accelerometer
an instrument for measuring and recording the rate of acceleration of an aircraft.
aerialist
a person who performs aerial acrobatics, as a trapeze artist, tightrope walker, stunt flier, etc.
aeroballistics
the science of ballistics combined with or from the special viewpoint of aerodynamics, particularly with regard to rockets, guided missiles, etc. —aeroballistic, adj.
aerobatics
stunts performed with aircraft. See also acrobatics.
aerocartography
the process of mapmaking by means of aerial survey.
aerodonetics
Rare. the science or art of gliding. —aerodonetic, adj.
aerodrome, airdrome
an airport or airbase, not including the personnel.
aerodromics
the art or science of flying airplanes.
aeroembolism
Medicine. a condition caused by the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood as a result of a sudden lowering of atmospheric pressure, as when flying at high altitude or rising too rapidly from a deep underwater dive.
aeromedicine
the medical specialty concerned with the health of those engaged in flying within the earth’s atmosphere.
aeronautics
1. Archaic. the science or art of ascending and traveling in the air in lighter-than-air vehicles.
2. the technology or art of flying airplanes. —aeronaut, n. — aeronautic, aeronautical, adj.
aeronautism
the technique of ballooning. —aeronautics, n.
aeropause
the region in the upper part of the earth’s atmosphere where the air is too thin for aircraft to operate properly.
aerophone
an instrument for detecting the approach of aircraft by intensifying the sound waves it creates in the air.
aerophysics
the branch of physics that studies the earth’s atmosphere, especially the effects upon the atmosphere of objects flying at high speeds or at high altitudes. —aerophysicist, n.
aeroplanist
an aviator or aircraft pilot.
aerostatics
the study of the construction and operation of aerostats, lighter-than-air craft, as balloons or dirigibles. —aerostatic, aerostatical, adj.
Avigation
the science of aerial navigation.
avinosis
airsickness.
avionics
the science and technology of electrical and electronic devices or equipment used in aviation.
ballooning
the art and science of operating balloons for sport or air travel. Also balloonry.
bioastronautics
the science that studies the effects of space travel on life, especially human life and the human body.
orthopter
da Vinci’s exploratory design for a flying machine moved by flapping wings.
perastadics
the science and art of space flying. — perastadic, adj.
photoreconnaisance
reconnaissance for purposes of aerial photography; reconnaissance or surveillance by means of aerial photography.
radar
an acronym for RAdio Detecting And Ranging: a method and the equipment used for the detection and determination of the velocity of a moving object by reflecting radio waves off it.
rocketry
the science and technology of rocket design and manufacture.
supersonic
applied to aircraft moving at speeds beyond the speed of sound, about 750 mph (1207.5 kph) at sea level.
volitation
flight, the act of flying, or the ability to fly.
