5/19/22 

Pilot/Controller Glossary 

AERODROME CONTROL SERVICE [ICAO]

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 Air 

traffic control service for aerodrome traffic. 

AERODROME CONTROL TOWER [ICAO]

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 A 

unit established to provide air traffic control service 
to aerodrome traffic. 

AERODROME ELEVATION [ICAO]

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 The eleva-

tion of the highest point of the landing area. 

AERODROME TRAFFIC CIRCUIT [ICAO]

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 The 

specified path to be flown by aircraft operating in the 
vicinity of an aerodrome. 

AERONAUTICAL BEACON

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 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

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 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)

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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)

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Depict Class B airspace which provides for the 
control or segregation of all the aircraft within Class 
B airspace. The chart depicts topographic informa-
tion 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

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 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, perma-

nent SUA, and related data. Area charts, which are a 
part of this series, furnish terminal data at a larger 
scale in congested areas. 

d. 

En Route High Altitude Charts

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 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

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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

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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

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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

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 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]

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 A representa-

tion of a portion of the earth, its culture and relief, 
specifically designated to meet the requirements of 
air navigation. 

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION MANUAL 
(AIM)

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 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 instruc-
tional information concerning health, medical facts, 

PCG A

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