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) |