AGL
In everyday words: Above Ground Level
How far above the ground underneath a particular location. A drone at 200 feet AGL is 200 feet above local ground.
Official FAA reference first: FAA Remote Pilot resources ↗ and FAA Chart User's Guide ↗. This page is a teaching aid; current official materials govern actual flights and test rules.
MSL
In everyday words: Mean Sea Level
Elevation measured from a common sea-level reference. FAA charts frequently print obstacle-top elevations in MSL.
Parentheses
In everyday words: The curved marks ( )
On many obstacle labels, the number inside parentheses gives height above local ground, such as 1549 (449): 449 feet AGL.
Vignette
In everyday words: A soft-edged shaded color band
A chart marking that helps show where Class E airspace starts at a particular height. Always read the current FAA chart legend.
Floor / ceiling
In everyday words: The bottom / top of an airspace area
Airspace is three-dimensional. A Class B shelf may start above the ground and have a different upper limit.
METAR
In everyday words: Meteorological Aerodrome Report
An observed airport weather report at a particular time. Think: What weather was reported?
TAF
In everyday words: Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
A forecast of expected airport-area weather over a future period. Terminal does NOT mean bad weather. Think: What is expected later?
Knots / KT
In everyday words: Aviation speed units
One knot is about 1.15 miles per hour. KT means knots in a weather report. 12KT is about 14 mph.
G in a METAR wind group
In everyday words: Gusts
18012G20KT means wind FROM 180 degrees at 12 knots, occasionally gusting up to 20 knots.
BKN / OVC / SCT / FEW
In everyday words: Broken / overcast / scattered / few clouds
For the three-digit cloud-base group, multiply by 100 feet: BKN025 is a broken layer at 2,500 feet AGL. Do not use this trick for every number in a weather report.
Density altitude
In everyday words: Air-density-related performance measure
Air becomes less dense with heat, high elevation and low pressure. A drone can have less lifting/control margin.
VLOS
In everyday words: Visual Line of Sight
Keeping the small unmanned aircraft visible as required by applicable rules so its location and surrounding hazards can be assessed.
BVLOS
In everyday words: Beyond Visual Line of Sight
Operating beyond required direct sight. It generally requires a separate FAA regulatory basis or permission.
RPIC / PIC
In everyday words: Remote Pilot in Command / Pilot in Command
The remote pilot responsible for the small drone operation and the final safety decision.
UAG
In everyday words: Unmanned Aircraft General
The FAA test code for the initial Part 107 remote pilot knowledge exam.
LAANC
In everyday words: Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability
An FAA program used through approved providers to request certain controlled-airspace authorizations.
NOTAM
In everyday words: Notice to Airmen (an FAA aviation notice)
A time-sensitive aviation notice. Check current notices for restrictions, hazards or changes affecting a flight.
TFR
In everyday words: Temporary Flight Restriction
A temporary airspace restriction, often for events, emergencies or security. A planned flight must comply with its terms.
Remote ID / RID
In everyday words: Remote Identification
Required drone identification/location broadcast capability when applicable. It does not authorize controlled-airspace flight.
ADS-B
In everyday words: Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast
A different aviation surveillance technology. It is not interchangeable with drone Remote ID.
FRIA
In everyday words: FAA-Recognized Identification Area
An eligible defined location where certain drones without Remote ID broadcast equipment may operate subject to the rule.
CTAF
In everyday words: Common Traffic Advisory Frequency
A radio frequency used for airport traffic advisories, commonly at nontowered airports.
CRM
In everyday words: Crew Resource Management
Clear teamwork and sharing hazard information so the remote pilot can make safe decisions.
IMSAFE
In everyday words: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion/Eating
A personal readiness memory check, not a replacement for the FAA rules.
PAVE
In everyday words: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures
A way to check the risks of the whole flight before deciding whether to launch.
MEF
In everyday words: Maximum Elevation Figure
A number on a sectional chart representing a highest-elevation reference for a chart area. It is not an automatic safe operating altitude.
RTH
In everyday words: Return-to-Home
A programmed emergency/return function that can behave differently by model and settings; check its height, path and obstacles.
Payload / center of gravity
In everyday words: Carried equipment / balance point
Adding gear changes total weight and where the drone balances; check manufacturer limits and flight reserve.
Declaration of Compliance / DoC
In everyday words: FAA-accepted producer compliance document
Used for applicable drone requirements; not an airspace authorization or pilot-created waiver.
Waiver / authorization
In everyday words: FAA rule exception / permission for a location
A waiver addresses a specific regulatory requirement; an airspace authorization permits certain operations in specified controlled airspace.
Part 107
In everyday words: FAA small-drone commercial/nonrecreational operating rules
The U.S. rules for many civil small-drone operations; completing 2 Drones Academy does not itself issue an FAA certificate.