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Drone Pilot Glossary - Abbreviations
List of abbreviations, definitions and acronyms commonly used in drone operations and RPAS aviation in Canada.
General Drone and RPAS Abbreviations
| RPAS | Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (complete drone system including aircraft, remote pilot station and communication links) |
| RPA | Remotely Piloted Aircraft (the drone itself operated by a remote pilot) |
| UAS | Unmanned Aircraft System (international term for a drone system) |
| UAV | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (common term for a drone) |
| CARs | Canadian Aviation Regulations (Canadian aviation rules and regulations) |
| TC | Transport Canada (Canadian federal authority responsible for aviation regulations) |
| SFOC | Special Flight Operations Certificate (authorization required for certain drone operations) |
| MTOW | Maximum Take-Off Weight (maximum authorized take-off mass) |
| BVLOS | Beyond Visual Line of Sight (operation where the pilot cannot maintain direct visual contact) |
| VLOS | Visual Line of Sight (operation where the pilot keeps the drone in direct visual contact)
|
Airspace and Flight Operations
| ATC | Air Traffic Control (service responsible for aircraft traffic management) |
| ATS | Air Traffic Services (air traffic control and flight information services) |
| CTR | Control Zone (controlled airspace around an airport) |
| FIR | Flight Information Region (airspace area providing flight information services) |
| NOTAM | Notice to Air Missions (aviation information about temporary hazards or restrictions) |
| NFZ | No Fly Zone (restricted or prohibited flight area) |
| AGL | Above Ground Level (altitude measured above the surface) |
| MSL | Mean Sea Level (altitude reference based on sea level) |
| GCS | Ground Control Station (equipment used to control and monitor the aircraft) |
| RPS | Remote Pilot Station (pilot control equipment for operating the drone)
|
Navigation and Positioning
| GPS | Global Positioning System (satellite navigation system) |
| GNSS | Global Navigation Satellite System (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and other satellite systems) |
| RTK | Real-Time Kinematic (high precision satellite positioning technology) |
| PPK | Post-Processed Kinematic (high accuracy positioning processed after flight) |
| IMU | Inertial Measurement Unit (sensor system measuring movement and orientation) |
| RTH | Return To Home (automatic return flight function) |
Meteorology
| METAR | Meteorological Aerodrome Report (current weather observation at an airport) |
| TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (airport weather forecast) |
| WX | Weather (meteorological conditions) |
| CAVOK | Ceiling And Visibility OK (good visibility and no significant weather conditions) |
| TS | Thunderstorm (storm activity) |
| AGL | Above Ground Level (height reference used for weather and flight operations) |
Drone Technology and Equipment
| FPV | First Person View (drone piloting using a live camera feed) |
| ESC | Electronic Speed Controller (controls electric motor speed) |
| RC | Remote Control (radio control transmitter) |
| LiPo | Lithium Polymer battery technology commonly used in drones |
| BEC | Battery Eliminator Circuit (voltage regulation system) |
| OSD | On-Screen Display (flight information displayed on video feed) |
| Gimbal | Camera stabilization system used for aerial imaging |
| SDK | Software Development Kit (tools for developing drone applications) |
| API | Application Programming Interface (software communication interface) |
Safety and Maintenance
| PIC | Pilot In Command (person responsible for flight safety) |
| Pre-flight | Inspection and checklist performed before take-off |
| Failsafe | Automatic safety procedure activated after signal loss or system failure |
| Flight Log | Record of flight information and operational data |
| Maintenance Log | Record of inspections, repairs and equipment maintenance |
| VO | Visual Observer (person assisting the pilot by maintaining visual contact) |
Canadian Drone Operation Categories
| Basic Operations | Drone operations meeting the requirements for basic category flights in Canada |
| Advanced Operations | Drone operations requiring additional training and privileges |
| RPAS Certificate | Remote Pilot Certificate issued by Transport Canada
|
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