Air Traffic Control Vocabulary from NAS Notes

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

Altitude (AGL)

Vertical distance of an aircraft above the ground, expressed in feet.

Airway

A defined corridor of airspace with a centerline defined by radio navigation aids.

Alert Area

A type of special-use airspace depicted on charts; often used for high-volume training or unusual aerial activity; not inherently hazardous to aircraft.

Fix

A geographical position determined by visual references to the surface or by radio navigation aids.

Handoff

Transferring radar identification and radio communications of an aircraft to a receiving controller as it enters their airspace.

Hold

A predetermined maneuver to keep an aircraft within a specified airspace or point while awaiting clearance.

NDB (Non-Directional Beacon)

A nondirectional radio beacon used with navigation equipment to determine bearing to or from the beacon.

NAVAID

Any visual or electronic navigational aid that provides guidance or position data to aircraft.

VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range)

A ground-based navigation aid providing azimuth information and Morse-identification.

VORTAC

Co-located VOR and TACAN providing VOR azimuth, TACAN azimuth, and DME distance from one site.

TACAN

Tactical Air Navigational aid; military UHF navigation aid providing azimuth and distance.

DME

Distance Measuring Equipment; measures slant range distance from a nav aid.

Radar Service

ATC radar service provided as needed; radar identification continues until terminated.

Radar Contact

Notice that radar data are being used to determine an aircraft’s position; radar service may be terminated if data reliability ends.

Radar Vector

Headings issued by ATC to guide an aircraft using radar information.

Squawk

Assigning a specific transponder code to an aircraft; e.g., squawk 1020.

TCAS (Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System)

An airborne system that detects other aircraft and provides resolution advisories to avoid collisions.

Transponder

The airborne beacon that replies to ground interrogations as part of the ATC radar beacon system (ATCRBS).

Vertical Separation

Separation achieved by assigning different altitudes or flight levels.

VFR (Visual Flight Rules)

Rules for flight in visual meteorological conditions; also used to label VFR flight plans and operations.

NAS (National Airspace System)

The network of airspace, navigation aids, and ATC services governed by the FAA.

Victor Route (VT)

Low-altitude airways below 18,000 feet MSL designated VT (Victor/Tango).

Jet Route (J)

High-altitude airways above 18,000 feet MSL designated with the letter J (Jet routes).

Flight Level

Standard pressure altitude reference (e.g., FL180); used for high-altitude flight.

GPS

Global Positioning System; satellite-based positioning data, not sufficient on its own for ATC purposes.