A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
A
active runway
The runways to which you'll be cleared for takeoffs and landings by ATC. In Prepar3D you can select a different active runway at airports with multiple runways.
Active runways are the runways most closely aligned with the wind.
advisory (frequency)
In Prepar3D, similar to common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). Pilots
use the advisory frequency at nontowered airports to let other air traffic know
they are on approach or taking off.
Airport/Facility Directory
A United States government publication that provides information about airports
and navigation facilities. Use the A/FD to get information about radio frequencies,
runways, instrument approaches, layout of airports, and other details. A/FDs can
be purchased at most pilot supply stores.
airspace
Designated volumes of space that determine whether and by which controlling agency
a particular area is controlled.
altimeter setting
The local barometric pressure reading dialed into the Kollsman window of an altimeter.
The setting can be obtained from the automated weather services in Prepar3D,
and is read to the pilot by ATC in some instances.
approach control
An air traffic controller that directs aircraft in and out of congested areas. Approach
usually handles traffic between the tower-controlled and center-controlled phase
of flight. Approach controllers frequently handle departing as well as arriving
flights.
ARTCC
The Air Route Traffic Control Centers direct aircraft between the phases of IFR
flight controlled by departure and arrival controllers. They may also handle VFR
traffic on Flight Following.
ASOS (Automated Surface Observation System)
A continuously updated (minute-by-minute) automated weather briefing system used
at some United States airports. For more on ASOS, see
Airport ATC Operations.
ATC name
The name by which an aircraft is identified by ATC in Prepar3D in the aircraft
call sign. ATC name corresponds to the atc_type entry in the Aircraft.cfg file for
each aircraft.
Example:
atc_type=Mooney
atc_id_enable=1
atc_id=N700MS
ATIS (Automated Terminal Information System)
A recorded airport weather briefing updated hourly (or when there are significant
weather changes). For more on ATIS, see Airport ATC Operations.
Autotune
A feature of ATC in Prepar3D that automatically switches radio frequencies
on the communication radio and transponder. Switching occurs when you select an
item from the ATC menu that contacts a new air traffic controller.
AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System)
A continuously updated (minute-by-minute), automated airport weather briefing system
used at some United States airports. For more on AWOS, see
Airport ATC Operations.
B
base
In airport traffic patterns, a pattern leg at right angles to the landing runway.
Base leg connects the downwind leg to the extended runway centerline.
C
call sign
The identification that ATC and a pilot use for a particular flight or aircraft.
Call signs are generally a combination of the aircraft type or manufacturer and
the aircraft registration for civilian planes, a combination of the airline and
flight number for airline flights, and a combination of branch of service and flight
number for military flights. Call signs should always be included in any communication
with ATC to avoid confusion about who's talking.
clearance delivery
Clearance delivery issues IFR clearances. A clearance is necessary before departing
on an instrument flight plan.
closed traffic
A landing during which the pilot doesn't let the aircraft come to a complete stop
before applying power and taking off again. This is often done to practice takeoffs
and landings. Also known as touch and go.
crosswind
In airport traffic patterns, a pattern leg at right angles to the landing runway
off the departure end.
D
departure control
Departure control directs aircraft out of congested traffic areas. Departure usually
handles traffic between the tower-controlled and center-controlled phase of flight.
Departure controllers frequently handle arriving as well as departing flights.
downwind
The direction the wind is blowing. In airport traffic patterns, downwind refers
to the pattern leg flown parallel to the runway in the direction the wind is blowing
(opposite to the direction of landing).
DPs (departure procedures)
DPs are published procedures for departing a particular airport on an instrument
flight plan. ATC in Prepar3D does not include DPs in IFR clearances.
E
F
final
In airport traffic patterns, the pattern leg directly along the extended runway
centerline.
flight following
A radar service for VFR aircraft that provides traffic advisories when the controller
isn't too busy. It's a useful service when pilots are flying cross-country and may
have to transition through multiple controllers' airspaces, as they don't have to
request a transition from each controller along the way and can get traffic advisories.
flight plan
In Prepar3D, flight plans refer to IFR flights. You can create a flight
plan in the Flight Planner, and ATC will clear you along that route. VFR routes
can be planned using the Flight Planner, but ATC does not use the routing information
in VFR plans for any communication during the flight.
flight level
In the United States, pilots flying above 18,000 feet (5,486 meters) are required
to set the digits in the altimeter's Kollsman window to 29.92. The resulting altimeter
reading is called a flight level. When the Kollsman window is set to 29.92 (1013.2
millibars) and the altimeter reads 30,000 feet, the altitude is stated as, "Flight
Level 300 (three zero zero)."
Flight Planner
The Flight Planner is used to create IFR flight plans and for planning routes for
VFR flights. You can access the entire airport database in Prepar3D through
the Flight Planner. To learn more about using this feature, see
Using the Flight Planner.
FSS (flight service station)
Air traffic facilities that provide a variety of services to pilots. In Prepar3D,
remote IFR clearances at airports without clearance delivery are given on FSS frequencies.
full-stop landing
A landing that includes a complete stop on the runway, or when the aircraft leaves
the runway on the ground before taxiing back for another takeoff.
G
ground control
Ground control directs aircraft traffic between parking and the runway.
H
hold short
When a ground or tower controller wants an aircraft to stop at a certain location
while taxiing, the controller will tell the pilot to "hold short." This
is usually in reference to a runway. The entire instruction is, "Hold short
of runway X," where X is the runway number.
