Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/3/14

PCG A−12

AREA CONTROL CENTER [ICAO]− An air traffic

control facility primarily responsible for ATC

services being provided IFR aircraft during the en

route phase of flight. The U.S. equivalent facility is

an air route traffic control center (ARTCC).

AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV)− A method of

navigation which permits aircraft operation on any

desired flight path within the coverage of ground− or

space−based navigation aids or within the limits of

the capability of self-contained aids, or a combination

of these.

Note: Area navigation includes performance

−

based navigation as well as other operations that
do not meet the definition of performance

−

based

navigation.

AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV) APPROACH

CONFIGURATION:

a.

STANDARD T− An RNAV approach whose

design allows direct flight to any one of three initial

approach fixes (IAF) and eliminates the need for

procedure turns. The standard design is to align the

procedure on the extended centerline with the missed

approach point (MAP) at the runway threshold, the

final approach fix (FAF), and the initial approach/

intermediate fix (IAF/IF). The other two IAFs will be

established perpendicular to the IF.

b.

MODIFIED T− An RNAV approach design for

single or multiple runways where terrain or

operational constraints do not allow for the standard

T. The “T” may be modified by increasing or

decreasing the angle from the corner IAF(s) to the IF

or by eliminating one or both corner IAFs.

c.

STANDARD I− An RNAV approach design for

a single runway with both corner IAFs eliminated.

Course reversal or radar vectoring may be required at

busy terminals with multiple runways.

d.

TERMINAL ARRIVAL AREA (TAA)− The

TAA is controlled airspace established in conjunction

with the Standard or Modified T and I RNAV

approach configurations. In the standard TAA, there

are three areas: straight-in, left base, and right base.

The arc boundaries of the three areas of the TAA are

published portions of the approach and allow aircraft

to transition from the en route structure direct to the

nearest IAF. TAAs will also eliminate or reduce

feeder routes, departure extensions, and procedure

turns or course reversal.

1.

STRAIGHT-IN AREA− A 30NM arc

centered on the IF bounded by a straight line

extending through the IF perpendicular to the

intermediate course.

2.

LEFT BASE AREA− A 30NM arc centered

on the right corner IAF. The area shares a boundary

with the straight-in area except that it extends out for

30NM from the IAF and is bounded on the other side

by a line extending from the IF through the FAF to the

arc.

3.

RIGHT BASE AREA− A 30NM arc centered

on the left corner IAF. The area shares a boundary

with the straight-in area except that it extends out for

30NM from the IAF and is bounded on the other side

by a line extending from the IF through the FAF to the

arc.
AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV) GLOBAL

POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) PRECISION

RUNWAY MONITORING (PRM) APPROACH − A

GPS approach, which requires vertical guidance,

used in lieu of an ILS PRM approach to conduct

approaches to parallel runways whose extended

centerlines are separated by less than 4,300 feet and

at least 3,000 feet, where closely spaced independent

approaches are permitted. Also used in lieu of an ILS

PRM and/or LDA PRM approach to conduct

Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approach (SOIA)

operations.
ARINC− An acronym for Aeronautical Radio, Inc.,

a corporation largely owned by a group of airlines.

ARINC is licensed by the FCC as an aeronautical

station and contracted by the FAA to provide

communications support for air traffic control and

meteorological services in portions of international

airspace.
ARMY AVIATION FLIGHT INFORMATION

BULLETIN− A bulletin that provides air operation

data covering Army, National Guard, and Army

Reserve aviation activities.
ARO−

(See AIRPORT RESERVATION OFFICE.)

ARRESTING SYSTEM− A safety device consisting

of two major components, namely, engaging or

catching devices and energy absorption devices for

the purpose of arresting both tailhook and/or

nontailhook-equipped aircraft. It is used to prevent

aircraft from overrunning runways when the aircraft

cannot be stopped after landing or during aborted