Federal Aviation Administration: FAA for short, this is the federal agency (under the Department of Transportation) that oversees and regulates all aviation related activities. This means that flying falls under federal juristiction and is not done on a state-by-state basis.
Transportation Security Administration: TSA for short, this is the agency charged with airport security. They are the people with the purple sweaters at airports who put you through the screening process. They also regulate flight training.
Certified Flight Instructor: CFI for short, these are individuals who have completed all the training required by the FAA to teach in aircraft and sign your logbook. There are three types of CFIs. CFIs can teach private and commercial pilot skills, CFI/Is (also written CFIIs) are instructors who can teach instrument skills, and MEIs are instructors who can teach in multi-engine aircraft.
Logbook: This is what you will record all your flights in. Every precious hour you spend in the airplane gets recorded and signed (if needed). Think of it as your aviation memory book!
Pilot-in-command: This is a certain kind of flight time you can log under certain conditions. It is very important and is considered "what you need" by the FAA and employers.
Cross-country: Another kind of flight time that is categorized by distance. Flights over 50 nautical miles can be logged as "cross-country time".
Nautical mile: The unit used to measure distace in aviation. It is equivelant to 1.15 statute (regular) miles or 1.852 kilometers.
Knots: The unit used to measure speed in aviation. It is 1 nautical mile per hour. 1.15 statute miles per hour or 1.852 kilometers per hour.
Instrument flight rules: IFR for short, this is considered flying by looking at the flight instruments, not outside. This is how we can fly through clouds and other lousy weather. Obviously, a more advanced type of flying.
Visual flight rules: VFR for short, this is flying by looking outside the airplane. This is the basic type of flying students and private pilots will use until they learn how to fly on instruments and get an instrument rating.
Dual flight: Flight that takes place with a student and instructor both on board.
Solo flight: Flight that takes place with just a student on board, after the instructor has decided they are safe and ready to fly the airplane alone. This is a major stepping cloud (or stone if you prefer) in the training process.
Piper Cherokee: A type of aircraft used heavily in training. Proteus uses three Cherokees (a Warrior and two Archers, both types of Cherokees). These are types of Piper Cherokees. All are single-engine, four seat aircraft used extensively in all types of flight operations. Consult Wikipedia for more information.
Written exam: This is a multiple choice knowledge test administered on a computer at a special testing facility (located all over). It can be completed at any point in your training, but we recommend waiting until you've flown a little so all the information is in context.
Checkride: This is the final exam to obtain your certificate. It consists of an oral exam, where the examiner will quiz you on your knowledge in a more "think quick" environment. There is also the practical exam, which is the flight portion where you will display a series of manuevers to the examiner. When you pass, you are a pilot!
Designated Pilot Examiner: DPE for short. These are the individuals the FAA has certified to administer the checkride to prospective pilots. They are long-time instructors with lots of experience and knowledge, and they're also very nice people!
Medical exam: This is a visit to an aviation medical examiner that you have to complete prior to your first solo.
Aviation Medical Examiner: AME for short, these are doctors that have had special training with the FAA and are certified to give medical certificates.
Alien Flight School Program: AFSP for short, this is the TSA program that keeps training of non-citizens who flight train. Learn more here.
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