Aviation Dictionary

On this page you will find a searchable and comprehensive alphabetical list of aviation terms. You can help us make it the most comprehensive list in the world. If we have missed anything, click on the ‘send us your word’ button to send us your word, acronym or definition and we will consider adding it to our dictionary.

Aviation Dictionary: V

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V1	The speed beyond which take-off should no longer be aborted. In other words, if V1 is reached, then you as the pilot are committed to the take-off. An aborted take-off after V1 will mean that there is not enough runway available to safely bring the aircraft to a stop
Va	Design manoeuvring speed. Below this speed, the aircraft will stall before experiencing any structural failure if full application of any flight controls is experienced. Above Va and the aircraft may experience significant structural damage before stalling.
VA	Volcanic Ash
Vacate	Leaving the runway and joining a taxi way
Variable Pitch Propeller	A propeller which has the ability to change its pitch in flight, either automatically or manually by the pilot, which reduces drag and increases performance
VASI	Visual approach slope indicator
VC	Vicinity
Veering wind	A clockwise change in wind direction
Vertical Stabiliser	Used to provide directional stability. The rudder is attached to the vertical stabiliser
Vfe	Maximum flap extended speed
VFR	Visual Flight Rules. You may only fly when you can actually see where you are going.
VFR Transit Lanes	A pathway through a control zone or control area that has specific altitude requirements which aircraft can fly through without obtaining a clearance.
Vfto	Final take-off speed
VHF	Very high frequency
VIS	Visibility
Visibility	The ability to clearly see an object at a certain distance. The minimum visibility required for VFR flight is 5km and when obtaining weather reports, either before your flight or via an ATIS, the visibility for a specific period of time will be displayed or given in the weather report.
Visual Departure	A departure by an IFR flight when either part or all of an instrument procedure is not completed and the departure is executed based on visual reference to terrain.
Visual Reference	Continuous reference to either land or water
Vle	Maximum landing gear extended speed
Vlo	Maximum landing gear operating speed
VMC	Visual meteorological conditions
Vmca	Minimum control speed in the air
Vmcg	Minimum control speed on the ground
Vmo	Maximum operating speed
VNAV	Vertical navigation
Vne	Never exceed Speed
Vno	Normal Operating Speed
Volcanic Hazard Zones	Areas of airspace designated around a volcano. These have special conditions and the size of the area can change based on the volcanic alert level. Entering a VHZ has specific requirements.
VOLMET	Meteorological information for aircraft in flight
VOR	A ground based radio station which is used for navigation by pilots who have a VOR receiver in the aircraft. A VOR transmits radials from the station.
Vr	Rotate speed
Vso	Stall speed - flaps extended
Vs1	Stall speed - clean
VS	Vertical speed
VSI	Vertical speed indicator
Vso	Stall speed in landing configuration
VTC	Visual terminal chart
VTOSS	Take-off safety speed
Vx	Best angle of climb speed
Vy	Best rate of climb speed

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Aviation Dictionary