Abbreviations marked by an asterisk (*) are either different from or not contained in ICAO Doc 8400
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form
** Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only
| A - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| A | Amber |
| *A | FRA arrival connecting point |
| AAA | (or AAB, AAC...etc., in sequence) Amended meteorological message (message type designator) |
| A/A | Air-to-air |
| AAD | Assigned altitude deviation |
| AAIM | Aircraft autonomous integrity monitoring |
| AAL | Above aerodrome level |
| ABI | Advance boundary information |
| ABM | Abeam |
| ABN | Aerodrome beacon |
| ABT | About |
| ABV | Above |
| AC | Altocumulus |
| ACARS | (to be pronounced _AY-CARS_) Aircraft communication addressing and reporting system † |
| ACAS | Airborne collision avoidance system † |
| ACC | Area control centre or area control ‡ |
| ACCID | Notification of an aircraft accident |
| ACFT | Aircraft |
| ACK | Acknowledge |
| ACL | Altimeter check location |
| ACN | Aircraft classification number |
| ACP | Acceptance (message type designator) |
| ACPT | Accept or accepted |
| ACT | Active or activated or activity |
| AD | Aerodrome |
| ADA | Advisory area |
| ADC | Aerodrome chart |
| ADDN | Addition or additional |
| ADF | Automatic direction finding equipment ‡ |
| ADIZ | (to be pronounced _AY-DIZ_) Air defence identification zone † |
| ADJ | Adjacent |
| ADR | Advisory route |
| ADS | The address (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) * |
| ADS-B | Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast ‡ |
| ADS-C | Automatic dependent surveillance-contact ‡ |
| ADSU | Automatic dependent surveillance unit |
| ADVS | Advisory service |
| ADZ | Advise |
| AES | Aircraft earth station |
| AFIL | Flight plan filed in the air |
| AFIS | Aerodrome flight information service |
| AFM | Yes or affirm or affirmative or that is correct |
| AFS | Aeronautical fixed service |
| AFT | After...(time or place) |
| AFTN | Aeronautical fixed telecommunication network ‡ |
| A/G | Air-to-ground |
| AGA | Aerodrome, air routes and ground aids |
| AGL | Above ground level |
| AGN | Again |
| AIC | Aeronautical information circular |
| AIDC | Air traffic services interfacility data communications |
| AIP | Aeronautical information publication |
| AIRAC | Aeronautical information regulation and control |
| AIREP | Air-report † |
| AIRMET | Information concerning en-route weather phenomena which may affect the safety of low-level aircraft operations † |
| AIS | Aeronautical information services |
| ALA | Alighting area |
| ALERFA | Alert phase † |
| ALR | Alerting (message type designator) |
| ALRS | Alerting service |
| ALS | Approach lighting system |
| ALT | Altitude |
| ALTN | Alternate or alternating (light alternates in colour) |
| ALTN | Alternate (aerodrome) |
| *ALTRV | Altitude reservation |
| AMA | Area minimum altitude |
| *AMC | Airspace Management Cell |
| AMD | Amend or amended (used to indicate amended meteorological message; message type designator) |
| AMDT | Amendment (AIP amendment) |
| AMS | Aeronautical mobile service |
| AMSL | Above mean sea level |
| AMSS | Aerodrome mobile satellite service |
| ANC | Aeronautical chart 1:500 000 (followed by name/title) |
| ANCS | Aeronautical navigation chart-small scale (followed by name/title and scale) |
| ANS | Answer |
| AOC | Aerodrome obstacle chart |
| *AoR | Area of Responsibility |
| *AOWIR | Aircraft operator WHAT-IF reroute |
| AP | Airport |
| APAPI | (to be pronounced _AY-PAPI_) Abbreviated precision approach path indicator |
| APCH | Approach |
| APDC | Aircraft parking/docking chart (followed by name/title) |
| APN | Apron |
| APP | Approach control office or approach control or approach control service |
| APR | April |
| APRX | Approximate or approximately |
| APSG | After passing |
| APV | Approve or approved or approval |
| *APV | Approach procedure with vertical guidance |
| ARC | Area chart |
| *ARFOR | Area forecast (in aeronautical meteorological code) |
| ARNG | Arrange |
| ARO | Air traffic services reporting office |
| ARP | Aerodrome reference point |
| ARP | Air-report (message type designator) |
| ARQ | Automatic error correction |
| ARR | Arrive or arrival |
| ARR | Arrival (message type designator) |
| ARS | Special air-report (message type designator) |
| ARST | Arresting (specify (part of) aircraft arresting equipment) |
| AS | Altostratus |
| *ASAP | As soon as possible |
| ASC | Ascent to or ascending to |
| ASDA | Accelerate stop distance available |
| ASE | Altimetry system error |
| ASPH | Asphalt |
| AT... | At (followed by time at which weather change is forecast to occur) |
| ATA | Actual time of arrival ‡ |
| ATC | Air traffic control (in general) ‡ |
| ATCC | Air traffic control centre |
| ATD | Actual time of departure ‡ |
| *ATFCM | Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management |
| ATFM | Air traffic flow management |
| *ATFMX | ATFM measures exemption |
| ATIS | Automatic terminal information service † |
| ATM | Air traffic management |
| ATN | Aeronautical telecommunication network |
| *ATO | Actual time over significant point |
| ATP | At...(time or place) |
| ATS | Air traffic services |
| ATTN | Attention |
| AT-VASIS | (to be pronounced _AY-TEE-VASIS_) Abbreviated T visual approach slope indicator system † |
| ATZ | Aerodrome traffic zone |
| AUG | August |
| *AUP | Airspace Usage Plan |
| AUTH | Authorized or authorization |
| AUW | All up weight |
| AUX | Auxiliary |
