Skip to content

Airbus Terms and Abbreviations (Selection)

V-Speeds

V-Speed Term
V1 The highest speed during take-off that you can reject the take-off and still stop on the runway.
V2 Take-off safety speed, where if an engine fails, climb out and control is still guaranteed.
VA Maximum design maneuvering speed, the maximum speed to do full control deflection in normal or alternate law.
VAPP Speed for flying down the approach.
VD / MD Maximum structural design limit speed and Mach
VF Design Flap Speed
VFE Maximum Flap Extended Speed.
VFEN Predictive VFE at next flap/slat position
VFTO Final Takeoff Speed
VLE Maximum gear extension speed, often lower than the operating speed to prevent gear door damage.
VLO Maximum gear operating speed, which means the max speed for the gear being down.
VLOF Lift-off Speed
VLS Lower Selectable Speed
VMAX Airbus for the maximum speed for the current configuration, represented by black and red strip at the top of the airspeed indication.
VMCA Minimum speed in the air that if one engine fails and the other is at TO thrust, you can still control the aircraft with the primary flight controls up to a bank of 5 degrees.
VMCG Minimum speed on the ground that if one engine fails and the other is at TO thrust, you can still control the aircraft with the primary flight controls.
VMO / MMO Maximum operating speed, also has MMO for maximum Mach number.
VR Rotate speed, the point where you lift the nose off the runway.
VREF Reference speed for a normal approach, what you aim to touchdown roughly at.
VS Stalling Speed at which Airplane is Controllable
VS1 Stalling Speed or Minimum Steady Flight Speed obtained in a specified Configuration
VSO Stalling Speed or Minimum Steady Flight Speed in the Landing configuration
VSW Airbus for when the stall warning will activate, represented by a black and red strip at the bottom of the airspeed indicator, when there has been a failure to affect the flight control laws.
VX Speed of Best Angle of Climb
VY Speed for Best Rate of Climb
VαMAX Airbus for the speed that the maximum angle of attack (AoA) can be without the aircraft stalling, shown by the top of a red strip at the bottom of the airspeed indicator.
VαPROT Airbus for the speed that the angle of attack (AoA) protection will become active to stop the aircraft from stalling, shown as being the top of the black and amber strip at the bottom of the airspeed indicator.

Additional Speeds

V-Speed Term
F Minimum speed at which the flaps may be retracted at takeoff (i.e., CONF 2/3). Also the minimum speed in approach when in CONF 2 or 3
S Minimum speed at which the slats may be retracted at takeoff. Also the minimum speed in approach when in CONF 1.
O or GD Green dot speed, engine-out operating speed with flaps up, best lift-to-drag ratio speed, also corresponds to final takeoff speed.

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Term
A.ICE Anti-ice, Anti-icing
A/BRK Autobrake Aircraft
A/THR Autothrust
ABV Above
ACARS Aircraft Communication Addressing and
ACAS Airborne Collision Avoidance System
ACCEL Acceleration/Accelerate
ACCU Accumulator
ACFT Aircraft
ACK Acknowledge
ACP Audio Control Panel
ACQ Acquire
ACQN Acquisition
ACT Active
ADD Addition, Additional
ADF Automatic Direction Finder
ADIRS Air Data/Inertial Reference System
ADIRU Air Data/Inertial Reference Unit
ADR Air Data Reference
