Aviation English – Portuguese Dictionary

We are launching an English – Portuguese technical dictionary for aviation professionals. It provides the translation for technical aviation vocabulary for English and Portuguese. It also has an optional pronunciation guide for Aviation English terms.

Key benefits:

1. FREE to download (only pay for audio US$4.99)

2. Easy type and get dictionary (type by keyword and matching word will be listed below)

3. Confirm the correct English pronunciation

4. A comprehensive list of aviation terms included

5. Switch easily from Portuguese to English and English to Portuguese

6. Compatible for Apple iphone/ipad/itouch and Android

… Continue Reading

Airlines and Social Media

TOPIC: AIRLINES AND SOCIAL MEDIA

LEVEL: DIFFICULT

Read the introductory text on the topic “Airlines and Social Media” following links to additional material:

Social media play a crucial role in the modern world, and airline new media experts make sure that carriers stay in touch and on top of the trend. Some airlines perhaps wish they had picked up the habit of managing a Twitter or Facebook account a little earlier, or paid more attention to the buzz YouTube videos were creating. United Airlines may be one of them…

… Continue Reading

Hijack-proof piloting

A hijack-proof piloting system for airliners is being developed to prevent terrorists hijacking the planes.

The mechanism is designed to make it impossible to crash the aircraft into air or land targets – and enable the plane to be flown by remote control from the ground in the event of an emergency.

Scientists at aircraft giant Boeing are testing the tamper-proof autopilot system which uses state-of-the-art computer and satellite technology.

It will be activated by the pilot flicking a simple switch or by pressure sensors fitted to the cockpit door that will respond to any excessive force as terrorists try to break into the flight deck.

Once triggered, no one on board will be able to deactivate the system. Currently, all autopilots are manually switched on and off at the discretion of pilots.

After it has been activated, the aircraft will be capable of remote digital control from the ground, enabling operators to fly it like a sophisticated model plane, manoeuvring it vertically and laterally.

… Continue Reading

Present Perfect Tense

Technology

TOPIC: TECHNOLOGY

LEVEL: DIFFICULT

Read the introductory text about NextGen and follow links for additional reading material.

The Next Generation Transportation System, or simply – NextGen – is the name attributed to a new National Airspace System that is going to be implemented in the United States between 2012 and 2025.

The need for such a system has been widely discussed in the FAA and beyond, the main justification being that American airports are simply too congested, flights are overscheduled, delayed or canceled and something needs to be done to alleviate the gridlock problem.

George Donohue, director of the center within the Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering, says: “Commercial flying in the United States is often an abysmal experience, and our research says that it is only going to get worse. Passengers are frustrated in their inability to have a predictable, comfortable trip.”

… Continue Reading

Top 10 Aviation Gifts

If you are searching for a gift for a pilot there are many options to consider. The fact of the matter is that this industry is always growing and expanding. With that in mind you should not have any problems finding the perfect aviation gift for the pilot in your life. But if you are having a bit of trouble there is no need to worry. Listed below are ten of the best aviation gifts on the market today.

1. An air band transceiver with navigation display is a great gift for a pilot. Even though you will have to spend several hundred dollars, this is one aviation gift that will be used time and time again.

… Continue Reading

Aviation Security

TOPIC: Aviation Security

GOAL: To learn about aviation meteorology and its role in aviation safety

Level: Easy

Exercise #1: Read about aviation meteorology and then proceed to Exercise #2

Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and short term forecasting (in contrast with climatology). Aviation meteorology (MET) deals with the impact of weather on Air Traffic Management (ATM). It is important for air crews to understand the implications of weather on their flight plan as well as their aircraft.

Weather conditions concern all aspects of ATM operations, for example, by variations in head and tail-wind components, through changes in pressure and temperature values at airports, and in imposing low visibility operating conditions. Adverse meteorological conditions have the greatest impact on the ATM system creating disruption and the consequent problems of disturbed flow rates, lost capacity and induced additional costs

… Continue Reading

The Top 10 Uses of Aviation

Aviation has been and will always be one of the greatest breakthroughs in technological development. Aviation has been the backbone of many industries and has played key roles too for many years.

10. Broadcasting – Broadcasting journalism has benefited greatly from the aviation industry, with the advent of the "news chopper," providing live traffic updates to viewers and listeners. Stations employed helicopters to provide unique views of breaking news events.

… Continue Reading

TOPIC

TOPIC: AVIATION BUSINESS

Level: Easy

1.     Read this abstract about a world-known aviation industry show, then answer questions based on the information provided in the text:

The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) is a seven-day trade fair for the aviation business that is held once every two years in Hampshire, UK. (http://www.farnborough.com  ) This airshow is considered to be one of the world's most iconic global aviation events. It is particularly important because new developments and orders are announced during the event.

2008 was a record-breaking year for FIA bringing US$88.7 billion worth of orders announced during the show.  The dire slump that followed and haunted the aviation industry for 2 years after the show seems to be over in 2010.

FIA 2010 channels a new, more optimistic mood and there is talk of a revival of fortune for the air shows that have recently not been doing very well in this economy.

Leading aircraft manufacturers and leasers claim one year has made a substantial difference, and there is hope that about 400 hundred planes would be ordered by the end of the trade week.

… Continue Reading

Fire

TOPIC: Fires

Clique Aqui para Ouvir o texto

GOAL: To learn Aviation English vocabulary related to the dangers of aircraft fires and their causes.

Exercise #1: Read about aircraft fires, and then proceed to Exercise #2

Perhaps few things are as scary as an aircraft fire. They are serious business because, unlike an automobile, pilots don't have the luxury of stopping their aircraft in flight to solve the problem. Reacting quickly and correctly is essential to effectively deal with the emergency. When a fire erupts, you may have little time to consult the emergency checklist, and if you're confused or uncertain about the procedures, your reactions may be slow and inappropriate.

There have been several well-known cases of aircraft fires, including a UPS DC-8 that burned-up after it landed at the Philadelphia International Airport in 2006. Another classic scenario occurred during the tragic accident of ValueJet Flight 592 which crashed into the Florida Everglades after an in-flight fire developed shortly after departure.

… Continue Reading