Terms Flashcards
AGL
Above Ground Level Altitude
-Altitude expressed in feet measured above ground level.
AT
Air Traffic
-Aircraft operating in the air or on an airport surface, exclusive of loading ramps and parking areas.
ATC
Air Traffic Control
-a service operated by appropriate authority to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of traffic
ATCS
Air Traffic Control Specialist
-a person authorized to provide air traffic control service
ATS Routes
Air Traffic Service Routes
-A generic term that includes “VOR Federal airways,” “colored Federal
airways,” “jet routes,” and “RNAV routes.” The term “ATS route” does not
replace these more familiar route names but serves only as an overall title when listing the types of routes that comprise the United States route structure
ALSTG
Altimeter Setting
-barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92)
ALTITUDE
The height of a level, point, or object measured in feet Above Ground Level (AGL) or from Mean Sea Level (MSL)
UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
-Time is given in Coordinated Universal Time, the local standard time at the Prime Meridian at Greenwich, England. Local Standard Time is based on each 15° of longitude.
AIR TRAFFIC CLEARANCE
-An authorization by air traffic control for the purpose of preventing collision between known aircraft, for an aircraft to proceed under specified traffic conditions within controlled airspace. The pilot-in-command of an aircraft may not deviate from the provisions of a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) air traffic clearance, except in an emergency or unless an amended clearance has been obtained.
AIRSPEED
-The speed of an aircraft relative to its surrounding air mass. The unqualified term “airspeed” means one of the following:
a. Indicated Airspeed (IAS) – The speed shown on the aircraft airspeed indicator. This is the speed used in pilot/controller communications under the general term “airspeed.”
b. True Airspeed (TAS) – The airspeed of an aircraft relative to undisturbed air. Used primarily in flight planning and en route portion of flight. When used in pilot/controller communications, it is referred to as “true airspeed” and not shortened to “airspeed.”
AIRPORT ELEVATION (FIELD ELEVATION)
-The highest point of an airport’s usable runways measured in feet from
mean sea level.
ASR
Airport Surveillance Radar
-Approach control radar used to detect and display an aircraft’s position in the terminal area. ASR provides range and azimuth information but does not provide elevation data. Coverage of the ASR can extend up to 60 miles.
AIRWAY
-A Class E airspace area established in the form of a corridor, the centerline
of which is defined by radio navigational aids.
ALERT AREA
-A type of Special Use Airspace that may contain high volume of pilot training activities or an unusual type of aerial activity, neither of which is hazardous to aircraft. Alert Areas are depicted on aeronautical charts for the information of nonparticipating pilots. All activities within an Alert Area are conducted in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations, and pilots of participating aircraft, as well as pilots transiting the area, are equally responsible for collision avoidance.
ALTIMETER
-A flight instrument that indicates altitude by sensing pressure changes.
CFA
Controlled Firing Area
-A type of Special Use Airspace wherein activities are conducted under conditions so controlled as to eliminate hazards to nonparticipating aircraft and to ensure the safety of persons and property on the ground.
DATA BLOCK (ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY)
-Letters and numerals used to show identification, altitude, beacon code, and other information concerning a target on a radar display.
DME
Distance Measuring Equipment
-Equipment (airborne and ground) used to measure, in nautical miles, the slant range distance of an aircraft from the DME navigational aid.
DME FIX
Distance Measuring Equipment Fix
-
A geographical position determined by reference to a navigational aid which provides distance and azimuth information. It is defined by a specific distance in nautical miles and a radial, azimuth, or course (i.e., localizer) in degrees magnetic from that aid.
FIX
-A geographical position determined by visual reference to the surface, by reference to one or more radio NAVAIDs, by celestial plotting, or by another navigational device.
FLC
Flight Check
-A call sign prefix used by FAA aircraft engaged in flight inspection/certification of navigational aids and flight procedures. The word “recorded” may be added as a suffix—e.g., “Flight Check 320 recorded” —to indicate that an automated flight inspection is in progress in terminal areas.
FL
Flight Level
-A level of constant atmospheric pressure related to a reference datum of 29.92 inches of mercury. Each is stated in three digits that represent hundreds of feet. For example, flight level (FL) 250 represents a barometric altimeter indication of 25,000 feet; FL 255, an indication of 25,500 feet.
FP
Flight Plan
-Specified information relating to the intended flight of an aircraft that is filed orally or in writing with an FSS or an ATC facility.
FLOW CONTROL
-Measures designed to adjust the flow of traffic into a given airspace, along a given route, or bound for a given aerodrome (airport) so as to ensure the most effective utilization of the airspace.
GA
General Aviation
-That portion of civil aviation which encompasses all facets of aviation, except air carriers holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Civil Aeronautics Board and large aircraft commercial operators.
GPS
Global Positioning System
-A space-based radio positioning, navigation, and time-transfer system. The system provides highly accurate position and velocity information, and precise time, on a continuous global basis, to an unlimited number of properly equipped users. The system is unaffected by weather and provides a worldwide common grid reference system.
HANDOFF
-An action taken to transfer the radar identification of an aircraft from one controller to another if the aircraft will enter the receiving controller’s airspace and radio communications with the aircraft will be transferred.
HOLD PROCEDURE
-A predetermined maneuver that keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control. Also used during ground operations to keep aircraft within a specified area or at a specified point while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control.
IFR CONDITIONS
-Weather conditions below the minimum for flight under visual flight rules. Generally, IFR weather conditions exist when the ceiling is below 1,000 feet AGL or the visibility is below 3 statute miles
IFR/VFR AIRCRAFT
-The pilot using Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) relies on instruments for navigation during poor weather conditions and is provided ATC separation. The Visual Flight Rules (VFR) pilot relies on his/her own vision for separation and may or may not use instruments for navigation
IAF
Initial Approach Fix
-The fixes depicted on instrument approach procedure charts that identify the beginning of the initial approach segment(s)
DP
Instrument Department Procedure
-A preplanned instrument flight rule (IFR) air traffic control departure procedure printed for pilot use in graphic and/or textual form. DPs provide transition from the terminal to the appropriate en route structure