ABBRE-AVIATION: Codes, Glossary and Short-forms


Technical Short-forms


ABDR: Aircraft Battle Damage Repair. Quick-fix repairs carried out on aircraft damaged during air operations. Usually temporary in nature, such repairs enable warplanes to be serviceable quickly until when time permits, permanent repairs can be done.

DME: Distance Measuring Equipment.

FOD: Foreign Object Damage. Aircraft damage caused by external articles such as unaccounted servicing tools interfering with aircraft systems. Runway debris ingested by aircraft jet engines, causing internal damage, is another example.

OBOGS: On-board Oxygen Generation System. A device in combat aircraft, for manufacturing oxygen, to support the crew.

PSP: Perforated Steel Plate. Steel plates laid over soft ground to provide a hard stand or tarmac for aircraft parking or taxiing. Such reinforcement is used extensively in airfields with vast tracts of unpaved ground or grassland.

VOR: Very High Frequency Omni-Range. A vital radio navigational aid.



International Organisations


IATA: International Air Transport Association. The international body of affiliation, headquartered in Montreal, for airlines and air-freight companies.

ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organisation. The international body of affiliation, headquartered in Geneva, for civil aviation authorities of national jurisdictions.



National Organisations


CAA: Civil Aviation Authority: Britain's civil aviation authority.

CAAS: Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. Singapore's equivalent of the CAA.

FAA: Federal Aviation Administration. The United States' civil aviation authority.

QANTAS: Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service. Quaint initials which represent Australia's national airline.

NTSB: National Transportation Safety Board. The body responsible for public transport safety in the United States.

RAeS: Royal Aeronautical Society. The British body which protects and further the interests of Aerospace and aeronautical engineers and technologists.

SLAET: Society of Licensed Aircraft Engineers and Technologists. The defunct British society of affiliation for British aircraft maintenance engineers and technologists. Now, it forms part of RAeS.

Appointments

CAF: Chief of Air Force - The head of the air force in the Republic of Singapore and several other Asian countries.

CAS: Chief of Air Staff - Britain's head of the Royal Air Force, a position not unlike CAF described above.

Documentation & Publications

AP: Air Publication - Prefix used by Britain's Royal Air Force to classify and identify official publications. These deal with matters on air operations, aircraft engineering, administration, medical services, physical education and others. Example: AP 3402 (Standard Trade Training Notes: Airframe, Propulsion and Weapons Trades - Trade Practices and Servicing Procedures).

AAP: Australian Air Publication - Similar to RAF's APs, the Royal Australian Air Force uses this prefix for its official publications.

NOTAM: Notice To Airmen - a safety update to inform pilots and other aircrew affected, on matters relating to airways, airspace, airports and navigational aids.

SB: Service Bulletin - a manufacturer's bulletin detailing equipment engineering issues such as modifications, safety situations and technical inspections.

SI: Servicing Instruction - Aircraft and component manufacturers (and certain air forces) issue SIs to end-users to call for periodic safety inspections. Such checks are usually recurring in compliance requirement.

STI: Special Technical Instruction - Similar to SIs in purpose, but STIs are more urgent and has critical safety implications. An STI is usually a one-time check.

TCTO: Time Compliance Technical Order - a United States Air Force technical document for embodying equipment modifications or carrying out safety inspections and repairs.

TO: Technical Order - Like British AP's, the United States Air Force uses this prefix to classify and identify its official publications. See AP above.

IATA - ICAO Codes of Airports and Cities

AKL - NZAA: Auckland - New Zealand

ANC - PANC: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport - Alaska, United States

BKK - VTBD: Don Muang International Airport - Bangkok, Thailand

BOS - KBOS: Logan International Airport - Boston, United States

BNE - YBBN: Brisbane Eagle Farm Airport - Brisbane, Australia

BUE: Buenos Aires, Argentina

DBX: Dubai

DCA - KDCA: Ronald Reagan National Airport - Washington DC, United States

HKG - VHHH: Chek Lap Kok Airport - Hongkong, China

IAD - KIAD: Washington Dulles International Airport - Virginia, United States

JFK - KJFK: John F Kennedy International Airport - New York, United States

KUA - WMKD: Kuantan Airport - Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

KUL- WMKK: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Sepang) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

