Pilot/Controller Glossary

not served by an approach control facility, the
ARTCC provides limited approach control service.
(See ICAO term APPROACH CONTROL
SERVICE.)
(Refer to AIM.)

APPROACH CONTROL SERVICE [ICAO]- Air
traffic control service for arriving or departing
controlled flights.
APPROACH GATE- An imaginary point used
within ATC as a basis for vectoring aircraft to the
final approach course. The gate will be established
along the final approach course 1 mile from the final
approach fix on the side away from the airport and
will be no closer than 5 miles from the landing
threshold.
APPROACH/DEPARTURE HOLD AREA- The
locations on taxiways in the approach or departure
areas of a runway designated to protect landing or
departing aircraft. These locations are identified by
signs and markings.
APPROACH LIGHT SYSTEM-
(See AIRPORT LIGHTING.)

APPROACH SEQUENCE- The order in which
aircraft are positioned while on approach or awaiting
approach clearance.
(See LANDING SEQUENCE.)
(See ICAO term APPROACH SEQUENCE.)

APPROACH SEQUENCE [ICAO]- The order in
which two or more aircraft are cleared to approach to
land at the aerodrome.
APPROACH SPEED- The recommended speed
contained in aircraft manuals used by pilots when
making an approach to landing. This speed will vary
for different segments of an approach as well as for
aircraft weight and configuration.
APPROACH WITH VERTICAL GUIDANCE
(APV)" A term used to describe RNAV approach
procedures that provide lateral and vertical guidance
but do not meet the requirements to be considered a
precision approach.
APPROPRIATE ATS AUTHORITY [ICAO]- The
relevant authority designated by the State responsible
for providing air traffic services in the airspace
concerned. In the United States, the "appropriate ATS
authority" is the Program Director for Air Traffic
Planning and Procedures, ATP-1.

APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY-
a. Regarding flight over the high seas: the relevant
authority is the State of Registry.
b. Regarding flight over other than the high seas:
the relevant authority is the State having sovereignty
over the territory being overflown.
APPROPRIATE OBSTACLE CLEARANCE
MINIMUM ALTITUDE- Any of the following:
(See MINIMUM EN ROUTE IFR ALTITUDE.)
(See MINIMUM IFR ALTITUDE.)
(See MINIMUM OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE
ALTITUDE.)
(See MINIMUM VECTORING ALTITUDE.)

APPROPRIATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE
MINIMUM ALTITUDE- Any of the following:
(See MINIMUM EN ROUTE IFR ALTITUDE.)
(See MINIMUM IFR ALTITUDE.)
(See MINIMUM OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE
ALTITUDE.)
(See MINIMUM VECTORING ALTITUDE.)

APRON- A defined area on an airport or heliport
intended to accommodate aircraft for purposes of
loading or unloading passengers or cargo, refueling,
parking, or maintenance. With regard to seaplanes, a
ramp is used for access to the apron from the water.
(See ICAO term APRON.)

APRON [ICAO]- A defined area, on a land
aerodrome, intended to accommodate aircraft for
purposes of loading or unloading passengers, mail or
cargo, refueling, parking or maintenance.
ARC- The track over the ground of an aircraft flying
at a constant distance from a navigational aid by
reference to distance measuring equipment (DME).
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.