Spend more than 30 seconds in aviation and someone is probably going to throw out an acronym of some kind. We polled our team to find out what they think are most helpful, funny or useful acronyms they’ve: 

Zeke: ABCDEF

“If you experience an engine failure, time is of the essence and you need to act as quickly as possible.”

Airspeed: Establish and trim for it

Best place to land: Choose it. Turn to it!

Checklist: Run it

Doors: Open once an off airport landing is guaranteed  

Electrical: Off

Fuel: Off

Matt: WIRE

“With everything going on getting ready for an instrument approach, this simple acronym ensures that I’m ready for it.”  

Weather

Instruments

Radio?

Environment

Julian: GUMPS

“I don’t want to be one those statistics of people that land their airplane gear up. GUMPS helps keep me safe from that. Do it three times before you land! (downwind, base, final)” 

Gas

Undercarriage

Mixture

Prop

Seatbelts

Annie: FATWORKS

“This is the as NWKRAFT but I learned FATWORK and it still makes me chuckle. Whichever one you use, this is perfect for making sure you have everything ready to go as part of your preflight planning.” 

Fuel 

Alternates

Takeoff (departure procedure)

Weather

Other pertinent information

Runway lengths 

Known ATC delays

Tori: TIM loves BCN

“I came across this one as a way of making sure that a student has all the endorsements they need before heading out on their check ride.”

TSA: you need to have your TSA clearance

IACRA: this is the FAA system used to process pilot applications. Gotta have it completed. 

Medical. You need a valid medical! 

Loves…we just throw “loves” in there to make it work. The rest of these are the subparts of FAA Part 61.87 that need to be done:

B: aeronautical knowledge test completed and corrected

C: Pre solo flight training completed.

N: You need to have your 90 day solo endorsement current in your logbook. 

Conor: AIRBAG

“The most important acronym I have found…”

ATIS

Information

Ready to get the ATIS?

Better get the ATIS

ATIS…again

GET THE ATIS