Glossary - Back in MAC - Operation Just Cause (1989)

MAC

Military Airlift Command (now AMC - Air Mobility Command)

MX

Maintenance

Alpha

C-141 MX radio net/squadron designation for organizational MX

AGE

Aerospace Ground Equipment - Includes power units, air compressors, and other powered equipment that support aircraft MX

ATC

Air Traffic Control - Here, it includes Tower, Ground, Approach and Departure frequencies

APU

Auxilliary Power Unit - Small gas turbine engine that provides electrical and pneumatic power to the aircraft. Primary uses are electrical power and starting engines. C-141 has one, C-5 has two.

AR

Aero Repair - Specialized shop that maintains flight control, landing gear and loading systems

ATOC

Air Terminal Operations Center - Controls activities of passenger and cargo services

Bravo

Backup aircraft supporting primary mission aircraft

Balls

Slang used by MX people in place of zeros in aircraft tail numbers (each functional area uses the tail number differently)

CSS

Concurrent Service Supervisior - Designated MX person who supervises aircraft refuel while other specific MX activities are ongoing

CTK

Consolidated Tool Kit - Used for “tool room”

CSD

Constant Speed Drive - Component on engine that drives the electrical generator at specified RPM, although engine speed may vary

CP

Command Post - Center for operations/aircrew oriented activities and represents authority of wing commander

Dog

Slang for “DG” prefix assigned to ground power units

DV

Distinguished Visitor - normally a Colonel (O-6) or above

Dispatch

Area within MX shop that controls the work assignment of aircraft specialists

Defuel

Removing fuel from an aircraft

Dash One

Functional inspection (pre-flight) that an aircrew performs prior to flight

Expeditor

Key MX person in vehicle that supervises the activities and people on a specific number of aircraft

Forms

MX documentation/logs kept on the aircraft (a 115 is used to update MX control)

Heavy

Term used by ATC to designate large framed multiple-engined aircraft - similar to “jumbo”

K-Loader

Large, specialized vehicle used to load/unload cargo aboard aircraft

Kilo

Term for driver who delivers/maintains powered AGE equipment to the aircraft

Launch Truck

Vehicle with a number of MX specialists who can respond rapidly to a malfunction aboard launching aircraft

MAW

Military Airlift Wing

MAS

Military Airlift Squadron - designation for aircrew organization

LDA

Localizer Directional Aid - Ground-based navigational landing aid that assists pilots

Mike

Field MX radio net/squadron designation within the organizations that maintain engines, hydraulics, structure, landing gear, environmental systems, etc. Mike 4 is the supervisor.

MX Control

Center for maintenance oriented activities (also known as “job control”) Represents authority of deputy commander for MX

Number 5

Slang - used to inform MX control the C-141 APU has been started. In the launch sequence, this is usually before engine start

November

Avionics MX radio net/squadron designation within the organizations that maintain electrics, instruments, autopilot, radio, radar, systems, etc.) November 4 is the supervisor.

McClellan

McClellan AFB, near Sacramento, California. Aircraft returning from overseas may land here during poor weather conditions at Travis. Crews and passengers may clear U.S. Customs there

Ops Check

Slang for “operational check” of an aircraft system or component

Potable

Water stored on the aircraft designated for drinking

PAX

Passengers

POL

Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants - Term for organization that provides fuel services to the aircraft

Ramp Saturation

Or, “ramp- sat” - A base that aircraft is scheduled to fly to is physically unable to accept any more aircraft

Rwy

Runway

Sierra

C-5 MX radio net/squadron designation for organizational MX

Test Cell

Facility used to test aircraft engines before they are installed on an aircraft

VFR

Visual Flight Rules - pilots fly with a visual reference to the ground

Unkneel

Procedure to raise a C-5 aircraft from its lowered “knelt” position that’s used for cargo loading

Uke

Aircraft tow vehicle