FAF -- FUEL VENTING
FAF- (See FINAL APPROACH FIX.)
FAST FILE- A system whereby a pilot files a flight plan via telephone that is
tape recorded and then transcribed for transmission to the appropriate air
traffic facility. Locations having a fast file capability are contained in the
Airport/Facility Directory.
FAWP- Final Approach Waypoint
FCLT- (See FREEZE CALCULATED LANDING TIME.)
FEATHERED PROPELLER- A propeller whose blades have been rotated so that the
leading and trailing edges are nearly parallel with the aircraft flight path to
stop or minimize drag and engine rotation. Normally used to indicate shutdown of
a reciprocating or turboprop engine due to malfunction.
FEDERAL AIRWAYS- (See LOW ALTITUDE AIRWAY STRUCTURE.)
FEEDER FIX- The fix depicted on Instrument Approach Procedure Charts which
establishes the starting point of the feeder route.
FEEDER ROUTE- A route depicted on instrument approach procedure charts to
designate routes for aircraft to proceed from the en route structure to the
initial approach fix (IAF).
(See INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE.)
FERRY FLIGHT- A flight for the
purpose of:
a. Returning an aircraft to base.
b. Delivering an aircraft from one location to another.
c. Moving an aircraft to and from a maintenance base.- Ferry
flights, under certain conditions, may be conducted under terms of a special
flight permit.
FIELD ELEVATION- (See AIRPORT ELEVATION.)
FILED- Normally used in conjunction with flight plans, meaning a flight plan
has been submitted to ATC.
FILED EN ROUTE DELAY- Any of the following preplanned delays at points/areas
along the route of flight which require special flight plan filing and handling
techniques.
a. Terminal Area Delay. A delay within a terminal area for
touch-and-go, low approach, or other terminal area activity.
b. Special Use Airspace Delay. A delay within a Military Operations
Area, Restricted Area, Warning Area, or ATC Assigned Airspace.
c. Aerial Refueling Delay. A delay within an Aerial Refueling Track
or Anchor.
FILED FLIGHT PLAN- The flight plan as filed with an ATS unit by
the pilot or his designated representative without any subsequent changes or
clearances.
FINAL- Commonly used to mean that an aircraft is on the final
approach course or is aligned with a landing area.
(See FINAL APPROACH COURSE.)
(See FINAL APPROACH-IFR.)
(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE.)
FINAL APPROACH
[ICAO]- That part of an instrument approach procedure which commences at the
specified final approach fix or point, or where such a fix or point is not
specified,
a. At the end of the last procedure turn, base turn or inbound turn
of a racetrack procedure, if specified; or
b. At the point of interception of the last track specified in the
approach procedure; and ends at a point in the vicinity of an aerodrome from
which:
1. A landing can be made; or
2. A missed approach procedure is initiated.
FINAL APPROACH
COURSE- A bearing/radial/track of an instrument approach leading to a runway or
an extended runway centerline all without regard to distance.
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 for precision approaches; or when ATC
directs a lower-than-published glideslope/path intercept altitude, it is the
resultant actual point of the glideslope/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 SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE.)
(See FINAL APPROACH FIX.)
(See FINAL APPROACH COURSE.)
(See FINAL APPROACH POINT.)
(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.
FINAL MONITOR AID- A high resolution color
display that is equipped with the controller alert system hardware/software
which is used in the precision runway monitor (PRM) system. 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),
a color change alert if the aircraft transponder becomes inoperative,
synthesized voice alerts, digital mapping, and like features contained in the
PRM system.
FINAL MONITOR CONTROLLER- Air Traffic Control
Specialist assigned to radar monitor the flight path of aircraft during
simultaneous parallel and simultaneous close parallel ILS approach operations.
Each runway is assigned a final monitor controller during simultaneous parallel
and simultaneous close parallel ILS approaches. Final monitor controllers shall
utilize the Precision Runway Monitor (PRM) system during simultaneous close
parallel ILS approaches.
FIR- (See FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION.)
FIRST TIER CENTER- The ARTCC immediately adjacent to the impacted center.
