IFR Abbreviations and terms

MSA

Minimum Safe Altitude

• The minimum altitude depicted on approach charts which provides at least 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance for emergency use within a specified distance from the listed navigation facility

TAA

Terminal Arrival Area

• A procedure to provide a

  new transition method for arriving aircraft equipped with

  FMS and/or GPS navigational equipment. The TAA containsa “T” structure that normally provides a NoPT for aircraftusing the approach

DME

Distance Measuring Equipment

• A pulse-type electronic navigation system that shows the pilot, by an instrument-panel indication, the number of nautical miles between the aircraft and a ground station or waypoint.

MHA

Minimum Height Altitude

TERPS

Terminal Instrument Procedures

• Prescribes standardized methods for use in designing

  instrument flight procedures.

ILS

Instrument Landing System

LOC

Localizer

• provides lateral guidance

GS

Glideslope

• Provides Vertical Guidance

ALS

Approach Lighting System

• Visual component to aid pilot in transistion from IMC to VMC and landing

REIL

Runway end identification lights

ODALS

Omnidirectional approach light system

VASI

PAPI

precision approach path indicator.

ALSF

Approach light system with sequenced flashing lights

SSALR

Simplified short approach light system with runway alignment indicator lights

MALSR

Medium intensity approach light system with runway alignment indicator lights

MALSF

Medium intensity approach light system with sequenced flashing lights and runway alignment

VDP

Visual Descent Point

• A defined point on the final approach course of a nonprecision straight-in approach procedure from which normal descent from the MDA to the runway touchdown point may be commenced, provided the runway environment is clearly visible to the pilot.

MAP

Missed Approach Procedure

LDA

Localizer Type Directional Aid

• A NAVAID used for nonprecision instrument approaches with utility and accuracy comparable to a localizer but which is not a part of a complete ILS and is not aligned with the runway. Some LDAs are equipped with a glide slope.

PAR

Precision Approach Radar

PTAC

Position, Turn, Altitude, Clearance

GRABCARD

66HIT

EFC

Expect Further Clearance

RVR

Runway Visual Range

• distance a pilot can see runway markings or lights along the runway centerline.