Basics for Air Traffic Control – Introduction to FAA Orders and Manuals

Vocabulary flashcards covering the hierarchy, prefixes, key documents, and terminology of FAA orders, directives, and manuals for air traffic control.

Directives

The primary means within the FAA to issue, establish, and describe agency policies, organization, responsibilities, methods, and procedures.

Orders

Permanent directives within the FAA that stay in effect until canceled.

Changes

Directives that add, delete, or modify information or instructions in orders.

Notices

Temporary directives that expire one year from their effective date or have a cancellation date before one year.

Supplements

Directives issued by organizations other than the originator of the basic directive to provide additional internal guidance or instructions pertaining to the basic directive.

Agency Directives

Directives approved by the Administrator or Deputy Administrator that apply to the entire FAA and more than one Line of Business (LOB).

Internal Directives

Directives approved by the Chief Operating Officer (COO) that apply specifically to a single Line of Business (LOB).

Regional and Center Directives

Directives approved by the Regional Administrator or Center Director that apply to a region, a center, or administrative matters that cross program lines.

JO (Prefix)

An ATO directive prefix designating application to the Air Traffic Organization (ATO), nationwide business units, and nationwide support offices.

JE (Prefix)

An ATO directive prefix designating coverage of the Eastern Service Area.

JC (Prefix)

An ATO directive prefix designating coverage of the Central Service Area.

JW (Prefix)

An ATO directive prefix designating coverage of the Western Service Area.

General Notices (GENOTs)

Temporary directives issued by Washington Headquarters used for emergencies or situations requiring immediate action.

Regional Notices (RENOTs)

Temporary directives issued by the Regions used for emergencies or situations requiring immediate action.

Service Area Notices (SERNOTs)

Temporary directives issued by Service Areas used for emergencies or situations requiring immediate action.

FAA Order JO 7110.65

An FAA order titled 'Air Traffic Control' that prescribes procedures and phraseology for use by air traffic personnel providing air traffic control services.

FAA Order JO 7210.3

An FAA order titled 'Facility Operation and Administration' that provides instructions, standards, and guidance for operating and managing air traffic facilities.

FAA Order JO 7340.2

An FAA order titled 'Contractions' containing approved word and phrase contractions used by FAA personnel and other agencies providing ATC, communications, weather, charting, and associated services.

FAA Order JO 7350.9

An FAA order titled 'Location Identifiers' that describes agency policy, responsibility, and procedures for requesting identifiers and making assignments.

FAA Order JO 7360.1

An FAA order titled 'Aircraft Type Designators' providing standard abbreviations for the most common aircraft in the NAS with air traffic service (ATS).

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

An official manual designed to provide the aviation community with basic flight information and ATC procedures for use in the National Airspace System (NAS).

"Need Not" or "May"

Procedural terminology used in FAA orders that indicates a procedure is optional.

"Must" or "Shall"

Procedural terminology used in FAA orders that indicates a procedure is mandatory.

"Shall Not" or "Must Not"

Procedural terminology used in FAA orders that indicates a procedure is prohibited.

"Should"

Procedural terminology used in FAA orders that indicates a procedure is recommended.

"Will"

Terminology used in FAA orders indicating futurity, rather than a requirement for application of a procedure.