3/21/24 

Pilot/Controller Glossary 

SPOOFING

−

 Denotes emissions of GNSS

−

like signals that may be acquired and tracked in combination with 

or instead of the intended signals by civil receivers. The onset of spoofing effects can be instantaneous or delayed, 

and effects can persist after the spoofing has ended.  Spoofing can result in false and potentially confusing, or 

hazardously misleading, position, navigation, and/or date/time information in addition to loss of GNSS use. 

SQUAWK (Mode, Code, Function)

−

 

Used by ATC to instruct a pilot to activate the aircraft transponder and 

ADS

−

B Out with altitude reporting enabled, or (military) to activate only specific modes, codes, or functions. 

Examples: “Squawk five seven zero seven;” “Squawk three/alpha, two one zero five.” 

(See TRANSPONDER.) 

STA

−

 

(See SCHEDULED TIME OF ARRIVAL.) 

STAGING/QUEUING

−

 The placement, integration, and segregation of departure aircraft in designated 

movement areas of an airport by departure fix, EDCT, and/or restriction. 

STAND BY

−

 

Means the controller or pilot must pause for a few seconds, usually to attend to other duties of a 

higher priority. Also means to wait as in “stand by for clearance.” The caller should reestablish contact if a delay 

is lengthy. “Stand by” is not an approval or denial. 
STANDARD INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE (SIAP)

−

 

(See INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE.) 

STANDARD INSTRUMENT DEPARTURE (SID)

−

 

A preplanned instrument flight rule (IFR) air traffic control 

(ATC) departure procedure printed for pilot/controller use in graphic form to provide obstacle clearance and a 

transition from the terminal area to the appropriate en route structure. SIDs are primarily designed for system 

enhancement to expedite traffic flow and to reduce pilot/controller workload. ATC clearance must always be 

received prior to flying a SID. 

(See IFR TAKEOFF MINIMUMS AND DEPARTURE PROCEDURES.) 
(See OBSTACLE DEPARTURE PROCEDURE.) 
(Refer to AIM.) 

STANDARD RATE TURN

−

 A turn of three degrees per second. 

STANDARD TERMINAL ARRIVAL (STAR)

−

 A preplanned instrument flight rule (IFR) air traffic control 

arrival procedure published for pilot use in graphic and/or textual form. STARs provide transition from the en 

route structure to an outer fix or an instrument approach fix/arrival waypoint in the terminal area. 
STANDARD TERMINAL ARRIVAL CHARTS

−

 

(See AERONAUTICAL CHART.) 

STANDARD TERMINAL AUTOMATION REPLACEMENT SYSTEM (STARS)

−

 

(See DTAS.) 

STAR

−

 

(See STANDARD TERMINAL ARRIVAL.) 

STATE AIRCRAFT

−

 

Aircraft used in military, customs and police service, in the exclusive service of any 

government or of any political subdivision thereof, including the government of any state, territory, or possession 

of the United States or the District of Columbia, but not including any government-owned aircraft engaged in 

carrying persons or property for commercial purposes. 
STATIC RESTRICTIONS

−

 Those restrictions that are usually not subject to change, fixed, in place, and/or 

published. 
STATIONARY AIRSPACE RESERVATION

−

 

The term used in oceanic ATC for airspace that encompasses 

activities in a fixed volume of airspace to be occupied for a specified time period. Stationary Airspace 

Reservations may include activities such as special tests of weapons systems or equipment; certain U.S. Navy 

carrier, fleet, and anti

−

submarine operations; rocket, missile, and drone operations; and certain aerial refueling 

or similar operations. 

(See STATIONARY ALTITUDE RESERVATION.) 

PCG S

−

9