LAX: Los Angeles, United States

LGW - EGKK: Gatwick Airport - London, England

LHR - EGLL: Heathrow Airport - London, England

LON: London, United Kingdom

MEL - YMML: Tullamarine Airport - Melbourne, Australia

NYC: New York, United States

ORD - KORD: O'Hare International Airport - Chicago, United States

PAR: Paris, France

PEK: Capital Airport - Beijing, China

RIO: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

SEL: Seoul, South Korea

SFO - KSFO: San Francisco International Airport - California, United States

SIN - WSSS : Singapore Changi Airport - Singapore

SYD - YSSY: Sydney Kingsford-Smith International Airport - Sydney, Australia

TLS - LFBO: Toulouse - Blagnac Airport - Toulouse, France

TPE: Taipei, Taiwan

TYO: Tokyo, Japan

YWG - CYWG: Winnipeg International Airport - Manitoba, Canada

YYZ - CYYZ: Toronto - Lester B Pearson International Airport - Ontario, Canada

XSP - WSSL: Singapore Seletar Airport - Singapore

YVR - CYVR: Vancouver International Airport - Richmond, BC, Canada



Airlines' Codes


BA: British Airways

CX: Cathay Pacific Airways

MH: Malaysian Airlines

MI: SilkAir

QF: Qantas Airways

SQ: Singapore Airlines

TG: Thai Airways



Glossary


Aileron: Control surface which turns the aircraft around its longitudinal axis. Together with the rudder, it helps the aeroplane to bank left or right. Ailerons are located at the out-board trailing edge of the port and starboard mainplanes.

Air Brake: Device, normally located on the mainplanes, used for slowing landing speed before the aeroplane stops. Fitted flush with the mainplane's exterior, air brakes protrude when deployed to hinder slip-stream, hence induce drag. They are also known as 'spoilers', an American term.

Airframe: Aeronautical term referring to an aircraft's structure including wings, fuselage and empennage. It covers exterior parts: structural skin, cowlings, panels, fairings, etc; and internal parts: longerons, ribs, spars, bulkheads, etc.

Avgas: Acronym for Aviation Gasoline (Fuel). Aircraft with piston-propulsion engine uses this fuel type which comes in several ratings for different engine categories.

Avtur: Acronym for Aviation Turbine Jet (Fuel). Turbine-powered and turbo-prop (turbine-propeller) driven aircraft use this fuel type.

Bowser: Mobile tanker for refuelling aircraft - a common term used by flight-line airmen, especially in the Royal Air Force.

Elevator: Control surface which turns the aircraft around its lateral axis. It pitches the aircraft nose-up for climb and rotation (R2) or take-off, and nose-down for dive or landing. Elevators are located at the trailing edge of the port and starboard tailplanes.

Flap: Aircraft control surface which helps maintain lift at low speed during the landing phase. Flaps are located at the in-board trailing edge of port and starboard wings.

Marshaller: A groundcrew responsible for guiding an aircraft taxiing in to or out from its parking lot at the airport's tarmac or dispersal. The equivalent Australian term is: Batsman.

Pitot-static tube: Device, usually located at the aeroplane's nose, which measures the aircraft's speed.

Port: Aeronautical and navigational term for the left side.

Rudder: Control surface located along the trailing edge of the aircraft's fin. It helps the craft to turn around its vertical axis.

Starboard: Aeronautical and navigational term for the right side.

Thermocouple: Sensor installed aft of a jet-engine turbine used for measuring the exhaust temperature.

Winglet: Airfoil extension at port and starboard mainplane tips. Winglets help to reduce wake turbulence and fuel-burn.

Zulu Hours: Time system equivalent to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) used by NATO military forces. Example - 00:59Z

International Phonetic Code


A for Alpha

B for Bravo

C for Charlie

D for Delta

E for Echo

F for Foxtrot

G for Golf

H for Hotel

I for India

J for Juliet

K for Kilo

L for Lima

M for Mike

N for November

O for Oscar

P for Papa

Q for Quebec

R for Romeo

S for Sierra

T for Tango

U for Uniform

V for Victor

W for Whiskey

X for X-ray

Y for Yankee

Z for Zulu

>>> Singapore picks F15


THE SINGAPORE government yesterday picked Boeing fighter jet, F-15 to replace its air force's ageing A-4SU 'Super' Skyhawks.

An agreement sealing the deal is expected to be inked by year's end.

The decision capped seven years of intensive study and evaluation of the F-15 Eagle and several other types including the Rafale, F-18 Super Hornet, Sukhoi Su-30 and the Typhoon.

Details of the buy are not available; however, defence analysts believe that between eight and 12 aircraft including armaments are in the package.

