Glossary

F

F Fahrenheit

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

faculae Bright areas visible on the surface of the Sun, especially near its edge

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulations

FBL Fly-by-light (avionics system)

FAS Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA)

FCC Federal Communications Commission

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

FGB Functional Cargo Block (for the International Space Station; acronym is from the Russian term)

fly-by-light The use of light signals to connect the pilot's control devices with the aircraft control surfaces; or the use of light (fiber optic) control connections with no mechanical backup linkages and providing the pilot direct control of aircraft motion rather than control surface position

fly-by-wire The use of electrical signals to connect the pilot's control devices with the aircraft control surfaces; or the use of electrical control connections with no mechanical backup linkages and providing the pilot direct control of aircraft motion rather than control surface position

FWS (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service (DoI)

FY Fiscal year