Term
|
Definition
| Airport Acceptance Rate: Number of arriving aircraft an airport can accept per hour. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Aircraft List: URET view that lists flight data for aircraft currently in or predicted to be in a particular sector's airspace. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Air Defense Identification Zone: The offshore airspace boundary monitored by NORAD where arriving aircraft are identified and monitored in the interest of national security. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Authorization for Interceptor Operations: Authorization by ATC that allows military aircraft to deviate from ATC clearances to intercept targets of interest. Interceptor aircraft assume separation responsibility and ATC provides traffic advisories. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Aeronautical Information Manual: FAA publication that details operating procedures in the NAS. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Airman's Meteorological Information: Advisories of significant weather phenomena of lower intensities than SIGMETs. They provide information on IFR/Mountain Obscuration, Turbulence and Strong Surface Winds, and Icing/Freezing Levels. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Alert Notice: Request originated by a FSS or ARTCC for an extensive communication search for overdue, unreported, or missing IFR aircraft. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Altitude Reservation: Airspace utilization under prescribed conditions for the mass movement of military aircraft which cannot be otherwise accomplished. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Aeronautical Radio Incorporated: Utilized by the FAA to provide communications support for ATC & meteorological services in domestic and international airspace. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Aerial Refueling Control Point: Location where the tanker and receiver rendezvous prior to refueling. Refueling beings along the track after rendevous. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Aerial Refueling Initial Point: Geographical point at which the receiver aircraft enters the refueling track, initiates radio contact with the tanker, and maneuvers to rendezvous. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Air Route Surveillance Radar: Primary radar feed utilizied by the FAA to control domestic en-route traffic. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Automated Radar Terminal System: Generic term for several tracking systems included in the Terminal Automation Systems. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Automated Surface Observation System: Automated weather system at airports not served by a control tower that provides continous weather observations and broadcasts. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| ATC Assigned Airspace: Defined portion of Class A airspace assigned by ATC for the purpose of providing air traffic segregation to aircraft within the assigned airspace and other IFR aircraft. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Automatic Terminal Information Service: Continuous broadcast of current airport, weather, and flight conditions at airports with a control tower. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Air Traffic Organization: FAA department whose primary task is the safe and efficient movement of air traffic. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Automated Weather Observing System: Older automated weather system located at airports without a control tower with limited automated weather capabilities. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Backup Emergency Communication: Backup radio transmitter site containing sector frequencies independent of the primary/seconday radio transmitters. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Clear Air Turbulence: Turbulence encountered in air where no clouds are present and commonly in the vicinity of the jetstream. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Center Radar ARTS Presentation: Provides center radar feed to approach controls when the approach control radar is out of service. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Code of Federal Regulations: Codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive department and agencies of the Federal Government. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Controller-In-Charge: Certified air traffic controller who temporarily assumes a supervisory role on a shift. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Center Weather Advisory: Unscheduled weather advisory used to alert pilots of adverse weather conditions within the next 2 hours.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Direct Access Radar Channel: ARTCC backup radar system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Domestic Events Network: 24/7 hotline for communications between major air traffic facilities regarding matters that could affect national security. Monitoring agencies include: FAA, military, homeland defense, and secret service. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Direction Finder: Radio receiver equipped with a directional sensing antenna used to take bearings on a radio transmitter; routinely used to locate ELTs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Decision Height: Height at which a decision must be made during an instrument approach to continue the approach or execute a missed approach. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Distance Measuring Equipment: Measures the slant range distance of an aircraft from a DME navigational aid. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| En-route Flight Advisory Service: Provides en-route aircraft current weather data tailored to a specific altitude and route. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Expect Departure Clearance Time: Computer calculated departure time used to meter aircraft into airports with constrained capacity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Emergency Locator Transmitter: Battery operated radio transmitter attached to the aircraft structure designed to help locate a downed aircraft by broadcasting a signal on 121.5 or 243.0. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| En-route Information Display System: Provides electronic distribution of air traffic control information at each sector via touch-screen. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Frontline Manager: First-line supervisor who supervises a crew of on duty controllers. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Flight Management System: Integrated system of airborne sensors, computers, and navigation databases used to provide navigational guidance and flight planning capability in the cockpit. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Flight Restricted Zone: Inner circle of the DC SFRA in which flight is restricted to governmental, scheduled commercial, and waivered flights. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Ground Stop: Traffic management tool that requires aircraft to remain on the ground indefinitely. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Host Embedded Route Text: Blue preferred routing on the URET that is required to be issued to a pilot. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Hazardous In-Flight Weather Advisory Service: Broadcast of weather forecasts to en-route aircraft over selected VOR frequencies. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| International Civil Aviation Organization: UN organization whose objective is to develop principles and techniques of international air navigation and to foster planning and development of international civil air transport. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Instrument Flight Rules: Flight conducted using instruments when weather is below VFR minimums. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Instrument Meteorological Conditions: Meteorological conditions less than the minima specified for VMC. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Information Request: Request originated by a FSS for information concerning an overdue VFR aircraft. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Inertial Navigation System: RNAV system which is a form of self-contained naviation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| IFR Military Training Route: Charted routes used by military units to conduct instrument training below 10,000 and in excess of 250 knots. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Low Level Wind Shear Alert System: Displays information on hazardous wind shear and microburst activity in the vicinity of an airport. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Missed Approach Point: Point during an IAP at which a missed approach shall be executed if the required visual reference does not exist. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Military Assumes Responsibility for Separation of Aircraft: Condition whereby military flights assume responsibility for their own separation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Minimum Crossing Altitude: Lowest altitude at certain fixes which an aircraft must cross when proceeding in the direction of a higher MEA. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Minimum En-Route Altitude: Lowest published altitude between radio fixes on an airway which assures acceptable naviation signal coverage and meets obstacle clearance requirements. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Aviation Routine Weather Report: Routine observation of current surface weather reported in a standard international format. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Minimum IFR Altitude: Minimum altitude for IFR operations in a geographic area. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Meteorological Impact Statement: Unscheduled forecast describing weather conditions expected to start within 4 to 12 hours
