A ramp is essentially the same thing as an apron: the paved area where aircraft are parked, serviced, refueled, loaded/unloaded, and prepared for flight.
What’s different?
Mostly terminology and region:
- Ramp is very common in US aviation (you’ll hear “ramp control,” “ramp clearance,” “on the ramp”).
- Apron is more common in international / ICAO-style usage.
In practice, it means:
- Parking spots, stands, hardstands
- Ground servicing, fueling, rearming
- The area you move through at very low speed before you reach the taxiways
Application in DCS World:
In DCS, “ramp” refers to the same areas you spawn/park and use ground crew:
- The parking area at the airfield
- The zone where you rearm/refuel, connect ground power, do startup, and begin taxi
So: Ramp = Apron (same concept, different word).