I
IFR (instrument flight rules)
Rules governing flights conducted under instrument meteorological conditions (flights
conducted below VFR minimums).
IFR clearances
An IFR clearance is issued by clearance delivery prior to departure. The clearance
includes information about the route of flight, altitude to be flown, and the radio
frequency for the departure controller.
ILS (instrument landing system)
A precision approach system that includes a glide slope, localizer, marker beacons,
and airport lighting.
instrument rated
Pilots who have received the required IFR training and have passed both written
and practical exams are awarded an instrument rating. They can then fly in weather
conditions during which they fly by reference to the cockpit instruments.
J
K
L
M
missed approach
Declaration by a pilot on an instrument approach that he has reached the point designated
as a missed approach point without seeing the runway or airport lighting. Declaring
a missed approach also signals the pilot's intent to execute the published missed
approach procedure.
Mode C transponder
A transponder is a transmitter/receiver that returns a signal when interrogated
by a signal from the ground. When a pilot dials a particular code into the transponder,
that code shows up on controllers' radar screens next to the aircraft's radar image.
Mode C provides the aircraft's altitude to the controller as well.
N
O
P
parking gate
In Prepar3D, parking gates are attached to airport terminal buildings.
parking spot
In Prepar3D, parking spots are usually located in open areas on the airport.
progressive taxi
Progressive directions from a ground controller to a pilot to assist the pilot in
navigating between parking and the runway. In Prepar3D, Progressive
Taxi draws a line from the user's current aircraft location to a runway
or parking spot. Request progressive taxi using the ATC menu.
pushback
The act of being pushed back from an airport terminal gate. This is usually done
by hooking a small tug to the nose wheel of a large aircraft and pushing it backwards
into the taxi lane. In Prepar3D, press SHIFT+P to push
back from the gate.
Q
R
radar contact
Acquisition of the radar image of a particular aircraft by the controller. A controller
issues a transponder code to a pilot, and the pilot sets the code into the transponder.
When the controller sees the image of that aircraft on the radar screen, she advises
the pilot she has radar contact.
S
squawk
Terminology used by air traffic controllers to request a pilot to set a specific
code into the transponder radio.
STARs (standard terminal arrival routes)
Published procedures for particular airports to get a flight from the en route to
the approach phase of flight. Prepar3D ATC does not include STARs in IFR
approach clearances.
T
taxiway
Avenues by which aircraft get to and from the runway at airports. By using a taxiway,
the pilot avoids conflicts with other aircraft on the runway.
terminal
The building through which arriving and departing passengers pass when getting onto
or off of aircraft at an airport. Parking gates in Prepar3D are attached
to terminals.
touch and go
A landing during which the pilot doesn't let the aircraft come to a complete stop
before applying power and taking off again. This is often done to practice takeoffs
and landings. Also known as closed traffic.
tower control
The controllers in the tall towers at airports direct the air traffic within the
airport traffic area. Takeoffs and landings are done under their control as well
as transitions through their airspace.
Tower Controller
A multiplayer feature that allows
the user to act as a live Prepar3D Tower Controller to manage air traffic
by connecting over the Internet or a local area network (LAN). All other users joining
a Tower Controller session participate as pilots.
transition
To cross through controlled airspace. In Prepar3D, you can request clearance
from ATC to transition through controlled airspace. The ATC menu includes requests
for transitions when you are heading toward airspace for which a transition is appropriate.
transponder
A cockpit receiver/transmitter that receives signals from ground-based radar and
transmits a specific code back to the ground-based equipment. This allows air traffic
controllers to identify specific aircraft moving across their radar screens.
U
upwind
In airport traffic patterns, a pattern leg parallel to the landing runway in the
direction opposite the wind.
V
vectors
Directions given by a controller to pilots to position them for an approach or to
avoid other aircraft. The directions include the direction in which pilots should
turn (left or right) and the new compass heading they should fly.
"Mooney 28T, turn right heading 270."
VFR (visual flight rules)
Below are the United States Federal Aviation Regulations regarding VFR minimums.
FAR 91.155: Basic VFR Weather Minimums
Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and Sec. 91.157, no person may operate an aircraft under VFR when the flight visibility is less, or at a distance from clouds that is less, than that prescribed for the corresponding altitude and class of airspace in the following table:
Airspace | Visibility | Clouds |
Class A | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Class B | 3 statute miles | Clear of clouds |
Class C | 3 statute miles | 500 feet below; 1,000 feet above; 2,000 feet horizontal |
Class D | 3 statute miles | 500 feet below; 1,000 feet above; 2,000 feet horizontal |
Class E Less than 10,000 feet MSL |
3 statute miles | 500 feet below; 1,000 feet above; 2,000 feet horizontal |
Class E At or above 10,000 feet MSL |
5 statute miles | 1,000 feet below; 1,000 feet above; 1 statute mile horizontal |
VHF radio
Very high frequency radio range used for aircraft communication and navigation.
visibility
The ability to see and identify prominent unlighted objects by day and prominent
lighted objects by night. Visibility is reported by weather services as statute
miles, hundreds of feet, or meters.
visual approach
An IFR approach that authorizes the pilot to continue visually and clear of clouds
to the airport. The pilot must, at all times, have either the airport or the preceding
aircraft in sight. The approach must be authorized by and under the control of the
appropriate air traffic control facility. Weather at the airport must include a
reported ceiling at or above 1,000 feet and visibility of three miles or greater.