- Industry: Aviation
- Number of terms: 16387
- Number of blossaries: 0
- Company Profile:
Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. (ASA) develops and markets aviation supplies, software, and books for pilots, flight instructors, flight engineers, airline professionals, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, aviation technicians and enthusiasts. Established in 1947, ASA also provides ...
An error inherent in an aircraft magnetic compass. The float on which the compass magnets are mounted is unbalanced to compensate for the vertical component of the earth’s magnetic field, and it is this unbalanced condition that causes northerly turning error.
When a turn is made from either an easterly or westerly heading toward the north, the heavy end of the float causes the compass to overshoot the heading, and when turning toward the south, to lag behind the turn. Northerly turning error is also called dip error.
Industry:Aviation
An error inherent in some types of radio direction finding equipment in which the equipment cannot distinguish whether the signal being received is ahead of the aircraft or behind it. Automatic direction finding (ADF) equipment solves this problem by using a sense antenna.
Industry:Aviation
An event that happens by chance or from some unknown cause. An accident is usually thought to be an unfortunate situation or event.
Industry:Aviation
An exhaust duct used on the engine of a supersonic aircraft. The cross-sectional area of the duct decreases in the direction of the gas flow until it is small enough that the gases passing through this area travel at the speed of sound. Beyond this point of minimum area, the duct enlarges so the gases can be further speeded up above the speed of sound.
Industry:Aviation
An exhaust-gas-driven air compressor used to increase the power of a reciprocating engine. A turbocharger uses a small radial-inflow turbine in the exhaust system of the engine to drive a centrifugal-type air compressor mounted on the turbine shaft. Exhaust gases spin the turbine, and the compressor compresses air. This compressed air flows into the cylinders of the engine through the induction system.
A turbocharger uses power from the engine because it increases the exhaust back pressure. But the compressed air it forces into the cylinders produces a greater power increase than the loss of power caused by the turbine. Turbocharger is a shortened name for exhaust-driven turbosupercharger.
Industry:Aviation
An existing object, object of natural growth, or terrain at a fixed
geographical location or which may be expected at a fixed location within a prescribed area, with reference to which vertical clearance is or must be provided during flight operation.
Industry:Aviation
An exploded view of an assembly in which all of the component parts are laid out so each can be identified. Each part is coded with a letter or number, and a table is included with the drawing, giving the name and correct number for each part and the quantity of the parts needed for the assembly.
Industry:Aviation
An explosion or uncontrolled burning inside the cylinder of a reciprocating engine. Detonation occurs when the pressure and temperature inside the cylinder become higher than the critical pressure and temperature of the fuel, and may be caused by using fuel that has a lower octane rating or performance number than is specified for the engine.
The pressure rise inside the cylinder caused by the fast-moving flame front can heat and compress the unburned fuel-air mixture enough for it to explode, or release its energy faster than the engine can accept it. This causes a rapid rise in cylinder pressure, excessive cylinder head temperature, and a decrease in engine power.
Detonation is often confused with preignition but is not the same.
Industry:Aviation
An explosive made by mixing nitroglycerine with a material such as sawdust, flour, or starch, and some type of oxygen-supplying salt.
Industry:Aviation
An expression of hazardous weather conditions not predicted in the area forecast, as they affect the operation of air traffic and as prepared by the National Weather Service.
Industry:Aviation
