Aero-Terms!

Aero-Terms are designed to be a daily reminder of the terms, names, acronyms and explanations of the unique language that populates the aviation world. Aerospace, sport aviation, fixed wing, helo, you name it... it's all fair game.

Aero-Terms should serve as a quick but intriguing reminder of the terms you may use every day, or an introduction to an aspects of the Aero-World you may not yet be familiar with. ANN also encourages readers to go beyond the FMI link, and further research any intriguing terms.

Suggestions for future Aero-Terms are ALWAYS welcome, as are additions or discussion of the explanations given for each Aero-Term.

Pressure Pattern Flying

In general, an aircraft flight so planned and navigated as to take advantage of the flight-altitude winds (pressure pattern) to reduce flying time. As techniques have advanced, this concept has become increasingly referred to as minimal flight. Probably the most widely used method today is based upon the determination of D-values with pressure and radio altimeters while in flight. This provides for the continual adjustment of flight course to take fullest advantage of winds in long flights over water. Flight plans made out by the navigator are based on meteorological forecasts of wind distribution. These forecasts are usually prepared in the form of maps analyzed in terms of D-values at the flight pressure altitude. During flight, observations of actual D-values can conveniently be used to make relatively small corrections.

FMI: http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/browse?s=p&p=60