Aviation Maintenance Terms beginning with Z

Zener diode

A special type of solid-state diode designed to have a specific breakdown voltage and to operate with current flowing through it in its reverse direction.

Zeppelin

The name of large, rigid, lighter-than-air ships built by the Zeppelin Company in Germany prior to and during World War I.

Zero fuel weight

The weight of an aircraft without fuel.

Zero-center ammeter

An ammeter in a light aircraft electrical system located between the battery and the main bus. This ammeter shows the current flowing into or out of the battery.

Zero-lash valve lifter

A hydraulic valve lifter that maintains zero clearance in the valve actuating mechanism.

Zone numbers

On drawings, these are similar to the numbers and letters printed on the borders of a map, used for locating a particular point in the drawing