ATC SYSTEM AND NAS - VOCABULARY FLASHCARDS

Vocabulary flashcards covering key ATC, NAS, and TM concepts and terms from the lecture notes.

NAS (National Airspace System)

The common network of U.S. airspace, air navigation facilities, airports, charts, rules, regulations, procedures, and personnel; includes shared components with the military; evolving under NextGen.

NextGen

FAA modernization of the NAS moving toward satellite-based air traffic management, including surveillance, communications, navigation, and decision-making tools.

NAVAID

Any visual or electronic device that provides guidance or position data to aircraft (ground-based or satellite-based).

VOR; Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range;

a ground-based navigation aid providing PNT data and azimuth to aircraft.

VORTAC

A navigation aid that combines VOR azimuth with TACAN distance data at one site.

DME , Distance Measuring Equipment;

measures slant range distance from aircraft to a navigational aid in nautical miles.

DME Fix

A position defined by reference to a navigational aid that provides distance and azimuth information.

NDB

a radio beacon transmitting signals for bearing guidance to aircraft.

GPS

space-based NAV and time system providing precise position globally.

AGL

Altitude in feet measured above ground level.

MSL

altitude measured from mean sea level.

ALTIMETER

Flight instrument that indicates altitude by sensing pressure changes.

ALSTG , altimeter setting

barometric pressure used to calibrate the altimeter.

Flight Level (FL)

Altitude expressed in hundreds of feet using a standard pressure setting of 29.92"Hg.

IAS

speed shown on the airspeed indicator used in communications.

TAS

airspeed relative to undisturbed air, used in flight planning.

ATC

Service to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.

ATCS

Person authorized to provide ATC service.

ATCT

Terminal facility providing ATC services to aircraft on/near the airport.

TRACON

facility providing radar/nonradar control for arriving/departing/transiting terminal area traffic.

ARTCC

en route ATC facility handling IFR/VFR traffic across regions.

FSS

provides pilot briefings, flight plan processing, SAR support, NOTAMs, weather information ( Alaska duties vary). They do not control traffic.

ASR

radar in the terminal area showing aircraft position, range, and azimuth (no elevation data; up to ~60 miles).

En Route Services

ATC service delivered to aircraft during the en route phase, often within ARTCC airspace.

Radar

A system that measures transmission/reception timing and beam orientation to determine range, azimuth, and sometimes elevation of aircraft.

Nonradar

ATC approaches/arrivals without radar guidance; relies on pilot navigation and nonradar procedures.

Radar Vectors

Headings given by ATC to guide an aircraft using radar position data.

Handoff

Transferring radar identification and radio contact of an aircraft from one controller to another as it enters the new sector.

Radar Point Out

Transferring radar identification to another controller when the aircraft will enter another controller’s airspace.

IFR

flight rules and weather conditions where ATC provides separation using instruments.

VFR

flight rules under visual conditions; pilots navigate by sight with ATC separation if required.

ILS

precision approach consisting of localizer, glideslope, markers, and approach lighting.

IFR Flight Plan

Flight plan filed for instrument flight, enabling ATC to provide required separation.

VFR Flight Plan

Flight plan filed for visual flight; ATC may provide weather and traffic information.

IAF , instrument approach procedure

the start point of the initial approach on an instrument approach.

DP , depature procedures

preplanned IFR departure procedure to transition to en route structure.

Jet Route

High-altitude route (above 18,000 feet MSL) for IFR operations, designated as J routes.

VOR Airways, Victor airways

; low/medium altitude airways defined by VORs.

SUA

airspace with restricted activities for safety or security (includes MOA, Prohibited, Restricted, Alert).

MOA, Military Operations Area;

airspace to separate military activity from IFR traffic.

Prohibited Area

Airspace where flight is prohibited.

Restricted Area

Airspace where flight is restricted; jointly used and may allow IFR/VFR when authorized.

RWY, Runway;

defined landing/takeoff area at an airport.

Squawk

Transponder code assignment by ATC; used to identify and track aircraft on radar.

Mode C

Altitude reporting transponder mode; provides altitude information to ATC.

TCAS, Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System;

airborne system to help avoid mid-air collisions.

Transponder , ATCRBS:

onboard radar beacon transceiver; replies to ATC interrogations.

VSCS , Voice Switching and Control System;

computer-controlled system providing voice circuits for ATC.

Radar Point Out

Transferring radar identification to another controller when crossing airspace boundaries.

Acknowledge

ATC request meaning: let me know you have received and understood.

Read Back/Roger

Common ATC phrases: read back confirms instructions; Roger confirms receipt of last transmission.

Mayday

Distress signal; repeated three times indicates imminent danger and need for immediate help.