Advanced Instrumentation Acronyms
ACARS – Aircraft Communications Addressing
and Reporting System
ACAS – Airborne Collision & Avoidance System
ACMS – Aircraft Condition Monitoring System
(Boeing)
ADC – Air Data Computer
ADD – Air Direction Detector
ADIRS – Air Data Inertial Reference System
ADS – Automatic Dependent Surveillance
AFN – Airways Facilities Notification
AI – Attitude Indicator
AIDS – Aircraft Integrated Data System
(Airbus)
ALU – Arithmetic Logic Unit
AMSS – Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Syst.
AOC – Airline Operational Communication
ASI – Airspeed Indicator
ATM – Air Traffic Management
ATN – Aeronautical Telecoms Network
ATS – Air Traffic Service
ATSU – Air Traffic Services Unit
CDU – Control Display Unit
CMU – Communication Management Unit
CNS – Communication Nav. Surveillance
CPDLC – Controller Pilot Datalink Comms.
CPU – Central Processing Unit
CRT – Cathode Ray Tube
CVR – Cockpit Voice Recorder
CWS – Control Wheel Steering
DCDU – Data Comms. Display Unit
DME – Distance Measuring Equipment
DSRTH/STS – Desired Track / Status
EEPROM – Electronically EPROM
EFIS – Electronic Flight instrument System
EGT – Exhaust Gas Temperature
EPR – Engine Pressure Ratio
EPROM – Erasable PROM
FANS – Future Air Navigation System
FD – Flight Director
FDR – Flight Data Recorder
FMC – Flight Management Computer
FMS – Flight Management System
GPS – Global Positioning Service
GPWS – Ground Proximity Warning System
HFDL – HF Data Link
ILS – Instrument Landing System
INS – Inertial Navigation System
IRS – Inertial Reference System
LCD – Liquid Crystal Display
LNAV – Lateral Navigation
LOC - Localiser
MEMS – Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems
N1 – Fan Speed
N2 – Compressor Speed
ND – Navigation Display
OCL – Oceanic Clearance
PDC – Pre-Departure Clearance
PFD – Primary Flying Display
PROM – Programmable ROM
QAR – Quick Access Recorder
RA – Resolution Advisories
RAM – Random Access Memory
RNP – Required Navigation Performance
ROM – Read Only Memory
RPM – Revolutions per Minute
SATCOM – Satellite Communication
SSR – Secondary Surveillance Radar
TA – Traffic Advisories
TCAS – Traffic Collision & Avoidance System
TWC/TCS – Touch Wheel / Control Steering
USB – Universal Serial Bus
VDL – VHF Data Link
VNAV – Vertical Navigation
VOR – VHF Omnidirectional Range
VSI – Vertical Speed Indicator
XTK/TKS – Cross Track / Track Error
FMA – Flight Mode Annunciator
APP – Approach
MCP – Mode Control Panel
FADEC – Full Authority Digital Engine Control
EEC – Electronic Engine Control
TMA – Thrust Mode Annunciator
TAWS – Terrain Awareness Warning System
GPWS – Ground Proximity Warning System
PDA – Premature Descent Alert
FLTA – Forward Looking Terrain Avoidance
CFIT – Controlled Flight Into Terrain
EGPWS – Enhanced GPWS
RADALT – Radio Altimeter
ECAM – Electronic Centralised Aircraft
Monitoring (Airbus)
EICAS – Engine Instrument and Crew Alerting
System (Boeing)
SDAC – System Data Acquisition Concentrator
FWC – Flight Warning Computer
DMC – Display Management Computers