Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/3/14

PCG A−7

AIRCRAFT SURGE LAUNCH AND

RECOVERY− Procedures used at USAF bases to

provide increased launch and recovery rates in

instrument flight rules conditions. ASLAR is based

on:

Reduced separation between aircraft which is

based on time or distance. Standard arrival separation

applies between participants including multiple

flights until the DRAG point. The DRAG point is a

published location on an ASLAR approach where

aircraft landing second in a formation slows to a

predetermined airspeed. The DRAG point is the

reference point at which MARSA applies as

expanding elements effect separation within a flight

or between subsequent participating flights.

ASLAR procedures shall be covered in a Letter

of Agreement between the responsible USAF

military ATC facility and the concerned Federal

Aviation Administration facility. Initial Approach

Fix spacing requirements are normally addressed as

a minimum.

AIRMEN’S METEOROLOGICAL

INFORMATION−

(See AIRMET.)

AIRMET

− In-flight weather advisories issued only

to amend the area forecast concerning weather

phenomena which are of operational interest to all

aircraft and potentially hazardous to aircraft having

limited capability because of lack of equipment,

instrumentation, or pilot qualifications. AIRMETs

concern weather of less severity than that covered by

SIGMETs or Convective SIGMETs. AIRMETs

cover moderate icing, moderate turbulence, sustained

winds of 30 knots or more at the surface, widespread

areas of ceilings less than 1,000 feet and/or visibility

less than 3 miles, and extensive mountain

obscurement.

(See AWW.)
(See CONVECTIVE SIGMET.)
(See CWA.)
(See SIGMET.)
(Refer to AIM.)

AIRPORT− An area on land or water that is used or

intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of

aircraft and includes its buildings and facilities, if

any.

AIRPORT ADVISORY AREA− The area within ten

miles of an airport without a control tower or where

the tower is not in operation, and on which a Flight

Service Station is located.

(See LOCAL AIRPORT ADVISORY.)
(Refer to AIM.)

AIRPORT ARRIVAL RATE (AAR)− A dynamic

input parameter specifying the number of arriving

aircraft which an airport or airspace can accept from

the ARTCC per hour. The AAR is used to calculate

the desired interval between successive arrival

aircraft.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE RATE (ADR)− A dynamic

parameter specifying the number of aircraft which

can depart an airport and the airspace can accept per

hour.
AIRPORT ELEVATION− The highest point of an

airport’s usable runways measured in feet from mean

sea level.

(See TOUCHDOWN ZONE ELEVATION.)
(See ICAO term AERODROME ELEVATION.)

AIRPORT/FACILITY DIRECTORY− A publication

designed primarily as a pilot’s operational manual

containing all airports, seaplane bases, and heliports

open to the public including communications data,

navigational facilities, and certain special notices and

procedures. This publication is issued in seven

volumes according to geographical area.
AIRPORT LIGHTING− Various lighting aids that

may be installed on an airport. Types of airport

lighting include:

Approach Light System (ALS)− An airport

lighting facility which provides visual guidance to

landing aircraft by radiating light beams in a

directional pattern by which the pilot aligns the

aircraft with the extended centerline of the runway on

his/her final approach for landing. Condenser-

Discharge Sequential Flashing Lights/Sequenced

Flashing Lights may be installed in conjunction with

the ALS at some airports. Types of Approach Light

Systems are:

ALSF-1− Approach Light System with

Sequenced Flashing Lights in ILS Cat-I configura-

tion.

ALSF-2− Approach Light System with

Sequenced Flashing Lights in ILS Cat-II configura-

tion. The ALSF-2 may operate as an SSALR when

weather conditions permit.

SSALF− Simplified Short Approach Light

System with Sequenced Flashing Lights.