The F-15 has been combat proven, having seen action in the Balkans conflict, Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and the 2nd Gulf War. Notably on 7 June 1981, Israel deployed F-15s and F-16s to attack and destroy successfully, Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor.

Its combat record could have figured strongly in Singapore's decision to buy it. Interchangeable American Standard aircraft general spares are another consideration. Several aircraft types - KC135 and F-16 among others - in the RSAF* inventory are American-made.

Singapore has always been pragmatic, prudent and extremely careful in her defence acquisitions. This is borne out recently by what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, "We do not go for the most advanced or the most expensive equipment. Instead, we acquire what is cost-effective, what best meets our specific operational needs."

After seven years of study, the Eagle purchase is perhaps Singapore's best informed defence decision to date. The result seems worthy of the long wait.


*Note: RSAF is Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Acknowledgement with sincere thanks to:
Nick Challoner at his Website at http://www.challoner.com/ for the A4SU illustration.

>> 21st Century Behemoth of the Airways: Singapore Airlines first to fly new giant airliner


AIRBUS A380, the new mega-jumbo of the skies, is the latest milestone in aviation history. It is set to create a number of firsts in air travel and aerospace technology.

Several airlines and air-freight carriers ordered a total of 149 A380s. Notable customers include Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Qantas Airways, Emirates Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways.

A380 flies faster, quieter, more efficiently over a longer range non-stop and carries higher payloads than its closest rival, the Boeing 747.

Airbus uses cutting edge technology in structures, materials, aerodynamics, powerplant and systems to build the A380. Hence, in terms of fuel efficiency, range, payload and operating costs, it pips the B747-400, hands down. A380 carries 35% more passengers but burns 12% less Avtur fuel. The results are lower operating costs and less emissions affecting the environment. In fact, A380 costs 15% less to operate per seat.

Holland's Stork Aerospace developed a glass-fibre aluminium named Glare for constructing the upper fuselage. This new high-strength material, although light in weight, has fatigue-resistant properties.

Despite the severe rivalry between Boeing and Airbus, American firms -notably Goodrich and Engine Alliance (a co-venture between General Electric and Pratt & Whitney) - stand tall among major A380 sub-contractors. Goodrich supplies the main undercarriage units, exterior lights and evacuation system. Propulsion contractors Rolls Royce and Engine Alliance produces RR Trent900 and GP7200 respectively.

Stringent tests on the taxiing and landing system ensure the A380 lands as softly as a feather, even with a full payload. In a unique design for a heavy-lift aircraft, the 22 wheels are arranged in four bogies: two 4-wheel and two 6-wheel units, for both port and starboard main undercarriages. The last two wheels form the nose undercarriage.

Upgrades at major airports around the world, including Singapore Changi Airport, ar underway to serve the new giant airliner. Will flying super- and mega-jumbos rule the airways in the decades ahead? Only time can tell. But one aspect is certain. The A380 - at a whooping price of $280m each - will bring air travel to greater heights in terms of safety, comfort and convenience.

Singapore Airlines is the launch customer with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery and passenger service in 2006. According to informed sources, delay in initial and subsequent deliveries are expected, due to production glitches at the manufacturer and suppliers.

The A380 proved Man's genius that in one century, the aircraft evolved from the Wright brothers' flimsy "Kitty Hawk" to the Airbus mega-jumbo. The A380 bench-marks air travel and aircraft technology in the years ahead.

As one industry expert puts it, "It is the future of the aeroplane."

>> A380: Maiden Flight
by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 28 April 2005


WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2005 marked a special event in aviation history.

Precisely at 0829GMT, A380 prototype MSN001 (Registration F-WWOW) lifted off runway 32L at Toulouse-Blagnac airfield on its first test flight. Jacques Rosay, Airbus chief test pilot and Vice-President, captained the first half of the three hours 54 minutes while Claude Lelaie, Senior Vice-President of Flight Division, took charge in the other half. The aircraft landed at 1223GMT.

The picture shows MSN001 rotating on take-off at the precise moment.

Others in the flight test team included:
> Fernando Alonso, Vice-President, Airbus Flight Division (flight test engineer in charge of flight controls and aircraft structure).
> Jacky Joye, flight test engineer in charge of engines, fuel and other systems.
> Manfred Birnfeld, flight test engineer in charge of systems.
> Gerard Desbois, test flight engineer.

The take-off weight at 421 tonnes (928,300 lb) was a record high for airliners.


PHOTO: Sam Chui/Jetphotos.net