Pilot/Controller Glossary 

10/5/23 

SELF

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BRIEFING

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 A self

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briefing is a review, using automated tools, of all meteorological and aeronautical 

information that may influence the pilot in planning, altering, or canceling a proposed route of flight. 
SENSE AND AVOID (SAA) 

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 The capability of an unmanned aircraft to detect (sense) and avoid collisions 

with other aircraft and all obstacles, whether airborne or on the ground while operating in the NAS. 
SEPARATION

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 In air traffic control, the spacing of aircraft to achieve their safe and orderly movement in flight 

and while landing and taking off. 

(See SEPARATION MINIMA.) 
(See ICAO term SEPARATION.) 

SEPARATION [ICAO]

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 Spacing between aircraft, levels or tracks. 

SEPARATION MINIMA

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 The minimum longitudinal, lateral, or vertical distances by which aircraft are spaced 

through the application of air traffic control procedures. 

(See SEPARATION.) 

SERVICE

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 A generic term that designates functions or assistance available from or rendered by air traffic 

control. For example, Class C service would denote the ATC services provided within a Class C airspace area. 
SEVERE WEATHER AVOIDANCE PLAN (SWAP)

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 An approved plan to minimize the affect of severe 

weather on traffic flows in impacted terminal and/or ARTCC areas. A SWAP is normally implemented to provide 

the least disruption to the ATC system when flight through portions of airspace is difficult or impossible due 

to severe weather. 
SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST ALERTS

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 Preliminary messages issued in order to alert users that a Severe 

Weather Watch Bulletin (WW) is being issued. These messages define areas of possible severe thunderstorms 

or tornado activity. The messages are unscheduled and issued as required by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) 

at Norman, Oklahoma. 

(See AIRMET.) 
(See CONVECTIVE SIGMET.) 
(See CWA.) 
(See GRAPHICAL AIRMEN’S METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION.) 
(See SIGMET.) 

SFA

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(See SINGLE FREQUENCY APPROACH.) 

SFO

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(See SIMULATED FLAMEOUT.) 

SGI 

(See SPECIAL GOVERNMENT INTEREST.) 

SHF

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(See SUPER HIGH FREQUENCY.) 

SHORT RANGE CLEARANCE

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 A clearance issued to a departing IFR flight which authorizes IFR flight to 

a specific fix short of the destination while air traffic control facilities are coordinating and obtaining the 

complete clearance. 
SHORT TAKEOFF AND LANDING AIRCRAFT (STOL)

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 An aircraft which, at some weight within its 

approved operating weight, is capable of operating from a runway in compliance with the applicable STOL 

characteristics, airworthiness, operations, noise, and pollution standards. 

(See VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING AIRCRAFT.) 

SIAP

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(See STANDARD INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE.) 

SID

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(See STANDARD INSTRUMENT DEPARTURE.) 

PCG S

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