Abbreviations and Acronyms
The abbreviations and acronyms listed below may be used throughout Transport Canada’s flight crew written examinations.
| AAE | above aerodrome elevation |
| ACA | Arctic Control Area |
| ACAS | airborne collision avoidance system |
| ACC | area control centre |
| AD | airworthiness directive |
| ADF | automatic direction finder, or automatic direction-finding equipment |
| ADIZ | air defence identification zone |
| AGL | above ground level |
| A.I.P. | aeronautical information publication |
| AIRMET | short-term meteorological information |
| AME | aircraft maintenance engineer |
| APU | auxiliary power unit |
| ARCAL | aircraft radio control of aerodrome lighting |
| ASDA | accelerate stop distance available |
| ASI | airspeed indicator |
| ASL | above sea level |
| ASR | airport surveillance radar |
| ATC | air traffic control |
| ATF | aerodrome traffic frequency |
| ATIS | automatic terminal information service |
| ATPL | airline transport pilot licence |
| ATS | air traffic services |
| AWOS | automated weather observation systems |
| BC | back course |
| BFL | balanced field length |
| C | Celsius |
| CAP | Canada Air Pilot |
| CARS | community aerodrome radio station |
| CARs | Canadian Aviation Regulations |
| CAS | calibrated airspeed |
| CAT | clear air turbulence |
| CDI | course deviation indicator |
| CFI | chief flying instructor |
| CFS | Canada Flight Supplement |
| C of A | certificate of airworthiness |
| C of G | centre of gravity |
| C of P | centre of pressure |
| C of R | certificate of registration |
| CMNPS | Canadian minimum navigation performance specifications |
| CMNPSA | Canadian minimum navigation performance specifications airspace |
| CP | critical point |
| CPL | commercial pilot licence |
| CRFI | Canadian Runway Friction Index |
| cu. ft. | cubic feet |
| CVFR | controlled VFR flight |
| CVR | cockpit voice recorder |
| CZ | control zone |
| DF | direction finder |
| DH | decision height |
| DME | distance measuring equipment |
| DOT | Department of Transport |
| DR | dead reckoning |
| DVFR | defence visual flight rules |
| EAT | expected approach time |
| EFC | expected further clearance time |
| EGT | exhaust gas temperature |
| ELT | emergency locator transmitter |
| EPR | engine pressure ratio |
| ESCAT | emergency security control of air traffic |
| ETA | estimated time of arrival |
| ETD | estimated time of departure |
| ETOPS | extended range twin-engine operations |
| EWH | eye-to-wheel height |
| FAA | Federal Aviation Administration (U.S.) |
| FD | upper level wind and temperature forecasts |
| FDR | flight data recorder |
| FIG | Flight Instructor Guide |
| FIR | flight information region |
| FL | flight level |
| FMS | flight management system |
| FPD | freezing point depressant |
| fpm | feet per minute |
| FSS | flight service station |
| ft. | feet |
| g | accelerating force of gravity (32 ft./sec/sec) |
| gal. | gallon(s) |
| GASA | geographic area safe altitude |
| GFA | graphic area forecast |
| GNSS | global navigation satellite system |
| GP | glide path |
| gph | gallons per hour |
| GPS | global positioning system |
| G/S | ground speed |
| HAA | height above aerodrome |
| HAT | height above touchdown |
| HE | Enroute High Altitude chart |
| HF | high frequency |
| HF AM/SSB | high frequency amplitude modulation/ single side band |
| hp | horsepower |
| hPa | hectopascal |
| h | hour |
| HSI | horizontal situation indicator |
| IAF | initial approach fix |
| IAS | indicated airspeed |
| ICAO | International Civil Aviation Organization |
| IFR | instrument flight rules |
| ILS | instrument landing system |
| IMC | instrument meteorological conditions |
| imp. | imperial |
| in. | inch(es) |
| in. lb. | inch pound |
| in. Hg | inches of mercury |
| INS | inertial navigation system |
