Pilot/Controller Glossary 

12/2/21 

which identifies the beginning of the final approach 
segment. It is designated on Government charts by 
the Maltese Cross symbol for nonprecision 
approaches and the lightning bolt symbol, 
designating the PFAF, for precision approaches; or 
when ATC directs a lower-than-published 
glideslope/path or vertical path intercept altitude, it is 
the resultant actual point of the glideslope/path or 
vertical path intercept. 

(See FINAL APPROACH POINT.) 
(See GLIDESLOPE INTERCEPT ALTITUDE.) 
(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT 

APPROACH PROCEDURE.) 

FINAL APPROACH-IFR

−

 The flight path of an 

aircraft which is inbound to an airport on a final 
instrument approach course, beginning at the final 
approach fix or point and extending to the airport or 
the point where a circle-to-land maneuver or a missed 
approach is executed. 

(See FINAL APPROACH COURSE.) 
(See FINAL APPROACH FIX.) 
(See FINAL APPROACH POINT.) 
(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT 

APPROACH PROCEDURE.) 

(See ICAO term FINAL APPROACH.) 

FINAL APPROACH POINT

−

 The point, applicable 

only to a nonprecision approach with no depicted 
FAF (such as an on airport VOR), where the aircraft 
is established inbound on the final approach course 
from the procedure turn and where the final approach 
descent may be commenced. The FAP serves as the 
FAF and identifies the beginning of the final 
approach segment. 

(See FINAL APPROACH FIX.) 
(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT 

APPROACH PROCEDURE.) 

FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT

−

 

(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT 

APPROACH PROCEDURE.) 

FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT [ICAO]

−

 That 

segment of an instrument approach procedure in 
which alignment and descent for landing are 
accomplished. 

FINAL CONTROLLER

−

 The controller providing 

information and final approach guidance during PAR 
and ASR approaches utilizing radar equipment. 

(See RADAR APPROACH.) 

FINAL GUARD SERVICE

−

 A value added service 

provided in conjunction with LAA/RAA only during 
periods of significant and fast changing weather 
conditions that may affect landing and takeoff 
operations. 

FINAL MONITOR AID

−

 A high resolution color 

display that is equipped with the controller alert 
system hardware/software used to monitor the no 
transgression zone (NTZ) during simultaneous 
parallel approach operations. The display includes 
alert algorithms providing the target predictors, a 
color change alert when a target penetrates or is 
predicted to penetrate the no transgression zone 
(NTZ), synthesized voice alerts, and digital mapping. 

(See RADAR APPROACH.) 

FINAL MONITOR CONTROLLER

−

 Air Traffic 

Control Specialist assigned to radar monitor the 
flight path of aircraft during simultaneous parallel 
(approach courses spaced less than 9000 feet/9200 
feet above 5000 feet) and simultaneous close parallel 
approach operations. Each runway is assigned a final 
monitor controller during simultaneous parallel and 
simultaneous close parallel ILS approaches. 

FIR

−

 

(See FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION.) 

FIRST TIER CENTER

−

 An ARTCC immediately 

adjacent to the impacted center. 

FIS

−

B

−

 

(See FLIGHT INFORMATION 

SERVICE

−

BROADCAST.) 

FIX

−

 A geographical position determined by visual 

reference to the surface, by reference to one or more 
radio NAVAIDs, by celestial plotting, or by another 
navigational device. 

FIX BALANCING

−

 A process whereby aircraft are 

evenly distributed over several available arrival fixes 
reducing delays and controller workload. 

FLAG

−

 A warning device incorporated in certain 

airborne navigation and flight instruments indicating 
that: 

a. 

Instruments are inoperative or otherwise not 

operating satisfactorily, or 

b. 

Signal strength or quality of the received signal 

falls below acceptable values. 

FLAG ALARM

−

 

(See FLAG.) 

PCG F

−

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