Term
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Definition
| Airport Acceptance Rate: The number of arriving aircraft an airport can accept per hour. Changes dynamically, based on wind, runway configurations, and the number of runways available. |
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Term
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Definition
| Aircraft List: A view in URET that lists aircraft currently in or predicted to be in a particular sector's airspace along with the aircraft's flight data information. |
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Term
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Definition
| Air Defense Identification Zone: The airspace boundary offshore, which the identification, the location, and the control of the aircraft are required in the interest of national security. Monitored by NORAD. |
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Term
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Definition
| Authorization for Interceptor Operations: Term used when military aircraft invoke the right to deviate from ATC clearances to intercept targets of interest. Upon declaring AFIO, NORAD assumes responsibility for the interceptor to see and void all known aircraft and ensure safe intercept conduct. ATC will still provide traffic advisories to nearby aircraft. |
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Term
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Definition
| Aeronautical Information Manual: The FAA publication that instructs airmen about operating procedures in the U.S. National Airspace System |
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Term
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Definition
| Airman's Meteorological Information: In-flight weather advisories issued only to amend the area forecast concerning hazardous weather phenomena, less severe than SIGMETs or Convective SIGMETs. Usually intended for traffic at or below 17,500 ft. Moderate icing or turbulence, surface winds of 30+ knots, or less than VFR conditions at an airport. |
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Term
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Definition
| Alert Notice: A request originated by a FSS or ARTCC for an extensive communication search for overdue, unreported, or missing IFR aircraft. |
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Term
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Definition
| Altitude Reservation: Airspace utilization under prescribed conditions normally for the mass movement of aircraft which cannot be otherwise accomplished. Typically, military aircraft on a pre-planned mission and route/altitude. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| Aeronautical Radio Incorporated: Utilized by the FAA to provide communications support for ATC & meteorological services in portions of international airspace over water. |
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Term
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Definition
| Aerial Refueling Control Point: Location where the tanker and receiver rendezvous is completed prior to refueling. The tanker orbits at this point while awaiting the join-up with the receiver. After rendezvous, refueling beings along the track. |
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Term
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Definition
| Aerial Refueling Initial Point: The geographical point at which the receiver aircraft enters the refueling track, initiates radio contact with the tanker, and begins maneuver to rendezvous. |
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Term
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Definition
| Air Route Surveillance Radar: Used by the FAA to control airspace within and around the borders of the United States. ARSR data is also fed into en-route computer systems as the primary radar feed for en-route traffic. |
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Term
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Definition
| Automated Radar Terminal System: A generic term for several tracking systems included in the Terminal Automation Systems. |
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Term
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Definition
| Automated Surface Observation System: Automated weather information at airports not served by a tower or a certified weather observer. Pilots tune into the airport ASOS frequency and receive weather updates every minute. |
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Term
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Definition
| ATC Assigned Airspace: A defined portion of Class A airspace assigned by ATC to a specific using agency (usually military) for the purpose of providing air traffic services to aircraft within the assigned airspace. ATCAAs are only shown on ATC maps and can be dynamically created as necessary. |
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Term
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Definition
| Automatic Terminal Information Service: Current airport, weather, and flight conditions for arriving and departing aircraft by means of continuous, repetitive broadcast. Changes throughout the day as conditions change. |
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Term
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Definition
| Air Traffic Organization: The primary service of the Air Traffic Organzation is to move air traffic safely and efficiently. Four business units make up the ATO: Finance Service, Next-Gen and Operation Planning, Operations, and Strategy and Performance. |
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Term
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Definition
| Automated Weather Observing System: Similar to ASOS, but AWOS is generally the older versions with limited automated weather capabilities. |
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Term
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Definition
| Backup Emergency Communication: Backup sector frequencies located at a site other than the site where the sector primary/secondary frequencies are located. |
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Term
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Definition
| Clear Air Turbulence: Turbulence encountered in air when no clouds are present; often encountered in the vicinity of the jet stream. |
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Term
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Definition
| Center Radar ARTS Presentation: A computer program developed to provide center radar feed to approach controls, when the approach control radar is out of service. |
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Term
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Definition
| Code of Federal Regulations: The codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive department and agencies of the Federal Government. |
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Term
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Definition
| Controller-In-Charge: A certified air traffic controller who temporarily assumes supervisory role on a shift. |
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Term
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Definition
| Center Weather Advisory: An unscheduled weather advisory used to alert pilots of existing or anticipated adverse weather conditions within the next 2 hours. A CWA may modify or redefine a SIGMET. |
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Term
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Definition
