null
1-855-215-2914
Free Shipping on orders $75+ (Shipping Details Here)
loginLogin
Cart Cart

Aviation Oil Outlet Aviation Oil Outlet

  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
    • Contact Us
    • Credit App
    • Quote Request
    • Shipping Info
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Products
    • About Us
    • Mission
    • FAQ
  • RESOURCES
    • Videos
    • Articles
    • Email Sign-up
  • login
    Login
  • cart
    Cart
    • Aviation Lubricants By Application
      • All Aviation Lubricants By Application
      • Aviation Piston Engine Oils
        • Straight Grade Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
        • Straight Grade Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
        • Multi-Viscosity Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
        • Multi-Viscosity Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
        • Multi-Viscosity Grade Oil for Light Sport Aircraft
        • Aviation Oil with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
      • Aviation Turbine Oil
      • Aviation Hydraulic Oil
      • Aerobatic Smoke Oil
      • Aviation Greases
    • Aviation Lubricants By Weight
      • All Aviation Lubricants By Weight
      • Aviation Grade 65, SAE 30
        • Straight 65 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Aviation Grade 80, SAE 40
        • Straight 80 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
        • Straight 80 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
      • Aviation Grade 100, SAE 50
        • Straight 100 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
        • Straight 100 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
        • Grade 100 with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
      • Aviation Grade 120, SAE 60
        • Grade 120 Mineral, Break-in Oil
        • Grade 120 Ashless for Normal Operation
      • Aviation Oil SAE 10w-40
      • Aviation Oil SAE 15w-50
        • Multi-Grade 15w-50 Ashless for Normal Use
      • Aviation Oil SAE 20w-50
        • Multi-Grade 20w-50 Break-In Oil
        • Multi-Grade 20W-50 Ashless for Normal Use
      • Aviation Oil SAE 25w-60
        • Multi-Grade 25w-60 for Engine Break-In
        • Multi-Grade 25w-60 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Lubricant Accessories
    • Shop By Brand
      • AeroShell
      • BlueSky Lubricants
      • Mobil
      • Phillips 66 Aviation
    • About Us
      • Our Products
      • About Us
      • Mission
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Online Sales
      • Online Shopping Security
      • Terms Of Use
    • Resources
      • Videos
      • Articles
      • Email Sign-up
      • Bookmark Our Site
      • Get Our Free Web App
      • Site Map
    • Customer Service
      • Customer Service
      • Return Policy
      • Contact Us
      • Credit App
      • Quote Request
      • Shipping Info
      • FAQ
      • Paypal Resource Page
    • Login Create an Account


    1-855-215-2914
    The Flight Blog - Read Articles The Flight Blog - Read Articles
    Back to Blog Homepage
    12 Aviation Slang Terms That Mean Something You Might Not Expect

    12 Aviation Slang Terms That Mean Something You Might Not Expect

    By Sarah Simonovich on May 3rd 2016

    Variations in language make life interesting, although those very same nuisances can make conversation confusing if you don't know what the heck they're talking about. And while we might be a little biased, we think that aviation slang marks for some of the coolest cultural and professional variation of the English language, which is why we've compiled some of the most bizarre ones here.

    So whether you want to impress your pilot friends, or better understand the conversations you overhear down at the hangar, we've got you covered. 

    ANGEL

    In mythology, Angels are spiritual super-beings who exceed humans in strength, intelligence, and wing capacity--not to mention they are also highly popular subjects for figurines; in pilot lingo, however, angel refers to a carrier rescue helicopter.



    The plural angels actually refers to something completely different: altitude, measured in thousands of feet (angels fourteen, for example, is 14,000 ft. ASL).

    APRON

    Aprons are found outside of the kitchen, I'll have you know--at least these kinds of aprons are.

    If someone talking aviation shop refers to the apron, what they're talking about is the hard-surfaced or paved area around the hangar where aircraft are parked. And yes, I know a lot of times people refer to this as the "tarmac"; however, Tarmac is actually a trademarked type of road surface by Tarmac Limited (and a lot of airport parking areas ar paved with concrete, FYI). So to avoid sounding like a noob, try referring to the apron by its official term and see how many points that scores you.

    BAG

    If you ever get asked to "put on a bag," here's a tip: don't ask, "paper or plastic?"

    Bag is slang for a flight suit or an anti-exposure suit. Barney Stinson may suit up, but if he was a pilot, he'd bag up.

