Word Power: Test Your Knowledge of Aviation Terms
Take to the skies without leaving your chair by exploring these aviation terms.
Aviation Term #1: Combi
A: Able to carry both passengers and cargo
B: Series of connecting flights
C: Cleaning crew.
Answer: A—Able to carry both passengers and cargo
As in, “A combi plane dropped off mail, two tourists and supplies for the village store.”
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Aviation Term #2: Hobbs meter
A device that can measure:
A: How long an aircraft is in use
B: Distance to the ground
C: Sideways drift
Answer: A—Device that can measure how long an aircraft is in use
As in, “Uri watched the Hobbs meter, not wanting to pay for more than two hours of plane rental.”
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Answer: C—Situation of uncertainty
As in, “An incerfa can be declared if a flight loses radio contact with air-traffic control.”
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Aviation Term #4: Taxi
A: Get a last-minute seat
B: Tax imposed on goods crossing borders
C: Move along the ground
Answer: C—Move along the ground
As in, “At last, the delayed airliner taxied away from the terminal.”
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Aviation Term #5: Avionics
A: Electronic equipment fitted in an aircraft
B: Air ambulances
C: Airplane stunts done for sport or entertainment
Answer: A—Electronic equipment fitted in an aircraft
As in, “Zhiyuan was an avionics engineer interested in improving autopilot technology.”
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Answer: B—Keeping birds away from the airport
As in, “Playing recordings of avian distress calls is a proven bird-control strategy.”
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Aviation Term #7: Instrument flight rules
Regulations for:
A: Maintaining cockpit instruments
B: Relying on instruments instead of visual references
C: Crossing an ocean
Answer: B—Regulations for relying on instruments instead of visual references
As in, “Pilots must fly under instrument flight rules when the weather makes it hard to see.”
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Aviation Term #8: Ditch
A: Accidentally leak sewage
B: Make a forced landing on water
C: Misplace luggage
Answer: B—Make a forced landing on water
As in, “Arthur, a military flying ace, had once survived ditching in the Pacific.”
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Answer: A—Accept too many reservations
As in, “Airlines deliberately overbook flights because typically, some passengers don’t show up.”
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Aviation Term #10: Ceiling
A: Overhead controls for air vents and lighting
B: Business-class area
C: Maximum altitude of an aircraft
Answer: C—Maximum altitude of an aircraft
As in, U-2 spy planes have such a high ceiling that their pilots wear pressure suits.
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Aviation Term #11: Buzz-saw noise
Sound of:
A: A helicopter rotor
B: Radio static
C: A supersonic fan
Answer: C—Sound of a supersonic fan
As in, “Rémy’s baby, asleep when he boarded the jet, was soon awakened by buzz-saw noise.”
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Answer: C—Sudden change in wind speed and direction
As in, “Wind shear is dangerous for planes.”
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Aviation Term #13: Aeromodelling
A: Designing flight-attendant uniforms
B: Building and flying model aircraft
C: Using a flight simulator
Answer: B—Building and flying model aircraft
As in, “Aeromodelling clubs have fields where enthusiasts can try out their creations.”
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Aviation Term #14: Stall
A: Airline employee’s locker
B: Loss of lift and consequent fall
C: Interrupted takeoff
Answer: B—Loss of lift and consequent fall
As in, “Nabila paid close attention when her flight instructor explained how to recover from a stall.”
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Answer: C—Leave an aircraft
As in, “After deplaning, Makayla realized she’d left her wallet behind.”
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