| Direct Access Radar Channel: The system that serves as a radar backup in ARTCCS. |
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Term
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Definition
| Domestic Events Network: A 24/7 hotline for communications between all Centers and major approach controls regarding matters that could affect national security (aircraft losing transponders, emergencies, loss of radio contact, etc.) Consists of FAA, military, homeland defense, and secret service. The Operations Manager at the ZDC watch desk monitors the DEN and reports suspicious activity on the hotline, in addition to the examples above. |
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Term
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Definition
| Direction Finder: A radio receiver equipped with a directional sensing antenna used to take bearings on a radio transmitter. Often used to locate ELT signal locations. |
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Term
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Definition
| Decision Height: The height at which a decision must be made during an instrument approach to either continue the approach or to execute a missed approach. |
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Term
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Definition
| Distance Measuring Equipment: Equipment used to measure the slant range distance of an aircraft from the DME navigational aid. |
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Term
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Definition
| En-route Flight Advisory Service: Provides en route aircraft with timely and pertinent weather data tailored to a specific altitude and route using the most current available sources of aviation meteorological information. Provided to pilots vis FSS, intended for traffic below FL180, can be tuned into anywhere, 122.0. |
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Term
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Definition
| Expect Departure Clearance Time: Generated by TMU and the ATCSCC, an EDCT is a computer calculated ground delay specifying a specific departure time, allowing ATC to meter aircraft into airports with a constrained capacity, usually due to volume or weather. |
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Term
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Definition
| Emergency Locator Transmitter: A radio transmitter, which aids in locating a downed aircraft, attached to the aircraft structure which operates from it's own power source on 121.5 or 243.0. |
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Term
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Definition
| En-route Information Display System: Provides real-time electronic distribution of air traffic control information including NOTAMs, aeronautical information, and ATC documents, at each sector via touch-screen. |
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Term
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Definition
| Frontline Manager: A first-line supervisor in the control room, supervises a crew of controllers on duty. |
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Term
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Definition
| Flight Management System: An integrated system consisting of airborne sensors, receivers, computers and navigation base in the cockpit. Used for flight planning and management as well as navigation. |
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Term
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Definition
| Flight Restricted Zone: Within the SFRA, approximately 13-15 NM around DCA. Flight within the FRZ is restricted to governmental, certain scheduled commercial, and a limited set of waivered flights. |
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Term
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Definition
| Ground Stop: A process that requires aircraft to remain on the ground. Issued by local TMU or the ATCSCC, usually due to weather or traffic volume. |
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Term
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Definition
| Host Embedded Route Text: Blue preferred routing on the URET that is required to be issued to a pilot. |
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Term
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Definition
| Hazardous In-Flight Weather Advisory Service: Service providing recorded weather forecasts broadcast to airborne pilots over selected VOR frequencies. |
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Term
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Definition
| International Civil Aviation Organization: A specialized agency of the United Nations whose objective is to develop the principles and techniques of international air navigation and to foster planning and development of international civil air transport. Develops ADIZs, international routes over water, and international aviation rules and procedures. |
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Term
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Definition
| Instrument Flight Rules: Flight conducted using instruments when weather is below VFR minimums. Also, IFR flight can mean using instruments for cockpit navigation even if weather conditions would permit visual rules. |
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Term
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Definition
| Instrument Meteorological Conditions: Meteorological conditions expressed in terms of visibility, distance from clouds, and ceiling less than minima specified for visual meteorological conditions. |
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Term
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Definition
| Information Request: A request originated by an FSS for information concerning an overdue VFR aircraft. |
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Term
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Definition
| Inertial Navigation System: A RNAV system which is a form of self-contained onboard navigation database. |
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Term
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Definition
| IFR Military Training Route: Charted routes used by military units to conduct low-altitude training. Routes are below 10,000 ft (often below radar coverage) and the aircraft are often at speeds greater than 250 knots. |
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Term
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Definition
| Low Level Wind Shear Alert System: Displays information on hazardous wind shear and microburst activity in the vicinity of an airport to terminal air traffic controllers who relay this information to pilots. |
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Term
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Definition
| Missed Approach Point: A point in each instrument approach procedure at which a missed approach shall be executed if the required visual reference does not exist. |
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Term
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Definition
| Military Assumes Responsibility for Separation of Aircraft: A condition where the military flights in formation assume responsibility for their own separation. |
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Term
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Definition
| Minimum Crossing Altitude: The lowest altitude at certain fixes at which an aircraft must cross when proceeding in the direction of a higher minimum en-route IFR altitude. |
