All Words Glossary

Glossary of Aerodynamics Terms
beginning with letter A
Browse the Aerodynamics Glossary
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 

aeromechanics Tweet Definition of aeromechanics Like Definition of aeromechanics on Facebook
noun 
  1. (physics) The branch of mechanics that deals with the motion of gases; it comprises aerostatics and aerodynamics
     
aeronautical Tweet Definition of aeronautical Like Definition of aeronautical on Facebook
adjective 
  1. Of or pertaining to the scientific study of flight
     
aeronautics Tweet Definition of aeronautics Like Definition of aeronautics on Facebook
noun 
  1. The design, construction, mathematics and mechanics of aircraft and other flying objects
  2. The theory and practice of aircraft navigation
     
aerostat Tweet Definition of aerostat Like Definition of aerostat on Facebook
noun 
  1. An aircraft, such as a dirigible or balloon, that derives its lift from buoyancy rather than from wings or rotors.
  2. A moored balloon flown in a semi-permanent manner, as a border patrol monitoring balloon affixed at 18,000 feet (~6km).
     
aerostatics Tweet Definition of aerostatics Like Definition of aerostatics on Facebook
noun 
  1. (physics) the study of gases in equilibrium and of balloons or aircraft in varying atmospheric conditions
     
AFC Tweet Definition of AFC Like Definition of AFC on Facebook
initialism 
  1. Automatic Frequency Control. (radio technics)
  2. Adult Foster Care
  3. American Football Conference
  4. Additional Finance Charges
     
after Tweet Definition of after Like Definition of after on Facebook
adjective 
  1. (nautical; where the frame of reference is within the ship.) At or towards the stern of a ship
    • Note: The adverb is aft, thus; "The gun is mounted aft"
    • The related preposition in this nautical usage is abaft.
      "The gun is abaft the forward gun".
adverb 
  1. Behind; later in time; following.
They lived happily ever .
I left the room, and the dog bounded .
     
afterburner Tweet Definition of afterburner Like Definition of afterburner on Facebook
noun 
  1. A device in the engine of an aircraft which injects fuel into the exhaust system to increase the thrust.
     
aileron Tweet Definition of aileron Like Definition of aileron on Facebook
noun 
  1. hinged part on trailing edge of an airplane wing. Used to control lateral turns.
     
air brake Tweet Definition of air brake Like Definition of air brake on Facebook
noun 
  1. (alternative spelling of, airbrake)
     
air corridor Tweet Definition of air corridor Like Definition of air corridor on Facebook
noun 
  1. A predefined route, or series of routes, in which a commercial or military aircraft must fly.
     
aircraft Tweet Definition of aircraft Like Definition of aircraft on Facebook
noun (pl=aircraft)
  1. A vehicle capable of atmospheric flight due to interaction with the air, such as buoyancy or lift.
  2. (plural of, aircraft)
     
airfoil Tweet Definition of airfoil Like Definition of airfoil on Facebook
noun (plural: airfoils)
  1. A structure shaped to produce lift when moving in air.
  2. A wing of an aircraft.
     
airframe Tweet Definition of airframe Like Definition of airframe on Facebook
noun 
  1. the main body and structure of an aircraft (without powerplant)
This airframe has 2600 flight hours on it, the powerplant has just over 800.
     
air hole Tweet Definition of air hole Like Definition of air hole on Facebook
noun 
  1. a hole in any surface that allows air or other gases to pass, especially an opening in the surface of a frozen lake etc
  2. an air pocket
  3. the blowhole of a whale
     
airplane Tweet Definition of airplane Like Definition of airplane on Facebook
noun 
  1. A powered aircraft with fixed wings used for transportation of humans and goods; for amusement or entertainment; and in warfare. An aeroplane.
     
airship Tweet Definition of airship Like Definition of airship on Facebook
noun 
  1. A lighter-than-air aircraft that can be propelled forward through the air as well as steered.
Airships are posited to be cheaper to operate over time than fixed-wing aircraft, but as there are no large fleets, this is hard to prove in practice.
  1. (informal) Any aircraft.
On weekends, I liked to spend my time at the airport watching the various airships take off and land.
     
airspeed Tweet Definition of airspeed Like Definition of airspeed on Facebook
noun 
  1. (aviation) The speed of an aircraft relative to the air through which it is flying.
     
airspeed indicator Tweet Definition of airspeed indicator Like Definition of airspeed indicator on Facebook
noun 
  1. (aviation) An instrument that displays an aircraft's current airspeed.
     
airstrip Tweet Definition of airstrip Like Definition of airstrip on Facebook
noun 
  1. An aircraft landing field, usually with only one runway and basic facilities.
The outfitter deposited us at a small out in the bush, promising to pick us up again in a week's time.
     
