Aviation Legal Glossary: S

Seaplane: A water-based aircraft with a boat-hull fuselage, often amphibious. The term is also used generically to define a similar Flying Boat and a pontoon Floatplane.

Search pattern: Basic guidance mode; provides lateral steering guidance to fly an expanding square search pattern, creeping line search pattern, or sector search pattern.

Sensor: A device that measures, receives, or generates data, for example, an INS, a FLIR, a map.

Service of Process: Providing a formal notice to the defendant that orders him to appear in court to answer plaintiff's allegations.

Speed: Scalar velocity.

S-plane: Continuous complex frequency plane; S-plane is used in control systems engineering in the design of control laws.

Stabilizer: A control surface, usually mounted at aft end of the fuselage parallel to the wings, that provides pitch stability, some aircraft have an adjustable stabilizer.

Statute of Limitations: The time period within which a plaintiff must file his action against the defendant. This time frame varies by state. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations is three years.

Strict Liability: The defendant is liable to the plaintiff regardless of fault.

Subpoena: A form issued by the court requiring someone to appear in court and/or bring documents. (Also referred to as a "Summons.")