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Term
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Definition
| Minimum En-Route Altitude: The lowest published altitude between radio fixes on an airway which assures acceptable naviation signal coverage and meets obstacle clearance requirements. |
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Term
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Definition
| Aviation Routine Weather Report: Observation of current surface weather reported in a standard international format. METARs are taken by certified weather observers or automated stations. |
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Term
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Definition
| Minimum IFR Altitude: Minimum altitude for IFR operations in a geographic area, as prescribed in 14 CFR Part 91. With the exception of certain emergency situations, en-route controllers can not vector an aircraft below the MIA. |
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Term
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Definition
| Meteorological Impact Statement: An unscheduled forecast issued by the CWSU looking ahead 4-12 hours detailing weather conditions which may impact traffic flows or flight operations. MISs are not read to pilots, they are for controller and TMU purposes only. |
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Term
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Definition
| Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude: The lowest published altitude in effect between radio fixes on VOR airways, off-airway routes, or route segments which meet obstacle clearance requirements for the entire route segment and which assures acceptable navigational signal coverage only within 22NM of a VOR. |
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Term
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Definition
| Minimum Reception Altitude: The lowest altitude at which an intersection can be determined. |
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Term
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Definition
| Minimum Safe Altitude Warning: A function of the computer that aids the controller by alerting him/her when a tracked Mode C equipped aircraft is below or is predicted by the computer to go below a predetermined minimum safe altitude. |
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Term
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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. |
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Term
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Definition
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: A Federal Agency focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. ATC utilitzes NOAA for most of our weather equipment and displays. |
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Term
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Definition
| North American Aerospace Defense Command: A joint organization of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning, air soverignty, and defense for the two countries. NORAD monitors traffic through the ADIZ. |
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Term
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Definition
| Notice to Airmen: A notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure, or hazard; the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations. |
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Term
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Definition
| North American Route Program: A set of rules and procedures which allows pilots to file point to point, as they wish, but within guidelines. NRP would be in the remarks section of the flight plan. However, NRP aircraft must be established on published preferred routes into major airports within 200NM. |
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Term
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Definition
| Preferential Arrival Route: A specific arrival route from an appropriate en-route point to an airport. |
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Term
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Definition
| Preferential Departure and Arrival Route: A route between two airports clearly defined from the departure airport to the arrival airport. |
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Term
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Definition
| Pre-Departure Clearance: PDC automates the clearance delivery operations in the ATCT for participating users. |
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Term
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Definition
| Preferential Departure Route: A specific departure route from an airport to an en-route point where there is no further need for flow control. |
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Term
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Definition
| Resolution Advisory: A display indication given to the pilot by the traffic alert and collision avoidance system recommending a maneuver to avoid a mid-air collision. |
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Term
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Definition
| Radar Approach Control Facility (USAF): A terminal ATC facility that uses radar and non-radar capabilities to provide approach control services to aircraft arriving, departing, or transiting airspace controlled by the facility. |
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Term
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Definition
| Radar Air Traffic Control Facility (USN): A terminal ATC facility that uses radar and non-radar capabilities to provide approach control services to aircraft arriving, departing, or transiting airspace controlled by the facility. |
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Term
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Definition
| Rescue Coordination Center: A search and rescue facility equipped and manned to coordinate and control 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. |
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Term
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Definition
| Radar Data Procesing: The term used to describe normal digitized radar display operations in the ARTCC. |
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Term
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Definition
| Area Navigation: RNAV can be defined as a 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. |
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Term
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Definition
| Required Navigation Performance: A standard of navigation and airspace management developed by the FAA & ICAO. Aircraft must meet certain RNP criteria to utilize certain airspace, routes, terminal departure and arrival procedures, and approach procedures. |
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Term
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Definition
| Runway Visual Range: An instrumentally derived value that represents the horizontal distance a pilot is able to see down the runway. |
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Term
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Definition
| Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum: 1,000 feet vertical separation between FL290 and FL410; applicable only to aircraft with certified onboard RVSM equipment. |
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Term
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Definition
