- AGL
- Above Ground Level. Altitude measured from the terrain directly below the aircraft.
- AHRS
- Attitude and Heading Reference System. The solid-state sensor system that drives the attitude and heading data on a glass-cockpit PFD.
- ATIS
- Automatic Terminal Information Service. A continuous broadcast of weather and operational information at busier airports.
- BasicMed
- An alternative to the FAA Class 3 medical for private pilots flying smaller aircraft, with physician sign-offs every four years.
- CAPS
- Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. The whole-aircraft ballistic parachute on Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft.
- CFI
- Certified Flight Instructor. FAA certificate authorizing the holder to provide flight instruction toward private and commercial certificates.
- CFII
- Certified Flight Instructor — Instrument. FAA certificate authorizing instrument flight instruction.
- Cross-country
- A flight from one airport to another that meets specific FAA distance requirements depending on the certificate sought.
- DPE
- Designated Pilot Examiner. An FAA-authorized examiner who administers practical tests (checkrides) for pilot certificates and ratings.
- FSDO
- Flight Standards District Office. The local FAA office responsible for certificate issuance and operator oversight in a region.
- IFR
- Instrument Flight Rules. Operating an aircraft under instrument flight rules — required in instrument meteorological conditions and on most commercial flights.
- IMC
- Instrument Meteorological Conditions. Weather conditions below VFR minimums that require flight under IFR.
- KFXE
- FAA identifier for Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida — The Pilot Port's home base.
- MSL
- Mean Sea Level. The standard altitude reference used in aviation altimetry.
- PFD
- Primary Flight Display. The main flight instrument display on a glass cockpit, showing attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading, and vertical speed.
- PIC
- Pilot in Command. The pilot legally responsible for the operation and safety of the flight.
- PPL
- Private Pilot Certificate (sometimes called Private Pilot License). The first FAA certificate authorizing solo and passenger-carrying flight.
- Part 61
- The FAA regulatory framework most U.S. flight schools and instructors operate under — flexible curriculum, slightly higher legal minimums than Part 141.
- Part 91
- The FAA general operating rules for non-commercial flight, including dry leases and most personal/business aviation.
- Part 141
- The FAA regulatory framework for schools running an FAA-approved syllabus with stage checks. Some certificates have lower legal minimums under Part 141.
- Perspective+
- Cirrus's Garmin-based glass cockpit avionics suite installed on current SR20 and SR22 aircraft.
- SR20
- Cirrus Aircraft's entry-level four-seat single-engine piston, the primary training aircraft at The Pilot Port.
- TBO
- Time Between Overhauls. Manufacturer-recommended hours between major engine overhauls.
- VFR
- Visual Flight Rules. Operating an aircraft visually outside of clouds and within minimum visibility requirements.
- §91.23
- The FAA truth-in-leasing rule, governing written aircraft leases and operational control.