Pilot/Controller Glossary 

12/2/21 

STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH IFR

−

 An instrument 

approach wherein final approach is begun without 
first having executed a procedure turn, not 
necessarily completed with a straight-in landing or 
made to straight-in landing minimums. 

(See LANDING MINIMUMS.) 
(See STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH VFR.) 
(See STRAIGHT-IN LANDING.) 

STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH VFR

−

 Entry into the 

traffic pattern by interception of the extended runway 
centerline (final approach course) without executing 
any other portion of the traffic pattern. 

(See TRAFFIC PATTERN.) 

STRAIGHT-IN LANDING

−

 A landing made on a 

runway aligned within 30

 of the final approach 

course following completion of an instrument 
approach. 

(See STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH IFR.) 

STRAIGHT-IN LANDING MINIMUMS

−

 

(See LANDING MINIMUMS.) 

STRAIGHT-IN MINIMUMS

−

 

(See STRAIGHT-IN LANDING MINIMUMS.) 

STRATEGIC PLANNING

−

 Planning whereby 

solutions are sought to resolve potential conflicts. 

sUAS

−

 

(See SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT 

SYSTEM.) 

SUBSTITUTE ROUTE

−

 A route assigned to pilots 

when any part of an airway or route is unusable 
because of NAVAID status. These routes consist of: 

a. 

Substitute routes which are shown on U.S. 

Government charts. 

b. 

Routes defined by ATC as specific NAVAID 

radials or courses. 

c. 

Routes defined by ATC as direct to or between 

NAVAIDs. 

SUNSET AND SUNRISE

−

 The mean solar times of 

sunset and sunrise as published in the Nautical 
Almanac, converted to local standard time for the 
locality concerned. Within Alaska, the end of evening 
civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil 
twilight, as defined for each locality. 

SUPPLEMENTAL WEATHER SERVICE LOCA-
TION

−

 Airport facilities staffed with contract 

personnel who take weather observations and 
provide current local weather to pilots via telephone 

or radio. (All other services are provided by the parent 
FSS.) 

SUPPS

−

 Refers to ICAO Document 7030 Regional 

Supplementary Procedures. SUPPS contain 
procedures for each ICAO Region which are unique 
to that Region and are not covered in the worldwide 
provisions identified in the ICAO Air Navigation 
Plan. Procedures contained in Chapter 8 are based in 
part on those published in SUPPS. 

SURFACE AREA

−

 The airspace contained by the 

lateral boundary of the Class B, C, D, or E airspace 
designated for an airport that begins at the surface and 
extends upward. 

SURFACE METERING PROGRAM

−

 A capability 

within Terminal Flight Data Manager that provides 
the user with the ability to tactically manage surface 
traffic flows through adjusting desired minimum and 
maximum departure queue lengths to balance surface 
demand with capacity. When a demand/capacity 
imbalance for a surface resource is predicted, a 
metering procedure is recommended. 

SURFACE VIEWER

−

 A capability within the 

Traffic Flow Management System that provides 
situational awareness for a user

−

selected airport. The 

Surface Viewer displays a top

−

down view of an 

airport depicting runways, taxiways, gate areas, 
ramps, and buildings. The display also includes icons 
representing aircraft and vehicles currently on the 
surface, with identifying information. In addition, the 
display includes current airport configuration 
information such as departure/arrival runways and 
airport departure/arrival rates. 

SURPIC

−

 A description of surface vessels in the area 

of a Search and Rescue incident including their 
predicted positions and their characteristics. 

(Refer to FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 10

−

6

−

4, 

INFLIGHT CONTINGENCIES.) 

SURVEILLANCE APPROACH

−

 An instrument 

approach wherein the air traffic controller issues 
instructions, for pilot compliance, based on aircraft 
position in relation to the final approach course 
(azimuth), and the distance (range) from the end of 
the runway as displayed on the controller’s radar 
scope. The controller will provide recommended 
altitudes on final approach if requested by the pilot. 

(Refer to AIM.) 

SUSPICIOUS UAS– Suspicious UAS operations 
may include operating without authorization, 

PCG S

−

9