| AVBL | Available or availability |
| AVG | Average |
| AVGAS | Aviation gasoline † |
| AWTA | Advise at what time able |
| AWY | Airway |
| AZM | Azimuth |
| B - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| B | Blue |
| *B2B | Business to business |
| BA | Braking action |
| *BAM | Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark |
| BARO-VNAV | (to be pronounced _BAA-RO-VEE-NAV_) Barometric vertical navigation † |
| BASE | Cloud base † |
| BCFG | Fog patches |
| BCN | Beacon (aeronautical ground light) |
| BCST | Broadcast |
| BDRY | Boundary |
| BECMG | Becoming |
| BFR | Before |
| *BHACC | Bosnia and Herzegovina Area Control Centre |
| *BHANSA | Bosnia and Herzegovina Air Navigation Services Agency |
| *BHDCA | Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate of Civil Aviation |
| BKN | Broken |
| BL... | Blowing (followed by DU= dust, SA= sand or SN= snow) |
| BLDG | Building |
| BLO | Below clouds |
| BLW | Below |
| *BMCT | Beginning of morning civil twilight |
| BOMB | Bombing |
| BR | Mist |
| BRF | Short (used to indicate the type of approach desired or required) |
| BRG | Bearing |
| BRKG | Braking |
| BS | Commercial broadcasting station |
| BTL | Between layers |
| BTN | Between |
| BUFR | Binary universal form for the representation of meteorological data |
| C - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| C | Centre (runway identification) |
| C | Degrees Celsius (Centigrade) |
| CA | Course to an altitude |
| CAA | Civil Aviation Authority |
| CAT | Category |
| CAT | Clear air turbulence |
| CAVOK | (to be pronounced _KAV-OH-KAY_) visibility, cloud and present weather better than prescribed values or conditions † |
| CB | (to be pronounced _CEE BEE_) Cumulonimbus ‡ |
| CC | Cirrocumulus |
| CCA | (or CCB, CCC....etc.. in sequence) corrected meteorological message (message type designator) |
| CD | Candela |
| CDN | Co-ordination (message type designator) |
| CF | Change frequency to ... |
| CFM | Confirm or I confirm (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) * |
| CGL | Circling guidance light(s) |
| CH | Channel |
| CHEM | Chemical |
| CHG | Modification (message type designator) |
| CI | Cirrus |
| CIDIN | Common ICAO data interchange network † |
| CIT | Near or over large towns |
| CIV | Civil |
| CK | Check |
| CL | Centre line |
| CLA | Clear type of ice formation |
| CLBR | Calibration |
| CLD | Cloud |
| CLG | Calling |
| CLIMB-OUT | Climb-out area |
| CLR | Clear(s) or cleared to... or clearance |
| CLRD | Runway(s) cleared (used in METAR/SPECI) |
| CLSD | Close or closed or complete |
| CM | Centimetre |
| CMB | Climb to or climbing to |
| CMPL | Completion or completed or complete |
| CNL | Cancel or cancelled |
| CNL | Flight plan cancellation message (message type designator) |
| CNS | Communication, navigation and surveillance |
| COM | Communications |
| CONC | Concrete |
| COND | Condition |
| CONS | Continuous |
| CONST | Construction or constructed |
| CONT | Continue(s) or continued |
| COOR | Co-ordinate or coordination |
| COP | Change-over point |
| COORD | Coordinates |
| COR | Correct or correction or corrected (used to indicate corrected meteorological message; message type designator) |
| COT | At the coast |
| COV | Cover or covered or covering |
| CPDLC | Controller-pilot data link communications ‡ |
| *CPDLCX | Non CPDLC |
| CPL | Current flight plan (message type designator) |
| CRC | Cyclic redundancy check |
| CRM | Collision risk model |
| CRZ | Cruise |
| CS | Call sign |
| CS | Cirrostratus |
| CTA | Control area |
| CTAM | Climb to and maintain |
| CTC | Contact |
| CTL | Control |
| CTN | Caution |
| *CTOT | Calculated Take-Off Time |
| CTR | Control zone |
| CU | Cumulus |
| CUF | Cumuliform |
| CUST | Customs |
| CVR | Cockpit voice recorder |
| CW | Continuous wave |
| CWY | Clearway |
| D - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| D... | Danger area (followed by identification) |
| D | Downward (tendency in RVR during previous 10 minutes) |
| *D | FRA Departure connecting point |
| DA | Decision altitude |
| D-ATIS | (to be pronounced _DEE-ATIS_) Data link automatic terminal information service † |
| DCD | Double channel duplex |
| DCKG | Docking |
| DCP | Datum crossing point |
| DCPC | Direct controller-pilot communications |
| DCS | Double channel simplex |
| DCT | Direct (in relation to flight plan clearances and type of approach) |
| DE | From (used to precede the call sign of the calling station) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) * |
| DEC | December |
| DEG | Degrees |
| DEP | Depart or departure |
| DEP | Departure (message type designator) |
| DEPO | Deposition |
| DER | Departure end of the runway |
| DES | Descend to or descending to |
| DEST | Destination |
| DETRESFA | Distress phase |
| DEV | Deviation or deviating |
| DF | Direction finding |
| DFDR | Digital flight data recorder |
| *D-FIS | Data link flight information service |
| DFTI | Distances from touch down indicator |
| DH | Decision height |
| DIF | Diffuse |
| DIST | Distance |
| DIV | Divert or diverting |
| DLA | Delay (message type designator) |
| DLA | Delay or delayed |
| *DLE | En-route delay or holding |
| DLIC | Data link initiation capability |
| DME | Distance measuring equipment ‡ |
| DNG | Danger or dangerous |
| DOF | Date of flight |
| DOM | Domestic |
| DP | Dew point temperature |
| DPT | Depth |
| DR | Dead reckoning |
| DR... | Low drifting (followed by DU= dust, SA= sand or SN = snow) |
| DRG | During |
| DS | Dust storm |
