Glossary

Glossary of Fighter & Aviation terms
(see also alt.glossary)

If you have a contribution to the "Glossary" page, please copy it into the 'Debriefing' sheet below. Thanks.

Glossary Items:

- Navy Glossary. see http://www.hazegray.org. - Snacko

- I also need some world-wide fighter jocks to publish some of your special terminology

100 Missions	See History
1 (or Lead), 2, 3 or 4	Position in the Flight of planes flying together. See also "Blue 4"
"Initial Approach" to a "Pitchout" and landing. This is a "360 Overhead Pattern"	The fighter approaches the field directly down the active runway at 300 knots (325 for the F-104) and at "pattern altitude" which is typically 1500 ft. By now, his wingmen have been 'rocked in' from "loose route formation" and are in close "Echelon" formation away from the direction of turn, and with 3 feet wingtip clearance. "Tower, this is Zipper 1, Initial, Full Stop". Over the numbers, the leader waves to his flight and pulls the "pitchout" with a 2-3 G turn (usually away from the 'base-side') and slows to gear down speed (250kts) by the time he rolls out on "Downwind". Gear, Flaps, Slats - "handle, horn, lights, lights, pressure" checked. At the "perch", which is 45 degrees off the shoulder from the numbers, he rolls off like any pilot, descending, slowing to 185 or so, and turning for a 1 mile final and 300ft AGL. Touchdown is supposed to be 1000-1500 feet down the runway, but everyone knows the three most worthless things to a pilot - 1. altitude above you, 2. runway behind you, and 3. fuel in the truck!!
"AB" Afterburner	The afterburner which is on most fighter jets is used for takeoff and for gaining "Smash", but it burns a prodigious amount of fuel - as much as 10 times the normal fuel flow. "Min Burner" which had various uses 'in the old days' is like kissing your sister.
Abort	To abort, or "cut short" the mission either before takeoff (see Last Chance or EOR), or somewhere along the route of a mission. For a Fighter Pilot, this is usually only done for serious reasons such as if you pull off the tanker's boom; or maybe your "INS" goes "Tits Up", and you don't have the guts to fly combat by DEAD RECKONING like all those fighter pilots in previous wars! Of course there's a reason it's called 'Dead' Reckoning.
Ace	A Fighter Pilot (or Fighter-gator) who has 5 or more 'aerial victories' shooting down enemy fighters. See also "Dog Fight". See Erich Hartmann
AGL	"Above Ground Level" - The flying height above the ground. This is in contrast to "MSL" - Mean Sea Level, which is the reference most used when flying high and cruising. Usually you're interest in "AGL" when you are within a couple of thousand feet of the ground and are paying very close attention to "Terra Firma".
Alpha Roster	A listing of fighter pilots, fighter 'gators, and all support personnel in a squadron or wing. It has basic information and contact information so that "when the balloon goes up" everyone can be 'recalled' for the "bag drag" to deploy. At FighterPilots.Net, membership in the online fighter squadron means that you have some actual relationship to military fighter aircraft or to combat aviation. All aircrew, regardless of aircraft type, who have been in harm's way in a theater of warfare qualify for membership. I'm sorry 'gamers', but until you've put your own ass at risk, this site is not for you. - Snacko
Angels -	Altitude in thousands of feet, e.g. "Angels One Five" = 15,000 feet. Usually used in Air Combat radio transmissions. see also "Flight Level"
APC	Automatic Pitch Control: {on the F104C and other variants} was used to limit angle of attack to prevent pitchup. Stick shaker comes on first followed by stick kicker which pushes stick forward slightly. Can be nullified by use of lots of trim whereby kicker can tap stick but is easily overpowered. In this region forward pressure is needed to keep the nose down. - Thanks Walt Bjorneby
Area 51	see "The Box". Home of aliens, Aurora, and formerly of any number of previous "development" aircraft.
Arming Area	The place at the end of the runway (EOR, or "Last Chance") where the gun is armed up, and the safety pins are removed from missiles and/or bombs. See also "EOR". There are two places where all fighter pilots keep their hands in view at all times - "last chance", and at the "O" Club Bar with the Wing Commander's daughter.
Aw Shit	a multi-purpose phrase. But usually a 'noun' meaning some 'screw up' that will 'discredit' the hapless fighter pilot such as bombing the wrong target, or dinging your jet, or an 'over G'. Also expressed by fighter pilots when seeing a missile headed your way, or some red light flashes on your panel. Or, when the Dir Ops, or Wing Commander shows up in the Squadron unannounced. See also "attaboy" below.
attaboy -	Praise from a superior for some aerial feat of prowess or particularly good ground duty (more common). IMPORTANT NOTE: It takes 100 "attaboys" to erase one "aw shit".
Bag Drag	Personally bringing to the squadron for a Deployment, your "Duffle Bag" or "B4 Bag" containing all of your extra flight suits, extra boots, jungle or desert "cami's", underwear, thermal underwear, shaving kit, and civilian clothes that you'll need for a Deployment of a week or month or more. Or, for local exercises, a bag with one flight suit, a pair of jeans and one T-shirt, plus a couple of telephone books to give the bag a believable 'heft' for the inspectors. Empty suitcases are only used in Hollywood movies to make us think that the actor is very strong.
Balls to the Wall	Mistakenly thought to be an off-color phrase, it is actually from WW2 fighters. It means when the pilot wants full throttle and pushes the handle(s) all the way forward (to the 'Firewall'). The throttle handles have the little "balls" on their ends. Thus, "balls to the wall". - Thanks to Drew Moore for this one!
Bandit -	an Enemy aircraft in your vicinity. Also know as "opportunity!". Not to be confused with "Bogey".
BDU -	Battle Dress Uniform. The clothes that 'staff pukes' are dressed in when they are sending other dumb bastards into Battle.
BDU -	Bomb, Dummy Unit. A practice 25 pound 'blue' bomb dropped from various dispensers or directly from bomb racks to simulate 'slick' bombs such as the Mk82 500 pounder. This Bomb Dummy Unit is not to be confused with 'staff pukes' above. See also Mk 106.

