ANAC RBAC 100 Remote Pilot key terms

Remotely Piloted Aircraft System: the complete set comprising the remotely piloted aircraft, its remote pilot station, the command and control link, and any other components required for flight.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft: the unmanned aircraft element of an RPAS, flown by a remote pilot from a station without a pilot on board.

The component of an RPAS from which the remote pilot controls the aircraft, including displays, controls, and interfaces used to manage the flight and its systems.

Command and control link: the data connection carrying control inputs from the remote pilot station to the aircraft and telemetry or status data back to the pilot.

A condition in which the command and control connection between the remote pilot station and the aircraft is interrupted, requiring pre-programmed or procedural responses from the aircraft and crew.

Capability, whether human, sensor-based, or procedural, to see or sense conflicting traffic or obstacles and take timely action to avoid a collision.

Operation in which the remote pilot maintains direct unaided visual contact with the aircraft at all times, allowing control and separation from other traffic and obstacles.

Operation in which visual contact with the aircraft is maintained not only by the remote pilot but also by trained observers positioned to keep the aircraft in sight.

A crew member positioned to maintain visual contact with the aircraft and its surroundings, relaying information to the remote pilot when direct sight is limited or workload demands it.

Remote pilot in command: the remote pilot designated as responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight time, with final authority over the flight.

Training and practice in using all available human, technical, and informational resources, including communication, leadership, and workload management, to operate safely.

The crew's accurate perception and understanding of what is happening around the aircraft and operation, including traffic, terrain, weather, and system status, and what it implies.

A self-satisfied state of low vigilance that can develop when operations become routine or automated, reducing the crew's readiness to detect and respond to abnormal situations.

A practice restricting non-essential conversation and activity during critical phases of flight so that the crew can focus attention on operating the aircraft safely.

Use of automatic systems such as autopilot, return-to-home, or altitude hold to perform flight functions, which requires monitoring and understanding of its modes and limits.

A software-defined boundary that limits where the aircraft may fly, often used to keep it away from airports, restricted areas, or other sensitive locations.

An area in which aircraft operations are prohibited or restricted by regulation, such as around airports, government facilities, or during special events, and which must be avoided.

Notice to airmen: a time-critical notice distributed to flight crews describing temporary changes or hazards in the airspace, such as closures, works, or special activity.

A category of controlled or uncontrolled airspace defining the services provided, the clearances required, and the rules that apply to aircraft operating within it.

Airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control services are provided to flights, and in which an authorization or clearance is typically required.

An authorization issued by an air traffic control unit for a flight to proceed under specified conditions, which must be obtained and complied with when required.

Standardized wording and structure used in voice communications with air traffic services, designed to be brief, unambiguous, and understood by all parties.

Repeating back a received clearance or instruction to the issuing station so that errors and misunderstandings can be detected and corrected before action is taken.

A routine coded weather report for an aerodrome giving observed conditions such as wind, visibility, clouds, temperature, dew point, and pressure at a stated time.

Terminal aerodrome forecast: a coded forecast of expected conditions at an aerodrome over a stated period, used for planning whether and when to operate.

A change in wind speed or direction over a short distance or time, which can abruptly alter an aircraft's lift and trajectory, especially at low altitude.

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature, indicating how thin the air is and therefore how much less lift and thrust the aircraft can produce.

Everything the aircraft carries that is not required for flight, such as cameras, sensors, or cargo, whose mass and position affect performance and balance.

The point at which the aircraft's total weight is considered to act; it must remain within approved limits for stable control and adequate performance.

The process of calculating total mass and the position of the center of gravity to confirm the aircraft stays within its approved weight and balance limits.

The maximum time an aircraft can remain airborne on its available energy or fuel, a key planning limit for battery-powered and fuel-powered unmanned aircraft alike.

Energy or fuel deliberately kept aside beyond the planned flight requirement to cover delays, diversions, or unexpected conditions before landing.

Preparation of a flight including route, altitude, weather, airspace, energy or fuel needs, contingencies, and alternatives, completed before launch.

A pre-planned course of action to be followed when an abnormal or emergency situation arises, such as lost link, low battery, or unexpected traffic.

A documented sequence of actions for handling a serious situation that threatens the aircraft or people, aimed at minimizing harm and restoring control.

A structured evaluation of the likelihood and severity of hazards in an operation, used to decide whether and how the flight can be conducted safely.

A systematic check of the aircraft, control station, links, energy source, and payload before flight to confirm everything is serviceable and correctly configured.