Say What? Most industries have their own kind of tribal language—words and expressions that are commonly used but might only make sense to those working in the field. Some might say that aviation is in a league of its own, with all its international terms and abbreviations.
In the Netherlands, the letters for nation- al registration are PH (Papa Hotel). ENTO? Or Torp? Most airports around the world have an ICAO airport code. Here at Torp, we use ENTO, while Bergen Flesland is ENBR and Gardermoen is ENGM. These codes are used for flight planning, and they are not the same as the IATA codes that passengers are familiar with. ICAO codes are also used to identify weather stations. ...and yes... ICAO stands for the International Civil Aviation Organization. Acronyms As mentioned, everyday language in the “aviation language” is filled with acronyms. After a while, you’ll use them without thinking, but at first, they may seem a bit confusing. The Civil Aviation Authority has published some of the most important acronyms on their website, so you can always refer to it if you’re in doubt. instrument flight rules, IFR. IR(A) = Instrument Rating Airplane, and IR(H) = Instrument Rating Helicopter.) • IRI = Instrument Rating Instructor (Instrument rating instructor) • NOTAM = Notice to Airmen (Information system indicating faults and deficiencies at airports, air traffic control.) • PIC = Pilot in Command (The pilot who has the overall responsibility during the flight, including taxiing.) • SPIC = Student Pilot in Command • SOP = Standard Operating Procedure (Standard procedure) • TRI = Type Rating Instructor (Type rating instructor) • VFR = Visual Flight Rules (This essentially means that a pilot can navigate by what they see, i.e., without help from instruments like DME, VOR, or direction from air traffic controllers.)
LN (Lima – November) first. This is the country code for Norway. On all Norwegian helicopters, you’ll find the letter O (Oscar) following the country code. This indicates that the aircraft is a helicopter, and not a plane (LN-*), microlight (LN-Y) , or glider (LN-G**). If you were to come across a balloon, it would have the code LN-C**. The last two letters are unique to each helicopter. So, using the example above, the aircraft LN-OZG would be pronounced “Lima – November – Oscar – Zulu – Golf.” Everyone else in the airspace would then understand that the Norwegian helicopter with the identifier ZG is approaching. For convenience, we often refer to our helicopters by their last two letters. LN- OZY is called “Zulu Yankee,” LN-OTE is “Tango Echo,” LN-OKB is “Kilo Bravo,” and so on. However, when you’re flying, you must provide the entire identifier so that the tower knows both the nationality and the type of aircraft you’re flying. • CPL = Commercial Pilot License (Pilot certificate for commercial aviation. CPL-A = Aeroplane, flight certificate. CPL-H = Helicopter. CPL-IR = Instrument Rating, the qualification to fly using instruments in fog, bad weather, etc.) • FI = Flight Instructor (Flight instructor) • FNPT = Flight Navigation and Procedures Trainer (Flight simulator) • IFR = Instrument Flight Rules (Flying according to instrument flight rules, meaning you can fly using instruments when there’s dense cloud cover, fog, darkness, etc. Also see VFR, Visual Flight Rules.) • IMC = Instrument Meteorological Conditions (Flying in weather where pilots can’t see, such as clouds and thick fog, meaning pilots must fly according to instruments, IFR.) • IR = Instrument Rating (Qualifications a pilot must have to fly under
Below, you’ll find a list of common words and expressions in aviation. How many of these do you know? If you’re taking an ATP(H)IR MCC course at an approved ATO, you might be flying IFR as PIC in an FNPTII, from ENTO to ENZV. Or maybe you have a flight in our EC135, LN-OZG, together with your IRI? If it’s CAVOK, those on the CPL(H) course might go out as SPIC on a VFR flight in an R44. T/O happens after clearance from the CTR controller. Did that make sense? Maybe not... But you won’t have to spend much time walking the halls at EHC before these expressions start sounding familiar. They’re all abbreviations for commonly used aviation terms, and in everyday speech, these abbreviations often take on a life of their own as standalone words. What’s the name of the helicopter? Just like cars, all aircraft have a unique identifier (tail number). On Norwegian aircraft, you’ll always see the letters And with this small glossary, you might better understand the sentence above? • AFIS = Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS officer works in tower services at smaller airports, providing information about traffic, wind, runway conditions, and weather. In comparison, air traffic controllers provide both information AND clearances.) We don’t have AFIS at Torp, but Notodden, a small airport, does. Torp has a CTR. • T/O = Take off • CTR = Control zone/Controlled Traffic Region (Control zone around an airport and up to a certain altitude.) • ATC = Air Traffic Control (Air traffic control service) • ATO = Approved Training Organization (Approved training organization, flight school)
14 Unlock The Skies – Your Guide to Helicopter Training & Careers
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