Instrument Flight
Glossary
PPR: Prior permission required.
Precautionary Approach - USN: A procedure designed to afford a pilot experiencing engine-related
flight difficulties a means of landing safely and expeditiously while providing a safe ejection altitude.
Precision Approach: A descent in an approved procedure for which the navigational facility alignment is
normally on the runway centerline and glideslope information is provided. ILS and PAR are precision
approaches.
Prohibited Area: A designated airspace in which the flight of aircraft is prohibited.
R
Radar Contact: Phrase used by air traffic controllers to indicate that an aircraft is identified on the radar
display and that radar service can be provided until radar identification is lost or terminated. When the
aircraft is informed of “radar contact,” reporting over compulsory reporting points is automatically
discontinued.
Radar Contact Lost: Phrase used by ATC to inform a pilot that radar identification of his or her aircraft
has been lost and that the pilot must begin making position reports over compulsory reporting points.
Radar Handoff: Transfer of radar control from one ATC facility to another without interruption.
Radar Vector: A heading issued to an aircraft to provide navigational guidance by ground radar.
Radial: A magnetic bearing extending from a VOR, VORTAC, or TACAN.
Reporting Point: A specified geographical location in relation to which the position of an aircraft can be
reported. Compulsory reporting points are indicated by solid triangles and non-compulsory reporting
points by open triangles.
Restricted Area: An airspace designated for other than air traffic control purposes over which the flight of
aircraft is restricted in accordance with certain specified conditions.
Runway Heading: The magnetic direction indicated by the runway number. When cleared to “fly/
maintain runway heading,” pilots are expected to comply by flying the heading indicated by the runway
number without applying any drift correction.
Runway Visual Range (RVR): A value, reported in hundreds of feet, that represents the horizontal
distance a pilot will see down the runway from the approach end. RVR, in contrast to prevailing or runway
visibility, represents what a pilot in a moving aircraft should see looking down the runway and is
horizontal, not slant, visual range. RVR for a specific field and runway would be found in FLIP high/low
altitude terminal procedures (approach plates).
S
SAR: Search and rescue.
SID: See Standard Instrument Departure.
darkness or when the aircraft is in instrument weather conditions that permits the use of a single UHF
frequency during approach, normally beginning at the start of penetration and continuing to touchdown.
Spatial Disorientation: A condition that exists when a pilot does not correctly perceive his position,
attitude, or motion relative to the earth.
Page 142
(4-01) Original
Previous Page