ADS Air Data System
ADV Advisory
AESS Aircraft Environment Surveillance System
AESU Aircraft Environment Surveillance Unit
AEVC Avionics Equipment Ventilation Computer
AFFIRM Affirmative
AFIS Airline In Flight Information System
AFM Aircraft Flight Manual
AFS Automatic Flight System
AFTR After
AGL Above Ground Level
AGS Air Generation System
AGU Air Generation Unit
AGW Actual Gross Weight
AI Anti-Icing
AIDS Aircraft Integrated Data System
AIL Aileron
AIRCOND Air Conditioning
AIS Audio Integrated System
AIS Aeronautical Information Service
ALIGN Alignment
ALLWD Allowed
ALPHA Angle-of-Attack
ALPHANUM Alphanumerical
ALS Approach Light System
ALT Altitude
ALT ACQ Altitude Acquire
ALT TO Alternate To
ALTM Altimeter
ALTN Alternate, Alternative
AMB Ambient
AMP Ampere
ANN Annunciator
ANN LT Annunciator Light
AOA Angle Of Attack
AOC Airline Operational Control
AOG Aircraft On Ground
AP Autopilot
AP/FD Autopilot/Flight Director
APPR Approach
APPROX Approximately
APU Auxiliary Power Unit
APU AFE APU Automatic Fire Extinguishing Control Unit
ARMD Armed
ARMG Arming
ARND Around
ARPT Airport
ARR Arrival, Arriving
AS Airspeed
ASD Accelerate Stop Distance
ASI Airspeed Indicator
ASP Audio Selector Panel
ASSY Assembly
ASYM Asymmetric(al)
AT Autothrottle / Autothrust
ATA Actual Time of Arrival
ATC Air Traffic Control
ATCI Air Traffic Control and Information
ATCK Attack
ATIS Automatic Terminal Information Service
ATS Autothrottle / Autothrust System
ATSU Air Traffic Service Unit
ATT Attitude
AUTOLAND Automatic Landing
AVAIL Available
AVAIL Availability
AVG Average
AVIONICS Aviation Electronics
AVNCS Avionics
AWY Airway
B Blue
B/C Business Class
BARO Barometric
BAT Battery (Electrical)
BCF Brake Cooling Fan
BCN Beacon
BCS Brake Control System
BCU Brake Control Unit
BETW Between
BEW Basic Empty Weight
BKUP Backup
BL Bleed
BLK Block
BLK Black
BLW Below
BM Beam
BRDG Bridge
BRG Bearing
BRK Brake
BRKNG Braking
BRKR Breaker
BRKS Brakes
BRKT Bracket
BRT Bright, Brightness
BT Bus Tie
BTL Bottle
BTN Button
BU Battery Unit
BUS Busbar
BYP Bypass
C Celsius, Centigrade
C/B Circuit Breaker
C/L Check List
C/M Crew Member
CAB Cabin
CAB PRESS Cabin Pressurization
CAPT Captain
CAS Collision Avoidance System
CAT Category
CAUT Caution
CAUT LT Caution Light
CFDS Centralized Fault Display System
CHAS Chassis
CHG Change
CHK Check
CHM Chime
CIDS Cabin Intercommunication Data System
CK Check
CKD Checked
CKPT Cockpit
CL Climb
CLB Climb
CLG Ceiling
CLK Clock
CLR Clear
CLR ALT Clearance Altitude
CLRD Cleared
CLRNC Clearance
CLSD Closed
CLSG Closing
CM Centimeters
CMD Command
CNCT Connect
CNCTD Connected
CNTOR Contactor
CNTR Counter
CO Company
CO RTE Company Route
COM Communication
COMP Compass
COND Condition
CONT Continue, Continuous
COOL Cooling
CORR Correct
COUNT Counter
CPT Capture
CRG Cargo
CRK Crank
CRZ Cruise
CSL Console
CSTR Constraint
CTK Center Tank
CTL Control
CTL Central
CTLR Controller
CU Control Unit
CUR Current
CW Clockwise
CY Cycle
DAC Digital to Analog Converter
DADC Digital Air Data Computer
DADS Digital Air Data System
DAMP Damping
DAU Data Acquisition Unit
DB Decibel
DB Data Base
dB Decibel
DB Database
dB(A) A-Weighted Decibel
DC Direct Current
DCDU Datalink Control and Display Unit
DCP Display Control Panel
DECEL Decelerate
DEG Degree
DEGRADD Degraded
DEL Delete
DES Descent
DEST Destination
DET Detection, Detector
DEV Deviation
