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CTAF
See COMMON TRAFFIC ADVISORY
FREQUENCY.
DATUM
An imaginary vertical plane or line from
which all measurements of moment arm are taken.
The datum is established by the manufacturer.
DECIDE MODEL
Model developed to help pilots
remember the six-step decision-making process:
Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate.
DECK ANGLE
The angle of the cart’s lower
frame (from the front wheel to the rear wheels), to
the landing surface.
DENSITY ALTITUDE
Pressure altitude corrected
for variations from standard temperature. When
conditions are standard, pressure altitude and
density altitude are the same. If the temperature is
above standard, the density altitude is higher than
pressure altitude. If the temperature is below standard,
the density altitude is lower than pressure
altitude. This is an important altitude because it is
directly related to the PPC’s performance.
DEPARTURE LEG
The leg of the rectangular
traffic pattern that is a straight course aligned with,
and leading from, the takeoff runway.
DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINER (DPE)
An
individual designated by the FAA to administer
practical tests to pilot applicants.
DIRECTIONAL STABILITY
Stability about the
vertical axis of an aircraft, whereby an aircraft
tends to return, on its own, to flight aligned with
the relative wind when disturbed from that equilibrium
state. The pendulum design is the primary
contributor to directional stability, causing a PPC
in flight to align with the relative wind.
DOWNWIND LEG
LEG—Leg of the traffic pattern flown
parallel to the landing runway, but in a direction
opposite to the intended landing direction.
DPE
See DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINER.
DRAG
An aerodynamic force on a body acting
parallel and opposite to the relative wind. The
resistance of the atmosphere to the relative motion
of an aircraft. Drag opposes thrust and limits the
speed of the aircraft.
DRAG COEFFICIENT (Cd)
A dimensionless
number used to define the amount of total drag
produced by an aircraft.
DRIFT CORRECTION
Correction that is applied
to counter the affects of wind on an aircraft’s flight
and ground track.
DUAL FLIGHT
Flight time that is received and
logged as training time. Dual flight time must be
endorsed by a Certificated Flight Instructor.
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DYNAMIC PRESSURE (q)
The pressure a moving
fluid would have if it were stopped. Reference
14 CFR 61.51(h).
EIS
See ENGINE INFORMATION SYSTEM.
E-LSA (EXPERIMENTAL LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT)
An aircraft issued an experimental
certificate under Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 21.
EMERGENCY FREQUENCY
Frequency that
is used by aircraft in distress to gain ATC assistance.
121.5 MHz is an international emergency
frequency guarded by Flight Service Stations and
some military and civil aircraft. Reference AIM
paragraph 6-3-1.
ERROR CHAIN
A series of mistakes that may
lead to an accident or incident. Two basic principles
generally associated with the creation of an
error chain are: (1) one bad decision often leads to
another; and (2) as a string of bad decisions grows,
it reduces the number of subsequent alternatives
for continued safe flight. Aeronautical decision
making is intended to break the error chain before
it can cause an accident or incident.
FAA
See FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.
FAA INSPECTOR
FAA personnel who can
administer practical and proficiency tests and can
issue pilot certificates.
FAA KNOWLEDGE EXAM
Written exam administered
by the FAA as a prerequisite for pilot
certification. Passing the knowledge and practical
exams are required for pilot applicants to be issued
FAA certificates or ratings.
FAR
See FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS.
FDC NOTICE TO AIRMAN (NOTAM)
Notice to
Airman that is regulatory in nature.
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
(FAA)
The federal agency responsible to promote
aviation safety through regulation and education.
FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS (FARs)
The division within the Department of Transportation
of the United States government that has the
responsibility of promoting safety in the air, by
both regulation and education.
FIELD ELEVATION
The highest point of an
airport’s usable runways measured in feet from
mean sea level.
FINAL
Leg of the traffic pattern that is a descending
flightpath starting from the completion of the
base-to-final turn and extending to the point of
touchdown.
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