| DSB | Double sideband |
| DTAM | Descend to and maintain |
| DTG | Date-time group |
| DTHR | Displaced runway threshold |
| DTRT | Deteriorate or deteriorating |
| DTW | Dual tandem wheels |
| DU | Dust |
| DUC | Dense upper cloud |
| DUPE | This is a duplicate message (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) # |
| DUR | Duration |
| D-VOLMET | Data link VOLMET |
| DVOR | Doppler VOR |
| DW | Dual wheels |
| DZ | Drizzle |
| E - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| E | East or eastern longitude |
| *E | FRA horizontal entry point |
| *EAD | European AIS Database |
| *EASA | European Aviation Safety Agency |
| EAT | Expected approach time |
| EB | Eastbound |
| *ECIT | EAD Client Interface Terminal |
| EDA | Elevation different area |
| EEE | Error (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) # |
| *EECT | End of evening civil twilight |
| EET | Estimated elapsed time |
| EFC | Expect further clearance |
| EFIS | (to be pronounced _EE-FIS_) Electronic flight instrument system † |
| EGNOS | (to be pronounced _EGG-NOS_) European geostationary navigation overlay service † |
| EHF | Extremely high frequency (30 000 to 300 000 MHz) |
| ELBA | Emergency location beacon-aircraft † |
| ELEV | Elevation |
| ELR | Extra long range |
| ELT | Emergency locator transmitter |
| EM | Emission |
| EMBD | Embedded in a layer (to indicate cumulonimbus embedded in layers of other clouds) |
| EMERG | Emergency |
| END | Stop-end (related to RVR) |
| ENE | East north east |
| ENG | Engine |
| ENR | En route |
| ENRC | En route chart (followed by name/title) |
| EOBT | Estimated off-block time |
| EQPT | Equipment |
| ER | Here...or herewith * |
| ESE | East south east |
| EST | Estimate or estimated or estimate (as message type designator) |
| ETA | Estimated time of arrival or estimating arrival *‡ |
| ETD | Estimated time of departure or estimating departure ‡ |
| ETO | Estimated time over significant point |
| EUR | European regional OPMET data |
| EV | Every |
| EXC | Except |
| EXER | Exercises or exercising or to exercise |
| EXP | Expect or expected or expecting |
| EXTD | Extend or extending |
| F - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| F | Fixed |
| FA | Course from a fix to an altitude |
| FAC | Facilities |
| FAF | Final approach fix |
| FAL | Facilitation of international air transport |
| *FANS | Future air navigation system |
| FAP | Final approach point |
| FAS | Final approach segment |
| FATO | Final approach and take-off area |
| FAX | Facsimile transmission |
| FBL | Light (used to indicate the intensity of weather phenomena, interference or static reports, e.g. FBL RA = light rain) |
| FC | Funnel cloud (tornado or water spout) |
| FCST | Forecast |
| FCT | Friction coefficient |
| FDPS | Flight data processing system |
| FEB | February |
| FEW | Few |
| FG | Fog |
| FIC | Flight information centre |
| FIR | Flight information region ‡ |
| FIS | Flight information service |
| FISA | Automated flight information service |
| FL | Flight level |
| FLD | Field |
| FLG | Flashing |
| *FLOS | Flight level orientation scheme |
| FLR | Flares |
| FLT | Flight |
| FLTCK | Flight check |
| FLUC | Fluctuating or fluctuation or fluctuated |
| FLW | Follow(s) or following |
| FLY | Fly or flying |
| FM | From |
| FM... | From (followed by time weather change is forecast to begin) |
| FM | Course from a fix to manual termination (used in navigation database coding) |
| FMC | Flight management computer |
| FMS | Flight management system ‡ |
| FMU | Flow management unit |
| FNA | Final approach |
| FPAP | Flight path alignment point |
| FPL | Filed flight plan (message type designator) |
| FPM | Feet per minute |
| FPR | Flight plan route |
| FR | Fuel remaining |
| *FRA | Free Route Airspace |
| FREQ | Frequency |
| FRI | Friday |
| FRNG | Firing |
| FRONT | Front (relating to weather) † |
| FROST | Frost (used in aerodrome warnings) † |
| FRQ | Frequent |
| FSL | Full stop landing |
| FSS | Flight service |
| FST | First |
| FT | Feet (dimensional unit) |
| FTE | Flight technical error |
| FTP | Flight threshold point |
| FTT | Flight technical tolerance |
| FU | Smoke |
| FZ | Freezing |
| FZDZ | Freezing drizzle |
| FZFG | Freezing fog |
| FZRA | Freezing rain |
| G - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| G | Green |
| G | Variations from the mean wind (gusts) (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI and TAF) |
| GA | General aviation |
| GA | Go ahead, resume sending (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) |
| G/A | Ground-to-air |
| G/A/G | Ground-to-air and air-to-ground |
| GAGAN | GPS and geostationary earth orbit augmented navigation † |
| GAIN | Airspeed or headwind gain |
| GAMET | Area forecast for low-level operations |
| *GAT | General air traffic |
| GBAS | (to be pronounced _GEE-BAS_) Ground-based augmentation system † |
| GCA | Ground controlled approach system or ground controlled approach ‡ |
| GEN | General |
| GEO | Geographic or true |
| GES | Ground earth station |
| GLD | Glider |
| GLONASS | (to be pronounced _GLO-NAS_) Global-based navigation satellite system |
| GLS | GBAS landing system |
| GMC | Ground movement chart (followed by name/title) |
| GND | Ground |
| GNDCK | Ground check |
| GNSS | Global navigation satellite system ‡ |
| GP | Glide path |
| GPA | Glide path angle |
| GPIP | Glide path intercept point |
| GPS | Global positioning system |
| *GPU | Ground power unit |
| GPWS | Ground proximity warning system ‡ |
| GR | Hail |