| ISA | International Standard Atmosphere |
| ISO | International Organization for Standardization |
| kg | kilogram(s) |
| kHz | kilohertz |
| km | kilometer(s) |
| kt. | knot(s) |
| LAHSO | land and hold short operations |
| lb. | pound(s) |
| L/D ratio | lift/drag ratio |
| LDA | landing distance available |
| LEMAC | leading edge of mean aerodynamic chord |
| LF/MF | low frequency/medium frequency |
| LO | Enroute Low Altitude chart |
| M | magnetic |
| MAC | mean aerodynamic chord |
| MAP | missed approach point |
| mb | millibar(s) |
| MC | medical certificate (formerly LVC) |
| MDA | minimum descent altitude |
| MEA | minimum en route altitude |
| MEL | minimum equipment list |
| METAR | aviation routine weather report |
| MF | mandatory frequency |
| MHz | megahertz |
| MNPS | minimum navigation performance specifications |
| MNPSA | minimum navigation performance specifications airspace |
| MOCA | minimum obstruction clearance altitude |
| MP | manifold pressure |
| MPH | mile(s) per hour |
| MRA | minimum reception altitude |
| MSL | mean sea level |
| MVFR | marginal visual flight rules |
| N1/Ng | gas generator turbine RPM |
| N2/Np | power turbine RPM |
| NAVAID | navigation aid |
| NDB | non-directional beacon |
| NM | nautical mile(s) |
| NOTAM | notice containing aeronautical information |
| NORDO | no radio |
| OAT | outside air temperature |
| OBS | omnibearing selector |
| PAPI | precision approach path indicator |
| PAR | precision approach radar |
| PIC | pilot-in-command |
| PIREP | pilot weather report(s) |
| PNR | point of no return |
| pph | pounds per hour |
| PPL | private pilot licence |
| psi | pounds per square inch |
| PSR | primary surveillance radar |
| radar | radio detecting and ranging |
| RAIM | receiver autonomous integrity monitoring |
| RAMO | regional aviation medical officer |
| RCC | rescue coordination centre |
| RCO | remote communications outlet |
| RMI | radio magnetic indicator |
| RNAV | area navigation |
| rpm | revolutions per minute |
| RPP | recreation pilot permit |
| rrpm | rotor revolutions per minute |
| RVR | runway visual range |
| rwy | runway |
| SAE | Society of Automotive Engineers |
| SAR | specific air range |
| SELCAL | selective calling system |
| SGR | specific ground range |
| SID | standard instrument departure |
| SIGMET | significant meteorological information |
| SM | statute mile(s) |
| SSR | secondary surveillance radar |
| STAR | standard terminal arrival |
| STOL | short take-off and landing aircraft |
| SVFR | special VFR flight |
| T | true |
| TACAN | tactical air navigation aid |
| TAF | terminal aerodrome forecast |
| TAS | true airspeed |
| TC | Transport Canada |
| TCA | terminal control area |
| TCAS | traffic alert and collision avoidance system |
| TCU | terminal control unit |
| TDZ | touchdown zone |
| TEMAC | trailing edge of mean aerodynamic chord |
| T/O | takeoff |
| TODA | take-off distance available |
| TORA | take-off run available |
| TOT | turbine outlet temperature |
| TSB | Transportation Safety Board of Canada |
| UHF | ultrahigh frequency |
| UNICOM | universal communications |
| U.S. | United States |
| UTC | Co-Ordinated Universal Time |
| VASIS | visual approach slope indicator system |
| VDF | VHF direction-finding service |
| VFR | visual flight rules |
| VHF | very high frequency |
| VLF | very low frequency |
| VMC | visual meteorological conditions |
| VNC | VFR Navigation Chart |
| VOLMET | In-flight meteorological information |
| VOR | VHF omnidirectional range |
| VORTAC | combination of VOR and TACAN |
| VOT | VOR receiver test facility |
| VFR OTT | VFR over-the-top |
| VSI | vertical speed indicator |
| VTA | VFR Terminal Area Chart |
| WAC | World Aeronautical Chart |
| WP | waypoint |
| Z | Co-Ordinated Universal Time (UTC) |