Part 107 Acronyms and Abbreviations
AGL, CTAF, NOTAM, MOA, SFRA, LAANC and 60 more: every acronym a Part 107 candidate meets, in plain English, grouped by topic and linked to the full explanation.
Aviation writes in abbreviations, and the Part 107 test assumes you can read them. Here is every acronym you are likely to meet in the FAA's study materials, charts and reports, grouped by where it shows up, with a link to the post that explains the idea behind it.
Rules, people and paperwork
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| UAS / sUAS | Unmanned aircraft system / small UAS (the drone, its controller and links) |
| UA | Unmanned aircraft (the aircraft itself) |
| RPIC / PIC | Remote pilot in command / pilot in command |
| VO | Visual observer |
| VLOS / BVLOS | Visual line of sight / beyond visual line of sight |
| CS | Control station |
| ACS | Airman Certification Standards, the list of what the test covers |
| AKTR | Airman Knowledge Test Report, your score report (codes explained) |
| IACRA | Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application |
| FTN | FAA Tracking Number |
| CFR | Code of Federal Regulations (Part 107 is 14 CFR Part 107) |
| AC | Advisory circular, such as AC 107-2A |
| COA | Certificate of Waiver or Authorization |
| SGI | Special Governmental Interest, the FAA's expedited process for flying in a TFR |
| CBO | Community-based organization, for recreational flyers |
| TRUST | The Recreational UAS Safety Test |
| RID | Remote ID (Remote ID rules) |
| FRIA | FAA-Recognized Identification Area, where drones without Remote ID may fly |
| OOP | Operations over people (the four categories) |
Airspace and charts
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AGL / MSL | Above ground level / above mean sea level (AGL vs MSL) |
| ATC | Air traffic control |
| LAANC | Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability |
| NOTAM | Notice to Airmen, the FAA's notices of temporary changes and hazards |
| TFR | Temporary flight restriction (drone TFRs) |
| SUA | Special use airspace |
| MOA | Military operations area |
| MTR, IR, VR | Military training route, IFR route, VFR route |
| NSA | National security area |
| SFRA / FRZ | Special Flight Rules Area / Flight Restricted Zone, around Washington, DC |
| TRSA | Terminal radar service area |
| MEF | Maximum elevation figure (chart symbols) |
| UC | Under construction (next to an obstacle on a chart) |
| NM / SM | Nautical mile / statute mile |
| VFR / IFR | Visual flight rules / instrument flight rules |
Weather
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| METAR / SPECI | Routine and special weather report (METAR guide) |
| TAF | Terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF guide) |
| ASOS / AWOS | Automated surface / weather observing systems |
| PIREP | Pilot report |
| AIRMET / SIGMET | Airmen's / significant meteorological information |
| CB / TCU | Cumulonimbus / towering cumulus |
| SM, SKC, BKN, OVC | Statute miles, sky clear, broken, overcast |
| UTC, Z | Coordinated Universal Time, "Zulu" |
Airports and radio
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CTAF | Common traffic advisory frequency |
| UNICOM | Aeronautical advisory station at an airport |
| ATIS | Automatic terminal information service |
| CT | Control tower (in a chart data block) |
| RP | Right pattern (on a chart) |
| PAPI | Precision approach path indicator (airport lights) |
| HIRL / MIRL | High / medium intensity runway lights |
Safety and decision-making
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ADM | Aeronautical decision-making (ADM post) |
| CRM | Crew resource management |
| IMSAFE | Illness, medication, stress, alcohol, fatigue, emotion: a self-check before flight |
| CG | Center of gravity |
| LOC | Loss of control |
Look-alikes to watch: SM is statute miles in a METAR, not "small". CT is a control tower on a chart. RP is a right traffic pattern, not "remote pilot".
Most abbreviations on the test are spelled out once in the FAA's documents. Learn them once and the questions get shorter.
The free flashcards cover the numbers and rules each of these terms points to.
Drill the facts behind the acronymsFree diagnostic
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