altimeter Tweet Definition of altimeter Like Definition of altimeter on Facebook
noun 
  1. an apparatus for measuring altitude
     
altitude Tweet Definition of altitude Like Definition of altitude on Facebook
noun 
  1. the height measured from sea level up to any given point
  2. a distance measured upwards
  3. the distance measured perpendicularly from a figure's vertex to the opposite side of the vertex
  4. the distance measured angularly of a heavenly body above our Earth's horizon
     
angle of attack Tweet Definition of angle of attack Like Definition of angle of attack on Facebook
noun (abbreviated as AOA)
  1. (context, aeronautics) The angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the airflow over it; one of the determiners of the amount of lift produced by an airfoil.
  2. (context, nautical) The angle between a mid-sail and the direction of the wind.
     
angle of incidence Tweet Definition of angle of incidence Like Definition of angle of incidence on Facebook
noun 
  1. (optics) (physics) The angle that a straight line, ray of light, etc., meeting a surface, makes with a normal to the surface at the point of meeting.
  2. (context, airplane) The angle, usually fixed, between the chord line of a wing or horizontal stabilizer and the axis of the fuselage, measured at the root. In UK called the angle of attack.
     
artificial horizon Tweet Definition of artificial horizon Like Definition of artificial horizon on Facebook
noun 
  1. (aviation) An instrument that displays the pitch and roll of an aircraft in flight by comparing its attitude to a gyroscopically-maintained indication of the flat horizon line.
     
aspect ratio Tweet Definition of aspect ratio Like Definition of aspect ratio on Facebook
noun 
  1. The ratio of an object's longest dimension to its next-longest dimension.
  2. The ratio of width to height in a flat surface or 2-dimensional abstract construction, such as an image, character, or pixel. 4:3 (or 1.33:1) is the standard ratio for NTSC video. 1.85:1 and 2.35:1 are the most common aspect ratios for motion pictures.
     
athodyd Tweet Definition of athodyd Like Definition of athodyd on Facebook
noun 
  1. A simple jet engine consisting essentially of a tube with a means of delivering fuel and ignition into the tube. The engine can only be started in a fast airflow. This type of engine is expected to be able to provide cruising speeds at Mach numbers of around 5 to 7 (5 to 7 times the speed of sound).
     
attitude Tweet Definition of attitude Like Definition of attitude on Facebook
noun 
  1. The position of the body or way of carrying oneself.
    • The ballet dancer walked with a graceful ,
      1. Disposition or state of mind.
    • but had a lazy to work.
      1. A negative, irritating, or irritated attitude. (From attitude problem.)
    • "Don't give me your attitude."
      1. The orientation of an aircraft or other vehicle relative to the horizon, direction of motion etc.
    • The airliner had to land with a nose-up after the incident.
     
autogiro Tweet Definition of autogiro Like Definition of autogiro on Facebook
noun 
  1. an aircraft in which lift is provided by unpowered rotating wings and thrust is provided by a conventional propeller
     
automatic Tweet Definition of automatic Like Definition of automatic on Facebook
noun 
  1. A car with automatic transmission.
I never learned to drive a stick. I can only drive an automatic.
  1. A semi-automatic pistol is often referred to as an automatic, although this is not strictly correct.
adjective 
  1. Capable of operating without external control or intervention.
The automatic clothes washer was a great labor-saving device
  1. Acting out of habit; without conscious thought.
My reaction of fear was automatic.
  1. Describes a firearm which fires continuously as long as the trigger is pressed and ammunition is not exhausted. Used regarding machine pistols, submachine guns, or machine guns.
     
autopilot Tweet Definition of autopilot Like Definition of autopilot on Facebook
noun 
  1. a mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system used to guide a vehicle without assistance from a human being.
I set the autopilot to due south, so I could get some rest.
  1. A state of mind where one no longer thinks about doing his actions, he just does them seemingly as a second nature
I've been doing this 12 hours non-stop, and am so hungry and tired that I've stopped thinking, I'm now on autopilot.
     
aviate Tweet Definition of aviate Like Definition of aviate on Facebook
verb (aviat, ing)
  1. To operate an aircraft.
     
aviation Tweet Definition of aviation Like Definition of aviation on Facebook
noun 
  1. The art or science of flying.
from aves (Latin) meaning birds      
avionics Tweet Definition of avionics Like Definition of avionics on Facebook
noun 
  1. The science and technology of the development and use of electrical and electronic devices in aviation.
  2. The devices used in avionics.
     

Browse the Dictionary
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

 Find:
  Words Starting With:
  Words Ending With:
  Words Containing:
  Words That Match:

 
 Translate Into:
  
Dutch   French   German
  
Italian   Spanish
    Show results per page.

   
Allwords Copyright 1998-2024 All rights reserved.