Appendix A: Glossary of Communication Terms

APPENDIX A

GLOSSARY OF COMMUNICATION TERMS

ACKNOWLEDGE - Let me know that you have received my message.

ADVISE INTENTIONS - Tell me what you plan to do.

AFFIRMATIVE - Yes.

ALTITUDE RESTRICTION - An altitude or altitudes stated in the order to be flown, which

must be maintained until reaching a specific point or time. Altitude restrictions may be issued by

ATC because of traffic, terrain, or other airspace considerations.

BREAK - Used by controllers to indicate that parts of the same communication pertain to

different aircraft; e.g., "KATT ONE ONE TURN LEFT HEADING ONE EIGHT ZERO

BREAK SIX ECHO ONE TWO THREE DESCEND AND MAINTAIN FIVE THOUSAND."

BUTTON/CHANNEL - Frequencies for the local operating area that have been preset into the

aircraft's radio communication equipment, making the frequencies easier to select.

CAVU - An acronym for "Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited" denoting good weather.

CLEARANCE LIMIT - The fix, point, or location to which an aircraft is cleared when issued

an air traffic clearance.

CLEARANCE ON REQUEST - Used by Clearance Delivery to inform the aircrew that their

clearance is being processed by ATC.

CLEARED - ATC authorization for an aircraft to perform a specific action; e.g., "DRILLER

ONE FOUR THREE IS CLEARED TO LAND RUNWAY ONE THREE LEFT"

CLEARED AS FILED - Means the aircraft is cleared to proceed in accordance with the route of

flight filed in the flight plan. This clearance does not include the altitude, SID, or SID transition.

CLEARED FOR THE OPTION - ATC authorization for an aircraft to make a touch-and-go,

low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or full stop landing at the discretion of the aircrew.

It is normally used in training so that an instructor can evaluate a student's performance under

changing situations.

CONTACT -

Establish communications with (followed by the name of the facility and, if appropriate,

the frequency to be used).

A flight condition wherein the aircrew ascertains the attitude of the aircraft and navigation

by visual reference to the surface.

GLOSSARY OF COMMUNICATION TERMS A-1