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Appendix B: Glossary | 69 GlossaryB TERM DEFINITION Above Ground Level The altitude expressed in the actual number of feet measured with respect to the underlying ground surface. The distance of the aircraft above the ground. Administrator for Airports The Federal Aviation Administrationâs office responsible for reviewing and deciding on projects involving airports, overseeing their construction and operations ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Air Traffic Control (ATC) A service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace, and that also can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airspace. The primary purpose of ATC is to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic. Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) An applied research program that develops practical solutions to problems faced by airport operators. ACRP is managed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and sponsored by the FAA. Area Navigation (RNAV) A method of navigation that allows an aircraft to choose any course within a network of navigation beacons, rather than navigating directly to and from the beacons. This can conserve flight distance, reduce congestion, and allow flights into airports without beacons. Authorization Required Refers to required navigation performance (RNP) instrument approach procedures (IAP) with authorization required (AR). Authorization is typically associated with aircraft avionics equipment, operator requirements, and pilot training. Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) An element of the U.S. Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), ADS-B is an air traffic surveillance technology that enables aircraft to be accurately tracked by air traffic controllers and other pilots without the need for conventional radar. Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) A comprehensive software system that dynamically models aircraft performance in space and time to produce estimates of noise, fuel burn, and emissions at global, regional, and local levels. AEDT is currently used by the U.S. government to consider the interdependencies between aviation-related noise, criteria/hazardous air pollutants/greenhouse gas emissions, and fuel consumption. Clean Air Act (CAA) A United States federal law, first enacted in 1955, with major revisions in 1970 and 1977, that is designed to protect human health and the environment from the effects of air pollution. Under the CAA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to establish national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants. State and local governments monitor and enforce CAA regulations, with oversight by the EPA.
70 | RESOURCES FOR AIRPORTS TERM DEFINITION Closely Spaced Parallel Runway Operations (CSPO) A procedure used by air traffic controllers to space aircraft closer together on takeoff and landing at major U.S. airports for the purpose of increasing airspace capacity. Under CSPO, aircraft pairs arriving at an airport with parallel runways that are separated by 2,500 feet or less are staggered to observe 1.5 nm diagonal separations between leading and trailing aircraft on the separate runways. Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) A CDTI is a generic display that provides the flight crew with surveillance information about other aircraft, including their position. Traffic information for a CDTI may be obtained from one or multiple sources, including ADS-B, traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), and TIS-B. Direct air-to-air transmission of ADS-B messages supports display of proximate aircraft on a CDTI. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) The codification of the general and permanent rules and regulations published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the federal government of the United States. Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) Expressed in decibels (dB), DNL is a 24-hour average noise level used to define the level of noise exposure on a community. The DNL represents the average sound exposure during a 24-hour period and does not represent the sound level for a specific noise event. A 10 dB correction is applied to nighttime (10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.) sound levels to account for increased annoyance due to noise during the night hours. Decibels (dB) The logarithmic unit used to measure the intensity of a sound measuring from the threshold of human hearing, 0 dB, upward toward the threshold of pain, about 120â140 dB. An increase of 10 dB is perceived by human ears as a doubling of noise. Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) Equipment (ground and airborne) used to measure and report to the pilot the slant range distance, in nm, of an aircraft from the DME navigational aid. Environmental Assessment (EA) Assessment performed under U.S. environmental law, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), used to predict the environmental consequences of a plan, policy, program, or project prior to the decision to move forward with the proposed action. The EA will determine either the need to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) or justify a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) A document required by NEPA for certain actions that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment. The purpose of an EIS is to analyze and disclose the significant effects resulting from a Federal action, and also list alternative actions that may be chosen instead of the action described in the EIS. Equivalent Lateral Spacing Operations (ELSO) A procedure used by air traffic controllers to space aircraft closer together on takeoff and landing at major U.S. airports for the purpose of increasing airspace capacity. ELSO reduces the divergence angle between the departure routes of aircraft on takeoff, therefore allowing controllers to space routes more closely together and clear aircraft for takeoff more efficiently. Flight-Deck-Based Interval Management- Spacing (FIM-S) A component of interval management (IM), which is a set of applications that enable more precise and consistent spacing between aircraft to yield increased throughput and efficiency. The IM system is composed of a ground- based component (GIM) and a flight-deck-based component (FIM). The FIM component involves the use of avionics, which provides guidance to achieve and/or maintain a desired spacing interval relative to a target aircraft. Flight Information ServicesâBroadcast A component of ADS-B technology that provides free graphical National Weather Service products, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), and special-use airspace information.
