Pilot/Controller Glossary

FINAL APPROACH FIX- The fix from which the
final approach (IFR) to an airport is executed and
which identifies the beginning of the final approach
segment. It is designated on Government charts by
the Maltese Cross symbol for nonprecision
approaches and the lightning bolt symbol,
designating the PFAF, for precision approaches; or
when ATC directs a lower-than-published
glideslope/path or vertical path intercept altitude, it is
the resultant actual point of the glideslope/path or
vertical path intercept.
(See FINAL APPROACH POINT.)
(See GLIDESLOPE INTERCEPT ALTITUDE.)
(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT
APPROACH PROCEDURE.)

FINAL APPROACH-IFR- The flight path of an
aircraft which is inbound to an airport on a final
instrument approach course, beginning at the final
approach fix or point and extending to the airport or
the point where a circle-to-land maneuver or a missed
approach is executed.
(See FINAL APPROACH COURSE.)
(See FINAL APPROACH FIX.)
(See FINAL APPROACH POINT.)
(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT
APPROACH PROCEDURE.)
(See ICAO term FINAL APPROACH.)

FINAL APPROACH POINT- The point, applicable
only to a nonprecision approach with no depicted
FAF (such as an on airport VOR), where the aircraft
is established inbound on the final approach course
from the procedure turn and where the final approach
descent may be commenced. The FAP serves as the
FAF and identifies the beginning of the final
approach segment.
(See FINAL APPROACH FIX.)
(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT
APPROACH PROCEDURE.)

FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT-
(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT
APPROACH PROCEDURE.)

FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT [ICAO]- That
segment of an instrument approach procedure in
which alignment and descent for landing are
accomplished.

FINAL CONTROLLER- The controller providing
information and final approach guidance during PAR
and ASR approaches utilizing radar equipment.
(See RADAR APPROACH.)

FINAL GUARD SERVICE- A value added service
provided in conjunction with LAA/RAA only during
periods of significant and fast changing weather
conditions that may affect landing and takeoff
operations.
FINAL MONITOR AID- A high resolution color
display that is equipped with the controller alert
system hardware/software used to monitor the no
transgression zone (NTZ) during simultaneous
parallel approach operations. The display includes
alert algorithms providing the target predictors, a
color change alert when a target penetrates or is
predicted to penetrate the no transgression zone
(NTZ), synthesized voice alerts, and digital mapping.
(See RADAR APPROACH.)

FINAL MONITOR CONTROLLER- Air Traffic
Control Specialist assigned to radar monitor the
flight path of aircraft during simultaneous parallel
(approach courses spaced less than 9000 feet/9200
feet above 5000 feet) and simultaneous close parallel
approach operations. Each runway is assigned a final
monitor controller during simultaneous parallel and
simultaneous close parallel ILS approaches.
FIR-
(See FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION.)

FIRST TIER CENTER- An ARTCC immediately
adjacent to the impacted center.
FIS-B-
(See FLIGHT INFORMATION
SERVICE-BROADCAST.)

FIX- A geographical position determined by visual
reference to the surface, by reference to one or more
radio NAVAIDs, by celestial plotting, or by another
navigational device.
FIX BALANCING- A process whereby aircraft are
evenly distributed over several available arrival fixes
reducing delays and controller workload.
FLAG- A warning device incorporated in certain
airborne navigation and flight instruments indicating
that:
a. Instruments are inoperative or otherwise not
operating satisfactorily, or