Definitions for common terminology
Term
Definition
ISA
International Standard Atmosphere in which:
The air is a dry, perfect gas;
The temperature at sea level is 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit);
The pressure at sea level is 1013.2 mbar (29.92 inches Hg);
The temperature gradient from sea level to the altitude at which the temperature is -56.5°C (-69.7°F) is -0.00198°C (-0.003564°F) per foot and zero above that altitude
MSL
Mean Sea Level is the average height above the surface of the sea for all stages of tide
AGL
Above Ground Level is the height of the aircraft above the ground
OAT
Outside Air Temperature is the free air static temperature surrounding the aircraft
Pressure Altitude
Altitude measured from standard sea level pressure (1013.2 mbar, 29.92 in. Hg) by a pressure or barometric altimeter
It is the indicated pressure altitude corrected for position and instrument error. In this Manual, altimeter instrument errors are assumed to be zero
Term
Definition
Maximum Continuous Power Output
The maximum typical power output of a motor averaged over the entire flight
Maximum Instantaneous Peak Power Output
The maximum power output of a motor during any phase of flight, such as when maneuvering
Term
Definition
Throttle Stick
The radio controller stick responsible for throttle control. For Mode 2 controllers, this is the vertical movement of the left control stick. For Mode 1 controllers, this is the vertical movement of the right control stick
Yaw Stick
The radio controller stick responsible for yaw (also called pan) control
For Mode 2 and Mode 1 controllers, this is the lateral movement of the left control stick
Pitch Stick
The radio controller stick responsible for pitch control. For Mode 2 controllers, this is the vertical movement of the right stick
For Mode 1 controllers, this is the vertical movement of the left stick
Roll Stick
The radio controller stick responsible for roll control. For Mode 2 and Mode 1 controllers, this is the lateral movement of the right control stick
Pitch/Roll Stick or Cyclic Stick
The radio control stick responsible for both pitch and roll control
For Mode 2 controllers, this is the right stick
Term
Definition
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)
Maximum allowable weight at liftoff
Standard Empty Weight
Weight of a standard aircraft
Basic Empty Weight
Standard empty weight plus optional equipment
Useful Load
Difference between take off weight and basic empty weight
Payload
Useful load less battery weight
Term
Definition
LOS
Loss of Signal
RTH
Return-to-Land
sUAS
Small Unmanned Aircraft System includes all components of the system required for the flight of an unmanned aircraft, including the radio controller, data link and other related support equipment