Appendix B: Glossary | 71 TERM DEFINITION Flight Management System A suite of avionics programs on board an aircraft used to calculate the most economical flying speeds and altitudes during a flight and to identify possible choices in emergencies. General Aviation All civil aviation operations other than scheduled air services and non- scheduled air transport operations for remuneration or hire. The majority of the worldâs air traffic falls into this category, and most of the worldâs airports serve GA exclusively. Global Positioning System (GPS) A system of satellites, computers, and receivers that is able to determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by calculating the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver. In aviation, GPS data allows pilots to obtain precise 3D or 4D location data. Government Accountability Office (GAO) An independent, nonpartisan agency established by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 that investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS) A system that provides differential corrections and integrity monitoring of global navigation satellite systems. GBAS provides navigation and precision approach service in the vicinity of the host airport, broadcasting its differential correction message via a very high-frequency radio data link from a ground- based transmitter. GBAS yields the extremely high accuracy, availability, and integrity necessary for Category I, and eventually Category II and III precision approaches. Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) A type of inertial sensor which uses only gyroscopes to determine a moving aircraftâs change in angular direction over a period of time. Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) A description of a series of predetermined flight maneuvers by reference to flight instruments, published by electronic and/or printed means. Instrument Landing System (ILS) A radar-based instrument approach system that provides precision lateral and vertical guidance to ILS-equipped aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, enabling a safe landing during instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), such as low ceilings or reduced visibility. Integrated Noise Model (INM) The Integrated Noise Model (INM) is a computer model that evaluates aircraft noise impacts in the vicinity of airports. The INM can output either noise contours for an area or noise level at pre-selected locations. In the U.S., INM is the preferred model used for FAR Part 150 noise compatibility planning and for FAA Order 1050 ESs and EISs. In-trail Procedures (ITP) An ADS-B application developed by the FAA. The use of flight-level change procedures, enabled by ADS-B ITP, enables flight-level changes for aircraft operating in oceanic airspace and being held at non-optimal flight levels due to conflicting traffic. Lateral Navigation (LNAV) GPS-based non-precision instrument approach procedure that provides horizontal approach navigation without approved vertical guidance. The approach minimums for LNAV approaches are higher than that of ILS approaches and RNAV approaches that incorporate vertical guidance. Localizer Performance (LP) An RNAV function using a final approach segment data block that computes, displays, and provides horizontal approach navigation using the horizontal accuracy and integrity of localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) without approved vertical guidance. The LP line of minima is provided at locations where issues prevent the use of vertical guidance, and provides a higher probability of achieving the lowest minimum at these locations. Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) An RNAV function using a final approach segment data block, which computes, displays, and provides both horizontal and approved vertical approach navigation to minimums as low as 200 foot ceiling and ½-mile visibility.
72 | RESOURCES FOR AIRPORTS TERM DEFINITION Metroplex Metroplex refers to a system of airports in close proximity and their shared airspace that serve one or more major cities. National Airspace System (NAS) Created by FAA, to protect persons and property on the ground, and to establish a safe and efficient airspace environment for civil, commercial, and military aviation. The NAS is made up of a network of air navigation facilities, ATC facilities, airports, technology, and appropriate rules and regulations that are needed to operate the system. National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) A congressional Act that established the national policy for disclosing the potential impacts of federal actions. Compliance with NEPA requires the completion of an environmental document that outlines impacts that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Optimal Profile Descent (OPD) An aircraft approach method designed to reduce fuel consumption and noise compared to other conventional descents. Instead of approaching an airport in a stair-step fashion, OPD allows for a smooth, constant-angle descent to landing. Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) A term used to describe the broad range of technologies that move aviation away from a ground-based navigation system toward a system that relies more on the performance and capabilities of equipment on board the aircraft. PBN specifies that aircraft RNP and RNAV systems performance requirements be defined in terms of accuracy, integrity, availability, continuity, and functionality required for the proposed operations. Required Navigation Performance (RNP) A type of PBN that allows an aircraft to fly a specific path between two 3D-defined points in space. RNP equipment provides onboard navigation capability that allows crews to accurately fly aircraft along a precise flight path. RNP also refers to the level of performance required for a specific procedure or a specific block of airspace. An RNP of 10 means that a navigation system must be able to calculate its position to within a circle with a radius of 10 nm. RTCA A nonprofit U.S. volunteer organization that develops technical guidance for use by government regulatory authorities and by industry. Originally named the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, it is now officially known solely as the RTCA. Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) A series of predetermined maneuvers for the orderly transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from the beginning of the initial approach to a landing or to a point from which a landing may be made visually or the missed approach procedure is initiated. It is prescribed and approved for a specific airport by a competent authority. Standard Instrument Departures A preplanned instrument flight rule (IFR) departure procedure published for pilot use, in graphic or textual format, that provides obstruction clearance from the terminal area to the appropriate en route structure. Standard Terminal Arrival (STA) A published IFR arrival procedure describing specific criteria for descent, routing, and communications for a specific runway at an airport. Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) An FAA ATC facility that uses radar and two-way radio communication to provide separation of air traffic within a specified geographic area in the vicinity of one or more large airports. Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) An aircraft collision avoidance system designed to reduce the incidence of mid-air collisions between aircraft. TCAS is based on secondary surveillance radar transponder signals, and operates independently of ground-based equipment to provide advice to the pilot on potential conflicting aircraft. The ICAO mandates that the system be fitted to all aircraft with a maximum take-off mass of over 5,700 kg (12,600 lb) or authorized to carry more than 19 passengers.
Appendix B: Glossary | 73 TERM DEFINITION Traffic Information Services-Broadcast (TIS-B) TIS-B is the broadcast of ATC-derived traffic information to ADS-B-equipped (1090ES or UAT) aircraft from ground radio stations. The source of this traffic information is derived from ground-based air traffic surveillance radar sen- sors. TIS-B service will be available throughout the NAS where there are both adequate surveillance coverage (radar) from ground sensors and adequate broadcast coverage from ADS-B ground radio stations. Vertical Navigation (VNAV) A form of precise vertical (altitude) navigation using the aircraft flight management system (FMS). VNAV is the vertical navigation flight profile, which is the predicted flight trajectory of the airplane in the vertical plane as a function of distance along the horizontal flight path defined by the LNAV flight plan. Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS) An air navigation aid developed by the Federal Aviation Administration to augment GPS, with the goal of improving its accuracy, integrity, and availability. WAAS is intended to enable aircraft to rely on GPS for all phases of flight, including precision approaches. Wide-Area Multilateration (WAM) A NextGen surveillance capability that enables air traffic controllers to track aircraft flying into and out of airports in mountainous areas with no radar coverage. WAM can complement ADS-B by providing transitional surveillance for non-ADS-B-equipped targets, and can be used for ADS-B validation.
