Approach Definition of Terms

service

used as an abstract noun to designate functions or service rendered

unit

used to designate a collective body performing a service

aerodrome

a defined area on land or water (including any buildings, installations, or equipment) intended to be used either wholly or in part for the arrival, departure, and surface movement of aircraft

aerodrome control tower

a unit established to provide air traffic control service to aerodrome traffic

aircraft

any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface

air traffic control clearance

authorization for an aircraft to proceed under conditions specified by an air traffic controller

air traffic control instruction

directives issued by air traffic control for the purpose of requiring a pilot to take a specific action

air traffic control service

a service provided for the purpose of:
1. preventing collisions:
(a) between aircraft, and
(b) on the maneuvering area between aircraft and obstructions; and
2. expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic

air traffic control unit

a generic term meaning variously, area control center, approach control unit, or aerodrome control tower

air traffic service

a generic term meaning variously, flight information service, alerting service, air traffic advisory service, air traffic control service (area control service, approach control service or aerodrome control service)

airway

a control area or a portion thereof established in the form of a corridor

alternate aerodrome

an aerodrome to which an aircraft may proceed when it becomes either impossible or inadvisable to proceed to or to land at the aerodrome of intended landing

take-off alternate

an alternate aerodrome at which an aircraft can land should this become necessary after take-off and it is not possible to use the aerodrome of departure

en-route alternate

an aerodrome at which an aircraft would be able to land after experiencing an abnormal or emergency condition while en-route

destination alternate

an alternate aerodrome to which an aircraft may proceed should it become either impossible or inadvisable to land at the aerodrome of intended landing

altitude

the vertical distance of a level, a point, or an object considered as a point, measured from mean sea level

approach control service

air traffic control service for arriving or departing controlled flights

approach control unit

a unit established to provide air traffic control service to controlled flights arriving at, or departing from, one or more aerodromes

approach controller

are responsible for the provision of air traffic service to departing and arriving traffic in a TMA

approach speed

the recommended speed contained in aircraft manuals used by pilots when making an approach to landing. this speed will vary for different segments of an approach as well as for aircraft weight and configuration

approach sequence

the order in which two or more aircraft are cleared for the approach to land at the aerodrome

automatic terminal information service (ATIS)

the provision of current, routine, information to arriving and departing aircraft by means of continuous and repetitive broadcasts throughout the day or a specified portion of the day

broadcast

a transmission of information relating to air navigation that is not addressed to a specific station or stations

clearance limit

the point at which an aircraft is granted an air traffic control clearance

shall be described by specifying the name of the appropriate significant point, or aerodrome, or controlled airspace boundary

control area

a controlled airspace extending upwards from a specified limit above the earth

controlled airspace

an airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided in accordance with the airspace classification

control zone

a controlled airspace extending upwards from the surface of the earth to a specified upper limit

controlled flight

any flight which is subject to air traffic control clearance

decision height

a specified height at which a missed approach must be initiated if the required visual reference to continue the approach to land has not been established

expected approach time

the time at which ATC expects that an arriving aircraft, following a delay, will leave the holding point to complete its approach for landing

estimated time of arrival

for IFR flights, the time at which it is estimated that the aircraft will arrive over that designated point, defined by reference to navigation aids, from which it is intended that an instrument approach procedure will be commenced, or, if no navigation aid is associated with the aerodrome, the time at which the aircraft will arrive over the aerodrome. For VFR flights, the time at which it is estimated that the aircraft will arrive over the aerodrome

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

air traffic flow management (ATFM)

a service established with the objective of contributing to a safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic by ensuring that ATC capacity is utilized to maximum extent possible and that the traffic volume is compatible with the capacities declared by the appropriate ATS authority

glide path

a descent profile determined for vertical guidance during a final approach

holding point

a specified location, identified by visual or other means, in the vicinity of which the position of an aircraft in flight is maintained in accordance with air traffic control clearances

holding procedure

a predetermined maneuver which keeps an aircraft within a specified airspace while waiting further clearance

standard holding pattern (entry procedures)

parallel entry, offset entry, direct entry

IFR flight

a flight conducted in accordance with the instrument flight rules

instrument approach procedure

a series of predetermined maneuvers for the orderly transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from the beginning of the initial approach to a landing or to a point from which a landing may be made visually

