6/17/21 

Pilot/Controller Glossary 

F 

FAF

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(See FINAL APPROACH FIX.) 

FALLEN HERO– Remains of fallen members of the 
United States military are often returned home by 
aircraft. These flights may be identified with the 
phrase “FALLEN HERO” added to the remarks 
section of the flight plan, or they may be transmitted 
via air/ground communications. If able, these flights 
will receive priority handling. 

FAST FILE

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 An FSS system whereby a pilot files a 

flight plan via telephone that is recorded and later 
transcribed for transmission to the appropriate air 
traffic facility.  (Alaska only.) 

FAWP

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 Final Approach Waypoint 

FCLT

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(See FREEZE CALCULATED LANDING TIME.) 

FEATHERED PROPELLER

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 A propeller whose 

blades have been rotated so that the leading and 
trailing edges are nearly parallel with the aircraft 
flight path to stop or minimize drag and engine 
rotation. Normally used to indicate shutdown of a 
reciprocating or turboprop engine due to malfunc-
tion. 

FEDERAL AIRWAYS

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(See LOW ALTITUDE AIRWAY STRUCTURE.) 

FEEDER FIX

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 The fix depicted on Instrument 

Approach Procedure Charts which establishes the 
starting point of the feeder route. 

FEEDER ROUTE

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 A route depicted on instrument 

approach procedure charts to designate routes for 
aircraft to proceed from the en route structure to the 
initial approach fix (IAF). 

(See INSTRUMENT APPROACH 

PROCEDURE.) 

FERRY FLIGHT

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 A flight for the purpose of: 

a. 

Returning an aircraft to base. 

b. 

Delivering an aircraft from one location to 

another. 

c. 

Moving an aircraft to and from a maintenance 

base. Ferry flights, under certain conditions, may be 
conducted under terms of a special flight permit. 

FIELD ELEVATION

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(See AIRPORT ELEVATION.) 

FILED

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 Normally used in conjunction with flight 

plans, meaning a flight plan has been submitted to 
ATC. 

FILED EN ROUTE DELAY

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 Any of the following 

preplanned delays at points/areas along the route of 
flight which require special flight plan filing and 
handling techniques. 

a. 

Terminal Area Delay. A delay within a terminal 

area for touch-and-go, low approach, or other 
terminal area activity. 

b. 

Special Use Airspace Delay. A delay within a 

Military Operations Area, Restricted Area, Warning 
Area, or ATC Assigned Airspace. 

c. 

Aerial Refueling Delay. A delay within an 

Aerial Refueling Track or Anchor. 

FILED FLIGHT PLAN

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 The flight plan as filed with 

an ATS unit by the pilot or his/her designated 
representative without any subsequent changes or 
clearances. 

FINAL

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 Commonly used to mean that an aircraft is 

on the final approach course or is aligned with a 
landing area. 

(See FINAL APPROACH COURSE.) 
(See FINAL APPROACH-IFR.) 
(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT 

APPROACH PROCEDURE.) 

FINAL APPROACH [ICAO]

−

 That part of an 

instrument approach procedure which commences at 
the specified final approach fix or point, or where 
such a fix or point is not specified. 

a. 

At the end of the last procedure turn, base turn 

or inbound turn of a racetrack procedure, if specified; 
or 

b. 

At the point of interception of the last track 

specified in the approach procedure; and ends at a 
point in the vicinity of an aerodrome from which: 

1. 

A landing can be made; or 

2. 

A missed approach procedure is initiated. 

FINAL APPROACH COURSE

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 A bearing/radial/ 

track of an instrument approach leading to a runway 
or an extended runway centerline all without regard 
to distance. 

PCG F

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