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Athene Airheart's definitions

empennage

The tail section of an airplane, including the elevator and rudder.

From a French word meaning "feathers" or "tail feathers."
The empennage of my airplane is painted white and brown and has the registration number on it.
by Athene Airheart May 15, 2004
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give hell

To really whoop someone or give them trouble. To attack. If you really bust someone up and thoroughly kick their tailfeathers, you will have given them hell.

Since hell is a bad place full of suffering, to give someone hell is to create your own little part of it just for them.

It can also be a term for teasing or general razzing, ("he was really giving you hell at the party, wasn't he?") as well as winning in an athletic event. "We really gave that team hell."
If you are fighting a ferocious enemy, and want to charge up your troops, a good thing to shout would be "Give 'em hell!"
by Athene Airheart March 18, 2004
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meanwhile, back at the ranch

A humerous phrase indicating a simultanious happening.

Derived from old Western TV shows or movies. Something exciting would be happening out on the range somewhere (or in town, etc), but at the same time something else would be happening at the home base, i.e. the ranch.
The bank is being robbed by Smoky Joe and the Goatnose Gang! Will Whitehat Willy be able to foil the desperadoes in time?

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, little Betsy has discovered a gold nugget in the family's stream.
by Athene Airheart May 3, 2004
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Hangar Hound

Someone who spends a lot of time around aircraft. See ramp rat, airport bum.

A "hangar" is a structure in which aircraft are kept. Many times you will find mechanics and/or pilots spending time there, talking about flying and telling stories. A Hangar Hound need not be a pilot or mechanic, but can just like being near aviation.
I had a good chat with the other hangar hounds the other day, we were discussing the air show coming up in June.
by Athene Airheart May 2, 2004
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deplane

To exit an aircraft. A term used in the airline industry.
The frazzled flight attendent was very happy when it was time for the passengers to deplane.
by Athene Airheart May 15, 2004
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It's my birthday

An expression of delight, accompanied by dancing around. Basically saying that the person in question is great, skilled, lucky, etc.

Ususally said in a kind of sing-song way.
"Ooooh yeah! I just won that race! It's my birthday! It's my birthday!"
by Athene Airheart March 20, 2004
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spin

A rather uncomfortable aeronautical maneuver. When in an airplane, if you fly too slow and the wing gets to the wrong angle in relation to the relative wind, you will stall. If the rudder is moved in the wrong way during that stall, the airplane will turn and go into a spin.

Part of a pilot's training is to learn how to get out of stalls and spins, as they can be deadly if not stopped.
Man, I'm gonna hurl. I did eight spins today and I'm really getting dizzy. Can we go do some other maneuver next time?
by Athene Airheart May 15, 2004
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