DFDAMU Digital Flight Data Acquisition and Management Unit
DFDAU Digital Flight Data Acquisition Unit
DFDR Digital Flight Data Recorder
DFDRS Digital Flight Data Recording System
DH Decision Height
DI Deicing
DIBU Door Illumination Ballast Unit
DIFF Differential
DIR Direct, Direction, Director
DIR TO Direct to
DISC Disconnect, Disconnected
DISCH Discharge, Discharged
DISCNTY Discontinuity
DISRMD Disarmed
DIST Distance
DISTR Distribute, Distribution, Distributor
DITCH Ditching
DLK Data Link
DLY Delay
DMD Demand
DME Distance Measuring Equipment
DN Down
DOW Dry Operating Weight
DPI Differential Pressure Indicator
DR Door
DSPL Display
E East
EC Engine Control
ECAM Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitoring
ECM Engine Condition Monitoring
ECS Environmental Control System
ECU Electronic Control Unit
EE Electrical and Electronic
EEC Electronic Engine Control
EFCC Electronic Flight Control Computer
EFCS Electrical Flight Control System
EFCU Electrical Flight Control Unit
EFIS Electronic Flight Information System
ELAC Elevator Aileron Computer
ELAPS Elapsed Time
ELEC Electric, Electrical, Electricity
ELEV Elevator
ELS Emergency Lighting System
ELT Emergency Locator Transmitter
ELV Elevation
EMER Emergency
EMLS Emergency Lighting System
ENG Engine
ENG OUT Engine Out
ENT Entry
ENV Envelope
EO Engine Out
EO ACCEL ALT Engine Out Acceleration Altitude
EPU Emergency Power Unit
ERR Error
ERS Erase
ESC Escape
ESD Electronic System Display
EST Estimated
ET Elapsed Time
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
ETD Estimated Time of Departure
ETE Estimated Time En Route
ETO Estimated Time Over
ETOPS Extended Range Twin Engined Aircraft Operations
ETT Estimated Time for Takeoff
EVAC Evacuation
EWD Engine/Warning Display
EWS Electronic Warning System
EXT Extend, Extension
F Fuel
F Fahrenheit
F Minimum Flap Retract Speed (EFIS)
F/CTL Flight Controls
F/O First Officer
F/S Fast/Slow
F/W Failure Warning
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
FAC Flight Augmentation Computer
FACS Flight Augmentation Computer System
FADEC Full Authority Digital Engine Control
FAF Final Approach Fix
FAIL Failed, Failure
FAWP Final Approach Waypoint
FBW Fly-by-wire
FCC Flight Control Computer
FCCS Flight Control Computer System
FCCU Flight Control Computer Unit
FCGU Flight Control and Guidance Unit
FCMC Fuel Control and Monitoring Computer
FCMS Fuel Control Monitoring System
FCOM Flight Crew Operating Manual
FCPC Flight Control Primary Computer
FCPI Flight Control Position Indicator
FCST Forecast
FCTN Function
FCU Flight Control Unit
FD Flight Director
FDR Flight Data Recorder
FDU Fire Detection Unit
FE Flight Envelope
FEC Flight Envelope Computer
FES Fire Extinguishing System
FF Fuel Flow
FG Flight Guidance
FGES Flight Guidance and Envelope System
FGS Flight Guidance System
FL Flight Level
FLDK Flight Deck
FLEX Flexible
FLP Flap
FLT Flight
FLT CTL Flight Control
FM Flight Management
FMA Flight Mode Annunciator
FMC Flight Management Computer
FMCS Flight Management Computer System (FMC and CDU)
FMCU Flight Management Computer Unit
FMGC Flight Management and Guidance Computer
FMGEC Flight Management Guidance and Envelope Computer
FMGES Flight Management Guidance and Envelope System
FMGS Flight Management and Guidance System
FMS Flight Management System (FMCS and AFS sensors)
FNA Final Approach
FNCP Flight Navigation Control Panel