If a pilot reports or it is clearly apparent to the ATC unit that the pilot is not familiar with an instrument approach procedure, the ATC shall specify the ff:

a. initial approach level

b. the point at which base turn or procedure turn will be started

c. level at which the procedure turn shall be carried out

d. final approach track

e. frequency(ies) of navigation aids

f. missed approach procedure

base turn

a turn executed by the aircraft during the initial approach between the end of the outbound track and the beginning of the intermediate or final approach track (the tracks are not reciprocal)

initial approach segment

that segment of an instrument approach procedure between the initial approach fix and the intermediate approach fix

intermediate approach segment

segment of an IAP between the intermediate fix and the final approach fix

missed approach segment

begins at the missed approach point and ends at the specified missed approach NAVAID, intersection, fix

final approach segment

that part of an instrument approach procedure which commences at the specified final approach fix or point and ends at a point in the vicinity of an aerodrome from which a missed approach procedure is initiated

instrument landing system

A precision instrument approach system which normally consists of the following electronic components and visual aids:

a) Localizer

b) Glideslope

c) Outer Marker

d) Middle Marker

e) Approach Lights

level

A generic term relating to the vertical position of an aircraft in flight and meaning variously, height, altitude or flight level.

minimum en-route altitude

The lowest published altitude between radio fixes that ensures acceptable navigational signal coverage and meets obstacle clearance requirements between those fixes.

minimum fuel

Indicates that an aircraft’s fuel supply has reached a state where, upon reaching the destination, it can accept little or no delay. This is not an emergency situation but merely indicates an emergency situation is possible should any undue delay occur.

missed approach procedure

The procedure to be followed if the approach cannot be continued

onward clearance time

Is the time at which an aircraft can expect to leave the point at which it is being held

precision approach

A standard instrument approach procedure in which both vertical and horizontal guidance is provided.

non-precision approach

A standard instrument approach procedure in which only horizontal guidance is provided.

procedural control

Term used to indicate that information derived from an ATS surveillance system is not required for the provision of air traffic control service

reporting point

A specified geographical location in relation to which the position of an aircraft can be reported

standard instrument arrival (STAR)

A designated instrument flight rule arrival route linking a significant point, normally on an ATS route, with a point from which a published instrument approach procedure can be commenced.

standard instrument departure (SID)

A designated instrument flight rule departure route linking the aerodrome or a specified runway of the aerodrome with a specified significant point, normally on a designated ATS route, at which the en-route phase of a flight commences.

terminal control area

A control area normally established at the confluence of ATS routes in the vicinity of one more major aerodrome.

traffic information

Information issued by an air traffic service unit to alert a pilot to other known or observed air traffic which may be in proximity to the position or intended route of flight and to help the pilot to avoid a collision.

transfer of control point

A defined point located along the flight path of an aircraft, at which the responsibility for providing air traffic control service to the aircraft is transferred from one control facility or control position to the next.

transferring unit/control

Air traffic control unit/air traffic controller in the process of transferring the responsibility for providing air traffic control service to an aircraft to the next air traffic control unit/air traffic controller along the route of light.

transition level

shall be the lowest flight level available for use above the transition altitude established for the aerodrome(s) concerned

vfr flight

A flight conducted in accordance with the visual flight rules

visual meteorological conditions

Meteorological conditions expressed in terms of visibility, distance from cloud, and ceiling equal to or better than specified minima

visual approach

An approach by an IFR flight when either part or all of an instrument approach procedure is not complete and the approach is executed in visual reference to terrain