Special Use Airspace (SUA). Airspace that exists where activities must be confined because of their nature. Consists of prohibited, restricted, warning, military operations, and alert areas. 

Speed. The distance traveled in a given time. 

Sport Pilot Certificate. An FAA-issued pilot certificate, allowing the holder to operate a light-sport aircraft in the category, class, make and model for which they are endorsed to do so. 

SRM.  See Single Pilot Resource Management. 

Stabilized Approach. A landing approach in which the pilot establishes and maintains a constant angle glidepath towards a predetermined point on the landing runway. It is based on the pilot’s judgment of certain visual cues, and depends on the maintenance of a constant final descent airspeed and configuration. 

Stall.  A rapid decrease in lift caused by the separation of airflow from the wing’s surface brought on by exceeding the critical angle of attack. A stall can occur at any pitch attitude or airspeed. 

Stalling speed.  For WSC, the power-off stall speed at the maximum takeoff weight (the lower limit of the green arc). 

Standard airport traffic pattern.  The left-hand turn traffic flow that is prescribed for aircraft landing at, taxiing on, or taking off from an airport. Reference 14 CFR section 91.126 (a)(1) and AIM chapter 4, section 3. 

Standard Atmosphere. Consisting of those atmospheric conditions at sea level that include a barometric pressure of 29.92 inches of mercury ("Hg) or 1013.2 millibars, and a temperature of 15 °C (59 °F). Pressure and temperature normally decrease as altitude increases. The standard lapse rate in the lower atmosphere for each 1,000 feet of altitude is approximately 1 "Hg and 2 °C (3.5 °F). For example, the standard pressure and temperature at 3,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) is 26.92 "Hg (29.92 – 3) and 9 °C (15 – 6). 

Static pressure.  The pressure of air that is still, or not moving, measured perpendicular to the surface exposed to the air. 

Static stability. The initial tendency an aircraft displays when disturbed from a state of equilibrium. 

Stationary front.  A front that is moving at a speed of less than 5 knots. 

Steep turn.  Turn resulting from a degree of bank of 45 degrees or more. 

Straight-in approach.  Entry into the traffic pattern by interception of the extended runway centerline (final approach course) without executing any other portion of the traffic pattern. 

Stress management. The personal analysis of the kinds of stress experienced while flying, the application of appropriate stress assessment tools, and other coping mechanisms. 

Strobe. A high-intensity white flashing light. Strobe lights are located on aircraft wingtips to increase aircraft visibility in low light conditions. 

Strut. Wing structural member used to hold the wings in place instead of the flying and ground wires for some designs. The “strutted wing” does not use a kingpost. 

Student Pilot Certificate. An FAA issued certificate that permits student pilots to exercise solo pilot privileges with limitations. This can be a student’s FAA third class medical or a student pilot certificate issued for flying an LSA using a driver’s license as medical eligibility. 

SUA.  See special use airspace. 

Surface analysis chart. A report that depicts an analysis of the current surface weather. Shows the areas of high and low pressure, fronts, temperatures, dewpoints, wind directions and speeds, local weather, and visual obstructions. 

Tailwind. Wind blowing in the same direction the aircraft is moving. When an aircraft is flying with a tailwind, its speed over the ground is equal to its speed through the air, plus the speed the air is moving over the ground. 

Takeoff clearance.  ATC authorization for an aircraft to depart a runway. It is predicated on known traffic and known physical airport conditions. 

Taxi. The movement of an aircraft under its own power while on the ground. 

Taxiway.  Airport area designated for aircraft surface movement. 

Temporary flight restriction (TFR). Designated airspace of specified dimension where flight is temporarily restricted or prohibited. NOTAMs are issued to advise airmen of local TFR restrictions. 

