NAV Brasil ATCO (PTNA) key terms

The national document, issued by the state aviation authority, containing information of a lasting nature essential to air navigation, including rules, procedures, aerodrome data and airspace structures.

A notice distributed by means of telecommunication containing information on the establishment, condition or change of any facility, service or procedure whose timely knowledge is essential to flight personnel.

A regulated schedule of effective dates, normally 28 days apart, on which changes to aeronautical information of operational significance become effective and are published in advance.

An accident in which an aircraft, under pilot control and normally serviceable, is flown into terrain, water or an obstacle without the crew being aware of the impending collision.

A provision allowing aircraft approved for height-keeping accuracy to be separated by 300 metres (1000 feet) between flight levels 290 and 410 in designated airspace, instead of the standard 600 metres.

The spacing of aircraft expressed as a difference in altitude or flight level, normally 300 metres below the RVSM band and 600 metres within or above it, measured by pressure altimeter settings.

Separation between aircraft on the same, converging or crossing tracks measured as a time interval, a distance along track, or a difference in reported positions.

Separation between aircraft expressed as a distance between their respective tracks, achieved by flying along different airways, radials or geographically separated routes, or by holding over different fixes.

The separation of aircraft by reference to radar-derived positions, using specified horizontal minima (commonly 5 or 10 nautical miles) and altitude requirements, with defined identification and monitoring.

The process of correlating a radar target with a specific aircraft, achieved by observing a turn, using transponder codes, position reports or, where permitted, by transfer of identification.

A radar system in which ground interrogators trigger airborne transponders to reply with identity codes, pressure altitude and, in Mode S, selected aircraft data, improving identification and separation.

An automated ground-system function that predicts, from radar tracks, a loss of separation within a defined look-ahead time and alerts the controller so evasive action can be taken.

A ground-system safety net that compares tracked aircraft positions with terrain and obstacle data and warns the controller when an aircraft is predicted to descend below a safe altitude.

A method for separating aircraft on the same or converging routes by requiring them to maintain specified Mach numbers, producing predictable spacing that grows along the track.

A surface of constant atmospheric pressure related to a standard datum of 1013.2 hectopascals, expressed in hundreds of feet, used above the transition altitude.

The altitude at or below which the vertical position of an aircraft is controlled by reference to altitudes on the local altimeter setting, and above which flight levels are used.

A service provided by surveillance systems to identify aircraft, maintain their separation, monitor progress and provide safety alerts, in addition to the normal air traffic control functions.

A controlled airspace extending upwards from a specified limit above the earth, within which air traffic control service is provided to IFR flights and to participating VFR flights.

A controlled airspace extending upwards from the surface to a specified upper limit around an aerodrome, protecting aerodrome traffic and the arrival and departure paths.

An airspace of defined dimensions within which flight information service and alerting service are provided, forming the basic building block of the regional air navigation structure.

A unit established to provide air traffic control service to controlled flights in control areas under its jurisdiction, including sequencing, separation and coordination with adjacent units.

A unit established to provide air traffic control service to controlled flights arriving at, or departing from, one or more aerodromes, typically handling the terminal area.

A unit established to provide air traffic control service to aerodrome traffic, issuing clearances and information concerning aircraft on the manoeuvring area and in the vicinity of the aerodrome.

A defined geographical location or time at which responsibility for the control of a flight passes from one air traffic services unit to the next, agreed in coordination procedures.

A service provided to notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid, and to assist such organisations as required.

The uncertainty phase declared when an aircraft has not reported within a specified time, or when there is doubt about the safety of an aircraft and its occupants.

The alert phase declared when an aircraft is known or believed to be in difficulty but not yet in immediate danger, requiring intensified search and rescue readiness.

The distress phase declared when an aircraft is believed to be in serious or imminent danger and requiring immediate search and rescue action.

The performance of distress monitoring, communication, search and rescue coordination and provision of medical advice or assistance, using public and private resources including aircraft and vessels.

The action of an aircraft, normally military, to approach and identify or escort another aircraft, governed by standard procedures, signals and radio communications designed to avoid danger.

A situation in which an aircraft cannot transmit or receive, requiring the crew to follow prescribed procedures using last clearance, expected route and published levels, while ATS protects its flight.

The designated VHF aeronautical frequency used for distress, urgency and interception communications, continuously guarded by many ATS units and emergency services.

A classification of aircraft by maximum certificated take-off mass (light, medium, heavy, and super or equivalent), used to apply wake separation and time/distance spacing minima.

The minimum time or distance spacing applied between an aircraft and a following aircraft of equal or lower wake category, to avoid the hazardous wake vortices generated by the leader.

In wake turbulence classification, an aircraft with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 136 000 kilograms or more, requiring increased spacing behind it.

A routine aerodrome weather report issued at regular intervals, giving surface wind, visibility, runway visual range, weather phenomena, cloud, temperature, pressure and trend information.

An aerodrome weather report issued when specified changes occur in wind, visibility, runway visual range, weather phenomena or cloud that are significant for arriving or departing aircraft.

The range over which the pilot of an aircraft on the centre line of a runway can see runway markings or lights, used to determine low-visibility operations and approach minima.

A sudden change in wind speed or direction over a short distance at low altitude, hazardous during approach and departure, often reported as alerts and included in aerodrome warnings.

A message issued to warn of hazardous meteorological conditions at an aerodrome, such as strong winds, thunderstorms, hail, icing, sandstorms or volcanic ash, that may affect aircraft on the ground or in the vicinity.

A published instrument flight procedure charted for departing aircraft, linking the runway end to a defined point on the en-route structure and often embedded in the ATC clearance.

The prescribed set of internationally agreed words and phrases used in radiotelephony to convey clearances, information and instructions unambiguously and reduce misunderstanding.

The procedure by which the receiving station repeats back a clearance or instruction containing safety-critical elements to confirm correct reception and understanding.

A controller's or pilot's continuous perception and comprehension of aircraft, airspace, weather and traffic conditions, and the projection of how those elements will evolve.

The effective use of all available resources, including people, equipment and information, by air traffic personnel to promote safe and efficient operations.

A systematic approach to managing safety, including organisational structures, accountabilities, policies, procedures and risk controls, applied by air traffic service providers.

A safety philosophy in which errors are openly reported and not punished, while reckless behaviour or wilful violations remain subject to disciplinary action, encouraging learning from failure.