FIX- A geographical position determined by visual reference to the surface,
by reference to one or more radio NAVAID's, 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
b. Signal strength or quality of the received signal falls below
acceptable values.
FLAG ALARM- (See FLAG.)
FLAMEOUT- An emergency condition caused by a loss of engine power.
FLAMEOUT PATTERN -An approach normally conducted by a single-engine military
aircraft experiencing loss or anticipating loss of engine power or control. The
standard overhead approach starts at a relatively high altitude over a runway
("high key") followed by a continuous 180 degree turn to a high, wide position
("low key") followed by a continuous 180 degree turn final. The standard
straight-in pattern starts at a point that results in a straight-in approach
with a high rate of descent to the runway. Flameout approaches terminate in the
type approach requested by the pilot (normally fullstop).
FLIGHT CHECK- A call-sign prefix used by FAA aircraft engaged in flight
inspection/certification of navigational aids and flight procedures. The word
"recorded" may be added as a suffix; e.g., "Flight Check 320 recorded" to
indicate that an automated flight inspection is in progress in terminal areas.
FLIGHT FOLLOWING- (See TRAFFIC ADVISORIES.)
FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION- An airspace of defined dimensions within which
Flight Information Service and Alerting Service are provided.
a. Flight Information Service. A service provided for the purpose
of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of
flights.
b. Alerting Service. A service provided to notify appropriate
organizations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid and to
assist such organizations as required.
FLIGHT INFORMATION SERVICE- A service
provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe
and efficient conduct of flights.
FLIGHT INSPECTION- Inflight investigation and evaluation of a navigational
aid to determine whether it meets established tolerances.
FLIGHT LEVEL- A level of constant
atmospheric pressure related to a reference datum of 29.92 inches of mercury.
Each is stated in three digits that represent hundreds of feet. For example,
flight level (FL) 250 represents a barometric altimeter indication of 25,000
feet; FL 255, an indication of 25,500 feet.
(See ICAO term FLIGHT LEVEL.)
FLIGHT LEVEL [ICAO]- A surface of
constant atmospheric pressure which is related to a specific pressure datum,
1013.2 hPa (1013.2 mb), and is separated from other such surfaces by specific
pressure intervals.
Note 1: A pressure type altimeter calibrated in accordance with the standard
atmosphere:
a. When set to a QNH altimeter setting, will indicate altitude;
b. When set to a QFE altimeter setting, will indicate height above
the QFE reference datum; and
c. When set to a pressure of 1013.2 hPa (1013.2 mb), may be used to
indicate flight levels.
Note 2: The terms `height' and `altitude,' used in
Note 1 above, indicate altimetric rather than geometric heights and altitudes.
FLIGHT LINE- A term used to describe the precise movement of a civil
photogrammetric aircraft along a predetermined course(s) at a predetermined
altitude during the actual photographic run.
FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS- A computer system that uses a large data base to
allow routes to be preprogrammed and fed into the system by means of a data
loader. The system is constantly updated with respect to position accuracy by
reference to conventional navigation aids. The sophisticated program and its
associated data base insures that the most appropriate aids are automatically
selected during the information update cycle.
FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROCEDURE- An arrival, departure, or approach
procedure developed for use by aircraft with a slant (/) E or slant (/) F
equipment suffix.
FLIGHT PATH- A line, course, or track along which an aircraft is flying or
intended to be flown.
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.
FLIGHT PLAN AREA- The geographical area assigned by
regional air traffic divisions to a flight service station for the purpose of
search and rescue for VFR aircraft, issuance of NOTAMs, pilot briefing,
in-flight services, broadcast, emergency services, flight data processing,
international operations, and aviation weather services. Three letter
identifiers are assigned to every flight service station and are annotated in
AFD's and FAA Order 7350.6, LOCATION IDENTIFIERS, as tie-in-facilities.
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- Air traffic facilities which provide pilot briefing,
en route communications and VFR search and rescue services, assist lost aircraft
and aircraft in emergency situations, relay ATC clearances, originate Notices to
Airmen, broadcast aviation weather and NAS information, receive and process IFR
flight plans, and monitor NAVAID's. In addition, at selected locations, FSS's
provide En Route Flight Advisory Service (Flight Watch), take weather
observations, issue airport advisories, and advise Customs and Immigration of
transborder flights.
FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE- An FAA field
office serving an assigned geographical area and 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 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.)
FLIGHT WATCH- A shortened term for use in air-ground contacts to identify the
flight service station providing En Route Flight Advisory Service; e.g.,
"Oakland Flight Watch."
(See EN ROUTE FLIGHT ADVISORY SERVICE.)
FLIP- (See DOD FLIP.)
FLOW CONTROL- Measures designed to adjust the flow of traffic into a given
airspace, along a given route, or bound for a given aerodrome (airport) so as to
ensure the most effective utilization of the airspace.
(See QUOTA FLOW CONTROL.)
(Refer to AIRPORT/FACILITY DIRECTORY.)
FLY-BY WAYPOINT- A fly-by
waypoint requires the use of turn anticipation to avoid overshoot of the next
flight segment.
FLY HEADING (DEGREES)- Informs the pilot of the heading he 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-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.
FMA- (See FINAL MONITOR AID.)
FMS- (See FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.)
FMSP- (See FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROCEDURE.)
FORMATION FLIGHT- More than one aircraft which, by prior arrangement between
the pilots, operate as a single aircraft with regard to navigation and position
reporting. Separation between aircraft within the formation is the
responsibility of the flight leader and the pilots of the other aircraft in the
flight. This includes transition periods when aircraft within the formation are
maneuvering to attain separation from each other to effect individual control
and during join-up and breakaway.
a. A standard formation is one in which a proximity of no more than
1 mile laterally or longitudinally and within 100 feet vertically from the
flight leader is maintained by each wingman.
b. Nonstandard formations are those operating under any of the
following conditions:
1. When the flight leader has requested and ATC has approved
other than standard formation dimensions.
2. When operating within an authorized altitude reservation
(ALTRV) or under the provisions of a letter of agreement.
3. When the operations are conducted in airspace specifically
designed for a special activity.
(See ALTITUDE RESERVATION.)
FRC- (See REQUEST FULL ROUTE
CLEARANCE.)
FREEZE/FROZEN- Terms used in referring to arrivals which have been assigned
ACLT's and to the lists in which they are displayed.
FREEZE CALCULATED LANDING TIME- A dynamic parameter number of minutes prior
to the meter fix calculated time of arrival for each aircraft when the TCLT is
frozen and becomes an ACLT (i.e., the VTA is updated and consequently the TCLT
is modified as appropriate until FCLT minutes prior to meter fix calculated time
of arrival, at which time updating is suspended and an ACLT and a frozen meter
fix crossing time (MFT) is assigned).
FREEZE SPEED PARAMETER- A speed adapted for each aircraft to determine fast
and slow aircraft. Fast aircraft freeze on parameter FCLT and slow aircraft
freeze on parameter MLDI.
FRICTION MEASUREMENT- A measurement of the friction characteristics of the
runway pavement surface using continuous self-watering friction measurement
equipment in accordance with the specifications, procedures and schedules
contained in AC 150/5320-12, Measurement, Construction, and Maintenance of Skid
Resistant Airport Pavement Surfaces.
FSDO- (See FLIGHT STANDARDS DISTRICT OFFICE.)
FSPD- (See FREEZE SPEED PARAMETER.)
FSS- (See FLIGHT SERVICE STATION.)
FUEL DUMPING- Airborne release of usable fuel. This does not include the
dropping of fuel tanks.
(See JETTISONING OF EXTERNAL STORES.)
FUEL REMAINING- A phrase used
by either pilots or controllers when relating to the fuel remaining on board
until actual fuel exhaustion. When transmitting such information in response to
either a controller question or pilot initiated cautionary advisory to air
traffic control, pilots will state the APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF MINUTES the flight
can continue with the fuel remaining. All reserve fuel SHOULD BE INCLUDED in the
time stated, as should an allowance for established fuel gauge system error.
FUEL SIPHONING- Unintentional release of fuel caused by overflow, puncture,
loose cap, etc.
FUEL VENTING- (See FUEL SIPHONING.)