FNSG Flight Navigation Symbol Generator
FOB Fuel On Board
FPA Flight Path Angle
FPL Flight Plan
F-PLN Flight Plan
FPM Feet per Minute
FREQ Frequency
ft Feet, Foot
ft/mn Feet per Minute
FTK Fuel Tank
FU Fuel Used
FUSLG Fuselage
FWC Flight Warning Computer
FWD Forward
FWS Flight Warning System
FWSD Flight Warning and System Display
G Green
g Gram
G/S Glide Slope
GA Go-Around
GDNC Guidance
GEN Generator
GLS GNSS Landing System
GMT Greenwich Mean Time
GND Ground
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System
GP Glide Path
GPCU Ground Power Control Unit
GPS Global Positioning System
GPU Ground Power Unit
GPWC Ground Proximity Warning Computer
GPWS Ground Proximity Warning System
GR Gear
GS Ground Speed
GSHLD Glareshield
GW Gross Weight
GYRO Gyroscope
H Hot (Electrical Point)
h Hour
h Height
H NAV Horizontal Navigation
HCU Hydraulic Control Unit
HDG Heading
HDG/S Heading Selected
HI High
HLD Hold
HOLD Holding
HP High Pressure
Hpa Hecto Pascal
HPA High Power Amplifier
HR Hour
HRS Hours
HSI Horizontal Situation Indicator
HUD Head Up Display
HYD Hydraulic
HZ Hertz
I/P Intercept Point
IAF Initial Approach Fix
IAS Indicated Airspeed
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation
IDENT Identification, Identifier, Identify
IF Initial Fix
IFR Instrument Flight Rules
IGN Ignition
ILS Instrument Landing System (LOC and G/S)
IM Inner Marker
IMU Inertial Measurement Unit
in Inch
IN Inch
IN HG Inches of Mercury
INA Initial Approach
INB Inbound
INBD Inboard
INCR Increase
INCR Increment
IND Indicator
INFO Information
INHI Inhibit
INHIB Inhibit, Inhibited, Inhibition
INIT Initial(ization)
INOP Inoperative
INS Inertial Navigation System
INST Instrument
INTCP Intercept
INTERCOM Intercommunication
INV Inverter
IPDU Ice Protection Data Unit
IRS Inertial Reference System
IRU Inertial Reference Unit
ISA Inertial Sensor Assembly
ISO International Standardization Organisation
JEP Jeppesen
kg Kilogram
kg/m³ Kilograms/Cubic Meter
KHZ Kilohertz
KIAS Knots Indicated Airspeed
kPa Kilo Pascal
KT Knot(s)
KV Kilo Volt
KVA Kilovolt Ampere
kW Kilowatt
L Length
L Litre or Liter
L Left
L ECAM DU Left ECAM Display Unit
L/D Lift/Drag
L/G Landing Gear
LAND Landing
LAT Lateral
LAT Latitude
LAV Lavatory
lb Pound
LB Pounds
lbf/in² Pounds force per square inch
LB-FT Pound - Force - Foot (Torque)
LB-IN Pound - Inch
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
LCH Latch
LD Load
LDG Landing
LDG GR Landing Gear
LED Light Emitting Diode
LGERS Landing Gear Extension and Retraction System
LGMS Landing Gear Management System
LH Left Hand
LIM Limit, Limitation, Limiting, Limiter
LKD Locked
LO Low
LO PR Low Pressure
LOC Localizer
LP Low Pressure
LP VALVE Low Pressure Valve
LS Landing System
LT Light
LTD Limited
LTG Lighting
LTS Lights
LVL Level
LVL/CH Level Change
LVR Lever
LW Landing Weight
LWR Lower
M Maneuvering Speed (EFIS)
M Magenta
m Meter
M Mode
M Mach Number
M Mach
MA Milli-Ampere
MAG Magnetic
MAINT Maintenance
MAN Manual
MAX Maximum
MAX CLB Maximum Climb
MAX DES Maximum Descent
MB Millibars
mbar Millibar
MCDU Multipurpose Control & Display Unit
MCT Maximum Continuous Thrust
MCU Master Control Unit
MDA Minimum Decision Altitude
MDA Minimum Descent Altitude
MDH Minimum Descent Height
MEA Minimum En Route IFR Altitude
MED Medium
MEM Memory
MFD Multifunction Display
MGT Management
mile/h Miles per Hour
MIN Minimum
min Minute