| GRAS | (to be pronounced _GRASS_) Ground-based regional augmentation system † |
| GRASS | Grass landing area |
| GRIB | Processed meteorological data in the form of grid point values (aeronautical meteorological code) |
| GRVL | Gravel |
| GS | Ground speed |
| GS | Small hail and/or snow pellets |
| GUND | Geoid undulation |
| H - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| H | High pressure area or the centre of pressure |
| H24 | Continuous day and night service |
| HA | Holding/racetrack to an altitude |
| HAPI | Helicopter approach path indicator |
| *HAZMAT | Hazardous material |
| HBN | Hazard beacon |
| HDF | High frequency direction-finding station |
| HDG | Heading |
| *HEAD | Head of State |
| HEL | Helicopter |
| HF | High frequency (3 000 to 30 000 kHz) ‡ |
| HF | Holding/racetrack to a fix |
| *HFDL | High frequency data link |
| HGT | height or height above |
| HJ | Sunrise to sunset |
| HLDG | Holding |
| HM | Holding/racetrack to a manual |
| HN | Sunset to sunrise |
| HO | Service available to meet operational requirements |
| HOL | Holiday |
| HOSP | Hospital aircraft |
| HPA | Hectopascal |
| HR | Hours |
| HS | Service available during hours of scheduled operations |
| HUD | Head-up display |
| *HUM | Humanitarian mission |
| HURCN | Hurricane |
| HVDF | High and very high frequency direction finding stations (at the same location) |
| HVY | Heavy |
| HVY | Heavy (used to indicate the intensity of weather phenomena, e.g. HVY RA = heavy rain) |
| HX | No specific working hours |
| HYR | Higher |
| HZ | Haze |
| HZ | Hertz (cycle per second) |
| I - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| *I | FRA Intermediate point |
| IAC | Instrument approach chart |
| IAF | Initial approach fix |
| IAO | In and out of clouds |
| IAR | Intersection of air routes |
| IAS | Indicated air speed |
| IBN | Identification beacon |
| IC | Diamond dust (very small ice crystals in suspension, also known as diamond dust) |
| ICAO | International Civil Aviation Organization |
| ICE | Icing |
| ID | Identifier or identify |
| IDENT | Identification † |
| IF | Intermediate approach fix |
| IFF | Identification friend/foe |
| IFPS | Integrated initial flight plan processing system |
| IFPZ | Integrated initial flight plan processing system zone |
| IFR | Instrument flight rules ‡ |
| IGA | International general aviation |
| ILS | Instrument landing system ‡ |
| IM | Inner marker |
| IMC | Instrument meteorological conditions ‡ |
| IMG | Immigration |
| IMI | Interrogation sign (question mark) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) * |
| IMPR | Improve or improving |
| IMT | Immediate or immediately |
| INA | Initial approach |
| INBD | Inbound |
| INC | In cloud |
| INCERFA | Uncertainty phase † |
| INFO | Information † |
| INOP | Inoperative |
| INP | If not possible |
| INPR | In progress |
| INS | Inertial navigation system |
| INSTL | Install or installed or installation |
| INSTR | Instrument |
| INT | Intersection |
| INTL | International |
| INTRG | Interrogator |
| INTRP | Interrupt or interruption or interrupted |
| INTSF | intensify or intensifying |
| INTST | Intensity |
| IR | Ice on runway |
| IRS | Inertial reference system |
| ISA | International standard atmosphere |
| ISB | Independent sideband |
| ISOL | Isolated |
| J - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| JAN | January |
| JTST | Jet stream |
| JUL | July |
| JUN | June |
| K - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| KG | Kilograms |
| KHZ | Kilohertz |
| KIAS | Knots indicated airspeed |
| KM | Kilometres |
| KMH | Kilometres per hour |
| KPA | Kilopascal |
| KT | Knots |
| KW | Kilowatts |
| L - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| L | Left (preceded by runway designation number to identify a parallel runway) |
| L | Litre |
| L | Locator (see LM, LO) |
| L | Low pressure area or the centre of low pressure |
| *LAL | Lowest Available Level |
| LAM | Logical acknowledgement (message type designator) |
| LAN | Inland |
| LAT | Latitude |
| LCA | Local or locally or location or located |
| LDA | Landing distance available |
| LDAH | Landing distance available, helicopter |
| LDG | Landing |
| LDI | Landing direction indicator |
| LEN | Length |
| LF | Low frequency (30 to 300 kHz) |
| LGT | Light or lighting |
| LGTD | Lighted |
| LIH | Light intensity high |
| LIL | Light intensity low |
| LIM | Light intensity medium |
| LINE | Line (used in SIGMET) |
| LM | Locator middle |
| LMT | Local mean time |
| LNAV | (to be pronounced _EL-NAV_) Lateral navigation† |
| LNG | Long (used to indicate the type of approach desired or required) |
| LO | Locator, outer |
| LOC | Localizer |
| LONG | Longitude |
| LORAN | LORAN (long range air navigation system) † |
| LOSS | Airspeed or headwind loss |
| LPV | Localizer performance with vertical guidance |
| LR | The last message received by me was... (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) |
| LRG | Long range |
| LS | The last message sent by me was... or Last message was... (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) |
| LTD | Limited |
| LTP | Landing threshold point |
| LV | Light and variable (relating to wind) |
| LVE | Leave or leaving |
| LVL | Level |
| LYR | Layer or layered |
| M - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| M | Mach number (followed by figures) |
| M | Metres (preceded by figures) |
| M | Minimum value of runway visual range (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI) |
| MAA | Maximum authorized altitude |
