Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/3/14

PCG T−5

procedure chart when straight-in landing minimums

are authorized.

(See TOUCHDOWN ZONE.)

TOUCHDOWN ZONE LIGHTING−

(See AIRPORT LIGHTING.)

TOWER− A terminal facility that uses air/ground

communications, visual signaling, and other devices

to provide ATC services to aircraft operating in the

vicinity of an airport or on the movement area.

Authorizes aircraft to land or takeoff at the airport

controlled by the tower or to transit the Class D

airspace area regardless of flight plan or weather

conditions (IFR or VFR). A tower may also provide

approach control services (radar or nonradar).

(See AIRPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICE.)
(See APPROACH CONTROL FACILITY.)
(See APPROACH CONTROL SERVICE.)
(See MOVEMENT AREA.)
(See TOWER EN ROUTE CONTROL

SERVICE.)

(See ICAO term AERODROME CONTROL

TOWER.)

(Refer to AIM.)

TOWER EN ROUTE CONTROL SERVICE− The

control of IFR en route traffic within delegated

airspace between two or more adjacent approach

control facilities. This service is designed to expedite

traffic and reduce control and pilot communication

requirements.

TOWER TO TOWER−

(See TOWER EN ROUTE CONTROL

SERVICE.)

TPX-42− A numeric beacon decoder equipment/

system. It is designed to be added to terminal radar

systems for beacon decoding. It provides rapid target

identification, reinforcement of the primary radar

target, and altitude information from Mode C.

(See AUTOMATED RADAR TERMINAL

SYSTEMS.)

(See TRANSPONDER.)

TRACEABLE PRESSURE STANDARD− The

facility station pressure instrument, with certifica-

tion/calibration traceable to the National Institute of

Standards and Technology. Traceable pressure

standards may be mercurial barometers, commis-

sioned ASOS/AWSS or dual transducer AWOS, or

portable pressure standards or DASI.

TRACK− The actual flight path of an aircraft over the

surface of the earth.

(See COURSE.)
(See FLIGHT PATH.)
(See ROUTE.)
(See ICAO term TRACK.)

TRACK [ICAO]− The projection on the earth’s

surface of the path of an aircraft, the direction of

which path at any point is usually expressed in

degrees from North (True, Magnetic, or Grid).
TRACK OF INTEREST (TOI)− Displayed data

representing an airborne object that threatens or has

the potential to threaten North America or National

Security. Indicators may include, but are not limited

to: noncompliance with air traffic control instructions

or aviation regulations; extended loss of communica-

tions; unusual transmissions or unusual flight

behavior; unauthorized intrusion into controlled

airspace or an ADIZ; noncompliance with issued

flight restrictions/security procedures; or unlawful

interference with airborne flight crews, up to and

including hijack. In certain circumstances, an object

may become a TOI based on specific and credible

intelligence pertaining to that particular aircraft/

object, its passengers, or its cargo.
TRACK OF INTEREST RESOLUTION− A TOI

will normally be considered resolved when: the

aircraft/object is no longer airborne; the aircraft

complies with air traffic control instructions, aviation

regulations, and/or issued flight restrictions/security

procedures; radio contact is re−established and

authorized control of the aircraft is verified; the

aircraft is intercepted and intent is verified to be

nonthreatening/nonhostile; TOI was identified based

on specific and credible intelligence that was later

determined to be invalid or unreliable; or displayed

data is identified and characterized as invalid.
TRAFFIC−

a.

A term used by a controller to transfer radar

identification of an aircraft to another controller for

the purpose of coordinating separation action. Traffic

is normally issued:

1.

In response to a handoff or point out,

2.

In anticipation of a handoff or point out, or

3.

In conjunction with a request for control of an

aircraft.

b.

A term used by ATC to refer to one or more

aircraft.