Definition
Electronic mail: a method of sending written messages, and often attached files such as documents, images, or recordings, between users over a computer network. In aviation training contexts, e-mail is commonly used by instructors and students to share lesson plans, training materials, schedules, and feedback outside of face-to-face sessions.
Plain English
A way to send written messages and files from one person to another using computers or phones connected to the internet.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation training and flight-school communication when instructors, students, or organizations send notices, lesson information, schedule changes, or documents electronically.
Derivation
Short for 'electronic mail.' The 'e-' prefix means 'electronic' and was adopted in the late 20th century to mark digital versions of older paper-based things (e-mail, e-book, e-ticket). It helps signal that this is the digital equivalent of traditional postal mail.
Why Pilots Care
E-mail is one of the main ways instructors send training materials, assignments, and feedback to students between flight lessons, so pilots need to check it regularly to stay current with their training.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor sent the next lesson's reading assignment to the student by e-mail the night before the flight.
Example Sentence 2
Future training materials may be distributed primarily through e-mail rather than printed handouts.