Module 11 Airline Terminology
Working as cabin crew you will notice that there is a common aviation language used within the airline
industry. In this module you will learn new phrases, abbreviations and terms used.
Time
The airline industry use the 24 hour clock in all timetables, rosters, departure times etc. The 24 hour
clock is used so people don't mix up A.M. and P.M. times. A.M. is everything between midnight and
noon; P.M. is everything between noon and midnight. Whilst working as a cabin crew member you need
to be confident and fully conversant using this time method. Here is how the 24 hour clock works:
All the P.M. times are the larger numbers on the top in red and all the A.M. times are the smaller
numbers on the bottom in blue. Another easy way to remember the time in a 24 hour clock is to add the
P.M. time to 12. For example it is 2 P.M. so by adding 2 to 12 = 14. The time in a 24 hour clock at 2
P.M. is 1400.
Phonetic Alphabet
English is used as an international flying language. Because some of the letters in the English language
sound familiar to each other, it was recognised that an alphabet of words rather then sounds was
needed.
Cabin Crew Ticket Diploma Module 11
Alpha
Bravo
Charlie
Delta
Echo
Foxtrot
Golf
Hotel
India
Juliette
Kilo
Lima
Mike
November
Oscar
Papa
Quebec
Romeo
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Sierra
Tango
Uniform
Victor
Whiskey
X-Ray
Yankee
Zulu
Definition of aviation terms and words
Aeroplane means an engine-driven fixed wing aircraft heavier than air that is supported in flight by
the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings.
Aft - The rear of an aircraft
Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) - A JAA approved document that contains information required to
operate the aircraft at the level of safety established by the aircrafts certification basis.
Aircraft Operating Manual (AOM) - The part of the operations manual describing in detail the
characteristics and operation of the aircraft and its systems.
Aircraft Means a machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air
other than the reactions of the air against the earths surface.
Air Operator Certificate (AOC) A certificate authorising an operator to carry out specified
commercial air transport operations.
Alternate Airport Means an airport at which an aircraft may land if a landing at the intended airport
becomes inadvisable.
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) - means any gas turbine-powered unit delivering rotating shaft power,
compressor air, or both which is not intended for direct propulsion of an aircraft.
Base - The airport at which you are based
Belly Landing Is a landing without the main landing-gear extended.
Block Is a series of flights away from base
Briefing Is an information-meeting, e.g. prior to flight.
Bulkhead Is a partition or wall divider.
Cabin Crew Member A crew member required by JAR-OPS to be carried on a flight for the purpose
of performing duties assigned by the operator or the commander, in the interest of the safety of
passengers, but who is not a flight crew member.
Captain Old terminology for Commander
Commander The pilot designated by the operator to be in command of the aircraft.
Co-pilot A member of the flight crew acting in any piloting capacity, other than as pilot-in-command
or commander.
Commercial Air Transportation Means the transportation by air of passengers, cargo or mail for
remuneration or hire.
Crew Member Means a person assigned to perform duty in an aircraft during flight time.
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Debriefing Is a meeting e.g. after flight, to summarise what has happened.
De-fuel - Taking fuel off the aircraft.
De-icing Is a process of snow and ice removal from aircraft.
Demo Is a safety demonstration on board aircraft.
Ditching Is landing on water.
Doghouse Is a compartment located under/behind certain cabin crew seat areas.
Emergency Position is the same as assigned duty station.
Exit Row Is seating adjacent to emergency exits.
Ferry Is a position flight, a flight without passengers. Ferry flights may be conducted with the
minimum crew and reduced airworthiness as permitted by the ICAA (Ferry Permit).
Fuel Jettison Same as fuel dumping, process of removal of excess fuel from aircraft.
First Aid Oxygen Means the additional oxygen provided for the use of passengers, who do not
satisfactorily recover following subjection to excessive cabin altitudes, during which they had been
provided with supplemental oxygen.
Flight Crew Member Means a pilot, system panel operator (flight engineer), or flight navigator
assigned to duty in an aircraft during flight time.
Galley Is an area where food or beverage is prepared on board aircraft.
Gashbag - Rubbish bag
Impact Is a collision, force exerted by one object when striking against another.
Infant Is a child under 2 years of age.
Jet-way/Air-bridge Is a retractable boarding system.
Lay-over/Stop-over Is a period when crew rests at destination.
Overhead Bin/Locker Is a stowage compartment for passengers hand-luggage over passengers
seats.
Passenger Manifest Is a list of all passengers on board aircraft.
Pilot in Command Means the pilot responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft during flight
time.
