* 17 Q
* 18 R
* 19 S
* 20 T
* 21 U
* 22 V
* 23 W
* 24 X
* 25 Y
* 26 Z
* 27 See also
* 28 References

## 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

## See also

* Avionics
* List of aviation, aerospace and aeronautical abbreviations

## References

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

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