AAAE: American Association of Airport Executives.
AC: Advisory Circular — Informational policy and guidance material.
AIM: Aeronautical Information Manual—Instructions and procedures for operating aircraft in the U.S. National Airspace System.
AOPA: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
AIP: Airport Improvement Program—Federal program administering financial grants-in-aid for airport development projects.
ALP: Airport Layout Plan—Drawings illustrating existing and proposed property, facilities and structures.
Airport Master Plan: Documents and drawings covering airport development to include the Airport Layout Plan.
Airport Traffic Area: Usually, airspace within five statute miles from the geographical center of any airport.
Apron/Ramp: Aircraft parking area.
ARFF: Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting
ASOS: Automated Surface Observation System
AWOS: Automated Weather Observing System—Primary surface weather observing system in the U.S.
ATC: Air Traffic Control—Separation services involving aircraft utilizing a control tower.
ATIS: Automated Terminal Information System—Provides continuous broadcast of an airport's current weather.
AVGAS: Aviation gasoline.
Aviation Easement: A type of property deed restriction.
Based Aircraft: Aircraft stationed at an airport on a long-term basis.
CIP: Capital Improvement Program
Controlled Airspace: Typically, under air traffic control (ATC).
CTAF: Common Traffic Advisory Frequency—Radio frequency used by aircraft at an airport without an operating control tower (also see UNICOM).
EA: Environmental Assessment—Assessment of the environmental effects of a proposed action.
EIS: Environmental Impact Statement—Document evaluating the effect of a proposed action on the
environment
FAA: Federal Aviation Administration
FOD: Foreign Object Damage (Or Debris)
FONSI: Finding of No Significant Impact—Determination by the FAA that a proposed action has no significant impact on the environment.
FBO: Fixed Base Operator—Business providing aircraft services to the general public.
FSDO: Flight Standards District Office—An FAA field office.
FSS: Flight Service Station – Weather briefing and flight plan facility.
GA: General Aviation—Civil aviation except air carrier or air taxi.
GPS: Global Positioning System—Satellite-based navigation system.
IFR: Instrument Flight Rules
ILS: Instrument Landing System—Precision navigation approach system.
MALSR: Medium Intensity Approach Light System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights
NAVAID: Navigational Aid
Non-precision Instrument Runway: Runway with limited navigation system
Non-towered/Non-controlled Airport: Airport without a control tower.
N-Numbers: Federal Government aircraft registration numbers.
NOTAM: Notice To Airmen—Notice containing airport/airspace information.
NPIAS: National Plan of Integrated Airports System
NTSB: National Transportation Safety Board – Federal agency charged with investigating transportation accidents.
OFZ: Obstacle Free Zone—Protected space above/adjacent to a runway.
Obstruction: Object exceeding a limiting height in airspace.
Operation: Aircraft take-off or landing.
PART 77: Federal regulations identifying airspace obstructions.
PART 139: Federal regulations for airports serving air carrier aircraft.
PART 150: Federal regulations concerning noise compatibility standards
PART 1452: Federal security regulations for airports.
PAPIS: Precision Approach Path Indicator System—Lighting/navigation system.
PCL: Pilot Controlled Lighting.
Precision Instrument Runway: Runway with an instrument approach.
REILS: Runway End Identifier Lights.
Reliever Airport: Airport serving general aviation aircraft that might otherwise use a congested air carrier airport.
RWY: Runway—Defined surface prepared for landings and takeoffs of aircraft.
RPZ: Runway Protection Zone—Surface protected from obstructions.
RSA: Runway Safety Area—Ground surface adjacent to runway.
SASO: Specialized Aviation Service Operations
SNOTAM: Information concerning winter contaminants (also see NOTAM).
SRE: Snow Removal Equipment
SWPPP: Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TWY: Taxiway – A defined surface prepared for the taxiing of aircraft.
Transient Aircraft: Aircraft not based at the airport.
TSA: Transportation Security Administration—Federal agency regulating transportation security requirements.
UNICOM: Universal Communications (also see CTAF).
VASIS: Visual Approach Slope Indicator System—Lighting/navigational system
VFR: Visual Flight Rules
Visual Runway: Runway intended solely for visual approach procedures.
VOR: Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range—Navigation system.
Z/ZULU: Greenwich Mean Time