Blue 4	The pilot of #4 aircraft in a flight of 4. Usually the 'newbie'. The butt of all jokes.
Blood Chit -	US government promise. It is a plasticized paper with the US Flag on one side and a message in several languages that promises to pay a person several thousand dollars if they will aid a downed airman to escape back to Allied territory. Caution: Depending upon a blood chit is just like the government promises of retirement benefits including free medical care, etc.
Bogey -	an unidentified aircraft in your vicinity
Bogey Dope -	enemy fighter information (such as type, numbers, location, heading, speed, altitude) transmitted by AWACs or other agency
Bought It	He "Bought the Farm" - to crash with fatal injuries
Box -	Box (Rectangular) Flight Pattern for Radar Approaches or practice gunnery patterns at the Range. see also "The Box"
"BVR"	Beyond Visual Range. Air-to-Air Missiles fired using aircraft radar (Fire Control System) that are so far away that a defending fighter would not visually observe the attaching aircraft.
Check Six -	Look behind you for Bandits, Bogeys, or Friendlies
"Cleared Hot"	A radio transmission as Clearance from the FAC, controlling agency, or gunnery range officer to expend practice or actual ordinance. For student training, this is usually followed by "US at Six 4", or "Shack Lead".
Code 3 (or 2, 1)	Pilot's code to the aircraft "crew chief" upon returning that there is a problem that will ground the aircraft until it's fixed. Code 2 is a minor one that is 'flyable'. Code 1 is ZD - Zero Defects! Usually signaled to the Maintenance truck by 1,2, or 3 fingers after a flight, or Thumbs Up for Code 1. See also "Red X"
Dead Reckoning	To navigate solely by Time, Speed, Distance, and Heading without reference to ground checkpoints. Of course there's a reason it's called 'Dead' Reckoning. If possible, this method should be supplemented by "Pilotage" looking for familiar checkpoints like rivers, railroad tracks, and water towers with the town name on it!! Today, with Radar, INS, and GPS, 'Dead Reckoning' & Pilotage is only for "Real Fighter Pilots". You just haven't lived until you've been lost over the north German plain!
Debrief	A verbal exercise following a mission for a flight of fighters where the first fighter pilot to the chalk board wins the engagement - regardless of the actual outcome. Note: the more chalk colors used, the better the chances of winning. See also "Red Flag"
Deploy	To move from your home base to a Combat Zone or War Games location. Also used by the Flight Lead to direct the other members of the Flight into Tactical Formation.

