Glossary Papakupu

Explanations of abbreviations and acronyms.
All ' 1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

    A

    A-Box signaller
    The signaller in A-Box, who is remote from the centralised national train control centre, is responsible for managing all track occupations and train movements within Wellington Station limits.
    AA
    Auckland Airport
    AAR
    American Association of Railroads
    Abeam
    At right angles to the helicopter’s line of flight.
    Abilities
    Abilities are inherent or inherited characteristics that enable a person to accomplish or perform a given action.
    Able Seafarers Deck
    A crew member who can perform the functions and duties of a deck crew member on ships
    Able-bodied seafarers (ABs)
    Experienced seafarers competent to perform the usual and customary duties on deck.
    Absorbent booms
    A selective absorbent that soaks up oil, but not water.
    ACARS
    ACARS is a digital datalink system used in most airline aircraft for the transmission of short messages and allows communication between airline and aircraft and for flight crew to obtain printouts of weather forecasts.
    ACAS
    Airborne collision avoidance system
    Accident
    An event that resulted in damage or injuries.
    Accommodation ladder
    A point of access to a ship’s deck for shore personnel, accommodation ladders are rigged in the fore and aft direction of the ship and face astern
    Accredited representative
    The International Civil Aviation Organization Convention, Annex 13, details a framework that allows Accredited Representatives to be appointed from other Accident Investigation Authorities overseas to support an Accident Investigation Authority’s investigation.
    Acronis
    Alarm and control integrated system
    Acrylic
    A general-purpose plastic, often known by the brand names Perspex or Lucite. Its chemical name is poly methyl methacrylate or PMMA.
    Active duty
    The Operations Manual Part A 10.4.1 defines Active Duty as ‘The period of time commencing when a flight crew member reports to the departure airfield and ceases when post-flight responsibilities are complete’.
    Active protection
    Active protection includes all level crossing warning devices that are activated by an approaching train, including flashing lights, bells and barriers. It is contrasted with passive protection, which warns users of level crossings but does not alter this warning when trains are approaching.
    Active protection (rail)
    Includes all level crossing warning devices that are activated by an approaching train, including flashing lights, bells and barriers. It is contrasted by passive protection, which warns users of a level crossing, but does not alter this warning when a train is approaching.
    Additive
    A variety of wetting agents or other fire-retardant additives could be mixed with the water to increase the fire-suppression effectivity of the water.
    ADH-F
    Advanced Deckhand – Fishing
    ADS-B
    ADS-B data rounds altitude read-outs to 100 ft and therefore cannot give accurate detail on the vertical separation of the two aircraft in this incident. However, the data does allow identification of each aircraft and accurate measurement of lateral separation.
    Advanced speed indicator
    A numeric indicator illuminated (flashing) to advise the speed in kilometres per hour that the train must not exceed at the next signal in advance.
    Advisory Circular
    Advisory circulars are guidance documents and not regulatory requirements
    Advisory circulars
    CAA advisory circulars contain guidance on standards, practices and procedures that the Director has found to be acceptable means of compliance with the associated rules and legislation.
    AEP
    Accredited Employers Programme
    Aerodrome
    Any defined area of land or water intended or designed to be used either wholly or partly for the landing, departure and surface movement of aircraft (CARs Part 1 Definitions and Abbreviations)
    Aeronautical information
    AIPNZ meets part of New Zealand’s ICAO obligations to have an aeronautical information service
    Aeronautical study
    This is an engineering and operational study of an aerodrome that, in general terms, assesses the safety of aerodrome operations, the effects the aerodrome design or use has on the safe and efficient use of the aerodrome by aircraft, and on the safety of persons and property on the ground. A holder of an aerodrome operator certificate under Part 139, must monitor operations and conduct an aeronautical study for any significant change or significant changes that may affect operations at that aerodrome. The Director of CAA may also require an operator to conduct an aeronautical study to consider a specific scope of interest.
    Aeronautical telecommunications network equipment
    A digital data network that facilitates ground-to-ground and ground-to-air communications
    Aeropath
    An independent company, wholly owned by Airways, that provides the NZ Aeronautical Information Publication (NZAIP).
    Aerotowed
    Powered aeroplane tows the glider with a rope attached to specially designed towing hooks.
    Aft
    At, near or towards the stern of a vessel
    Aft mooring deck
    The rear end of the ship where mooring equipment is located.
    AGL
    Above ground level
    Aground
    When a ship or a boat is touching the seabed and is unable to move
    AIAL
    Auckland International Airport Limited
    Aileron
    A controllable hinged surface on the trailing edge of a wing, used to roll an aircraft around the longitudinal, or fore and aft axis.