MIN FUEL Minimum Fuel
MIN TIME Minimum Time
MISC Miscellaneous
ml Milliliter
MLG Main Landing Gear
MM Middle Marker
mm Millimeter
MMO Mach Max Operating Speed
MMO Maximum Operating Mach
Mn Mach Number
MON Monitor, Monitoring, Monitored
MRW Maximum Ramp Weight
MSG Message
MSTR Master
MTO Maximum Take-Off
MTOW Maximum Design Takeoff Weight
MTR Meter
MWARN Master Warning
MWC Master Warning Computer
MWP Master Warning Panel
MWS Master Warning System
MZFCG Maximum Zero Fuel Center of Gravity
MZFW Maximum Design Zero Fuel Weight
n Load Factor
N Newton
N Normal
N North
N/A Not Applicable
N/P Next Page
N/W Nose Wheel
N/WS Nose Wheel Steering
N1 Low Pressure Rotor Speed
N1 Engine Fan Speed
N1.D N1 Descent
N2 High Pressure Rotor Speed
NAV Navigation
NAVAID Navigation Aid
ND Navigation Display
NDB Navigation Data Base
NDB Non-Directional Radio Beacon
NDB Non-Directional Beacon
NEG Negative
NLG Nose Landing Gear
NM Nautical Mile
Nm Moment (Newtonmeter)
NO Normal Operation
No Number
NORM Normal
NOTAM Notice to Airmen
NW Nose Wheel
O Open
O2 Oxygen (Symbol)
OAT Outside Air Temperature
OEW Operational Empty Weight
OFFR Off/Reset
OFST Offset
OK Correct
OLW Operational Landing Weight
OM Outer Marker
OMS Onboard Maintenance System
OMT Onboard Maintenance Terminal
OP Operational
OPP Opposite
OPS Operations
OPT Optional
OPT Optimum
OPTL Optional
OPU Overspeed Protection Unit
OTOW Operational Take-Off Weight
OUT Outlet
OUT Output
OUTR Outer
OVFL Overflow
OVHD Overhead
OVHT Overheat
OVLD Overload
OVPRESS Overpressure
OVRD Override
OVSP Overspeed
OVSTEER Oversteer
OVV Overvoltage
OWE Operating Weight Empty
OXY Oxygen
OZ Ounce
P Pressure
P/B Pushbutton
P/BSW Pushbutton Switch
P/L Payload
Pa Pascal
PARK Parking
PAS Pitch Attitude Sensor
PAX PAX Announcement Entertainment &
PAX Passenger
Pb Pressure Ambient
PCT Percent
PCU Power Control Unit
PED Pedestal
PERF Performance
PF Pilot Flying
PFD Primary Flight Display
PG Page
phi Bank Angle
phi N Nominal Bank Angle
PHR Pounds per Hour
PLT Pilot
PMP Pump
PMU Power Management Unit
PNEU Pneumatic
PNL Panel
POS Position
PPM Parts per Million
PR Pressure
PRB Probe
PREV Previous
PRGM Program
PRI Priority
PROC Procedure
PROG Progress
PSU Power Supply Unit
PTR Push to Reset
PTT Push to Test
PTT Push-to-Talk
PTU Power Transfer Unit
PW Pratt and Whitney
PWR Power
QFE Baro Pressure Setting for Airfield Altitude
QFE Field Elevation Atmospheric Pressure
QFE Pressure Setting for Airfield Altitude
QNE Sea Level Standard Atmosphere Pressure
QNH Baro Pressure Setting for en Route Altitude
QNH Sea Level Atmospheric Pressure
QNH Pressure Setting for En Route Altitude
QNH Sea Level Pressure
R Red
R Radius
R Release
R Reset
R Right
R/C Rate of Climb
R/D Rate of Descent
R/H Radar Height
R/L Reading Light
r/min Revolutions per Minute
R/T Receiver Transmitter Unit
R/T Radio Transmit
RA Resolution Advisory
RA Radio Altimeter, Radio Altitude
RAD Radio
RAT Ram Air Turbine
RCDR Recorder
RCLM Runway Center Line Marking
RCLS Runway Center Line Light System
RCVR Receiver
RCVY Recovery
RDY Ready
RECOG Recognition
REFLNG Refueling
REFUEL Refueling
RET Retract
RET Return
RETR Retract
REV Reverse
REV Revise, Revision
RF Radio Frequency
RMP Radio Management Panel
RMU Radio Management Unit
RNAV Area Navigation
RNG Range
RNI Radio Navigation Indicator
RPLNT Repellent
RPTG Reporting
RQRD Required
RR Rolls Royce
RST Reset
