4/20/23 

Pilot/Controller Glossary 

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AAM

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(See ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY.) 

AAR

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(See AIRPORT ARRIVAL RATE.) 
(See ADAPTED ROUTES.) 

ABBREVIATED IFR FLIGHT PLANS

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An authorization by ATC requiring pilots to submit only that 

information needed for the purpose of ATC. It includes only a small portion of the usual IFR flight plan 

information. In certain instances, this may be only aircraft identification, location, and pilot request. Other 

information may be requested if needed by ATC for separation/control purposes. It is frequently used by aircraft 

which are airborne and desire an instrument approach or by aircraft which are on the ground and desire a climb 

to VFR-on-top. 

(See VFR-ON-TOP.) 
(Refer to AIM.) 

ABEAM

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An aircraft is “abeam” a fix, point, or object when that fix, point, or object is approximately 90 degrees 

to the right or left of the aircraft track. Abeam indicates a general position rather than a precise point. 

ABORT

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To terminate a preplanned aircraft maneuver; e.g., an aborted takeoff. 

ABRR

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(See AIRBORNE REROUTE) 

AC

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(See ADVISORY CIRCULAR.) 

ACC [ICAO]

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(See ICAO term AREA CONTROL CENTER.) 

ACCELERATE-STOP DISTANCE AVAILABLE

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 The runway plus stopway length declared available and 

suitable for the acceleration and deceleration of an airplane aborting a takeoff. 
ACCELERATE-STOP DISTANCE AVAILABLE [ICAO]

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 The length of the take-off run available plus the 

length of the stopway if provided. 
ACDO

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(See AIR CARRIER DISTRICT OFFICE.) 

ACKNOWLEDGE

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Let me know that you have received and understood this message. 

ACL

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(See AIRCRAFT LIST.) 

ACLS

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(See AUTOMATIC CARRIER LANDING SYSTEM.) 

ACROBATIC FLIGHT

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 An intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft’s attitude, an 

abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration not necessary for normal flight. 

(See ICAO term ACROBATIC FLIGHT.) 
(Refer to 14 CFR Part 91.) 

ACROBATIC FLIGHT [ICAO]

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 Maneuvers intentionally performed by an aircraft involving an abrupt change 

in its attitude, an abnormal attitude, or an abnormal variation in speed. 
ACTIVE RUNWAY

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(See RUNWAY IN USE/ACTIVE RUNWAY/DUTY RUNWAY.) 

PCG A

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