Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/3/14

PCG V−1

V

VASI−

(See VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR.)

VCOA−

(See VISUAL CLIMB OVER AIRPORT.)

VDP−

(See VISUAL DESCENT POINT.)

VECTOR− A heading issued to an aircraft to provide

navigational guidance by radar.

(See ICAO term RADAR VECTORING.)

VERIFY

− Request confirmation of information;

e.g., “verify assigned altitude.”

VERIFY SPECIFIC DIRECTION OF TAKEOFF
(OR TURNS AFTER TAKEOFF)

− Used by ATC to

ascertain an aircraft’s direction of takeoff and/or

direction of turn after takeoff. It is normally used for

IFR departures from an airport not having a control

tower. When direct communication with the pilot is

not possible, the request and information may be

relayed through an FSS, dispatcher, or by other

means.

(See IFR TAKEOFF MINIMUMS AND

DEPARTURE PROCEDURES.)

VERTEX− The last fix adapted on the arrival speed

segments. Normally, it will be the outer marker of the

runway in use. However, it may be the actual

threshold or other suitable common point on the

approach path for the particular runway configura-

tion.

VERTEX TIME OF ARRIVAL− A calculated time of

aircraft arrival over the adapted vertex for the runway

configuration in use. The time is calculated via the

optimum flight path using adapted speed segments.

VERTICAL NAVIGATION (VNAV)– A function of

area navigation (RNAV) equipment which calculates,

displays, and provides vertical guidance to a profile

or path.

VERTICAL SEPARATION− Separation between

aircraft expressed in units of vertical distance.

(See SEPARATION.)

VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING AIR-

CRAFT− Aircraft capable of vertical climbs and/or

descents and of using very short runways or small

areas for takeoff and landings. These aircraft include,

but are not limited to, helicopters.

(See SHORT TAKEOFF AND LANDING

AIRCRAFT.)

VERY HIGH FREQUENCY− The frequency band

between 30 and 300 MHz. Portions of this band, 108

to 118 MHz, are used for certain NAVAIDs; 118 to

136 MHz  are  used  for  civil  air/ground  voice

communications. Other frequencies in this band are

used for purposes not related to air traffic control.
VERY HIGH FREQUENCY OMNIDIRECTION-

AL RANGE STATION−

(See VOR.)

VERY LOW FREQUENCY− The frequency band

between 3 and 30 kHz.
VFR−

(See VISUAL FLIGHT RULES.)

VFR AIRCRAFT− An aircraft conducting flight in

accordance with visual flight rules.

(See VISUAL FLIGHT RULES.)

VFR CONDITIONS

− Weather conditions equal to

or better than the minimum for flight under visual

flight rules. The term may be used as an ATC

clearance/instruction only when:

a.

An IFR aircraft requests a climb/descent in

VFR conditions.

b.

The clearance will result in noise abatement

benefits where part of the IFR departure route does

not conform to an FAA approved noise abatement

route or altitude.

c.

A pilot has requested a practice instrument

approach and is not on an IFR flight plan.

Note: All pilots receiving this authorization must

comply with the VFR visibility and distance from
cloud criteria in 14 CFR Part 91. Use of the term
does not relieve controllers of their responsibility to
separate aircraft in Class B and Class C airspace
or TRSAs as required by FAAO JO 7110.65. When
used as an ATC clearance/instruction, the term
may be abbreviated “VFR;” e.g., “MAINTAIN
VFR,” “CLIMB/DESCEND VFR,” etc.

VFR FLIGHT−

(See VFR AIRCRAFT.)