Nz Caa Frto key terms

A mandatory repetition back to the controller of safety-critical clearance elements such as route, level, heading, speed, frequency and runway, confirming the pilot has correctly received and accepted them.

An authorisation from ATC for an aircraft to proceed under specified conditions, which the pilot must not deviate from without first obtaining an amended clearance.

The point to which an aircraft is authorised to proceed under its current clearance, normally the destination aerodrome or a specified fix where a further clearance is expected.

An ATC instruction permitting an aircraft to enter the runway and position itself in preparation for take-off, without authorisation to begin the take-off roll.

An authorisation for an aircraft to begin its take-off roll on a specified runway; it is distinct from a line-up clearance and must be read back in full.

A clearance whose issue depends on a stated preceding event, such as another aircraft landing; the condition must be read back and the clearance not actioned until the condition is met.

The four-digit SSR code assigned by ATC and set on the aircraft transponder, used for radar identification and service provision; the assigned code must be read back.

Airborne radar beacon equipment that replies to ground interrogations, transmitting identity and, where serviceable, pressure altitude to enable ATS surveillance services.

The transponder altitude-reporting function that sends pressure altitude referenced to standard pressure, allowing controllers to verify an aircraft's level against its assigned altitude.

A ground radar system that interrogates aircraft transponders to obtain identity and altitude data, supporting identification, separation monitoring and traffic information services.

The process by which ATC establishes that a particular radar position symbol corresponds to a specific aircraft, after which surveillance-based control and traffic information may be provided.

The loss of two-way radio communication capability, requiring the pilot to follow prescribed procedures, squawk 7600 and continue in accordance with the applicable rules.

The standard SSR code selected to indicate a radio communication failure, alerting ATS to the aircraft's condition and prompting the application of lost-communication procedures.

The standard SSR code selected to indicate a general emergency, signalling to ATS that the aircraft requires immediate priority and assistance.

The published actions a pilot takes when unable to establish radio contact, including transponder code selection, listening on designated frequencies and proceeding according to the applicable rules.

A transmission made on a frequency when two-way contact cannot be established, in the hope that the message is received by the intended station or other listening aircraft.

The spoken international distress signal, repeated three times, used when an aircraft is threatened by serious or imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.

The spoken international urgency signal, repeated three times, used when an aircraft has a concern affecting safety but is not in immediate distress.

A classification used by ATS to describe uncertainty, alert or distress situations, determining the level of search, rescue and communication response initiated.

The ATS emergency phase applied when an aircraft is known or believed to be in serious or imminent danger and requiring immediate assistance, triggering full distress procedures.

The ATS emergency phase applied when an aircraft's safety is in doubt or it requires assistance short of immediate distress, prompting alerting and monitoring actions.

The standardised set of words and sentence patterns prescribed for radio communication, designed to remove ambiguity and ensure consistent understanding between pilots and controllers.

A word with a precise, prescribed meaning in radiotelephony, such as ROGER, WILCO or STANDBY, used instead of plain language to convey routine acknowledgements or instructions.

A standard word meaning that the last transmission was received in full, used as an acknowledgement of receipt and not as agreement or acceptance of an instruction.

A standard word meaning that the message was received and understood and that the instruction will be complied with, used only where compliance is intended.

A standard phrase requesting that the previous transmission be repeated in full, used when reception was incomplete or unclear.

Standard words used to answer a question positively or negatively; AFFIRM confirms a statement while NEGATIVE denies it, avoiding ambiguous plain-language replies.

A standard word indicating that the calling station should wait and that a reply or further information will follow, without implying approval of any request.

Automatic Terminal Information Service: a continuous recorded broadcast of current aerodrome information such as weather, runway in use and pressure, identified by a letter code.

The phonetic letter designator identifying the current version of an ATIS broadcast, which pilots report on first contact so the controller knows what information they hold.

A continuous broadcast service providing meteorological information for specified aerodromes, used by aircraft in flight to obtain current weather without voice contact.

The international VHF frequency 121.5 MHz designated for distress and urgency communications and for use when normal contact cannot be established.

A frequency kept continuously monitored, commonly 121.5 MHz, so that distress calls and urgent messages from other stations are heard and can be answered.

The pressure value provided by ATS to set on the altimeter, such as QNH or standard pressure, ensuring the aircraft's indicated altitude is consistent with the applicable reference.

The altimeter subscale setting that, when applied at aerodrome elevation, causes the altimeter to indicate elevation above mean sea level, providing terrain-referenced altitude information.

The altitude at or below which an aircraft's altitude is expressed in terms of an altimeter setting referenced to mean sea level, and above which standard pressure is used.

A surface of constant atmospheric pressure related to standard pressure, expressed in hundreds of feet, used above the transition altitude for vertical positioning.

Airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC service is provided and in which all aircraft are subject to clearance and instruction requirements.

Controlled airspace extending upwards from the surface around an aerodrome, protecting arriving and departing traffic and normally requiring an ATC clearance to enter.

Controlled airspace of defined dimensions extending upwards from a specified lower limit above the surface, within which ATC service is provided to participating aircraft.

Airspace designated for activities such as military operations, parachuting or gliding, where entry may be restricted or require specific authorisation and communication.

Any of the air traffic services provided to aircraft, comprising air traffic control, flight information and alerting services, each with distinct responsibilities and communication requirements.

A service providing advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights, such as weather, traffic and aerodrome conditions, without issuing control instructions.

A service notifying appropriate organisations of aircraft needing search and rescue assistance and assisting those organisations as required.

Information issued to alert a pilot to known or observed traffic that may be relevant to the aircraft's position or intended route, enabling the pilot to maintain separation.

The Aeronautical Information Publication: the national document containing persistent aeronautical information essential to air navigation, including rules, procedures and aerodrome data.

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

A publication used to promulgate temporary changes of long duration or information of significance to operations that is not suited to distribution by NOTAM.

A specific clearance issued for flight within oceanic airspace, defining the route, level, speed and crossing times that the aircraft must follow across the ocean.

A report made by a pilot to ATS giving the aircraft's position, time, level and next position, used where surveillance is unavailable to maintain separation.