104-108 MATS Glossary

Question 1

ATS SURVEILLANCE SERVICE

Answer 1

A term used to indicate a service provided directly by means of an ATS surveillance system.

Question 2

ATS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

Answer 2

A generic term meaning variously, ADS-B, PSR, SSR or any comparable ground-based system that enables the identification of aircraft

A comparable ground-based system is one that has been demonstrated, by comparative assessment or other methodology, to have a level of safety and performance equal to or better than monopulse SSR.

Question 3

ATS SURVEILLANCE

Answer 3

All methods of remotely sensing aircraft using certified/commissioned electronic equipment including PSR, SSR, MLAT, ADS-B, without the benefit of visual observation.

Question 4

ATS SURVEILLANCE CONTROL SERVICE

Answer 4

An air traffic control service provided with information derived from ATS surveillance equipment sources

Example of ATS surveillance control service: turning an aircraft 20 degrees to gain separation between it and another aircraft.

Question 5

ATS SURVEILLANCE SEPARATION

Answer 5

Spacing of aircraft in accordance with established minima, based on information derived from ATS surveillance.

Example of ATS surveillance separation: Maintaining 1000 feet vertical separation between co-located PPSs, until 5 miles between the centres of the PPSs is achieved.

Question 6

ATS SURVEILLANCE ADVISORY

Answer 6

Advice and information based on ATS surveillance observations.

Example of an ATS surveillance advisory: giving advice to an aircraft about weather observed on the situation display (if so equipped).

Question 7

ATS SURVEILLANCE MONITORING

Answer 7

The use of ATS surveillance for providing aircraft with information and advice relative to significant deviations from their normal flight path.

Example of ATS surveillance monitoring: you notice an aircraft off course, you query the aircraft, and assist it back on course.

Question 8

NAVIGATIONAL ASSISTANCE

Answer 8

The provision of position information, vectors, or track and ground speed checks.

Question 9

DCPC (DIRECT CONTROLLER-PILOT COMMUNICATIONS)

Answer 9

Communication between a controller and a pilot without resort to a relay through another unit.

Question 10

SEPARATION

Answer 10

The spacing between aircraft, altitudes, or tracks

Question 11

(ALT) ALTITUDE

Answer 11

The vertical distance of a level, a point or an object considered as a point, measured from mean sea level. Also called: indicated altitude

Question 12

TRACK

Answer 12

The projection on the earth’s surface of the path of an aircraft, the direction of which path at any point is usually expressed in degrees from true, magnetic, or grid north

Question 13

CONTROLLED AIRSPACE

Answer 13

An airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC service is provided.

Question 14

RSE (radar site equipment)

Answer 14

A radar owned and operated by NAV CANADA

Question 15

RADAR

Answer 15

A radio detection device that provides information on range, azimuth, or elevation of objects, of two types:
* Primary surveillance radar
* Secondary surveillance radar

Question 16

PSR (PRIMARY SURVEILLANCE RADAR)

Answer 16

A radar system that detects objects by means of reflected radio signals. Also called: primary radar

Question 17

SSR (SECONDARY SURVEILLANCE RADAR)

Answer 17

A radar system that requires complementary aircraft equipment (transponder). The transponder generates a coded reply signal in response to transmissions from the ground station (interrogator). Since this system relies on transponder-generated signals rather than signals reflected from the aircraft, as in primary surveillance radar, it offers significant operational advantages such as increased range and positive identification. Also called: secondary radar

Question 18

LINKAGE

Answer 18

An automated or manual function that matches ATS surveillance data with flight plan data.

Question 19

ADS-B (AUTOMATIC DEPENDENT SURVEILLANCE - BROADCAST)

Answer 19

A means by which aircraft, aerodrome vehicles, and other objects can automatically transmit and/or receive data such as identification, position, and additional data, as appropriate, in a broadcast mode via a data link.

Question 20

PPS (PRESENT POSITION SYMBOL)

Answer 20

The visual indication, in symbolic form, on a situation display, of the position of an aircraft, aerodrome vehicle, or other object obtained after automatic processing of positional data.

Question 21

CJS (CONTROLLER JURISDICTION SYMBOL)

Answer 21

Symbol that identifies a sector.

Question 22

READBACK

Answer 22

A procedure whereby the receiving station repeats a received message or an appropriate part thereof to the transmitting station so as to obtain confirmation that the message was received correctly.

Question 23

FL (FLIGHT LEVEL)

Answer 23

An altitude expressed in hundreds of feet indicated on an altimeter set to 29.92 inches of mercury or 1013.2 hectopascals.

Question 24

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CLEARANCE

Answer 24

An authorization issued by an ATC unit for an aircraft to proceed within controlled airspace in accordance with the conditions specified by that unit.

Question 25

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL INSTRUCTION

Answer 25

A directive issued by an air traffic control unit for air traffic control purposes.

Question 26

NAVIGATIONAL ASSISTANCE (Terminav)

Answer 26

The provision of position information, vectors, or track and ground speed checks.

Question 27

TAS (TRUE AIRSPEED)

Answer 27

The airspeed of an aircraft relative to undisturbed air. It is used primarily in flight planning and the enroute portion of flight. When used in pilot/controller communications, it is referred to as “true airspeed” and not shortened to “airspeed.”

Question 28

MACH NUMBER

Answer 28

The ratio of the speed of an object to the local speed of sound.

Question 29

SAME TRACK

Answer 29

In the application of separation, expression used by ATC to indicate identical tracks or tracks that converge or diverge at an angle of 1° to 44° inclusive.

Question 30

Ground Speed (GS)

Answer 30

is the speed of the aircraft over the surface of the earth.

Question 31

NON-ATS SURVEILLANCE ROUTE

Answer 31

A route on which an aircraft can determine its position, track, and, consequently, the minimum IFR altitude without the benefit of ATS surveillance information

Question 32

VECTOR

Answer 32

A heading given by a controller to a pilot to provide navigational guidance

Question 33

HEADING

Answer 33

The direction in which the longitudinal axis of an aircraft is pointed, usually expressed in degrees from north (true, magnetic, compass, or grid north).

Question 34

TRACK

Answer 34

The projection on the earth’s surface of the path of an aircraft, the direction of which path at any point is usually expressed in degrees from true, magnetic, or grid north.

Question 35

TRAFFIC INFORMATION

Answer 35

Information issued by ATS to pilots regarding other known or observed traffic that may be in such proximity to their position or intended route as to warrant their attention.