Aviation Terms Glossary

As an aeronautics school, we think it is important that our students leave our facility feeling knowledgeable and ready to launch their career in aircraft dispatching. Although not everyone will become our students, we still like to share our knowledge of the aviation world. So, whether you are serious about getting your aircraft dispatcher license or you are simple curious about aviation in general, we have some aeronautical terms that you should be aware of.

cockpit of plane from behind seats

Common Aviation Terms

Lift– Lift is the force that is responsible for an aircraft’s ability to fly. This force is in opposition to the plane’s weight and is created mostly from the wings.

Crosswind– This wind blows in a direction that is not parallel to the plane’s course.

Yoke– The yoke is simply the control wheel of a fixed-wing aircraft. Pilots use the yoke to control the plane’s altitude.

Drag– Drag is the force acting on an aircraft when it is flying that run in the opposite direction of the aircraft’s path but is still parallel. The aerodynamic design of an aircraft is meant to reduce drag.

Thrust– Thrust is created by the aircraft’s engine, and it is what allows an aircraft to fly through the air. The thrust is used to overcome drag.

Available Seat Miles (ASMs) / Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) – This aeronautical term refers to a measure of the available passenger capacity of a flight. You can calculate this number by multiplying the seats available on the plane for non-crew members by the miles or kilometers flown.

Belly- The belly is the underpart of an airplane that is responsible for holding the cargo like your checked suitcase.

Sinking Speed– This aviation term is the rate at which an aircraft is descending or losing altitude. The rate is measure as feet per second.

Commuter Aircraft– A commuter aircraft is a plane that has been approved to carry passengers on five or more trips a week.

Pitch & Pitch Axis– One of three axes, the pitch axis is an aviation word that refers to the lateral axis from wing to wing, and the pitch is a measure of how high the nose of the plane is pointing up or down.

Roll & Roll Axis– Another axis of the aircraft, the roll refers to the motion of the plane in comparison to the roll axis or the imaginary line from the nose to the tail.

Yaw & Yaw Axis– The final axis of the plane, the yaw refers to the side-to-side motion of the plane in relation to the vertical yaw axis.

Fuselage– This aviation word is one of the main components of an aircraft. It refers to the body of the aircraft that includes the area that holds the crew, passengers, and cargo.

Controlled Airspace– You have probably heard this aviation word before. It is concerning a determined area of the air that the ATC controls. There are different classes of controlled airspace.

If you find this list interesting, you may want to look into aircraft dispatcher schools to get your flight dispatcher license. At Sheffield School of Aeronautics, we are always excited to take on new students.

  • Contact Us

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Testimonials

    “After receiving my certificate, I joined a class of 4 experienced dispatchers for Part 121 initial training. Without experience, my preparation at Sheffield enabled me to become active at the same time after the initial training.” PR PR
    “As a graduate of the aircraft dispatcher program at the Sheffield School of Aeronautics…My training was intense and thorough and furnished me with the requisite skills for performing my current job as a Flight Dispatch Supervisor.” N.S. Sidebar NS
    “I am so glad they are like this because it made me a better dispatcher and I really appreciate their high standards. I would highly recommend Sheffield to anyone who is willing to study hard and is serious about obtaining a Dispatcher Certificate.” MC MC
    “This was an amazing class! Always interesting! It was like drinking from a fire hose, but I have never enjoyed a course more than this one. Thank you for a great 5 weeks & EWINS!” R.S. R.S. Testimonial – 5-weeks & EWINS
    “Going to Sheffield prepared me for the real world challenges of Aircraft Dispatching. I certainly believe that the method Sheffield used is one not only for success in a real world career, but also one that prepares students to correctly dispatch aircraft.” T.Z. Sidebar TZ
    “These men represented the highest caliber of professionalism and integrity. The education I received from these gentleman has afforded me to be gainfully employed while having the opportunity to use the education received, all over this country, and more than a few others.” WG sidebar wg
    “I am a graduate of the Sheffield’s Dispatcher Program. I have been a Captain-Part 121 Airline, Certified Flight/Grnd Instructor, and FAA Designated Check Airman and Sim Instructor (Part 121). From my experience I would rate Sheffield School as outstanding in their field.” PT PT
    “Your school has offered me an incredible advantage in the Dispatcher job market.” D.K. D. Kircher
    “This school came highly recommended by multiple past students and EVEN OTHERS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS. Reputation is fantastic from multiple companies that I have worked for.” A. – September 2020
    “Their reputation of excellence amongst the industry is second to none. Sheffield School of Aeronautics should be seen as the standard of how it can be done and how it should be done. I was hired at a major airline with no dispatch experience.” A.Z. Sidebar AZ
    “While touring my company’s dispatch department before I had my license our OCC manager pointed out that 7 of the 10 dispatchers on shift had come from Sheffield. The overall consensus was that Sheffield grads were able to hit the ground running as they were better prepared.” K.O. Sidebar K.O.
    “If you want to be the best, first you need to be trained by the best!” P. Hill P.Hill – DHL
    “I am a month into my new job at a airline coming out of reorganization, and am helping the training department by referencing the excellent and up to date course book provided to all Sheffield grads.” RW RW
    Good afternoon Eric, I wanted to reach out to let you know that training at (airline) is in full swing and I couldn’t be happier that I chose Sheffield. My classmates, while very smart, definitely had subpar training and that has been very evident. I have waited to write a full scale review of the […] Attending Sheffield School benefits airline new hires in preparation for airline training
    “As a graduate of Sheffield School of Aeronautics I am a firm believer that I received the most thorough and well thought out aircraft dispatcher training available. I owe my position in the industry to Sheffield School of Aeronautics.” BF Sidebar BF
  • See More Testimonials »

  • Online Catalog

    Sheffield Flight Dispatch Training Catalog

  • View Our Online Catalog »

  • Connect