Pilot/Controller Glossary

AERONAUTICAL BEACON- A visual NAVAID displaying flashes of white and/or colored light to indicate
the location of an airport, a heliport, a landmark, a certain point of a Federal airway in mountainous terrain, or
an obstruction.
(See AIRPORT ROTATING BEACON.)
(Refer to AIM.)

AERONAUTICAL CHART- A map used in air navigation containing all or part of the following: topographic
features, hazards and obstructions, navigation aids, navigation routes, designated airspace, and airports.
Commonly used aeronautical charts are:
a. Sectional Aeronautical Charts (1:500,000)- Designed for visual navigation of slow or medium speed
aircraft. Topographic information on these charts features the portrayal of relief and a judicious selection of
visual check points for VFR flight. Aeronautical information includes visual and radio aids to navigation,
airports, controlled airspace, permanent special use airspace (SUA), obstructions, and related data.
b. VFR Terminal Area Charts (1:250,000)- Depict Class B airspace which provides for the control or
segregation of all the aircraft within Class B airspace. The chart depicts topographic information and aeronautical
information which includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, permanent SUA,
obstructions, and related data.
c. En Route Low Altitude Charts- Provide aeronautical information for en route instrument navigation (IFR)
in the low altitude stratum. Information includes the portrayal of airways, limits of controlled airspace, position
identification and frequencies of radio aids, selected airports, minimum en route and minimum obstruction
clearance altitudes, airway distances, reporting points, permanent SUA, and related data. Area charts, which are
a part of this series, furnish terminal datt a larger scale in congested areas.
d. En Route High Altitude Charts- Provide aeronautical information for en route instrument navigation (IFR)
in the high altitude stratum. Information includes the portrayal of jet routes, identification and frequencies of
radio aids, selected airports, distances, time zones, special use airspace, and related information.
e. Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) Charts- Portray the aeronautical data which is required to execute
an instrument approach to an airport. These charts depict the procedures, including all related data, and the airport
diagram. Each procedure is designated for use with a specific type of electronic navigation system including
NDB, TACAN, VOR, ILS RNAV and GLS. These charts are identified by the type of navigational
aid(s)/equipment required to provide final approach guidance.
f. Instrument Departure Procedure (DP) Charts- Designed to expedite clearance delivery and to facilitate
transition between takeoff and en route operations. Each DP is presented as a separate chart and may serve a
single airport or more than one airport in a given geographical location.
g. Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) Charts- Designed to expedite air traffic control arrival procedures and
to facilitate transition between en route and instrument approach operations. Each STAR procedure is presented
as a separate chart and may serve a single airport or more than one airport in a given geographical location.
h. Airport Taxi Charts- Designed to expedite the efficient and safe flow of ground traffic at an airport. These
charts are identified by the official airport name; e.g., Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
(See ICAO term AERONAUTICAL CHART.)

AERONAUTICAL CHART [ICAO]- A representation of a portion of the earth, its culture and relief,
specifically designated to meet the requirements of air navigation.
AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION MANUAL (AIM)- A primary FAA publication whose purpose is to
instruct airmen about operating in the National Airspace System of the U.S. It provides basic flight information,
ATC Procedures and general instructional information concerning health, medical facts, factors affecting flight
safety, accident and hazard reporting, and types of aeronautical charts and their use.
AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION PUBLICATION (AIP) [ICAO]- A publication issued by or with the
authority of a State and containing aeronautical information of a lasting character essential to air navigation.
(See CHART SUPPLEMENT U.S.)

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES (AIS)- A facility in Silver Spring, MD, established by FAA
to operate a central aeronautical information service for the collection, validation, and dissemination of