Pilot/Controller Glossary 

10/5/23 

FLIGHT INFORMATION SERVICE

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BROADCAST (FIS

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B)

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 A ground broadcast service provided through 

the ADS

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B Broadcast Services network over the UAT data link that operates on 978 MHz. The FIS

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B system 

provides pilots and flight crews of properly equipped aircraft with a cockpit display of certain aviation weather 

and aeronautical information. 
FLIGHT INSPECTION

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Inflight investigation and evaluation of a navigational aid to determine whether it 

meets established tolerances. 

(See FLIGHT CHECK.) 
(See NAVIGATIONAL AID.) 

FLIGHT LEVEL

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A level of constant atmospheric pressure related to a reference datum of 29.92 inches of 

mercury. Each is stated in three digits that represent hundreds of feet. For example, flight level (FL) 250 

represents a barometric altimeter indication of 25,000 feet; FL 255, an indication of 25,500 feet. 

(See ICAO term FLIGHT LEVEL.) 

FLIGHT LEVEL [ICAO]

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 A surface of constant atmospheric pressure which is related to a specific pressure 

datum, 1013.2 hPa (1013.2 mb), and is separated from other such surfaces by specific pressure intervals. 

Note 1: A pressure type altimeter calibrated in accordance with the standard atmosphere: 

a. 

When set to a QNH altimeter setting, will indicate altitude; 

b. 

When set to a QFE altimeter setting, will indicate height above the QFE reference datum; and 

c. 

When set to a pressure of 1013.2 hPa 

(1013.2 mb), may be used to indicate flight levels. 

Note 2: The terms ‘height’ and ‘altitude,’ used in Note 1 above, indicate altimetric rather than geometric heights 

and altitudes. 

FLIGHT LINE

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 A term used to describe the precise movement of a civil photogrammetric aircraft along a 

predetermined course(s) at a predetermined altitude during the actual photographic run. 
FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

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 A computer system that uses a large data base to allow routes to be 

preprogrammed and fed into the system by means of a data loader. The system is constantly updated with respect 

to position accuracy by reference to conventional navigation aids. The sophisticated program and its associated 

data base ensures that the most appropriate aids are automatically selected during the information update cycle. 
FLIGHT PATH

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 A line, course, or track along which an aircraft is flying or intended to be flown. 

(See COURSE.) 
(See TRACK.) 

FLIGHT PLAN

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 Specified information relating to the intended flight of an aircraft that is filed electronically, 

orally, or in writing with an FSS, third

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party vendor, or an ATC facility. 

(See FAST FILE.) 
(See FILED.) 
(Refer to AIM.) 

FLIGHT PLAN AREA (FPA)

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 The geographical area assigned to a flight service station (FSS) for the purpose 

of establishing primary responsibility for services that may include search and rescue for VFR aircraft, issuance 

of NOTAMs, pilot briefings, inflight services, broadcast services, emergency services, flight data processing, 

international operations, and aviation weather services.  Large consolidated FSS facilities may combine FPAs 

into larger areas of responsibility (AOR). 

(See FLIGHT SERVICE STATION.) 
(See TIE-IN FACILITY

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) 

FLIGHT RECORDER

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 A general term applied to any instrument or device that records information about the 

performance of an aircraft in flight or about conditions encountered in flight. Flight recorders may make records 

of airspeed, outside air temperature, vertical acceleration, engine RPM, manifold pressure, and other pertinent 

variables for a given flight. 

(See ICAO term FLIGHT RECORDER.) 

PCG F

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