Dog Fight	Two or more fighters maneuvering to shoot the other "down in flames". See also "Air Force Song"
Dry	A pass made against a ground or air target without actually expending real or practice ordnance. Compare "Hot". Note: when the range officer cannot detect an impact because it was soooo short, he will ask "were you 'dry' 4?
DNIF	Duty Not Involving Flying (USAF) - Usually means the pilot is so sick he can't see to crawl to the Flightline. No other reason would keep a pilot from performing his most important duty!!
E & E -	Escape and Evasion. Evading the enemy if shot down or Escaping from capture.
Element -	2-aircraft formations within a "Flight", 1-2, and 3-4. Each element has someone that is "Flight Lead" qualified. See also "Fighting Wing".
Energy Maneuverability	Using your aircraft's total energy of airspeed, altitude, extra engine thrust to maneuver against another aircraft in a "dog fight". See also "Smash"
Engage -	to maneuver in relationship to an enemy fighter or missile system. "Bandit 5 O'clock, 2 miles and closing, I'm Engaged!"
ETIC	Estimated Time in Commission. The "Wild Ass Guess" that maintenance gives the Ops Desk for when a jet will be ready for 'crew show'. Ysually known as "Sliding ETIC".
EOR	the "End of Runway" aircraft final check area prior to Takeoff. Where a set of maintenance men who ticked off their Maintenance Supervisor sit for hours and play cards, then check over your aircraft for hydraulic or fuel leaks, loose panels. aka "Last Chance", or "Quick Check". See also "Arming Area"
FAC	Forward Air Controller - a pilot with 'balls of brass' who flies around a threat area without offensive or defensive ordnance, and who finds targets for "Shit Hot" fighter pilots to destroy. See also "Cleared Hot".
Farm	He "Bought the Farm" - to crash with fatal injuries.
FCF	Functional Check Flight - An aircraft checkout flight usually flown after some significant maintenance work to insure that the aircraft flies as designed and that all systems are functional.
Fighting Wing	a "tactical formation" where the wingman flies directly with his element lead about 45 degrees back or so, and 500 to 1500 feet out for jets (closer back in propeller fighter days). The wingman is supposed to hang on regardless of what the Lead does.
Flight -	Generally a group of 2 to 4 aircraft for the USAF. Can be up to 9 aircraft for our friends, the Brits. (see "gaggle"). Several "Flights" of fighters, each with a Flight Lead, make up a "Gorilla". See also "Debrief".
Flight Level -	Altitude in hundreds of feet, e.g. "FL200" = 20,000 feet. Usually used in Air Traffic Control. A standard altimeter setting of 29.92" is used.
FlightLine	That wonderful expanse of concrete or 'tarmac' where beautiful fighter planes eagerly await their pilots to "slip the surly bonds of earth".
Formation -	see "Flight"
KY-28/58, etc.	encrypted, Secure Voice radio transmissions equipment. (not to be confused with KY Jelly!)

Gorilla -	a large group of different kinds of fighter aircraft that fly from the same "Push Point" (or close checkpoints) and are directed at one group of targets. Generally the 'push' sequence is (was) CAP and Sweep, Weasels & Jammers, Fighter Bombers (sometimes the Fighter Bombers are mixed with the Weasels and Jammers)
Ground Pounder	a 'tongue in cheek' derogatory term that refers to anyone who is not a pilot or flight crewmember. It's never used about Aircraft Maintenance or Ordnance troops. It's also not smart to use this term when it can be overheard by someone from the Finance Office, or the Post Office, or especially the Chow Hall.
HF radio -	"High Frequency" radio, which was really 'low frequency' to our way of thinking (see UHF)
Homeplate -	the home base "in-theater" for a particular flight of aircraft. Ta-if, Saudi Arabia was "Homeplate" for the EF-111s and the F-111F's during Desert Storm.
Hot	Live Fire. Such as an actual or practice bomb, missile, rocket, or guns. "Hot" merely means that something is to drop or be fired off of the aircraft, and does not imply accuracy or effectiveness! see "Short Round". Compare "Dry". See also "Cleared Hot", or "Shit Hot!"
INS	Inertial Navigation System (prior to GPS) - That "POS" (Piece Of Software) & hardware that determined a Fighter's location within 6 to 10 miles on a clear day. On bad weather days, you could count on your INS going "Tits Up" right after entering the Low Level.
IP	Instructor Pilot - God. That awesome person who knows everything about your fighter plane & fighter aviation, and who can drop a 500 pound on the "Shack" at 45 degrees dive, kick your a__ in a 'dogfight' any day (or night), fly a flawless ILS, and then drink you under the table at the O' Club that night. See also "Mentality, Fighter Pilot".
Last Chance	See "EOR". At the End of the Runway, a Quick Check of the aircraft prior to Takeoff for leaks, missing panels, loose ordnance, bad tires, etc. Also called "Last Chance" since this was your final chance to get some sense and Abort for a spinning compass or some other problem you make up when the weather is below your "personal minimums"!
Life Support -	The men and women who maintain the Fighter Pilot's equipment such as Helmet, G-Suit, Pistol, and Survival Gear. Along with Intell, these people are a Fighter Pilot's best friends! But then, if the Maintenance people don't do their essential part, and get the plane off the ground, then the mission isn't accomplished.
Line Up Card	also called a Mission Data Card, by 'purists'. A card on your kneeboard, but actually jammed under a sweaty leg, that summarizes all critical Mission Data including Aircraft number and parking spot, takeoff data, formations, tankers, and especially weapons data.
Mk-106	Mark One oh Six, see also Bomb, Dummy Unit (BDU). A practice 'orange' bomb dropped from various dispensers or directly from bomb racks to simulate 'high drag' bombs including Nuclear Weapons with drogue chute.{Yes Margaret, that's WMD, but we trust US with them ...}

