Aeronautical Terms beginning with V
Va
The design maneuvering speed. The maximum speed at which full, abrupt control movement can be used without overstressing the airframe.
Variation
Compass error caused by the difference in the physical locations of the magnetic north pole and the geographic north pole.
VASI
Visual Approach Slope Indicator.
VCOA
Visual Climb Over Airport
VDP
Visual Descent Point.
Vectoring
Navigational guidance by assigning headings.
Vei
Instrument flight never exceed speed, utilized instead of Vne for compliance with maximum limit speed requirements for instrument flight
Venturi tube
A specially shaped tube attached to the outside of an aircraft to produce suction to allow proper operation of gyro instruments.
Vertical Card Compass
A magnetic compass that consists of an azimuth on a vertical card, resembling a heading indicator with a fixed miniature airplane to accurately present the heading of the aircraft. The design uses eddy current damping to minimize lead and lag during turns.
Vertical Navigation (VNAV)
Traditionally, the only way to get glidepath information during an approach was to use a ground-based NAVAID, but modern area navigation systems allow flight crews to display an internally generated descent path that allows a constant rate descent to minimums during approaches that would otherwise include multiple level-offs.
Vertical Separation
Separation established by assignment of different altitudes or flight levels.
Vertical speed indicator (VSI)
A rate-of-pressure change instrument that gives an indication of any deviation from a constant pressure level.
Very-high frequency (VHF)
A band of radio frequencies falling between 30 and 300 MHz.
Very-high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR).
Electronic navigation equipment in which the flight deck instrument identifies the radial or line from the VOR station, measured in degrees clockwise from magnetic north, along which the aircraft is located.
VFR
Visual Flight Rules.
VFR over-the-top
A VFR operation in which an aircraft operates in VFR conditions on top of an undercast.
VFR-On-Top
ATC authorization for an IFR aircraft to operate in VFR conditions at any appropriate VFR altitude (as specified in 14 CFR and as restricted by ATC). A pilot receiving this authorization must comply with the VFR visibility, distance from cloud criteria, and the minimum IFR altitudes specified in 14 CFR Part 91. The use of this term does not relieve controllers of their responsibility to separate aircraft in Class B and Class C airspace or TRSAs as required by FAAO JO 7110.65.
VGSI
Visual Glide Slope Indicator
VHF
Very High Frequency
Victor airways
Airways based on a centerline that extends from one VOR or VORTAC navigation aid or intersection, to another navigation aid (or through several navigation aids or intersections); used to establish a known route for en route procedures between terminal areas. Visual approach slope indicator (VASI). A visual aid of lights arranged to provide descent guidance information during the approach to the runway. A pilot on the correct glide slope will see red lights over white lights.
Visual approach slope indicator (VASI)
A visual aid of lights arranged to provide descent guidance information during the approach to the runway. A pilot on the correct glideslope will see red lights over white lights.
Visual Climb Over Airport (VCOA)
A departure option for an IFR aircraft, operating in visual meteorological conditions equal to or greater than the specified visibility and ceiling, to visually conduct climbing turns over the airport to the published “climb-to” altitude from which to proceed with the instrument portion of the departure. VCOA procedures are developed to avoid obstacles greater than 3 statute miles from the departure end of the runway as an alternative to complying with climb gradients greater than 200 feet per nautical mile. These procedures are published in the `Take-Off Minimums and (Obstacle) Departure Procedures’ section of the Terminal Procedures Publications.
Visual descent point (VDP)
A defined point on the final approach course of a nonprecision straight-in approach procedure from which normal descent from the MDA to the runway touchdown point may be commenced, provided the runway environment is clearly visible to the pilot.
Visual flight rules (VFR)
Flight rules adopted by the FAA governing aircraft flight using visual references. VFR operations specify the amount of ceiling and the visibility the pilot must have in order to operate according to these rules. When the weather conditions are such that the pilot can not operate according to VFR, he or she must use instrument flight rules (IFR).
Visual meteorological conditions (VMC)
Meteorological conditions expressed in terms of visibility, distance from cloud, and ceiling meeting or exceeding the minimums specified for VFR.
VMC
Visual Meteorological Conditions.
VNAV
Vertical Navigation
Vnei
Never Exceed Speed-IFR.
VOR
Very-high Frequency Omnidirectional range.
VOR test facility (VOT)
A ground facility which emits a test signal to check VOR receiver accuracy. Some VOTs are available to the user while airborne, while others are limited to ground use only.
VORTAC
A facility consisting of two components, VOR and TACAN, which provides three individual services: VOR azimuth, TACAN azimuth, and TACAN distance (DME) at one site.
VOT
A ground facility which emits a test signal to check vor receiver accuracy. Some VOTs are available to the user while airborne, and others are limited to ground use only.
VPA
Vertical Path Angle
VSI
Vertical Speed Indicator.
Vso
Stalling Speed or The minimum steady flight speed in the landing configuration
VTF
Vector to Final
Vyi
Instrument climb speed, utilized instead of Vy for compliance with the climb requirements for instrument flight
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