Protective Breathing Equipment Means breathing equipment for protection against smoke, fumes
and other harmful gases.
Push-Back Is when aircraft is moved back from gate by a truck.
Runway Is where the aircraft takes off and lands.
Sector Is one part segment of the flight, also called leg
Self-help Exits Exits that passengers might have to open unassisted, such as over-wing exits.
Senior Cabin Crew Member is nominated whenever more than one cabin crew member is assigned.
The Senior Cabin Crew Member shall have responsibility to the commander for the conduct and coordination of cabin safety and emergency procedure(s) specified in the FOM.
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Silent Review Is a personal review of evacuation duties prior to take-off and landing.
Slot Time Is official departure time allocated.
Supplemental Oxygen Means the additional oxygen required to protect each occupant against the
adverse effects of excessive cabin altitude and to maintain acceptable physiological conditions.
Tarmac Is the area where the aircrafts are parked.
Taxi Is when the aircraft moves on ground.
Torching Is when an engine or APU is exhausting fire or smoke upon starting of engines.
Abbreviations
ABP
AC
Able Bodied Persons
Alternate Current
JAR
P/A
Joint Aviation Requirements
Public Announcement System
ADHOC
Flights Not Rostered, Last
Minute, Standby
PAX
Passengers
AFM
Aircraft Flight Manual
PBE
Protective Breathing Equipment
AOG
Aircraft On Ground
PRM
Persons With Reduced Mobility
AOM
Aircraft Operating Manual
PTA
Prepaid Ticket Advice
APU
Auxiliary Power Unit
SCCM
Senior Cabin Crew Member
ATA
Actual Time Of Arrival
SOP
Standard Operating Procedure
ATC
Air Traffic Control
SPML
Special Meal
ATD
Actual Time of Departure
TBA
To Be Advised
ATS
Air Traffic Services
TM
Training Manual
CCM
Cabin Crew Member
UNMIN Unaccompanied Minor
CAM
Cabin Manual
VIP
Unaccompanied Minor
CAO
Cargo Aircraft Only
Wheelchair
CRM
Emergency Locator Transmitter
WCHR
XBAG
CGO
Cargo
ELT
Emergency Locator Transmitter
ETA
Estimated Time Of Arrival
ETD
Estimated Time Of Departure
FAK
First Aid Kit
FOM
Flights Operation Manual
FWD
Forward
ID
Identification Card, Issued by
Company/Airport Authorities
IATA
International Air Transport
Association
ICAO
International Civil Aviation
Organisation
JAA
Joint Aviation Authorities
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Excess Baggage
Airport Codes
Airport codes are very important to understand whilst working as cabin crew, you will however learn
these as you go along. To help you on your way in remembering some of the airport codes you may
come across here is a list from popular airports both in the UK and overseas.
United Kingdom
Greece & Greek Islands
BHX
Birmingham
ATH
Athens
BRS
Bristol
CFU
Corfu
EMA
East Midlands
HER
Heraklion (Crete)
EDI
Edinburgh
JSI
Skiathos
GLA
Glasgow
SKG
Thessoloniki
LBA
Leeds/Bradford
ZTH
Zante
LPL
Liverpool
RHO
Rhodes
LCY
London City
LGW
London Gatwick
Africa
LHR
London Heathrow
CAI
Cairo (Eygpt)
STN
Stanstead
CPT
Cape Town (South Africa)
MAN
Manchester
DUR
Durban International (South Africa)
NCL
Newcastle
JNB
Johannesburg (South Africa)
BFS
Belfast International
PLZ
Port Elizabeth (South Africa)
DES
Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
Spain, Balearics and Canaries
AGP
Malaga
ALC
Alicante
India
LEI
Almeria
BOM
Chhatrapati Shivaji (Mumbai)
REU
Reus
DEL
Indira Gandhi (New Delhi)
IBZ
Ibiza
MAH
Mahon
PMI
Palma (Majorca)
European Countries
ACE
Arrecife (Lanzarote)
CDG
Paris Roissy Charles De Gaulle (France)
FUE
Fuertaventura
CPH
Copenhagen Airport (Denmark)
LPA
Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
FRA
Frankfurt (Germany)
TFN
Tenerife North
LIN
Milan Linate International (Italy)
TFS
Tenerife South
AMS
Schiphol (Holland)
BCN
Barcelona (Spain)
DUB
Dublin (Ireland)
MAD
Madrid Barajas (Spain)
Other popular destinations
MCO
Orlando (USA)
SFB
Sanford (USA)
PEK
Beijing International (China)
HKG
Hong Kong International
DXB
Dubai International
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