IFR Procedures: A Pilot-Friendly® Manual Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering IFR procedures, acronyms, regulations, and navigation concepts for pilots.

ALS

Approach Light System; the bright lights used at the end of an instrument approach to assist in visual transition.

ARTCC

Air Route Traffic Control Center; the air traffic controllers referred to as "Center."

CANPA

Constant Angle Non-Precision Approach; a method for flying non-precision approaches by estimating a stabilized path for a nonexistent glideslope.

CFIT

Controlled Flight Into Terrain; a type of accident where an aircraft is flown under control directly into terrain that the pilot cannot see.

CNF

Computer Navigation Fix; a waypoint created for GPS sequencing that may appear on charts but is unknown to ATC, often beginning with "CF."

CVFP

Charted Visual Flight Procedure; a formal visual approach procedure that is accompanied by a specific chart.

DER

Departure End of the Runway; the end of the runway that an aircraft crosses after taking off.

GPSS

GPS Roll Steering; an autopilot mode that follows navigation instructions directly from the GPS.

HAT/HAA

Height Above Touchdown / Height Above Airport; the height of the MDA or DA above the touchdown zone for straight-ins or the airport reference point for circling.

HILPT

Hold In Lieu of Procedure Turn; a charted holding pattern used as a course reversal for an instrument approach.

LP

Localizer Precision; the GPS equivalent of localizer-quality approach guidance; if vertical guidance is included, it becomes LPV.

MVA/MIA

Minimum Vectoring Altitude / Minimum Instrument Altitude; the lowest altitude at which controllers can safely vector IFR aircraft.

MON

Minimum Operational Network; a nationwide network of VORs and ILSs preserved for backup navigation in case of GPS unavailability.

NA

Not Authorized; used to indicate that a specific action or procedure is prohibited.

RF

Radius-to-Fix; an RNAV-based curved leg used in specific instrument procedures.

RNAV

Area Navigation; equipment like GPS that permits navigation between any two arbitrary points on the globe.

RVR

Runway Visual Range; visibility at a specific runway measured in feet and reported via the ATIS.

TAA

Terminal Arrival Area; sectors depicted on some approach charts providing specific procedure altitudes for transitioning to an approach.

TERPS

U.S. Standard for Terminal Instrument Procedures; the official criteria by which every instrument procedure is designed.

TOD/BOD

Top of Descent / Bottom of Descent; the start and end points of a descent profile, usually provided by GPS VNAV.

TOGA

Takeoff/Go-around; an autopilot mode used for climbs during takeoffs and go-arounds.

TRACON

Terminal Radar Approach Control; the air traffic controllers referred to as "Approach" or "Departure."

TCH

Threshold Crossing Height; the published height at which a descent path crosses the runway threshold.

+V

"Advisory" Vertical Guidance; a WAAS GPS feature providing a stabilized descent path where an official glidepath is not available.

VCOA

Visual Climb Over Airport; a published IFR departure procedure where the pilot climbs visually over the airport to a specified altitude.

VDA

Vertical Descent Angle; the descent angle to the touchdown zone as published in the profile view of an approach chart.

VDP

Visual Descent Point; the point on a non-precision approach where the VDA intersects the MDA, marking a decision point for descent to landing.

VGSI

Visual Glide Slope Indicator; runway lights such as VASI or PAPI that help maintain the correct visual descent angle.

VSR

Vertical Speed Required; the specific vertical speed needed to meet an altitude constraint or fly a VNAV profile.

VTF

Vectors-To-Final; a GPS function used to manage ATC vectors to a final approach course.

1-2-3 Rule

An alternate is required if weather at the destination from $1\,\text{hour}$ before to $1\,\text{hour}$ after ETA is less than a $2000\,\text{foot}$ ceiling and $3\,\text{SM}$ visibility.

Standard Alternate Minimums

Forecast weather at the alternate at ETA: $600-2$ for precision approaches or $800-2$ for non-precision approaches.

RNAV 2 (Code C2)

A PBN code requiring accuracy within $2\,\text{NM}$, $95\,\text{percent}$ of the time; required for Q- and T-Routes.

RNAV 1 (Code D2)

A PBN code requiring accuracy within $1\,\text{NM}$, $95\,\text{percent}$ of the time; required for certain ODPs, SIDs, and STARs.

RNP APCH (Code S1)

Final approach-level RNAV scaling down to a minimum of $0.3\,\text{NM}$ accuracy; standard for all approach-certified GPS units.

TEC Routes

Tower Enroute Control; routes used in busy areas that remain entirely within Approach Control airspace.

CRAFT

Standard mnemonic for IFR clearances: Clearance Limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency, and Transponder.

PDC

Pre-Departure Clearance; a digital system where airline and registered GA pilots receive IFR clearances via text or email.

GCO

Ground Communications Outlet; a device that allows pilots to place phone calls to ATC or FSS using an aircraft's radio.

Diverse Departure

An implied procedure allowing a climb to $400\,\text{feet AGL}$ before turning on course, provided the airport has at least one instrument approach and no published ODP.

Standard Climb Gradient

The default IFR climb rate of $200\,\text{feet per nautical mile (FPNM)}$ required unless a higher gradient is published.

MAA

Maximum Allowable Altitude; an altitude limit used for operational purposes or to prevent interference between VORs.

MCA

Minimum Crossing Altitude; a requirement to cross a specific fix at or above a published altitude while transitioning to a segment with a higher MEA.

MRA

Minimum Reception Altitude; the lowest altitude where a specific navaid (like a crossing radial) can be reliably received.

VFR-on-Top

An IFR clearance that allows a pilot to choose a VFR altitude while complying with IFR route and minimum altitude requirements.

Block Altitude

A clearance providing a range of altitudes (e.g., $5000\,\text{block } 8000$) for the pilot to operate within at their discretion while in IMC.

WIRE

A mnemonic for approach setup: Weather, Instruments, Radios, and Environment.

PTAC

The standard format for an approach clearance: Position, Turn, Altitude, and Clearance.

Contact Approach

A pilot-initiated procedure to fly visually to an airport with at least $1\,\text{SM}$ ground visibility, staying clear of clouds.

Through Clearance

An advanced IFR clearance allowing a pilot to land at an intermediate airport and depart again without needing to cancel or file a new flight plan.