| Search and Rescue: A service which seeks missing aircraft and assists those found to be in need of assistance. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| Special Flight Rules Area: An area of airspace defined around a specific location in which aircraft entering the SFRA must adhere to specific flight procedures, be in contact with ATC, and have clearance to enter. Usually created in the interest of national security. |
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Term
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Definition
| Standard Instrument Departure: A pre-planned IFR departure procedure printed for pilot-controller use. |
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Term
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Definition
| Significant Meteorological Information: Weather advisory issued concerning weather significant to the safety of all aircraft, involving severe and extreme turbulence, and severe icing. A convective SIGMET involves thunderstorm activity. |
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Term
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Definition
| Non-Routine (Special) Aviation Weather Report: An updated weather sequence performed by a human observer during rapid changes to significant aspects of weather. A METAR is taken once an hour; a SPECI is taken only as needed. |
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Term
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Definition
| Standard Terminal Arrival: A pre-planned IFR arrival procedure published for pilot use in graphic and/or textual form. |
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Term
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Definition
| Supervisory Traffic Management Coordinator: Provides supervision to a staff of traffic management coordinators. |
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Term
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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 or both. |
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Term
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Definition
| Special VFR: An ATC procedure/condition which allows aircraft to request departure or arrival at certain airports (usually outlying smaller Class C, D, and E airports) when weather conditions are below VFR. |
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Term
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Definition
| Severe Weather Avoidance Plan: A formal program of re-routes around severe weather, implemented by the TMU and ATCSCC, to minimize the effect of severe weather on traffic flows. |
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Term
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Definition
| Terrain Awareness Warning System: An on-board terrain proximity alerting system providing the aircrew low altitude warnings to allow immediate pilot action. |
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Term
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Definition
| Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System: An onboard system designed to reduce the incident of mid-air collisions between aircraft and provide resolution advisories to a pilot, if applicable. |
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Term
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Definition
| Temporary Flight Restriction: Defines an area temporarily restricted to air travel due to hazardous conditions or a special event. Issued via NOTAM. Usually low altitude, around events such as a flood, forest fire, sporting event, or other condition intended to keep aircraft out of a specified area. |
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Term
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Definition
| Traffic Management Advisor: A computerized tool which assists Traffic Management Coordinators to efficiently schedule arrival traffic to a metered airport, by calculating meter fix times and delays, then sending that information to the sector controllers. |
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Term
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Definition
| Traffic Management Unit: The entity in large ATC facilities directly involved in the active management of facility traffic, sector flows, delay programs, weather re-routes, and other traffic management initiatives. The facility TMU is in contact with the ATCSCC throughout the day/eve. |
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Term
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Definition
| Terminal Radar Approach Control: A large Class B or C approach control which usually serves major metropolitan areas. |
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Term
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Definition
| User Request Evaluation Tool: An automated tool that helps controllers detect and resolve potential conflict between aircraft and airspace. Also known as electronic flight progress strips on the D-side. |
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Term
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Definition
| Coordinated Universal Time: The time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. |
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Term
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Definition
| Unsuccessful Transmission Message: An electronic message received by the sector controller when flight plan/computer information does not successfully pass from facility to facility. |
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Term
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Definition
| Visual Meteorological Conditions: Meteorological conditions expressed in terms of visibility, distance from cloud, and ceiling equal to or better than specified minima. |
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Term
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Definition
| Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range: Ground based radial navigation |
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Term
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Definition
| Collocated VOR and DME navigational aids. VHF course and UHF distance information. |
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Term
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Definition
| Collocated VOR and TACAN navigation aids. VHF and UHF course and UHF distance information. |
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Term
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Definition
| VFR Military Training Route: Charted routes used by military units to conduct low-altitude training. The aircraft remain VFR, flight visibility 5 miles or more, and flights shall not be conducted below a ceiling of less than 3,000 feet AGL. Routes are below 10,000 feet (often below radar coverage) and the aircraft are often at speeds greater than 250 knots. |
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Term
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Definition
| Voice Switching and Control System: A computer controlled switching system that provides air traffic controllers with all voice circuits necessary at a sector, to contact adjacent controllers, and facilities. |
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Term
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Definition
| Weather and Radar Processing: The weather radar processor that provides the FAA software tools to consolidate weather data from several sources into a single integrated display on our radar scopes. |
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