Glossary of Terms

	Title	Definition
	Failure Condition	A condition having an effect on the aeroplane and/or its occupants, either direct or consequential, which is caused or contributed to by one or more failures or errors, considering flight phase and relevant adverse operational or environmental conditions, or external events [AMC to CS25.1309].
	Failure Mode	The way in which the failure of an item occurs.
	False Indication	A display where logical difference exists between actual and displayed conditions [AMC to CS25.1309].
	FBW	Fly By Wire.
	FCDC	Flight Control Data Concentrator.
	FCOM	Flight Crew Operating Manual.
	FCU	Flight Control Unit.
	FD	Flight Director.
	FDR (Flight Data Recorder)	Complex "crash proof" instrument fitted to airline aircraft to continuously record operating parameters during flight. Early FDRs using stylus scribing on metallic tape recorded only four parameters - airspeed, altitude, heading and vertical acceleration. Today's digital FDRs (DFDRs) simultaneously record some 70 aircraft performance parameters, including instrument readings, flight control movements, engine performance and secondary control settings.
	Fin	The vertical aerofoil member of an aeroplane's tail assembly or empennage. Provides directional stability in flight. Known as the vertical stabiliser in US aviation parlance (see also rudder).
	Flaps	Adjustable surfaces on aircraft's wing trailing edge. When lowered, flaps increase lift of wing, thereby reducing stalling speed, and increase drag, steepening aircraft's glide angle.
	Flight Director	Complex, computer controlled flying instrument combining inputs of other flying and radio navigation instruments in single large dial located directly in front of each pilot.
	Flight Level (FL)	Expression of height in hundreds of feet, based on standard barometric altimeter setting of 1013.2 millibars. Eg, 12,000 feet on standard altimeter setting would be FL120. Differs from altitude in that the latter is based on actual barometric altimeter setting for a particular area or airport.
	Flightplan	Document prepared by pilot on official form before departure, providing details of proposed flight - track to be followed, waypoints, computations of wind effects, headings and speeds for each leg, all-up weight at departure, and progressive fuel burn.
	FMC	Flight Management Computer.

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