Aviation Acronyms Flashcards
AGL
Above Ground Level
The distance above the ground.
AIM
Aeronautical Information Manual
AIRMET
Airmen’s Meteorological Information
Warnings about obscurations (clouds and rain), turbulence and icing.
ARTCC
Air Route Traffic Control Centers
The radar rooms at 20 major ATC regions of the continental US. They are called “Center” on the radio.
ASOS/AWOS
Automated Surface/Weather Observing System
Measures and disseminates weather data. Called the “one-minute weather”, it is really the average over the past several minutes.
ATC
Air Traffic Control
ATIS
Automatic Terminal Information Service
A repeating broadcast of essential information about the weather, runways in use, and any NOTAMs for that airport. It is updated hourly or after a significant change in the weather or other information.
CT
Control Tower
CTAF
Common Traffic Advisory Frequency
The frequency used by all aircraft announcing their intentions at a non-towered airport.
D-ATIS
Digital Automatic Terminal Information Service
Aircraft with a datalink can receive ATIS via text.
FAA
Federal Aviation Administration
FBO
Fixed Base Operator
FSS
Flight Service Station
IFR
Instrument Flight Rules
MSL
Mean Sea Level
NOTAM
Notice to Airman
PIREP
Pilot Report
RCO
Remote Communication Outlet
Radio transceivers scattered across the country used to contact Flight Service Station (FSS).
SIGMET
Significant Meteorological Information
TRACON
Terminal Radar Approach Control
An ATC radar room smaller than an ARTCC, controlling airspace near a Class B or Class C airport. Called “Approach” on the radio.
TRSA
Terminal Radar Service Area
Like a TRACON, but usually even smaller.
UNICOM
Univeral Communications (frequency)
Used for non-flight critical information. Often it will be the same frequency as the CTAF at non-towered airports.
VFR
Visual Flight Rules