    AIP
    Aeronautical Information Publication
    AIPNZ
    Aeronautical Information Publication New Zealand
    Air brakes
    The system used to apply the train’s brakes to the rail vehicles’ wheels; the system is checked for air-pressure leaks before departing onto the rail network
    Air Desk
    The national Air Desk is a coordination and tasking function, operated by Hato Hone St John, that provides oversight, dispatch and clinical support functions to air ambulance services.
    Air proximity
    A situation in which, in the opinion of a pilot or air traffic services personnel, the distance between aircraft as well as their relative positions and speed have been such that the safety of the aircraft involved may have been compromised. (ICAO Doc 4444: PANS-ATM). There are 4 available classification categories: A. Risk of collision B. Safety not assured C. No risk of collision D. Risk not determined
    Air taxiing
    Air taxiing: movement of a helicopter/VTOL above the surface of an aerodrome, normally in ground effect and at a ground speed normally less than 37 km/h (20 kt). Note: The actual height may vary, and some helicopters may require air-taxiing above 8 m (25 ft) AGL to reduce ground effect turbulence or provide clearance for cargo sling loads.
    Air Waybill
    Non-negotiable document issued by an air carrier acknowledging receipt of goods and transport terms
    Aircraft operating minima
    Specified limits used to assess cloud base and visibility against reported actual cloud base and visibility when conducting an approach.
    Airmanship
    Airmanship is the consistent use of good judgement and well-developed skills to accomplish flight objectives and demonstration of a high state of situational awareness.
    Airside
    Secured part of an airport beyond passenger screening
    Airspace
    Three-dimensional portion of the atmosphere controlled for aviation operations
    Airworthiness
    A formal and periodic review of an aircraft and its records that is required for the aircraft to remain airworthy.
    Airworthiness directives
    A mandatory airworthiness requirement that specifies modifications, inspections, conditions or limitations to be applied to an aircraft or aeronautical product to ensure continued safe operating conditions.
    AIS
    Automatic Identification System transmitting vessel identity and position
    ALAIRP
    As low as is reasonably practicable
    ALCAM
    Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model
    All-up weight
    The total weight of an aircraft with fuel, crew and payload on board.
    Allision
    An accident between a vessel and a stationary object.
    Alternate aerodrome
    An aerodrome to which an aircraft may proceed when it becomes either impossible or inadvisable to proceed to or land at the aerodrome of intended landing; Civil Aviation Rule (CAR) Part 1.
    Altimetry
    Altimeters are used to display an aircraft’s vertical location above the earth’s surface. A barometric altimeter measures distance from sea level using air pressure, which decreases as altitude increases and vice versa. As air pressure differs across geographic regions, and as temperature changes, the pilot must set the local barometric pressure (corrected to sea level) for the displayed altitude to be accurate. If this does not occur, then the barometric altimeter will either over- or under-read. A radio (or radar) altimeter does not rely on air pressure; it measures the height of an aircraft above the ground by timing how long it takes a beam of radio waves to travel to the ground and reflect up to the aircraft’s receiver as shown below (sourced from internet).
    Altitude
    Above mean sea level
    Altitude rounding
    ADS-B altitude data is rounded up or down to the nearest 100 ft when it is recorded, so two aircraft that are separated by 100 feet vertically could show the same altitude in their ADS-B data.
    Aluminium ferrule
    A circular clamp used to hold together and attach fibres, wires or ropes, generally by crimping, swaging or otherwise deforming the ferrule to tighten it permanently onto the parts that it holds.
    AM Class
    A designated class of train for the Auckland Metro system, manufactured by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles.
    Amidships
    In the middle of a vessel, either longitudinally or laterally.
    AMSL
    Above mean sea level
    An adequate aerodrome
    An adequate aerodrome is one where the aircraft landing distance performance requirements at the expected landing weight can be met and appropriate aerodrome rescue and fire-fighting services are available, and there is at least one authorised instrument approach procedure. An adequate aerodrome becomes suitable when the weather minimum for the required type of use has been met; Airwork OCC Manual, 4.2 and 4.3.
    Anchor
    A heavy device (normally steel) designed as to grip the seabed to hold a vessel in a desired position.
    Anchor pulpit
    A protrusion at the bow of a boat designed for securing an anchor.
    Anchor windglass
    A machine used to let out and heave up an anchor.
    Anchor windlasses
    Horizontally mounted mechanical winches used for anchoring operations.
    Anchorage
    Designated area where ships may anchor safely
    Anemometer
    A device that measures wind speed and direction.
