Glossary

Term Acronym Definition

Air traffic control ATC Services that guide aircraft and deconflict airspace

Automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast ADS-B A type of electronic conspicuity device

Civil Aviation Authority CAA The UK's aviation regulator

Class A/B/C/D/E/F/G airspace Airspace is divided into different classes with different rules on what is and is not permissible. Classes A-E are controlled airspace, classes F and G are uncontrolled airspace

Controlled airspace, uncontrolled airspace Controlled airspace is airspace that can only be used following instructions from air traffic control. Uncontrolled airspace is open to general aviation to fly in using visual flight rules without air traffic control

Electronic conspicuity EC A class of technologies that make an object such as a drone visible to electronic systems such as air traffic control

Eurocontrol Intergovernmental agency that oversees and coordinates air traffic control across the continent of Europe

European Aviation Safety Agency EASA European Union agency that oversees aviation safety

Fixed-wing

Hybrid VTOL fixed-wing

Multi-rotor Drones that gain their lift from wings, like a plane

Drones that take off vertically using rotors, then fly forward using wings

Drones that gain their lift from rotors, like a helicopter

National Air Traffic Services Nats The company that runs the UK's air traffic control system

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UAS traffic management system, unmanned traffic management system, urban air traffic management system UTM An air traffic control system for drones. The terms are used interchangeably

Unmanned aerial system, unmanned aerial vehicle UAS, UAV Drone

Vertical take-off and landing VTOL Drones that can take off vertically, like a helicopter, rather than along a runway, like a plane

Visual flight rules, Instrument flight rules VFR, IFR When using visual flight rules, a pilot flies their aircraft based on what they can see. In instrument flight rules, the pilot follows the instrumentation in their cockpit, instructions from air traffic control and follows a flight plan

Visual line of sight, Extended visual line of site, Beyond visual line of sight VLOS, EVLOS, BVLOS There are three broad categories of drone flight: flight within visual line of sight is flying a drone where the pilot controlling the drone is nearby and can see the drone; extended visual line of sight is flying a drone further than the pilot can see, but with another operator able to see it; flying beyond visual line of sight is flying a drone with a pilot who cannot see where the drone is, and relies on the instrumentation on the drone for all situational awareness

Air navigation service provider ANSP Body that provides air navigation services to manage air traffic on behalf of a company, region or country

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