Mentality, Fighter Pilot	All balls, dick, and no forehead. But, supreme confidence. Rarely wrong, but NEVER in doubt!
Monkey	Monkey
MPC -	Mission Planning Cell, composed of crewmembers and Intelligence personnel who plan and coordinate much of the mission before the Flight Lead and the rest of the Flight members arrive.
NBC	Nuclear, Biological, Chemical. Refers to weapons of warfare. see also WMD.
NM	Nautical Miles. Most of aviation including Fighter Aviation uses Nautical Miles instead of Statute Miles (ok, except for weather visibility). Nautical Miles Conversion
"OR"	Operationally Ready - A Fighter that is fully functional and ready for flight. An "OR" plane can have some small discrepancies, but nothing that would hinder its combat capability. For instance, a small hydraulic leak or worn tires, but if the fighter's beer dispenser was empty then it is "NOT OR"! See also "Code 3 (or 2, or 1) and "Red X".
"ORI"	Operational Readiness Inspection - A very important Higher Headquarters inspection of a flying base. The Wing Commander either makes General or 'retires'.
Pattern	The Takeoff and Landing tracks around an airfield
Piddle Pack	a too small plastic bag with a sponge in it. Smart pilots carry at least two on long missions or when they bring along a thermos of Coffee. Do a web search for some good Piddle Pack stories. - Ike Sweesy, Snacko
Push Point -	a geographical point in friendly territory which is a reference for the assembled "Gorilla" as it "pushes" into enemy territory.
QRA	Quick Reaction Alert. NATO equivalent to Victor alert. At German Bases, 'Zwinger' was the nickname and is the German word for kennel.... ______) - contributed by Mike Vivian, F104 pilot.
Red Flag -	2 week long war game exercises launching from Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV, and returning for mass Debriefing with 'big screen' video replays of how you were stupid and died 5 times from 3 Aggressors.
Red X -	a mark in the Aircraft Maintenance Forms that 'grounds' the aircraft until the discrepancy is corrected (or pencil whipped). In the US Air Force it is Form 781. see "Squawks"
ROE -	Rules of Engagement, the set of rules or parameters that regulate any activity

Shack -	Direct Hit of ordinance on the target. See also "US"
Ship -	number of aircraft in a "Flight" or a "Formation", Single-Ship, Two-Ship, Three-Ship Formation. Believe it or not, the Air Force uses this terminology!!
Shit Hot!	Awesome! An unlikely, but extremely common epithet used by fighter pilots to express satisfaction at a particular accomplishment or communication. "He's a 'Shit Hot' Fighter Pilot.", Note: this is actually redundant, since all true fighter pilots are 'shit hot' aviators. or even more unexpected "Shit Hot Fighter Wings". See also "Attaboy".
"Shit's Weak"	This is the opposite of "Shit Hot". "Shit's Weak" is used in referring to a pilot with limited flying skills. submitted by Charles E. Morrison, Jr.
"Six"	Six O'clock. That position directly behind your aircraft or the Flight Formation. For decades of fighter aviation, "Bandits" with guns or heat seeking missiles usually attacked from Six O'Clock, and also had to be within visual range. See also "BVR"
Smash	Lots of Airspeed for "Energy Maneuverability". This allows you to pull "G's" and/or Climb when desired. Remember, "Speed is Life".
Snacko -	Snack Bar Officer, the lowest ranking officer in the squadron who keeps the bar supplied with beer, pretzels, and other junk food.
SOF	Supervisor of Flying, a 'responsible' officer in the Control Tower. Generally, a Flight Commander or above, who monitors the Pattern, Training, the Weather, etc. It is well known that the SOF can only Break Even. It's either an uneventful time in the tower, or 'the SOF screwed up'. There are never any "attaboys" for the SOF.
Splash	refers to the actual impact of air-to-air or air-to-ground ordnance on the target.
Splash (Time) -	Similar to TOT but refers to the actual detonation of the ordnance on the target.
The Box -	Area 51 just south of the Red Flag gunnery ranges. Even just grazing the boundary of "The Box" was a ticket home from the war games. Space Aliens and their spacecraft live here.
TOT -	Time Over Target. See also "Splash Time"
US	Unscoreable. A practice bomb that lands outside of the scoring capability of the gunnery range. See also "Cleared Hot".
Victor	Victor Alert - Nuclear Alert
Watch their Sixes	watching the tails of a fighter. submitted by Sharon Balloch. See also "Six".
WMD	Weapons of Mass Destruction. see also Mk106 & NBC
Zulu	GMT time reference. Also Zulu Alert (Air Defense Alert)