which may impact the flow of air traffic in a specific
ARTCC. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude: Lowest published altitude between VORs which meets obstacle clearance requirements for the entire route segment and ensures acceptable navigational signal coverage within 22NM of a VOR. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Minimum Reception Altitude: The lowest altitude at which an intersection can be determined. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Minimum Safe Altitude Warning: Computer alert that notifies the controller when a tracked Mode C equipped aircraft is below or is predicted to go below a predetermined MSA. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Military Training Route: Airspace of defined vertical and lateral dimensions established for the conduct of military flight training at low altitudes and airspeeds in excess of 250 knots. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Federal Agency focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| North American Aerospace Defense Command: Provides aerospace warning, air soverignty, and defense for the U.S. and Canada. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Notice to Airmen: Notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure, or hazard. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
North American Route Program: Rules and procedures which are
designed to increase the flexibility of user flight planning within published guidelines. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Preferential Arrival Route: Specific arrival route from an appropriate en-route point to an airport. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Preferential Departure and Arrival Route: Route between two airports defined from the departure airport to the arrival airport. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Pre-Departure Clearance: Automates the clearance delivery operations in the ATCT for participating users. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Preferential Departure Route: Specific departure route from an airport to an en-route point. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Resolution Advisory: Display indication provided to the pilot by TCAS recommending a maneuver to avoid a mid-air collision. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Radar Approach Control Facility (USAF): Terminal ATC facility that provides approach control services to aircraft arriving, departing, or transiting airspace controlled by the facility. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Radar Air Traffic Control Facility (USN): Terminal ATC facility that provides approach control services to aircraft arriving, departing, or transiting airspace controlled by the facility. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Rescue Coordination Center: SAR facility equipped to coordinate and SAR operations in an area designated by the SAR plan. The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force have responsibility for operation of the RCCs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Radar Data Procesing: Normal digitized radar display operations in the ARTCC. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Area Navigation: Method of navigation that permits aircraft operation on any desired course within the coverage of station-referenced navigation signals or within the limits of a self-contained system capability, or a combination of these. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Required Navigation Performance: Statement of the navigational performance necessary for operation within a defined airspace. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Runway Visual Range: Instrumentally derived value that represents the horizontal distance a pilot is able to see down the runway. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum: 1,000 feet vertical separation between FL290 and FL410; applicable only to aircraft with certified RVSM equipment. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Search and Rescue: Service which seeks missing aircraft and assists those found to be in need of assistance. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Special Flight Rules Area: Area of airspace created in the interest of national security which requires aircraft to comply with specific flight procedures defined in FAR Part 93. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Standard Instrument Departure: Pre-planned IFR departure procedure which provides obstacle clearance and a transition from the terminal
area to the en route structure. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Significant Meteorological Information: Weather advisory issued concerning weather significant to the safety of all aircraft. Includes severe and extreme turbulence and severe icing. A convective SIGMET involves thunderstorm activity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Non-Routine (Special) Aviation Weather Report: As needed weather update to compensate for rapid changes to significant aspects of the weather. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Standard Terminal Arrival: Pre-planned IFR arrival procedure which provides transition from the en-route structure to an outer fix or an instrument approach fix in the terminal area. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Supervisory Traffic Management Coordinator: Provides supervision to a staff of traffic management coordinators. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Special Use Airspace: Airspace wherein activities must be confined because of their nature or wherein limitations are imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Special VFR: VFR flight cleared by ATC to operate within Class B, C, D, and E surface areas in conditions below VMC. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Severe Weather Avoidance Plan: Approved plan to minimize the affect of severe weather on traffic flows. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Terrain Awareness Warning System: On-board terrain proximity alerting system providing the aircrew low altitude warnings to allow immediate pilot action. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System: On-board system designed to reduce the incident of mid-air collisions between aircraft and provide resolution advisories to a pilot. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Temporary Flight Restriction: Area of temporarily restricted airspace due to hazardous conditions or a special event. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Traffic Management Advisor: Computerized tool which assists Traffic Management Coordinators to efficiently schedule arrival traffic to a metered airport. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Traffic Management Unit: Entity in large ATC facilities directly involved in the active management of facility traffic. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Terminal Radar Approach Control: Large Class B or C approach control which usually serves major metropolitan areas. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| User Request Evaluation Tool: Automated tool that helps controllers detect and resolve potential conflict between aircraft and airspace. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Coordinated Universal Time: Time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Unsuccessful Transmission Message: Electronic message received by the sector controller when flight plan/computer information does not successfully pass from facility to facility. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Visual Meteorological Conditions: Meteorological conditions greater than 3 SM visibility and a 1,000 feet ceiling. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range: Ground-based electronic navigation aid transmitting VHF navigation signals, 360 degrees in azimuth, oriented from magnetic north. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Collocated VOR and DME navigational aids. VHF course and UHF distance information. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Collocated VOR and TACAN navigation aids. VHF and UHF course and UHF distance information. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| VFR Military Training Route: Charted routes used by military units to conduct VFR training below 10,000 and in excess of 250 knots. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Voice Switching and Control System: Computer controlled switching system that provides air traffic controllers with all voice circuits necessary to a sector's operation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Weather and Radar Processing: Weather radar processor that consolidates weather data from several sources into a single integrated display on the radar scopes. |
|
|
