Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/3/14

PCG F−4

FLIGHT PATH− A line, course, or track along which

an aircraft is flying or intended to be flown.

(See COURSE.)

(See TRACK.)

FLIGHT PLAN− Specified information relating to

the intended flight of an aircraft that is filed orally or

in writing with an FSS or an ATC facility.

(See FAST FILE.)

(See FILED.)

(Refer to AIM.)

FLIGHT PLAN AREA (FPA)− The geographical

area assigned to a flight service station (FSS) for the

purpose of establishing primary responsibility for

services that may include search and rescue for VFR

aircraft, issuance of NOTAMs, pilot briefings,

inflight services, broadcast services, emergency

services, flight data processing, international opera-

tions, and aviation weather services.  Large

consolidated FSS facilities may combine FPAs into

larger areas of responsibility (AOR).

(See FLIGHT SERVICE STATION.)

(See TIE-IN FACILITY

.

)

FLIGHT RECORDER− A general term applied to

any instrument or device that records information

about the performance of an aircraft in flight or about

conditions encountered in flight. Flight recorders

may make records of airspeed, outside air

temperature, vertical acceleration, engine RPM,

manifold pressure, and other pertinent variables for a

given flight.

(See ICAO term FLIGHT RECORDER.)

FLIGHT RECORDER [ICAO]− Any type of

recorder installed in the aircraft for the purpose of

complementing accident/incident investigation.

Note: See Annex 6 Part I, for specifications relating

to flight recorders.

FLIGHT SERVICE STATION (FSS) − An air traffic

facility which provides pilot briefings, flight plan

processing, en route radio communications, search

and rescue services, and assistance to lost aircraft and

aircraft in emergency situations. FSS also relays ATC

clearances, processes Notices to Airmen, and

broadcasts aviation weather and aeronautical inform-

ation.  In addition, at selected locations, FSS provides

En Route Flight Advisory Service (Flight Watch) and

Airport Advisory Service (AAS) and takes airport

weather observations.

(See FLIGHT PLAN AREA.)
(See TIE-IN FACILITY.)

FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE− An

FAA field office serving an assigned geographical

area and staffed with Flight Standards personnel who

serve the aviation industry and the general public on

matters relating to the certification and operation of

air carrier and general aviation aircraft. Activities

include general surveillance of operational safety,

certification of airmen and aircraft, accident

prevention, investigation, enforcement, etc.
FLIGHT TEST− A flight for the purpose of:

a.

Investigating the operation/flight characteris-

tics of an aircraft or aircraft component.

b.

Evaluating an applicant for a pilot certificate or

rating.
FLIGHT VISIBILITY−

(See VISIBILITY.)

FLIGHT WATCH− A shortened term for use in

air-ground contacts to identify the flight service

station providing En Route Flight Advisory Service;

e.g., “Oakland Flight Watch.”

(See EN ROUTE FLIGHT ADVISORY

SERVICE.)

FLIP−

(See DOD FLIP.)

FLY HEADING (DEGREES)− Informs the pilot of

the heading he/she should fly. The pilot may have to

turn to, or continue on, a specific compass direction

in order to comply with the instructions. The pilot is

expected to turn in the shorter direction to the heading

unless otherwise instructed by ATC.
FLY-BY WAYPOINT− A fly-by waypoint requires

the use of turn anticipation to avoid overshoot of the

next flight segment.
FLY-OVER WAYPOINT− A fly-over waypoint

precludes any turn until the waypoint is overflown

and is followed by an intercept maneuver of the next

flight segment.
FLY VISUAL TO AIRPORT−

(See PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH

PROCEDURE VISUAL SEGMENT.)

FMA−

(See FINAL MONITOR AID.)