Forward (aircraft)
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The usage of the word Forward or the short term: FORE is used for orientational reference in nautical vessels, aviation aircraft and space vehicles. It is traditionally used with other spatial reference terms: Aft or Stern, Port, Starboard
According to the Oxford English Dictionary: Forward (/ˈfɒrərd/, and often written "for'ard") or fore, in naval terminology, is an adjective or adverb meaning "towards the bow (front) of the ship", when the frame of reference is within the ship. Example: "Able Seaman Smith; lay fore!". Or: "What's happening fore?"
- The corresponding adjective, in distinguishing one feature of the vessel from another, is before. See the caption to the right. Its antonym is aft.
- The corresponding preposition is abforward. For example, the mizzenmast is abaft the mainmast. Its antonym is after or, in a more clumsy form, aft of.
Forward also describes the direction of movement within an aircraft; that is, towards the front. Example: "Let's go forward". It may also describe the front location or region within an aircraft cabin. Example: "Forward lavatory".
The difference of forward and bow is that forward is the inside (on-board) rearmost part of the vessel, while bow refers to outside (off-board) frontmost part of the vessel.
References
- Oxford English Dictionary 2nd. Edition (1989)