IDAC Air Traffic Controller (CTA) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

ICAO Annex 2

Rules of the Air; applies to all aircraft; contains right-of-way rules, VMC minima, flight plan requirements, and signals.

Class C airspace

Controlled airspace where IFR and VFR are permitted; IFR separated from IFR and VFR; VFR separated from IFR but not from other VFR.

VMC minima below 10,000 ft

Flight visibility 5 km, horizontal distance from cloud 1,500 m, vertical distance 1,000 ft; applies in controlled airspace unless otherwise specified.

Squawk 7700

General emergency transponder code; alerts ATC to an emergency requiring priority handling and assistance.

Radar separation minimum

Standard 5 NM between identified aircraft; 3 NM may be used in terminal areas where approved and displayed.

RVSM

Reduced vertical separation minimum of 1,000 ft between FL290 and FL410 for approved aircraft with height-keeping performance.

Special VFR

Clearance for VFR flight within a control zone when VMC minima are not met; pilot must remain clear of cloud and in sight of ground.

Line up and wait

Instruction for aircraft to enter runway and hold position, not take off; must be read back; take-off clearance issued separately.

QNH

Altimeter setting that causes the altimeter to indicate elevation above mean sea level when on the ground at the aerodrome.

Transition altitude

Altitude at or below which altimeter is set to QNH; above transition level standard 1013.25 hPa is used; transition layer between them.

Cold temperature altimetry

Cold temperatures cause altimeter to over-read; aircraft flies lower than indicated; apply cold temperature correction on approach.

SIGMET

Meteorological information concerning occurrence or expected occurrence of significant weather such as thunderstorms, severe turbulence, icing, or volcanic ash.

VOR

Very high frequency omnidirectional radio range; 108.0-117.95 MHz; provides magnetic bearing (radial) from station; line-of-sight.

ILS CAT I

Instrument landing system category I: decision height 200 ft and runway visual range 550 m; provides lateral and vertical guidance.

RAIM

Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring; GNSS function that detects satellite faults; required for certain RNP approaches.

Compulsory reporting point

Fix over which aircraft must report position, altitude, next position and ETA to ATC unless data link reporting is approved.

Wake turbulence separation

Distance or time spacing applied behind heavier aircraft; e.g., light behind heavy 6 NM; vortices sink and drift with wind.

Critical angle of attack

Angle at which airflow separates from wing and lift decreases; stall occurs regardless of speed or weight; recovery by reducing angle.

Load factor

Ratio of lift to weight; increases in turns; stall speed increases with square root of load factor; maneuvering speed Va protects structure.

MAYDAY

International distress signal spoken three times; indicates grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance; priority handling by ATC.

PAN-PAN

International urgency signal spoken three times; indicates urgent situation not requiring immediate distress assistance; priority but less than MAYDAY.

CPDLC

Controller-pilot data link communications; replaces voice for routine clearances; requires read-back and message integrity.

Read-back requirement

Pilots must read back clearances and instructions; controller verifies correctness; failure to read back correctly requires correction.

Situational awareness

Perception, comprehension and projection of operational environment; loss leads to errors; maintained by monitoring and cross-checking.

Just culture

Safety culture where errors are reported without punishment; distinguishes human error from reckless or intentional violations.

SMS four pillars

Safety policy and objectives, safety risk management, safety assurance, safety promotion; framework for managing safety.

Threat and error management

Model describing threats, errors and undesired aircraft states; uses countermeasures to trap errors before they cause harm.

Mode S transponder

Secondary surveillance radar transponder with unique 24-bit aircraft address; supports data link and selective interrogation.

STCA

Short-term conflict alert; automated safety net predicting loss of separation within a set time; alerts controller.

ADS-B

Automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast; aircraft broadcasts position, altitude and velocity; used for surveillance and situational awareness.

INCERFA

Uncertainty phase; when uncertainty exists as to safety of an aircraft; alerting service activated and inquiries made.

DETRESFA

Distress phase; when grave and imminent danger exists; SAR activated and distress message broadcast; priority handling.