Pilot/Controller Glossary
5/19/22
AIRPORT DEPARTURE RATE (ADR)
−
A dynamic
parameter specifying the number of aircraft which
can depart an airport and the airspace can accept per
hour.
AIRPORT ELEVATION
−
The highest point of an
airport’s usable runways measured in feet from mean
sea level.
(See TOUCHDOWN ZONE ELEVATION.)
(See ICAO term AERODROME ELEVATION.)
AIRPORT LIGHTING
−
Various lighting aids that
may be installed on an airport. Types of airport
lighting include:
a.
Approach Light System (ALS)
−
An airport
lighting facility which provides visual guidance to
landing aircraft by radiating light beams in a
directional pattern by which the pilot aligns the
aircraft with the extended centerline of the runway on
his/her final approach for landing. Condenser-
Discharge Sequential Flashing Lights/Sequenced
Flashing Lights may be installed in conjunction with
the ALS at some airports. Types of Approach Light
Systems are:
1.
ALSF-1
−
Approach Light System with
Sequenced Flashing Lights in ILS Cat-I configura-
tion.
2.
ALSF-2
−
Approach Light System with
Sequenced Flashing Lights in ILS Cat-II configura-
tion. The ALSF-2 may operate as an SSALR when
weather conditions permit.
3.
SSALF
−
Simplified Short Approach Light
System with Sequenced Flashing Lights.
4.
SSALR
−
Simplified Short Approach Light
System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights.
5.
MALSF
−
Medium Intensity Approach Light
System with Sequenced Flashing Lights.
6.
MALSR
−
Medium Intensity Approach Light
System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights.
7.
RLLS
−
Runway Lead-in Light System
Consists of one or more series of flashing lights
installed at or near ground level that provides positive
visual guidance along an approach path, either
curving or straight, where special problems exist with
hazardous terrain, obstructions, or noise abatement
procedures.
8.
RAIL
−
Runway Alignment Indicator Lights
−
Sequenced Flashing Lights which are installed only
in combination with other light systems.
9.
ODALS
−
Omnidirectional Approach Light-
ing System consists of seven omnidirectional
flashing lights located in the approach area of a
nonprecision runway. Five lights are located on the
runway centerline extended with the first light
located 300 feet from the threshold and extending at
equal intervals up to 1,500 feet from the threshold.
The other two lights are located, one on each side of
the runway threshold, at a lateral distance of 40 feet
from the runway edge, or 75 feet from the runway
edge when installed on a runway equipped with a
VASI.
(Refer to FAA Order JO 6850.2, VISUAL
GUIDANCE LIGHTING SYSTEMS.)
b.
Runway Lights/Runway Edge Lights
−
Lights
having a prescribed angle of emission used to define
the lateral limits of a runway. Runway lights are
uniformly spaced at intervals of approximately 200
feet, and the intensity may be controlled or preset.
c.
Touchdown Zone Lighting
−
Two rows of
transverse light bars located symmetrically about the
runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The
basic system extends 3,000 feet along the runway.
d.
Runway Centerline Lighting
−
Flush centerline
lights spaced at 50-foot intervals beginning 75 feet
from the landing threshold and extending to within 75
feet of the opposite end of the runway.
e.
Threshold Lights
−
Fixed green lights arranged
symmetrically left and right of the runway centerline,
identifying the runway threshold.
f.
Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)
−
Two
synchronized flashing lights, one on each side of the
runway threshold, which provide rapid and positive
identification of the approach end of a particular
runway.
g.
Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI)
−
An
airport lighting facility providing vertical visual
approach slope guidance to aircraft during approach
to landing by radiating a directional pattern of high
intensity red and white focused light beams which
indicate to the pilot that he/she is “on path” if he/she
sees red/white, “above path” if white/white, and
“below path” if red/red. Some airports serving large
aircraft have three-bar VASIs which provide two
visual glide paths to the same runway.
h.
Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)
−
An
airport lighting facility, similar to VASI, providing
vertical approach slope guidance to aircraft during
approach to landing. PAPIs consist of a single row of
either two or four lights, normally installed on the left
PCG A
−
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