Chapter 1.1 - Terminology

Question 1

Above Ground Level (AGL)?

Answer 1

The height above the ground below an aircraft at any particular time and place.

Question 2

Above Aerodrome Level (AAL)?

Answer 2

The height above the aerodrome reference point of a particular aerodrome.

Question 3

Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL)?

Answer 3

The height above the mean sea datum.

Question 4

Aerodrome - in the vicinity of?

Answer 4

An aircraft in the vicinity of a non-towered aerodrome it it is within a horizontal distance of 10 miles and within a height above the aerodrome reference point that could result in contact with operations at the aerodrome.

Question 5

Air Traffic Control (ATC)?

Answer 5

This is an air-ground communication service. ATC regulates/controls the traffic at controlled aerodromes by providing an ATC service in the form of clearances, directions and traffic advice.

Question 6

Air Traffic Services (ATS)?

Answer 6

As well as providing an ATC service in controlled airspace, ATS also provide a flight information service in non-controlled airspace and Search and Rescue (SAR) alerting service.

Question 7

Aerodrome Traffic Circuit?

Answer 7

The specified path to be flown by aircraft flying in, entering, or leaving the traffic circuit.

Question 8

Aerodrome Traffic?

Answer 8

All traffic (aircraft) on the maneuvering area of an aerodrome and all aircraft flying in, entering, or leaving the traffic circuit.

Question 9

Airways Clearance?

Answer 9

A clearance, issued by ATC, to operate in controlled airspace according to ATC instructions.

Question 10

Altitude?

Answer 10

The vertical distance in feet (ft), of a level, point or object above mean sea level (AMSL).

Question 11

Apron?

Answer 11

A defined area on an aerodrome used for loading and unloading passengers or cargo, or for fueling, parking or maintenance. Usually considered as part of an aerodrome’s movement area.

Question 12

ATC Clearance?

Answer 12

This is an authorization for aircraft to proceed under conditions specified by ATC. Clearances to taxi, take off or land at controlled aerodrome are examples of ATC clearance.

Question 13

Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)?

Answer 13

A continuous broadcast providing current runway and meteorological information to arriving and departing aircraft at controlled aerodromes.

Question 14

Broadcast?

Answer 14

A transmission of information relating to air navigation for which an acknowledgement is not expected.

Question 15

Ceiling?

Answer 15

The height above ground or water of the base of the lowest layer of cloud below 20,000ft covering more than one-half of the sky.

Question 16

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)?

Answer 16

A ‘designated’ frequency on which pilots make positional broadcasts while operating in the vicinity of a non-towered aerodrome.

Question 17

Controlled Airspace?

Answer 17

Airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC services are provided to flights. Controlled airspace is further sub-divided into control areas (CTAs) and control zones (CTRs).

Question 18

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)?

Answer 18

The time system used world-wide for civil aviation, based on the prime of 0* meridian of longitude at Greenwich near London - Used to be called Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Question 19

Distress Message?

Answer 19

When an aerodrome and/or its occupants are being threatened by serious and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance, a distress message (radio call) is transmitted by the pilot. The distress (or MAYDAY) calls takes precedence over all other calls.

Question 20

Elevation (ELEV)?

Answer 20

The vertical distance of a point or a level, on or affixed to the surface of the earth (in particular, an aerodrome), measured from mean sea level.

Question 21

Flight Information Area (FIA)?

Answer 21

Airspace of defined dimensions, excluding controlled airspace within which flight information and Search and Rescue (SAR) alerting services are provided by an ATS unit.

Question 22

Flight Information Service (FIS)?

Answer 22

A service provided in FIAs for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights.

Question 23

Flight Services (FS)?

Answer 23

Air-ground communication services, flight information services and Search and Rescue alerting services providing by an ATS unit.

Question 24

Heading (HDG)?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Height (HGT)?

Answer 25

Either the vertical distance of a level, a point, or an object considered as a point, measured from a specified datum; or, the vertical dimension of an obstacle.

Question 26

International Standard Atmosphere (ISA)?

Answer 26

Data published by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) that gives values of temperature, pressure and density for each height in an ‘average’ atmosphere based on accepted values of sea-level air density, temperature and pressure. Often called just the ‘standard’ atmosphere and used to calibrate instruments and compare the performance of aircraft under different conditions.

Question 27

Movement Area?

Answer 27

That part of an aerodrome to be used for the takeoff, landing and taxiing of aircraft, consisting of the maneuvering area and apron(s). That is, the movement area comprises the runway(s), runway strip(s), taxiway(s), holding bay(s) and apron(s).

Question 28

Non-Towered Aerodrome?

Answer 28

An aerodrome at which air traffic is not operating.

Question 29

Outside Controlled Airspace (OCTA)?

Answer 29

Airspace outside control areas. Airspace in which flights are not controlled by ATC.

Question 30

QNH Altimeter Setting?

Answer 30

That pressure setting which, when set on the pressure setting sub-scale of an altimeter, will cause the altimeter to indicate altitude.

Question 31

Search and Rescue (SAR)?

Answer 31

The act of finding and returning to safety, aircraft and persons involved in an emergency.

Question 32

Stall?

Answer 32

Occurs when the angle of attack exceeds the stalling angle which in most airplanes, averages 16*.

Question 33

Taxi Holding Point?

Answer 33

A designated position on a taxiway or runway at which taxiing aircraft may be required to stop pending permission to proceed.

Question 34

Taxiway?

Answer 34

A defined path of an aerodrome, selected or prepared for the use of taxiing aircraft.

Question 35

Threshold?

Answer 35

The beginning of that position of the runway usable for landing.

Question 36

Unserviceable Area?

Answer 36

This is a portion of the movement are not available for use by aircraft because of the physical condition of the surface, or because of any obstruction on the area. Designated by a single white cross on the maneuvering area.

Question 37

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) (4)?

Answer 37

Rules:

• Conducted in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) that specify the minimum flight visibility and the distance (horizontally and vertically) from cloud.
• Navigated by visual reference to the ground or water when operating at or below 2,000ft AGL.
• Flown at subsonic speeds and not above 250kts IAS when below 10,000ft AMSL.
• Operating only during daylight hours unless the pilot has a night VFR rating.

Question 38

Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC)?

Answer 38

For VMC to exist for airplane flying under VFR, the flight visibility below 10,000ft AMSL must be 5,000m with specified horizontal and vertical distance from cloud according to the type of aircraft.