What is the standard time used in aviation?

The standard time used in aviation is often referred to as "Zulu" time, which corresponds to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The term "Zulu" comes from the phonetic alphabet, where "Z" represents "Zulu." This time standard is crucial in aviation as it provides a consistent and universal reference for timekeeping across different time zones, ensuring that all parties involved in flight operations -- including air traffic control, pilots, and ground crews -- are synchronized, regardless of their location.

Using Zulu time mitigates confusion that may arise from local time variations, especially in situations involving international flights that cross multiple time zones. Aviation authorities and pilots use this standardized time for flight schedules, navigation, and logs to maintain precise communication and safety in air traffic management. While GMT and UTC are closely related, the specific term in aviation is "Zulu," drawing from the use of a phonetic alphabet for clarity in voice communications.