    BINGO FUEL

    There was a farmer who had a dog-and neither the farmer nor the dog have anything to do with aviation. Bingo (now is that the dog's name or the farmer's name in the song?) refers to the minimum fuel required for a comfortable and safe return to base.



    *It is important to note, however, that Bingo Fuel is a military term and is not within the civilian pilot/controller glossary. In the event of a situation requiring support from ATC, using non-civilian or otherwise unofficial  slang or terminology can create confusion, leading to delays (or worse). So while there's probably nothing more satisfying than yelling -Bingo!- in the church basement on a Wednesday night, it's probably best to keep it out of the cockpit.

    BOUGHT THE FARM

    We hope that you never have to use this term.

    While some might consider buying a zoo a decent premise for a film, having "bought the farm" is a much more tragic affair, and refers to the pilot being killed.

    GOO

    Goo is the 6th studio album by American alternative band Sonic Youth.

    The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock band formed in 1986.

    Aviation slang goo refers to bad weather that makes it impossible to see; in the clouds. Think: pea soup in the sky. Yeah. Not good.



     

    GREEN APPLE

    If you didn't already know, there's a lot of hype around green apples regarding their nutritional value and superiority to red apples (yes, I'm serious).

    In this case, though, the only apple I'm worried about is the one found in the cockpit: the green apple is the control knob for the cockpit's emergency oxygen supply ( not sure how this figures into the whole "apple a day keeps the doctor away" hype, either).

    HAMBURGER HELPER

    Besides a box of pasta bundled with packets of powdered sauce and/or seasonings, Hamburger Helper is slang for the bombardier-navigator or intercept officer. Here's a tip: don't eat this kind.

    MEATBALL

    As I'm sure you've come to expect, meatball doesn't actually have anything to do with food; if an aviator talks about the meatball in the cockpit, chances are its in reference to the glideslope indication light pilots watch when they're trapping (aka landing on a carrier).

    aviation slang, pilot lingo, meatball, aircraft carrier, fighter jet,

    NUGGET

    A nugget is a first-tour Naval Aviator or flight officer, and is especially applicable during their first deployment--the insinuation being they need to be taken under someone else's wing.

    POOPY SUIT

    I promise it's not as bad as it sounds--a poopy suit is an endearing term given to a rubber anti-exposure suit worn over the flight suit during over water operations where the water temperature is low. The name comes from the simple fact that certain bodily functions are not an option while wearing it.

    SPAGHETTI

    Spaghetti, apart from looking like saucy worms, can also kinda look like wires, which is exactly what aviators mean when they're talking about spaghetti (outside of mealtime). Spaghetti is slang for the arresting gear (wires) in the landing area on a carrier. In the spaghetti is where you catch the wires on the deck--you want to land in the spaghetti (just don't sneeze on your aforementioned meatball).



     

    Have a favorite aviation slang term? Let us know in the comments.

     

     

    • #General Aviation
    • #Uncategorized
    • #angel
    • #apron
    • #aviation lingo
    • #aviation slang
    • #aviation terminology
    • #aviation terms
    • #bag
    • #bingo fuel
    • #bombardier navigator
    • #bought the farm
    • #chopper
    • #cockpit
    • #control knob
    • #exposure suit
    • #flight officer
    • #flight suit
    • #goo
    • #green apple
    • #sarah si

    You might also be interested in:


    Newsletter | January 2023
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Jan 12th 2023

    Do You Use Our FREE Web App? Now you can save our website as an app on your
    monthly newsletter
    Newsletter | November 2022
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Nov 22nd 2022

    Other Smoke Oils Pail in Comparison to Bluesky Bluesky White Lightning Smok
    monthly newsletter
    Newsletter | October 2022
    by Aviation Oil Outlet on Oct 28th 2022

    Shop One of Our Most Popular Products - In Stock While Supplies Last One of
    monthly newsletter
    !

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales

    aoo logo
    Aviation Oil Outlet
    454 South Main Street
    Wilkes Barre, PA 18703
    United States of America

    1-855-215-2914

    E-mail:
    sales@aviationoiloutlet.com

    Follow us on Social:

    Customer Service

    • Contact
    • Credit Application
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Quote Request
    • Returns
    • Shipping Information
    • Sitemap

    Resources

    • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Brands
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Online Shopping Security
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions of Online Sales
    • Terms of Use
    • Video Library

    Account

    • Account
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • Order History

    © 2023 Aviation Oil Outlet

    payment method icons Bizrate
    ​