Common Aviation Acronyms
Common Aviation Acronyms
A/D
Analog To Digital
A/P
Autopilot
ABAS
Aircraft-Based Augmentation System
ABROAD
ADS Broadcast
AC
Advisory Circular
ACAS
Airborne Collision Avoidance System
ACARS
Aircraft Communications Addressing And Reporting System
ACC
Area Control Center
ACE
Actuator Control Electronics
ACMS
Aircraft Condition Monitoring System
ACO
Aircraft Certification Office (typically FAA, e.g. USA)
ACP
Audio Control Panel
ACS
Audio Control System
AD
Airworthiness Directive
ADAHRS
Air Data And Attitude Heading Reference System
ADC
Air Data Computer, or Analog-To-Digital Converter
ADF
Automatic Direction Finder
ADI
Attitude Director Indicator
ADIRS
Air Data Inertial Reference System
ADIRU
Air Data Inertial Reference Unit
ADM
Air Data Module
ADR
Airborne Data Reception
ADS
Automatic Dependent Surveillance
ADS-A
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Address
ADS-B
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
ADS-C
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract
AEH
Airborne Electronic Hardware
AESA
Active Electronically Scanned Array
AFCS
Automatic Flight Control System
AFD
Autopilot Flight Director
AFDC
Autopilot Flight Director Computer
AFDS
Autopilot Flight Director System
AFDX
Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet
AGACS
Automatic Ground
AGDL
Air-Ground Data Link
AHC
Attitude Heading Control
AHRS
Attitude Heading Reference System
AIDS
Aircraft Integrated Data
AIM
Aeronautical Information Manual
AIP
Aeronautical Information Publication
AIR
Aerospace Information Report
AIS
Airmen’s Information System
AL
Assurance Level
ALT
Altitude
AMC
Acceptable Means of Compliance
AMS
Air Management System
ANC
Active Noise Cancellation
ANN
Annunciator
ANR
Active Noise Reduction
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
ANT
Antenna
AOC
Aeronautical Operational Control
AOP
Airport Operating Plan
AOPA
Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association
APARS
Automatic Pressure Altitude Reporting System
APS
Auto Pilot System
APU
Auxiliary Power Unit
APV
Approach With Vertical Guidance
ARINC
Aeronautical Radio, Inc.
ARP
Aerospace Recommended Practice (via Society of Automotive & Aerospace Engineers)
ASD
Aircraft Situation Display
ASDL
Aeronautical Satellite Data Link
ASIC
Application Specific Integrated Circuit
ASR
Airport Surveillance Radar
ASTERIX
All Purpose Structured Eurocontrol Surveillance Information Exchange
ASU
Avionics Switching Unit
AT
Auto Throttle
ATC
Amended Type Certificate
ATC
Air Traffic Control
ATCRBS
Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System
ATCSS
Air Traffic Control Signaling System
ATCT
Airport Traffic Control Tower
ATIS
Automated Terminal Information Service
ATM
Air Traffic Management
ATS
Air Traffic Service
ATSAW
Airborne Traffic Situational Awareness
ATSU
Air Traffic Services Unit
ATT
Attitude
Avionics
Aviation Electronics
AVN
Office Of Aviation System Standards
AWACS
Advanced Warning And Control Systems
AWOS
Automated Weather Observation System
For the remainder of this list, B’s through Z’s, request a free download HERE.