This page defines the terms and phrases used on this website, in order to clarify the exact meaning intended. This is necessary where the meaning may be unfamiliar in an aviation context, unclear or subject to dispute.

Commercial Aviation
The operation of air vehicles for financial gain by transporting goods or passengers for a fee.

Full Scale Model
An item which attempts to portray the external shape of an object, but which possesses an internal construction and use of materials which is completely different from the original article. The material used is often a form of plastic or wood.

Government Agency Aviation
The operation of air vehicles by, or on behalf of, a branch of central or national government other than the armed forces, often for law enforcement purposes.

Guerrilla
Member of an irregular - usually politically motivated - armed force that fights against regular forces. An armed force is one which identifies itself through the wearing of a military uniform or distinguishing insignia, such as an armband, to set them apart form the civilian population. Any weapons carried must be displayed openly and not concealed. Under the various Geneva Conventions, members of such a force quality for Prisoner of War status if captured.

Military Air Arm
A branch of the armed forces equipped and trained to undertake military or security operations in the air.

Pax
The cockpit section of an aircraft, used for emergency training.

Private Aviation
The operation of air vehicles for private and personal use or for the purposes of flying instruction. Also referred to as 'General Aviation'.

Public Service Aviation
The operation of air vehicles by local government or independent organisations in order to provide law enforcement, air ambulance, fire fighting and/or rescue services to the civilian population.

Replica
An exact duplicate of the original, using the same materials and manufacturing techniques as were used to produce the original article.

Reproduction
An item which externally and internally resembles the original article, using broadly similar but not identical materials and manufacturing techniques to those used to produce the original.

Terrorist
One who utilizes the systematic use of violence and intimidation to achieve political objectives, while disguised as a civilian non-combatant. The use of a civilian disguise while on operations exempts the perpetrator from protection under the Geneva Conventions, and consequently if captured they are liable for prosecution as common criminals.