Pilot/Controller Glossary

FLIGHT PATH- A line, course, or track along which
an aircraft is flying or intended to be flown.
(See COURSE.)
(See TRACK.)

FLIGHT PLAN- Specified information relating to
the intended flight of an aircraft that is filed orally or
in writing with an FSS or an ATC facility.
(See FAST FILE.)
(See FILED.)
(Refer to AIM.)

FLIGHT PLAN AREA (FPA)- The geographical
aressigned to a flight service station (FSS) for the
purpose of establishing primary responsibility for
services that may include search and rescue for VFR
aircraft, issuance of NOTAMs, pilot briefings,
inflight services, broadcast services, emergency
services, flight data processing, international operations, and aviation weather services. Large
consolidated FSS facilities may combine FPAs into
larger areas of responsibility (AOR).
(See FLIGHT SERVICE STATION.)
(See TIE-IN FACILITY.)

FLIGHT RECORDER- A general term applied to
any instrument or device that records information
about the performance of an aircraft in flight or about
conditions encountered in flight. Flight recorders
may make records of airspeed, outside air
temperature, vertical acceleration, engine RPM,
manifold pressure, and other pertinent variables for a
given flight.
(See ICAO term FLIGHT RECORDER.)

FLIGHT RECORDER [ICAO]- Any type of
recorder installed in the aircraft for the purpose of
complementing accident/incident investigation.
Note: See Annex 6 Part I, for specifications relating
to flight recorders.

FLIGHT SERVICE STATION (FSS)- An air traffic
facility which provides pilot briefings, flight plan
processing, en route flight advisories, search and
rescue services, and assistance to lost aircraft and
aircraft in emergency situations. FSS also relay ATC
clearances, process Notices to Airmen, broadcast
aviation weather and aeronautical information, and
advise Customs and Immigration of transborder
flights. In Alaska, FSS provide Airport Advisory
Services.
(See FLIGHT PLAN AREA.)
(See TIE-IN FACILITY.)

FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE- An
FAA field office serving an assigned geographical
arend staffed with Flight Standards personnel who
serve the aviation industry and the general public on
matters relating to the certification and operation of
air carrier and general aviation aircraft. Activities
include general surveillance of operational safety,
certification of airmen and aircraft, accident
prevention, investigation, enforcement, etc.
FLIGHT TERMINATION- The intentional and
deliberate process of terminating the flight of a UA in
the event of an unrecoverable lost link, loss of
control, or other failure that compromises the safety
of flight.
FLIGHT TEST- A flight for the purpose of:
a. Investigating the operation/flight characteristics of an aircraft or aircraft component.
b. Evaluating an applicant for a pilot certificate or
rating.
FLIGHT VISIBILITY-
(See VISIBILITY.)

FLIP-
(See DOD FLIP.)

FLY HEADING (DEGREES)- Informs the pilot of
the heading he/she should fly. The pilot may have to
turn to, or continue on, a specific compass direction
in order to comply with the instructions. The pilot is
expected to turn in the shorter direction to the heading
unless otherwise instructed by ATC.
FLY-BY WAYPOINT- A fly-by waypoint requires
the use of turn anticipation to avoid overshoot of the
next flight segment.
FLY-OVER WAYPOINT- A fly-over waypoint
precludes any turn until the waypoint is overflown
and is followed by an intercept maneuver of the next
flight segment.
FLY VISUAL TO AIRPORT-
(See PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH
PROCEDURE VISUAL SEGMENT.)

FMA-
(See FINAL MONITOR AID.)

FMS-
(See FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.)

FORMATION FLIGHT- More than one aircraft
which, by prior arrangement between the pilots,
operate as a single aircraft with regard to navigation