    ANSV
    National Agency for the Safety of Flight, Italy (Agenzia Nazional per la Sicurezza de Volo)
    Anti-creep
    A mechanism used in automatic knuckle couplers to limit creep at a level below the threshold for knuckle opening.
    AOR
    Auckland One Rail
    APAPI
    Abbreviated precision approach path indicator
    Approach controller
    The air traffic control position responsible for flights arriving at a terminal area
    Approach sequence
    The order a controller arranges aircraft to approach to land at an airport. The sequence helps provide adequate time and distance between each aircraft until they have landed and cleared from the runway.
    Apron
    Aircraft parking and service area at an aerodrome. The local name for the general aviation (GA) manoeuvring area, defined as an area on a land aerodrome intended to accommodate aircraft for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or cargo, refuelling, parking, or maintenance (Civil Aviation Rules Part 1).
    APU
    Auxiliary Power Unit
    AR
    Ardmore Airport (Auckland)
    AR
    Ardmore Airport (Auckland)
    ARC
    aviation related concern
    ARHT
    Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
    Arm position
    The arm position enables the ELT to activate automatically upon aircraft impact with the ground if the forces exceed the activation threshold.
    Aspect
    The aspect of a signal is the visual appearance of a lit signal.
    Astern
    Referring to a vessel’s engine moving the vessel in reverse
    ATA
    Actual Time of Arrival of a vehicle or vessel
    ATC
    Air Traffic Control service to prevent collisions and organise traffic
    ATD
    Actual Time of Departure of a vehicle or vessel
    Athwartship
    Across the vessel, side to side.
    ATMC
    The building that contains aeronautical telecommunications network equipment and sector air traffic controllers
    Atmospheric pressure
    The pressure at sea level for the area.
    ATO
    Automatic Train Operation system automating train driving
    ATP
    Automatic Train Protection system enforcing safety limits
    ATPL
    Airline Transport Pilot Licence
    ATSB
    Australian Transport Safety Bureau
    Attitude
    The orientation of an aircraft relative to the horizon.
    Auckland Electrified Area
    The Auckland Electrified Area refers to the sections of Auckland’s suburban rail network that have been electrified to support electric train services.
    Auto-inflating life jacket
    Designed to automatically inflate within seconds of being immersed in water.
    Autoland
    A system incorporating autopilot, autothrust and radio altimeters to fully automate the landing phase with the flight crew supervising the process. A landing using the autopilot, with the pilot in the left seat taking over directional control during the landing roll (when the aircraft touches down, is brought down to taxi speed and eventually comes to a complete stop).
    Automatic Activation Device (AAD)
    A safety backup device fitted inside a parachute container that monitors the parachutist’s height above ground and descent rate and that will automatically deploy the reserve parachute if specific conditions are exceeded.
    Automatic couplers
    Devices used to connect wagons for haulage purposes.
    Automatic emergency alert system
    An automatic alert system that uses the train’s radio system to send a call to train control automatically when the train’s brake is moved into the emergency position or a rapid loss of air to the braking system occurs
    Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)
    A continuous broadcast of aerodrome information, including such items as expected type of approach, runway in use, runway condition (dry, wet or contaminated), surface wind, visibility, cloud, temperature, dew point, local pressure and the reported or forecast wind at 2000 ft.
    Automatic twist locks
    Automatic twist locks automatically lock when containers are placed on top of one another and unlock without stevedoring intervention when the containers are lifted.
    Autorotation
    Autorotation, also known as an autorotational descent, is a power-off manoeuvre in which the engine is disengaged from the main rotor system and the main rotor blades are driven solely by the upward flow of air through the main rotor.
    Autorotative landig
    A process whereby an unpowered rotor system produces lift by inducing an airflow up through the main rotor blades as the helicopter descends.
    Auxiliary generator wagon
    The purpose of an auxiliary generator wagon is to provide electrical power for ancillary services on passenger trains from a diesel-fuelled generator set. An auxiliary generator wagon can also be referred to as a generator/ luggage van.
    Aviation related concern
    A voluntary reporting of aviation matters that are not accidents or incidents
    Aviation Safety Reporting System
    The Aviation Safety Reporting System database is a collection of voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident/situation reports from pilots, controllers and others in the US aviation community.
    Aweigh
    When the anchor is clear of the seabed, meaning the ship is officially under way.
    AWIB
    Aerodrome and Weather Information Broadcast
    AWS
    Automatic weather station
    Axle Counter
    Device that detects train presence by counting axles
    Axle counters
    A form of train-detection equipment provided in place of the conventional track circuitry.