Pilot/Controller Glossary 

3/21/24 

e. 

INVALID NON

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ALERT

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 A situation in which the Safety Logic System did not issue an alert when an alert 

was required, based upon the design specifications and Safety Logic parameters. 
SAIL BACK

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 A maneuver during high wind conditions (usually with power off) where float plane movement 

is controlled by water rudders/opening and closing cabin doors. 
SAME DIRECTION AIRCRAFT

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 Aircraft are operating in the same direction when: 

a. 

They are following the same track in the same direction; or 

b. 

Their tracks are parallel and the aircraft are flying in the same direction; or 

c. 

Their tracks intersect at an angle of less than 45 degrees. 

SAR

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(See SEARCH AND RESCUE.

) 

SATELLITE

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BASED AUGMENTATION SYSTEM (SBAS) 

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 A wide coverage augmentation system in which 

the user receives augmentation information from a satellite

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based transmitter. 

(See WIDE

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AREA AUGMENTATION SYSTEM (WAAS.) 

SAW– 

(See AVIATION WATCH NOTIFICATION MESSAGE.) 

SAY AGAIN

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Used to request a repeat of the last transmission. Usually specifies transmission or portion thereof 

not understood or received; e.g., “Say again all after ABRAM VOR.” 

SAY ALTITUDE

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Used by ATC to ascertain an aircraft’s specific altitude/flight level. When the aircraft is 

climbing or descending, the pilot should state the indicated altitude rounded to the nearest 100 feet. 

SAY HEADING

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Used by ATC to request an aircraft heading. The pilot should state the actual heading of the 

aircraft. 
SCHEDULED TIME OF ARRIVAL (STA)

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A STA is the desired time that an aircraft should cross a certain 

point (landing or metering fix). It takes other traffic and airspace configuration into account. A STA time shows 

the results of the TBFM scheduler that has calculated an arrival time according to parameters such as optimized 

spacing, aircraft performance, and weather. 
SDF

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(See SIMPLIFIED DIRECTIONAL FACILITY.) 

SE SAR

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(See SURVEILLANCE ENHANCED SEARCH AND RESCUE.) 

SEA LANE

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 A designated portion of water outlined by visual surface markers for and intended to be used by 

aircraft designed to operate on water. 
SEARCH AND RESCUE

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 A service which seeks missing aircraft and assists those found to be in need of 

assistance. It is a cooperative effort using the facilities and services of available Federal, state and local agencies. 

The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for coordination of search and rescue for the Maritime Region, and the U.S. 

Air Force is responsible for search and rescue for the Inland Region. Information pertinent to search and rescue 

should be passed through any air traffic facility or be transmitted directly to the Rescue Coordination Center by 

telephone. 

(See FLIGHT SERVICE STATION.) 
(See RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER.) 
(Refer to AIM.) 

SEARCH AND RESCUE FACILITY

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 A facility responsible for maintaining and operating a search and rescue 

(SAR) service to render aid to persons and property in distress. It is any SAR unit, station, NET, or other 

operational activity which can be usefully employed during an SAR Mission; e.g., a Civil Air Patrol Wing, or 

a Coast Guard Station. 

(See SEARCH AND RESCUE.) 

PCG S

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