Drone Terminology Glossary – Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Initialisms
In this section, we aim to collate all the different drone terminology phrases, abbreviations, acronyms and just general jargon that surrounds the use of drones. If you use or are aware of any that we have missed out, please email us at the bottom of the page and we will get the page updated. If we all work together we can create a definitive online resource, for use by all.
AAIB
Air Accident Investigation Board
AGL
Above Ground Level
AMSL
Above Mean Sea Level
ANO
Air Navigation Order
ARPAS-UK
Association of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems UK
ATC
Air Traffic Control
ATTI
Attitude Mode – drones maintain set altitude but are still able to navigate around
ATZ
Air Traffic Zone
BMFA
British Model Flying Association
BNUC-S
Basic National Unmanned Aircraft Certificate (Euro UAS NQE)
BVLOS
Beyond Visual Line of Sight
CAA
Civil Aviation Authority
CAP
Civil Aviation Publication
DEM
Digital Elevation Model
DSM
Digital Surface Model
DTM
Digital Terrain Model
ELOS
Extended Line of Site
FPV
First Person View
GIS
Geographic Information Systems
GPS
Global Positioning System
iOSD
Intelligent On Screen Display
MOAT
Maximum Outside Air Temperature
MOR
Mandatory Occurrence Reports
MTOM
Maximum Take Off Mass
NAA
National Aviation Authority
NATS
formerly National Air Traffic Services and commonly referred to as NATS
NQE
National Qualified Entity
PIC
Pilot in Command
PfCO
Permission for Commercial Operations
PFAW
Permission for Aerial Work
PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
RPAS
Remotely Piloted Aircraft System
RPQ
Remote Pilot Qualification
SRG
Safety Regulation Group
SUA
Small Unmanned Aircraft
SUAS
Small Unmanned Aircraft System
UAV
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UAS
Unmanned Aircraft System
VLOS
Visual Line of Sight
Busting the Industry Jargon
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