| MAG | Magnetic |
| MAHF | Missed approach holding fix |
| MAINT | Maintenance |
| MAP | Aeronautical maps and charts |
| MAPT | Missed approach point |
| MAR | March |
| MAR | At sea |
| *MARSA | Military assumes responsibility for separation of aircraft |
| MATF | Missed approach turning fix |
| MAX | Maximum |
| MAY | May |
| MBST | Microburst |
| MCA | Minimum crossing altitude |
| MCW | Modulated continuous wave |
| MDA | Minimum descent altitude |
| MDF | Medium frequency direction-finding station |
| MDH | Minimum descent height |
| MEA | Minimum en-route altitude |
| *MEDEVAC | Medical evacuation |
| MEHT | Minimum eye height over threshold (for visual approach slope indicator system) |
| MET | Meteorological or meteorology † |
| METAR | Aviation routine weather report (in aeronautical meteorological code) † |
| MET REPORT | Local routine meteorological report (in abbreviated plain language) |
| MF | Medium frequency (300 kHz to 3 000 kHz) |
| MHDF | Medium and high frequency direction-finding station (at the same location) |
| MHVDF | Medium, high and very high frequency direction-finding station (at the same location) |
| MHZ | Megahertz |
| MID | Mid-point (related to RVR) |
| MIFG | Shallow fog |
| MIL | Military |
| MIN | Minutes * |
| MIS | Missing... (transmission identification) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) |
| MKR | Marker radio beacon |
| MLS | Microwave landing system ‡ |
| MM | Middle marker |
| MNM | Minimum |
| MNPS | Minimum navigation performance specifications |
| MNT | Monitor or monitoring or monitored |
| MNTN | Maintain |
| MOA | Military operating area |
| MOC | Minimum obstacle clearance (required) |
| MOCA | Minimum obstacle clearance |
| MOD | moderate (used to indicate the intensity of weather phenomena, interference or static reports e.g. MOD RA = moderate rain) |
| MON | Above mountains |
| MON | Monday |
| MOV | Move or moving or movement |
| MPS | Metres per second |
| MRA | Minimum reception altitude |
| MRG | Medium range |
| MRP | ATS/MET reporting point |
| MS | Minus |
| MSA | Minimum sector altitude |
| MSAW | Minimum safe altitude warning |
| MSG | Message |
| MSL | Mean sea level |
| MSR | Message... (transmission has been) |
| MSSR | Mono pulse secondary surveillance radar |
| MT | Mountain |
| *MTOW | Maximum take-off weight |
| MTU | Metric units |
| MTW | Mountain waves |
| MVDF | Medium and very high frequency direction-finding station (at the same location) |
| *MWO | Meteorological watch office |
| *MX | Mixed type of ice formation (white and clear) |
| N - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| N | North or northern latitude |
| N | No distinct tendency (in RVR during previous 10 minutes) |
| NASC | National AIS system centre † |
| NAT | North Atlantic |
| *NAUP | National Airspace Usage Plan |
| NAV | Navigation |
| NB | North bound |
| NBFR | Not before |
| NC | No change |
| NDB | Non-directional radio beacon ‡ |
| NE | North-east |
| NEB | North-eastbound |
| NEG | No or negative or permission not granted or that is not correct |
| NGT | Night |
| NIL | None or I have nothing to send to you *† |
| NM | Nautical miles |
| NML | Normal |
| NN | No name, unnamed |
| NNE | North north east |
| NNW | North north west |
| NOF | International NOTAM office |
| *NONRVSM | Non-RVSM capable flight |
| NOSIG | No significant change (used in trend-type landing forecasts) † |
| NOTAM | A notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations † |
| NOV | November |
| NOZ | Normal operating zone |
| NPA | Non-precision approach |
| *NPZ | No planning zone |
| NR | Number |
| NRH | No reply heard |
| NS | Nimbostratus |
| NSC | Nil significant cloud |
| NSW | Nil significant weather |
| NTL | National |
| NTZ | No transgression zone ‡ |
| *NUUP | National Updated Usage Plan |
| NW | North-west |
| NWB | North-westbound |
| NXT | Next |
| O - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| OAC | Oceanic area control centre |
| OAS | Obstacle assessment surface |
| *OAT | Operational air traffic |
| OBS | Observe or observed or observation |
| OBSC | Observe or obscured or obscuring |
| OBST | Obstacle |
| OCA | Obstacle clearance altitude |
| OCA | Oceanic control area |
| OCC | Occulting (light) |
| OCH | Obstacle clearance height |
| OCNL | Occasional or occasionally |
| OCS | Obstacle clearance surface |
| OCT | October |
| OFZ | Obstacle free zone |
| OGN | Originate (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) |
| OHD | Overhead |
| OIS | Obstacle identification surface |
| OK | We agree or It is correct (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) * |
| OLDI | On-line data interchange † |
| OM | Out marker |
| OPA | Opaque, white type of ice formation |
| OPC | The control indicated is operational control |
| OPMET | Operational meteorological (information) † |
| OPN | Open or opening or opened |
| OPR | Operator or operate or operative or operating or operational |
| OPS | Operations † |
| O/R | On request |
| ORD | Indication of an order |
| OSV | Ocean station vessel |
| OTP | On top |
| OTS | Organized track system |
| OUBD | Out-bound |
| OVC | Overcast |
| P - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| P... | Maximum value of wind speed or runway visual range (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI and TAF) |
| P... | Prohibited area (followed by identification) |
| PA | Precision approach |
| PALS | Precision approach lighting system (specify category) |
| PANS | Procedures for air navigation services |