RSV Reserve
RSVR Reservoir
RTE Route
RTG Rating
RTN Return
RTO Rejected TakeOff
RTOLW Runway Takeoff and Landing Weight
RTOW Runway Takeoff Weight
RTR Router
RTRSW Rotary Switch
RTU Radar Transceiver Unit
RUD Rudder
RVR Runway Visual Range
RVS Reverse
RVSN Reversion
RWY Runway
S South
S Minimum Slat Retract Speed (EFIS)
s Second
S/C S/D Step Climb Step Descent
SAT Static Air Temperature
SATCOM Satellite Communication
SBL Symbol
SC Single Chime
SD System Display
SEAL Sealing
SEC Spoiler Elevator Computer
SEC Secondary
SEC Secondary Computer
SEG Segment
SEL Select, Selected, Selector, Selection
SELCAL Selective Calling System
SEQ Sequence, Sequential
SER Serial Number
SER Serial
SGU Symbol Generator Unit
SHT Short
SI Slip Indicator
SID Standard Instrument Departure
SIG Signal
SIM Simulation
SL Sea Level
SLT Slat
SMK Smoke
SNSR Sensor
SPAD Scratchpad
SPD Speed
SPD/M Speed-Mach
SPEC Specification
SPLR Spoiler
SPLY Supply
SRS Speed Reference System
STAB Stabilizer
STAR Standard Terminal Arrival Route
STARTG Starting
STAT Static
STBY Standby
STDY Steady
STRG Steering
STRUCT Structure
STS Status
SURF Surface
SVCE Service
SW Switch
SYS System
T True
T Turn
T Trim
T Time
t Tonne
T/C Top of Climb
T/D Top of Descent
T/R Thrust Reverser
TA Traffic Advisory
TACAN Ultra-high Frequency Tactical Air Navigation Aid
TACH Tachometer
TAS True Airspeed
TAT Total Air Temperature
TBC To Be Confirmed
TBU Time Base Unit
TBV Transient Bleed Valve
TC Takeoff Charts
TCAS Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System
TEMP Temperature
TGT Target
THR Thrust
THROT Throttle
THS Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer
TK Ground Track Angle
TK Tank
TKE Track Angle Error
TLA Throttle Lever Angle
TMA Terminal Control Area
TMR Timer
TO Takeoff
TO/APPR Takeoff/Approach
TOD Takeoff Distance
TOGA Takeoff/Go Around
TOGW Takeoff Gross Weight
TOR Takeoff Run
TOT Total
TOW Takeoff Weight
TOW Towing
TR Thrust Reverser
TRANS Transition
TRANSF Transfer
TRGT Target
TRIG Trigger
TRK Track
TRK Track (angle)
TROPO Tropopause
TRT Turn Round Time
TRU True
TST Test
TT Total Time
TURB Turbine
TWR Tower
TWY Taxiway
TX Transmission (TCAS to Transponder)
TYP Typical
UHF Ultra High Frequency
V Volt, Voltage
V Valve
V/L VOR/LOC
V/L VOR/Localizer
V/S V1 V1 V2 Vertical Speed
V2min Critical Engine Failure Speed Decision Speed
VACU Vacuum
VCTREND Airspeed Tendency
VDF Very High Frequency Direction Finding Station
VDR VHF Data Radio
VEL Velocity
VERT Vertical
VFR Visual Flight Rules
VHF Very High Frequency
VHV Very High Voltage
VIB Vibration
VLF Very Low Frequency
VOL Volume
VOR Very High Frequency Omnirange Station
VOR.D VOR-DME
VORTAC Visual Omni-Range Tactical Air Navigation
VSI Vertical Speed Indicator
W Weight
W Watt
W West
W/V Wind Direction and Speed
WAI Wing Anti-Ice
WARN Warning
WB Wide Body
WD Warning Display
WDO Window
WG Wing
WHL Wheel
WR Weather Radar
WS Wind Speed
WT Weight
WX Weather Mode (ND)
WXR Weather Radar
X Cross
X Trans Crossbleed
X BLEED X FEED Crossfeed
X LINE Crossline
X VALVE Cross Valve
XFR Transfer
XING Crossing
XPDR Transponder
XPNDR Transponder
X-TALK Cross-talk
XWIND Crosswind
Y Yellow
Y/C Economy Class
YCR Economy Class-Rear
YE Year
Z Greenwich Mean Time
ZC Zone Controller
ZFCG Zero Fuel Center of Gravity
ZFW Zero Fuel Weight
Zp Pressure Altitude
Zpi Indicated Pressure Altitude

Last update: March 4, 2022
Back to top