Airplane Owner/Information Manual.  A document  developed by the airplane manufacturer containing general  information about the make and model of an airplane. The  airplane owner’s manual is not FAA-approved and is not  specific to a particular serial numbered airplane. This manual  is not kept current, and therefore cannot be substituted for  the AFM/POH.  Altitude (AGL).  The actual height above ground level (AGL)  at which the aircraft is flying.  Altitude (MSL).  The actual height above mean sea level  (MSL) at which the aircraft is flying.  Altitude chamber.  A device that simulates high altitude  conditions by reducing the interior pressure. The occupants  will suffer from the same physiological conditions as flight  at high altitude in an unpressurized aircraft.  Airport/Facility Directory.  A publication designed  primarily as a pilot’s operational manual containing all  airports, seaplane bases, and heliports open to the public  including communications data, navigational facilities, and  certain special notices and procedures. This publication is  issued in seven volumes according to geographic area.  Altitude engine.  A reciprocating aircraft engine having a  rated takeoff power that is producible from sea level to an  established higher altitude.  Airworthiness.  A condition in which the aircraft conforms  to its type certificated design including supplemental type  certificates, and field approved alterations. The aircraft must  also be in a condition for safe flight as determined by annual,  100 hour, preflight and any other required inspections.  Angle of attack.  The acute angle between the chord line of  the airfoil and the direction of the relative wind.  Angle of incidence.  The angle formed by the chord line of the  wing and a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the airplane.  Airworthiness Certificate.  A certificate issued by the FAA  to all aircraft that have been proven to meet the minimum  standards set down by the Code of Federal Regulations.  Airworthiness Directive.  A regulatory notice sent out by  the FAA to the registered owner of an aircraft informing  the owner of a condition that prevents the aircraft from  continuing to meet its conditions for airworthiness.  Airworthiness Directives (AD notes) must be complied with  within the required time limit, and the fact of compliance,  the date of compliance, and the method of compliance must  be recorded in the aircraft’s maintenance records.  Alpha mode of operation.  The operation of a turboprop  engine that includes all of the flight operations, from takeoff  to landing. Alpha operation is typically between 95 percent  to 100 percent of the engine operating speed.  Alternate air.  A device which opens, either automatically or  manually, to allow induction airflow to continue should the  primary induction air opening become blocked.  Alternate static source.  A manual port that when opened  allows the pitot static instruments to sense static pressure  from an alternate location should the primary static port  become blocked.  Alternator/generator.  A device that uses engine power to  generate electrical power.  Altimeter.  A flight instrument that indicates altitude by  sensing pressure changes.  Autopilot.  An automatic flight control system which keeps  an aircraft in level flight or on a set course. Automatic pilots  can be directed by the pilot, or they may be coupled to a radio  navigation signal.  Autokinesis.  This is caused by staring at a single point of  light against a dark background for more than a few seconds.  After a few moments, the light appears to move on its own.  Attitude.  The position of an aircraft as determined by the  relationship of its axes and a reference, usually the earth’s  horizon.  Attitude indicator.  An instrument which uses an artificial  horizon and miniature airplane to depict the position of the  airplane in relation to the true horizon. The attitude indicator  senses roll as well as pitch, which is the up and down  movement of the airplane’s nose.  Anti-icing.  The prevention of the formation of ice on a  surface. Ice may be prevented by using heat or by covering  the surface with a chemical that prevents water from reaching  the surface. Anti-icing should not be confused with deicing,  which is the removal of ice after it has formed on the surface.  Annual inspection.  A complete inspection of an aircraft and  engine, required by the Code of Federal Regulations, to be  accomplished every 12 calendar months on all certificated  aircraft. Only an A&P technician holding an Inspection  Authorization can conduct an annual inspection.   G-2