| PAPI | Precision approach path indicator † |
| PAR | Precision approach radar ‡ |
| PARL | Parallel |
| PATC... | Precision approach terrain chart (followed by name/title) |
| PAX | Passenger(s) |
| PBN | Performance-based navigation |
| PCD | Proceed or proceeding |
| PCL | Pilot-controlled lighting |
| PCN | Pavement classification number |
| PDC | Pre-departure clearance ‡ |
| PDG | Procedure design gradient |
| PER | Performance |
| PERM | Permanent |
| PIB | Pre-flight information bulletin |
| PJE | Parachute jumping exercise |
| PL | Ice pellets |
| PLA | Practice low approach |
| PLN | Flight plan |
| PLVL | Present level |
| PN | Prior notice required |
| PNR | Point of no return |
| PO | Dust devils |
| POB | Persons on board |
| POSS | Possible |
| PPI | Plan position indicator |
| PPR | Prior permission required |
| PPSN | Present position |
| PRFG | Aerodrome partially covered by fog |
| PRI | Primary |
| PRKG | Parking |
| PROB | Probability † |
| PROC | Procedure |
| PROV | Provisional |
| PRP | Point-in-space reference point |
| PS | Plus |
| PSG | Passing |
| PSN | Position |
| PSP | Pierced steel plank |
| PSR | Primary surveillance radar ‡ |
| PTN | Procedure turn |
| PTS | Polar track structure |
| PWR | Power |
| Q - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| QDL | Do you intend to ask me for a series or bearings? or I intend to ask you for a series of bearings (to be used in radio telegraphy as a Q Code) |
| QDM | Magnetic heading (zero wind) ‡ |
| QDR | Magnetic bearing |
| QFE | Atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation (or at runway threshold) ‡ |
| QFU | Magnetic orientation of runway |
| QGE | What is my distance to your station? or Your distance to my station is (distance figures and units) (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code) |
| QJH | Shall I run my test tape/a test sentence? or Run your test tape/a test sentence (to be used in AFS as a Q Code) |
| QNH | Altimeter sub-scale setting to obtain elevation when on the ground ‡ |
| QSP | Will you relay to... free of charge? or I will relay to... free of charge (to be used in AFS as a Q Code) |
| QTA | Shall I cancel telegram number...? or Cancel telegram number...(to be used in AFS as a Q Code) |
| QTE | True bearing |
| QTF | Will you give me the position of my station according to the bearings taken by D/F stations which you control? or The position of your station according to the bearings taken by the D/F stations that I control was...latitude... longitude (or other indication of position), class...at...hours (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code) |
| QUAD | Quadrant |
| QUJ | Will you indicate the TRUE track to reach you? or The TRUE track to reach me is...degrees at. hours (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code) |
| R - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| R | Rate of turn |
| R... | Radial from VOR (followed by three figures) |
| R | Received (acknowledgment of receipt) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) * |
| R | Red |
| R... | Restricted area (followed by identification) |
| R | Right (preceded by runway designation number to identify a parallel runway) |
| RA | Rain |
| RA | Resolution advisory |
| RAC | Rules or the air and air traffic services |
| *RAD | Route availability document |
| RAFC | Regional area forecast centre |
| RAG | Ragged |
| RAG | Runway arresting gear |
| RAI | Runway alignment indicator |
| RAIM | Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring † |
| RASS | Remote altimeter setting source |
| RB | Rescue boat |
| RCA | Reach cruising altitude |
| RCC | Rescue co-ordination centre |
| RCF | Radio communication failure (message type designator) |
| RCH | Reach or reaching |
| RCL | Runway centre line |
| RCLL | Runway centre line light(s) |
| RCLR | Recleared |
| RCP | Required communication performance ‡ |
| RDH | Reference datum height (for ILS) |
| RDL | Radial |
| RDO | Radio |
| RDOACT | Radioactive |
| RE... | Recent (used to qualify weather phenomena e.g. RERA - recent rain) |
| REC | Receive or receiver |
| REDL | Runway edge light(s) |
| REF | Reference to... or refer to... |
| REG | Registration |
| RENL | Runway end light(s) |
| REP | Report or reporting or reporting point |
| REQ | Request or requested |
| RERTE | Reroute |
| *RFP | Replacement flight plan procedure |
| RESA | Runway end safety area |
| RF | Constant radius arc to a fix |
| RFFS | Rescue and fire fighting services |
| RG | Range (lights) |
| RHC | Right-hand circuit |
| RIF | Re clearance in flight |
| RIME | Rime (used in aerodrome warnings) † |
| RL | Report leaving |
| RLA | Relay to |
| RLCE | Request level change en-route |
| RLLS | Runway lead-in lighting system |
| RLNA | Requested level not available |
| RMK | Remark |
| RNAV | (to be pronounced _AR-NAV_) Area navigation † |
| *RNAVINOP | RNAV inoperable |
| RNG | Radio range |
| RNP | Required navigation performance ‡ |
| ROBEX | Regional OPMET bulletin exchange (scheme) † |
| ROC | Rate of climb |
| ROD | Rate of descent |
| RON | Receiving only |
| RPI | Radar position indicator ‡ |
| RPL | Repetitive flight plan |
| RPLC | Replace or replaced |
| *RPM | Revolutions per minute |
| RPS | Radar position symbol |
| RPT | Repeat or I repeat (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) * |
| RQ | Request (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) * |
| RQMNTS | Requirements |
| RQP | Request flight plan (message type designator) |
