Basics for Air Traffic Control: ATC System and National Airspace System (NAS)

These flashcards cover the basics of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, including terminology, FAA history, facility roles, and the National Airspace System (NAS) as described in the lecture notes.

What is the definition of Above Ground Level (AGL) altitude?

Altitude expressed in $feet$ measured above ground level.

What is Airport Elevation (Field Elevation)?

The highest point of an airport’s usable runways measured in $feet$ from mean sea level.

What does Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) provide to a controller?

Range and azimuth information for an aircraft's position in the terminal area, but not elevation data.

What are the two specific types of airspeed defined in the transcript?

Indicated Airspeed (IAS) and True Airspeed (TAS).

Define Air Traffic Clearance.

An authorization by air traffic control for the purpose of preventing collision between known aircraft, for an aircraft to proceed under specified traffic conditions within controlled airspace.

What is an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS)?

A person authorized to provide air traffic control service.

What constitutes a Controlled Firing Area (CFA)?

A type of Special Use Airspace wherein activities are conducted under conditions so controlled as to eliminate hazards to nonparticipating aircraft.

What is the standard altimeter setting?

$$29.92$$

Define a Flight Level (FL).

A level of constant atmospheric pressure related to a reference datum of $29.92$ inches of mercury, stated in three digits representing hundreds of $feet$.

Under what weather conditions do IFR conditions generally exist?

When the ceiling is below $1,000$ $feet AGL$ or the visibility is below $3$ $statute miles$.

What are the vertical limits of a Jet Route?

From $18,000$ $feet MSL$ up to and including flight level ($FL$) $450$.

What is the difference between Lateral and Longitudinal Separation?

Lateral separation is spacing at the same altitude using different routes or locations; Longitudinal separation is spacing at the same altitude expressed in units of time or miles.

What does the international radiotelephony distress signal 'Mayday' indicate when repeated three times?

Imminent and grave danger and that immediate assistance is requested.

What is the primary purpose of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system?

To prevent a collision between aircraft operating in the system; provide a safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of traffic; and provide support for National Security and Homeland Defense.

What is the first duty priority of an Air Traffic Controller?

Separating aircraft and issuing safety alerts.

Which aircraft has the right-of-way over all other traffic?

An aircraft in distress.

Which branch was created by the Commerce Secretary following the Air Commerce Act of 1926?

The Aeronautics Branch.

In what year was the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) created as an independent agency?

$$1958$$

What did the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 do to the FAA?

It placed the FAA under the DOT and changed the name from Federal Aviation Agency to Federal Aviation Administration.

What is the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC)?

An aeronautical center located in Oklahoma City led by the ARC.

Which organization is the operational arm of the FAA?

The Air Traffic Organization (ATO).

Who manages flight service functions in the CONUS, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii?

Leidos.

What are the three types of ATC facilities?

Flight Service Station (FSS), Terminal ATC facilities (ATCT and TRACON), and Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC).

Which tower position is responsible for the active runways?

Local Control (LC).

What is an ‘Up/Down’ facility?

A combined ATCT/TRACON where the TRACON is located within or near the same structure as the Tower.

In an ARTCC, what is the 'Radar Associate' position often called?

The D side.

What is the mission of the Traffic Management (TM) system?

To balance air traffic demand with system capacity to ensure the maximum efficient utilization of the National Airspace System (NAS).

Where is the David J. Hurley Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) located?

It is not explicitly tied to a city in the text, but it monitors and manages the flow of air traffic throughout the NAS.

Define the Traffic Management Initiative (TMI) known as 'Capping'.

A term to indicate aircraft will be cleared to an altitude lower than their requested altitude until they are clear of a particular airspace.

What is a Ground Stop (GS)?

The most restrictive method of traffic management that overrides all other initiatives; aircraft must not be released without the approval of the originator.

What is NextGen?

An ongoing transformation of the NAS from a ground-based system of air traffic control to a satellite-based system of air traffic management.

What is the phonetic pronunciation for the numbers 3 and 9?

$3$ is pronounced TREE and $9$ is pronounced NIN-ER.