RF.  Radio frequency. 

Rhodopsin. The photosensitive pigments that initiate the visual response in the rods of the eye. 

Rigging. The final adjustment and alignment of an aircraft and its flight control system that provides the proper aerodynamic characteristics. 

Rigidity.  The characteristic of a gyroscope that prevents its axis of rotation tilting as the Earth rotates. 

Rigidity in space.  The principle that a wheel with a heavily weighted rim spinning rapidly will remain in a fixed position in the plane in which it is spinning. 

Rime ice.  Rough, milky, opaque ice formed by the instantaneous freezing of small supercooled water droplets. 

Risk. The future impact of a hazard that is not eliminated or controlled. 

Risk elements. There are four fundamental risk elements in aviation: the pilot, the aircraft, the environment, and the type of operation that comprise any given aviation situation. 

Risk management. The part of the decision-making process which relies on situational awareness, problem recognition, and good judgment to reduce risks associated with each flight. 

RMI.  See radio magnetic indicator. 

RNAV.  See area navigation. 

RNP. See required navigation performance. 

RT. See receiver-transmitter. 

Rudder. The movable primary control surface mounted on the trailing edge of the vertical fin of an airplane. Movement of the rudder rotates the airplane about its vertical axis. 

Ruddervator. A pair of control surfaces on the tail of an aircraft arranged in the form of a V. These surfaces, when moved together by the control wheel, serve as elevators, and when moved differentially by the rudder pedals, serve as a rudder. 

Runway centerline lights. Runway lighting which consists of flush centerline lights spaced at 50-foot intervals beginning 75 feet from the landing threshold. 

Runway edge lights. A component of the runway lighting system that is used to outline the edges of runways at night or during low visibility conditions. These lights are classified according to the intensity they are capable of producing. 

Runway end identifier lights (REIL).  A pair of synchronized flashing lights, located laterally on each side of the runway threshold, providing rapid and positive identification of the approach end of a runway. 

Runway visibility value (RVV).  The visibility determined for a particular runway by a transmissometer. 

Runway visual range (RVR).  The instrumentally derived horizontal distance a pilot should be able to see down the runway from the approach end, based on either the sighting of high-intensity runway lights, or the visual contrast of other objects. 

RVR.  See runway visual range. 

RVV.  See runway visibility value. 

## S 

SA.  See selective availability. 

St. Elmo’s Fire.  A corona discharge which lights up the aircraft surface areas where maximum static discharge occurs. 

Satellite ephemeris data.  Data broadcast by the GPS satellite containing very accurate orbital data for that satellite, atmospheric propagation data, and satellite clock error data. 

Sea breeze.  A coastal breeze blowing from sea to land caused by the temperature difference when the land surface is warmer than the sea surface. The sea breeze usually occurs during the day and alternates with the land breeze that blows in the opposite direction at night. 

Sea level engine.  A reciprocating aircraft engine having a rated takeoff power that is producible only at sea level. 

Scan.  The first fundamental skill of instrument flight, also known as “cross-check;” the continuous and logical observation of instruments for attitude and performance information. 

Sectional aeronautical charts.  Designed for visual navigation of slow- or medium-speed aircraft. Topographic information on these charts features the portrayal of relief, and a judicious selection of visual check points for VFR flight. Aeronautical information includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, restricted areas, obstructions and related data. 