| RQS | Request supplementary flight plan (message type designator) |
| RR | Report reaching |
| RRA | (or RRB, RRC....etc in sequence) Delayed meteorological message (message type designator) |
| RSC | Rescue sub-centre |
| RSCD | Runway surface condition |
| RSP | Responder beacon |
| RSP | Required surveillance performance ‡ |
| RSR | En-route surveillance radar |
| RTD | Delayed (used to indicate delayed meteorological message) (message type designator) |
| RTE | Route |
| RTF | Radiotelephone |
| RTG | Radiotelegraph |
| RTHL | Runway threshold light(s) |
| RTN | Return or returned or returning |
| RTODAH | Rejected take-off distance available, helicopter |
| RTS | Return to service |
| RTT | Radioteletypewriter |
| RTZL | Runway touchdown zone light(s) |
| RUT | Standard regional route transmitting frequencies |
| RV | Rescue vessel |
| RVA | Radar vectoring area |
| RVR | Runway visual range ‡ |
| RVSM | Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum ‡ |
| RWY | Runway |
| S - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| S | South or southern latitude |
| SA | Sand |
| SALS | Simple approach lighting system |
| SAN | Sanitary |
| SAR | Search and rescue |
| SARPS | Standards and recommended practices (ICAO) |
| SAT | Saturday |
| SATCOM | Satellite communication † |
| SATVOICE | Satellite voice communication |
| SB | Southbound |
| SBAS | (to be pronounced _ESS-BAS_) Satellite-based augmentation system † |
| SC | Stratocumulus |
| SCT | Scattered |
| SD | Standard deviation |
| SDBY | Stand by |
| SDF | Step down fix |
| *SDO | Static data operations |
| SE | South-east |
| SEB | South-eastbound |
| SEC | Seconds |
| SECN | Section |
| *SESCI | South East Common Sky Initiative |
| *SECSI FRA | South East Common Sky Initiative Free Route Airspace |
| SECT | Sector |
| SELCAL | Selective calling system † |
| SEP | September |
| SER | Service or servicing or served |
| SEV | Severe (used e.g. to qualify icing and turbulence reports) |
| SFC | Surface |
| SG | Snow grains |
| SGL | Signal |
| SH... | Showers (followed by RA = rain, SN = snow, PE = ice pellets, GR = hail, GS = small hail and or snow pellets or combinations thereof, e.g. SHRASN = showers of rain and snow) |
| SHF | Super high frequency (3 000 to 30 000 MHz) |
| SI | International system of units |
| SID | Standard instrument departure † |
| SIF | Selective identification feature |
| SIG | Significant |
| SIGMET | Information concerning en-route weather phenomena which may affect the safety of operations † |
| *SIGWX | Significant weather |
| SIMUL | Simultaneous or simultaneously |
| SIWL | Single isolated wheel load |
| SKC | Sky clear |
| SKED | Schedule or scheduled |
| SLP | Speed limiting point |
| SLW | Slow |
| SMC | Surface movement control |
| SMR | Surface movement radar |
| SN | Snow |
| SNOCLO | Aerodrome closed due to snow (used in METAR/SPECI) |
| SNOWTAM | Special series NOTAM notifying the presence or removal of hazardous conditions due to snow, ice, slush or standing water associated with snow, slush and ice on the movement area , by means of a specific format † |
| SOC | Start of climb |
| SPECI | Aerodrome special meteorological report (in meteorological code) † |
| SPECIAL | Special meteorological report (in abbreviated plain language) † |
| SPI | Special position indicator |
| SPL | Supplementary flight plan (message type designator) |
| SPOC | SAR point in contact |
| SPOT | Spot wind † |
| SQ | Squall |
| SQL | Squall line |
| SR | Sunrise |
| SRA | Surveillance radar approach |
| SRE | Surveillance radar element of precision approach radar system |
| SRG | Short range |
| SRR | Search and rescue region |
| SRY | Secondary |
| SS | Sandstorm |
| SS | Sunset |
| SSB | Single sideband |
| SSE | South south east |
| SSR | Secondary surveillance radar ‡ |
| SST | Supersonic transport |
| SSW | South southwest |
| ST | Stratus |
| STA | Straight-in approach |
| STAR | Standard instrument arrival † |
| STD | Standard |
| STF | Stratiform |
| STN | Station |
| STNR | Stationary |
| STOL | Short take-off and landing |
| STS | Status |
| STWL | Stopway light(s) |
| SUBJ | Subject to |
| SUN | Sunday |
| SUP | Supplement (AIP supplement) |
| SUPPS | Regional supplementary procedures |
| SVC | Service (message type only) |
| SVCBL | Serviceable |
| SW | South-west |
| SWB | South-westbound |
| *SWC | Significant weather chart |
| SWY | Stopway |
| T - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| T | Temperature |
| T | True (preceded by a bearing to indicate reference to True North) |
| T-VASIS | (to be pronounced _TEE-VASIS_) T visual approach slope indicator system † |
| TA | Traffic advisory |
| TA | Transition altitude |
| TA/H | Turn at an altitude/height |
| TAA | Terminal arrival altitude |
| TACAN | UHF tactical air navigation aid |
| TAF | Aerodrome forecast |
| TAIL | Tail wind † |
| TAR | Terminal area surveillance radar |
| TAS | True airspeed |
| TAX | Taxiing or taxi |
| TC | Tropical cyclone |
| TCU | Towering cumulus |
| TCAS RA | (to be pronounced _TEE-CAS-AR-AY_) Traffic alert and collision avoidance system resolution avoidance † |
| TCH | Threshold crossing height |
| TDO | Tornado |
| TDZ | Touchdown zone |
| TECR | Technical reason |
| TEL | Telephone |
| TEMPO | Temporary or temporarily † |
| TF | Track to fix |
| TFC | Traffic |
| TGL | Touch-and-go landing |
| TGS | Taxiing guidance system |
| THR | Threshold |
| THRU | Through |
| THU | Thursday |
| TIBA | Traffic information broadcast by aircraft † |
| TIL | Until † |
| TIP | Until past...(place) |
