Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/3/14

PCG M−3

MIDDLE MARKER− A marker beacon that defines

a point along the glideslope of an ILS normally

located at or near the point of decision height (ILS

Category I). It is keyed to transmit alternate dots and

dashes, with the alternate dots and dashes keyed at the

rate of 95 dot/dash combinations per minute on a

1300 Hz tone, which is received aurally and visually

by compatible airborne equipment.

(See INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM.)

(See MARKER BEACON.)

(Refer to AIM.)

MILES-IN-TRAIL− A specified distance between

aircraft, normally, in the same stratum associated

with the same destination or route of flight.

MILITARY AUTHORITY ASSUMES RESPONSI-

BILITY FOR SEPARATION OF AIRCRAFT−  A

condition whereby the military services involved

assume responsibility for separation between

participating military aircraft in the ATC system. It is

used only for required IFR operations which are

specified in letters of agreement or other appropriate

FAA or military documents.

MILITARY LANDING ZONE− A landing strip used

exclusively by the military for training. A military

landing zone does not carry a runway designation.

MILITARY OPERATIONS AREA−

(See SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE.)

MILITARY TRAINING ROUTES− Airspace of

defined vertical and lateral dimensions established

for the conduct of military flight training at airspeeds

in excess of 250 knots IAS.

(See IFR MILITARY TRAINING ROUTES.)

(See VFR MILITARY TRAINING ROUTES.)

MINIMA−

(See MINIMUMS.)

MINIMUM CROSSING ALTITUDE− The lowest

altitude at certain fixes at which an aircraft must cross

when proceeding in the direction of a higher

minimum en route IFR altitude (MEA).

(See MINIMUM EN ROUTE IFR ALTITUDE.)

MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE− The lowest

altitude, expressed in feet above mean sea level, to

which descent is authorized on final approach or

during circle-to-land maneuvering in execution of a

standard instrument approach procedure where no

electronic glideslope is provided.

(See NONPRECISION APPROACH

PROCEDURE.)

MINIMUM EN ROUTE IFR ALTITUDE (MEA)−

The lowest published altitude between radio fixes

which assures acceptable navigational signal cover-

age and meets obstacle clearance requirements

between those fixes. The MEA prescribed for a

Federal airway or segment thereof, area navigation

low or high route, or other direct route applies to the

entire width of the airway, segment, or route between

the radio fixes defining the airway, segment, or route.

(Refer to 14 CFR Part 91.)
(Refer to 14 CFR Part 95.)
(Refer to AIM.)

MINIMUM FRICTION LEVEL− The friction level

specified in AC 150/5320-12, Measurement,

Construction, and Maintenance of Skid Resistant

Airport Pavement Surfaces, that represents the

minimum recommended wet pavement surface

friction value for any turbojet aircraft engaged in

LAHSO. This value will vary with the particular

friction measurement equipment used.

MINIMUM FUEL− Indicates that an aircraft’s fuel

supply has reached a state where, upon reaching the

destination, it can accept little or no delay. This is not

an emergency situation but merely indicates an

emergency situation is possible should any undue

delay occur.

(Refer to AIM.)

MINIMUM HOLDING ALTITUDE− The lowest

altitude prescribed for a holding pattern which

assures navigational signal coverage, communica-

tions, and meets obstacle clearance requirements.

MINIMUM IFR ALTITUDES (MIA)− Minimum

altitudes for IFR operations as prescribed in 14 CFR

Part 91. These altitudes are published on aeronautical

charts and prescribed in 14 CFR Part 95 for airways

and  routes,  and  in  14 CFR  Part 97  for  standard

instrument approach procedures. If no applicable

minimum altitude is prescribed in 14 CFR Part 95 or

14 CFR  Part 97,  the  following  minimum  IFR

altitude applies:

a.

In designated mountainous areas, 2,000 feet

above the highest obstacle within a horizontal

distance of 4 nautical miles from the course to be

flown; or