Aviation Acronyms and Mnemonics

Memory aids are a huge asset to pilots.  It's hard enough to come up with lists or do public math when you're sitting in a briefing room. It's much harder in flight.  But if you have a word or phrase to recite, the execution can become much easier.  I hope these help...

• Aircraft categories:  TURN PALE
• Airports/Airfields
• Preflight info for off station airfields
• NW KRAFT
• RAW FAT
• WANTS (WX, alternates, NOTAMs, TOLD, SIDs/STARs)
• Sign types:  MIDDLR
• Airspace
• FEET SO 14-50 (Class E airspace types)
• McPRAWN (special use airspace)
• ATC
• IPAD (initial call to ATC, page 3)
• Before landing
• CGUMPS
• GPS:  Gear, Prop (forward), Speed brakes (closed)
• Before takeoff
• LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: Version 1 or Version 2.
• Cloud clearances (see Airspace)
• Compass, see Magnetic Compass
• Decision Making:  DECIDE
• Documents, required
• ARROW (required documents) or AROW (if the radio license is not required)
• I use SPARROW (adds supplements, placards) or SPARROWED (adds supplements, placards, external data plate and deviation card).
• Engine Failure (ASEL, several versions)
• ABCDE
• ALARMS
• PL(ease) START
• Speed, Field, Faults, Flaps, Final (IN THAT ORDER!)
• Equipment +
• A FAST MOOSE (day VFR)
• APES (night VFR)
• ATOMS x 2 (day VFR required equipment)
• DECARAT (IFR required equipment + day or night VFR equipment)
• FLAPS (night VFR)
• GOOSE A CAT (day VFR required equipment)
• GRAB CARD (IFR required equipment + day or night VFR equipment)
• TOMATO FLAMES (day VFR)
• See also:  A FAST MOOSE, ATOMS x 2, GOOSE A CAT
• TOMATO FLAMES + FLAPS (VFR day/night)
• Go around
• 5Cs or 4Cs / 4Cs
• TADS (page 4)
• Hazardous attitudes (I'M AIR)
• Impulsiveness / Macho / Anti-authority / Invulnerability / Resignation
• IFR / Approaches
• 5Ts (approaches) or 6Ts (page 4)
• 6As (approaches, page 4)
• AVE F (lost comm routing, IFR,in order)
• CIA (fundamentals of instrument flight)
• Clearance:  CRAFTS or In Clear Deep Rivers And Hot Springs, Fish Swim
• Mandatory reports:
• FAME Performance
• MARVELOUS VFR C500
• N-DRUMS
• MEA (lost comm altitudes, IFR, highest)
• PAINMOM (approach brief)
• Procedure/Plate (ensure briefing the same version)
• Altimeter (get the latest)
• Initial rate of decent (gameplan for precision vs non-precision)
• NAVAIDs (set navigation aids and inbound course)
• Missed approach (brief it)
• Ops Check (check your aircraft instruments/fuel)
• Minimums (briefed and set if you have bugs)
• Position report: I Play The Accordion For Nothing, No Reason
•  APTATEN - Aircraft ID, position, time (crossing fix), altitude, type of flight plan, ETA (to next reporting point), name (of next reporting point).
• Procedure turns (when not to): SHARPTT
• WIRETAP (IFR and nearing destination)
• Illusions
• GAARF (landing)
• ICE FLAGGS (in flight)
• Inspections
• AV1ATES (the "I" is actually a "1") or Explained.
• Lost / Lost Comm
• IFR, see IFR
• VFR, 4Cs or 5Cs
• Magnetic Compass
• ANDS (dip errors)
• UNOS (turns)
• Two Virginians Make Delightful Company (true heading to compass)
• PAST (determining critical engine AMEL)
• Personal Minimums
• IM SAFE
• PAvE (Pilot, aircraft, environment, external pressure)
• External pressure can be PAWT (passengers, airspace, wx and time)
• PDF from FAA
• PAWT (external pressure): passengers, airspace, wx and time
• Position Reports: see IFR above
• Reports, required/mandatory
• IFR (see above)
• NTSB:  P-FACTION
• SMACFUM (determining Vmc for AMEL)
• Transponder Codes (my version)
• 7500 - "high five" or hijack
• 7600 - in the military J6 is communications
• 7700 - highest number = highest concern, i.e., emergency
• Weather
• Briefing:  SACrED WiNd (or the Standard Brief from AWC)
• Charts: CoPS WARS
• Written Truth / Magnetic Speaker (winds)

- FIG -