| TKOF | Take-off |
| TL... | Till (followed by time by which weather change is forecast to end) |
| TLOF | Touchdown and lift-off area |
| TMA | Terminal control area ‡ |
| TN... | Minimum temperature (followed by figures in TAF) |
| TNA | Turn altitude |
| TNH | Turn height |
| TO | To...(place) |
| TOC | Top of climb |
| TODA | Take-off distance available |
| TODAH | Take-off distance available, helicopter |
| TOP | Cloud top † |
| TORA | Take-off run available |
| TOX | Toxic |
| TP | Turning point |
| TR | Track |
| TRA | Temporary reserved airspace |
| TRANS | Transmits or transmitter |
| TREND | Trend forecast † |
| TRG | Training |
| TRL | Transition level |
| TROP | Tropopause |
| TS | Thunderstorm (in aerodrome reports and forecasts, TS used alone means thunder heard but no precipitation at the aerodrome) |
| TS... | Thunderstorm (followed by RA = RAIN, SN = snow, PE = ice pellets, GR = hail, GS = small hail and/or snow pellets or combinations thereof, e.g. TSRASN= thunderstorm with rain and snow) |
| TT | Teletypewriter |
| TUE | Tuesday |
| TURB | Turbulence |
| TVOR | Terminal VOR |
| TWR | Aerodrome control tower or aerodrome control |
| TWY | Taxiway |
| TX... | Maximum temperature (followed by figures in TAF) |
| TXL | Taxilane |
| TXT | Text (when the abbreviation is used to request a repetition, the question mark (IMI) precedes the abbreviation, e.g. (IMI TXT) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) * |
| TYP | Type of aircraft |
| TYPH | Typhoon |
| U - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| U | Upward (tendency in RVR during previous 10 minutes) |
| UA | Unmanned aircraft |
| UAB | Until advised by... |
| UAC | Upper area control centre |
| UAR | Upper air route |
| UAS | Unmanned aircraft system |
| UDF | Ultra high frequency direction-finding station |
| UFN | Until further notice |
| UHDT | Unable higher due traffic |
| UHF | Ultra high frequency (300 to 3 000 MHz) ‡ |
| UIC | Upper information centre |
| UIR | Upper flight information region ‡ |
| ULM | Ultra light motorized aircraft |
| ULR | Ultra long range |
| UNA | Unable |
| UNAP | Unable to approve |
| UNL | Unlimited |
| UNREL | Unreliable |
| UP | Unidentified precipitation (used in automated METAR/SPECI) |
| U/S | Unserviceable |
| UTA | Upper control area |
| UTC | Coordinated Universal Time ‡ |
| *UUP | Updated Usage Plan |
| V - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| V... | Variations from the mean wind direction (preceded and followed by figures in METAR/SPECI, e.g.350V070) |
| VA | Heading to an altitude |
| VA | Volcanic ash |
| VAAC | Volcanic ash advisory centre |
| VAC... | Visual approach chart (followed by name/title) |
| VAL | In valleys |
| VAN | Runway control van |
| VAR | Magnetic variation |
| VAR | Visual-aural radio range |
| VASIS | Visual approach slope indicator system |
| VC | Vicinity of the aerodrome (followed by FG = fog, FC = funnel cloud, PO = dust/sand whirls, BLDU = blowing dust, BLSA = blowing sand or BLSN = blowing snow, DS = duststorm, SS = sandstorm, TS = thunderstorm or VA = volcanic ash, e.g. VCFG = vicinity fog) |
| VCY | Vicinity |
| VDF | Very high frequency direction-finding station |
| VER | Vertical |
| VFR | Visual flight rules ‡ |
| VHF | Very high frequency (30 to 300 MHz) ‡ |
| VI | Heading to an intercept |
| VIP | Very important person ‡ |
| VIS | Visibility |
| VLF | Very low frequency (3 to 30 kHz) |
| VLR | Very long range |
| VM | Heading to a manual termination |
| VMC | Visual meteorological conditions ‡ |
| VNAV | (to be pronounced _VEE-NAV_) Vertical navigation |
| VOLMET | Meteorological information for aircraft in flight † |
| VOR | VHF omnidirectional radio range ‡ |
| VORTAC | VOR and TACAN combination † |
| VOT | VOR airborne equipment test facility |
| VPA | Vertical path angle |
| VRB | Variable |
| VSA | By visual reference to the ground |
| VSP | Vertical speed |
| VTF | Vector to final |
| VTOL | Vertical take-off and landing |
| VV... | Vertical visibility (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI and TAF) |
| W - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| W | West or western longitude |
| W | White |
| *W | Watt |
| WAAS | Wide area augmentation system † |
| WAC... | World aeronautical chart-ICAO 1:1 000 000 (followed by name/title) |
| WAFC | World area forecast centre |
| WB | Westbound |
| WBAR | Wing bar lights |
| WDI | Wind direction indicator |
| WDSPR | Widespread |
| WED | Wednesday |
| WEF | With effect from or effective from |
| WGS-84 | World Geodetic System - 1984 |
| WI | Within |
| WID | Width or wide |
| WIE | With immediate effect or effective immediately |
| WILCO | Will comply † |
| WIND | Wind |
| WIP | Work in progress |
| WKN | Weaken or weakening |
| WNW | West-north-west |
| WO | Without |
| WPT | Way-point |
| WRNG | Warning |
| WS | Wind shear |
| WSPD | Wind speed |
| WSW | West south west |
| WT | Weight |
| WTSPT | Waterspout |
| WWW | Worldwide web |
| WX | Weather |
| X - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| X | Cross |
| *X | FRA horizontal exit point |
| XBAR | Crossbar (of approach lighting system) |
| XNG | Crossing |
| XS | Atmospherics |
| Y - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| Y | Yellow |
| YCZ | Yellow caution zone (runway lighting) |
| YES | Yes (affirmative) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) * |
| YR | Your |
| Z - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS | |
| Z | Coordinated Universal Time (in meteorological messages) |