### GEN 2.2 Abbreviations used in AIS publications

The abbreviations used in this AIP and in the general dissemination of information are extracted from ICAO Doc 8400. Abbreviations which differ from the ICAO abbreviations are shown with an asterisk (*).
(+) - When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words
(++) - When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form
(#) - Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only

A - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
A | Amber
AAA | (or AAB, AAC...etc., in sequence) Amended meteorological message (message type designator)
A/A | Air-to-air
AAD | Assigned altitude deviation
AAR | Air to air refuelling
AAIM | Aircraft autonomous integrity monitoring
AAE | Arresting Gear
AAL | Above aerodrome level
AAR | Air-to-Air Refuelling
ABC | Advance Booking Charter Flight
ABI | Advance boundary information
ABM | Abeam
ABN | Aerodrome beacon
ABT | About
ABV | Above
AC | Altocumulus
ACARS | (to be pronounced “AY-CARS”) Aircraft communication addressing and Reporting system(+)
ACAS | Airborne collision avoidance system
ACC | Area control centre or area control(++)
ACCID | Notification of an aircraft accident
ACFT | Aircraft
ACK | Acknowledge
ACL | Altimeter check location
ACN | Aircraft classification number
ACP | Acceptance (message type designator)
ACPT | Accept or accepted
ACT | Active or activated or activity
AD | Aerodrome
ADA | Advisory area
ADC | Aerodrome chart
ADDN | Addition or additional
ADEP | Airport of Departure
ADES | Airport of Destination
ADEXP | ATS Data Exchange Presentation
ADF | Automatic direction-finding equipment(++)
ADIZ | (to be pronounced “AY-DIZ”) Air defence identification zone(+)
ADJ | Adjacent
ADO | Aerodrome office (specify service)
ADR | Advisory route
ADS | The address (when this abbreviation is used to request a repetition, the question mark (IMI) precedes the abbreviation, e.g. IMI ADS) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
ADS-B | Automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast(++)
ADS-C | Automatic dependent surveillance - contract(++)
ADSU | Automatic dependent surveillance unit
ADVS | Advisory service
ADZ | Advise
AES | Aircraft earth station
AFIL | Flight plan filed in the air
AFIS | Aerodrome flight information service
AFM | Yes or affirm or affirmative or that is correct
AFS | Aeronautical fixed service
AFT | After... (time or place)
AFTN | Aeronautical fixed telecommunication network(++)
A/G | Air-to-ground
AGA | Aerodromes, air routes and ground aids
AGL | Above ground level
AGN | Again
AIC | Aeronautical information circular
AIDC | Air traffic services interfacility data communications
AIM | Aeronautical information management
AIM | ATFM Information Message
AIP | Aeronautical Information Publication
AIRAC | Aeronautical Information Regulation And Control
AIREP | Air-report(+)
AIRMET | Information concerning en-route weather phenomena which may affect the safety of low-level aircraft operations(+)
AIRPROX | Aircraft Proximity
AIS | Aeronautical Information Services
ALA | Alighting area
ALERFA | Alert phase(+)
ALR | Alerting (message type designator)
ALRS | Alerting service
ALS | Approach lighting system
ALSF | Approach Lighting System with Sequence Flashing Lights
ALT | Altitude
ALTN | Alternate or alternating (light alternates in colour)
ALTN | Alternate (aerodrome)
AMA | Area minimum altitude
AMC | Airspace Management Cell
AMD | Amend or amended (used to indicate amended meteorological message; message type designator)
AMDT | Amendment (AIP Amendment)
AMOS | Aerodrome Meteorological Observing System
AMS | Aeronautical mobile service
AMSL | Above mean sea level
AMSS | Aeronautical mobile satellite service
ANC | Aeronautical chart - 1:500 000 (followed by name/title)
ANCS | Aeronautical navigation chart - small scale (followed by name/title and scale)
ANM | ATFM Notification Message
ANP | Air Navigation Plan
ANS | Answer
AO | Aircraft Operator
AOC | Aerodrome obstacle chart (followed by type and name/title)
AP | Airport
APAPI | (to be pronounced “AY-PAPI”) Abbreviated precision approach path indicator(+)
APCH | Approach
APDC | Aircraft parking/docking chart (followed by name title)
APIS | Aircraft Parking and Information System
APN | Apron
APP | Approach control office or approach control or approach control service
APR | April
APRX | Approximate or approximately
APSG | After passing
APU | Auxiliary power unit
APV | Approach procedure with vertical guidance
ARC | Area chart
ARFOR | Area forecast (in aeronautical meteorological code)
ARNG | Arrange
ARO | Air traffic services reporting office
ARP | Aerodrome reference point
ARP | Air-report (message type designator)
ARQ | Automatic error correction
ARR | Arrival (message type designator)
ARR | Arrive or arrival
ARS | Special air-report (message type designator)
ARSA | Areas Requiring Special Attention
ARST | Arresting (specify (part of) aircraft arresting equipment)
ART | Article
AS | Altostratus
ASAP | As soon as possible
ASC | Ascend to or ascending to
ASDA | Accelerate-stop distance available
ASE | Altimetry system error
ASHTAM | Special series of NOTAM notifying, by means of a specific format, change in activity of a volcano, a volcanic eruption and/or volcanic ash cloud that is of significance to aircraft operations
ASPEEDG | Airspeed gain
ASPEEDL | Airspeed loss
ASPH | Asphalt
AT | At (followed by time at which weather change is forecast to occur)
ATA | Actual time of arrival(++)
ATC | Air traffic control (in general)(++)
ATCSMAC | Air traffic control surveillance minimum altitude chart (followed by name/title)
ATD | Actual time of departure(++)
ATFM | Air traffic flow management
ATIS | Automatic terminal information service(+)
ATM | Air traffic management
ATM | Automatic Teller Machine
ATN | Aeronautical telecommunication network
ATP | At... (time or place)
ATS | Air traffic services
ATTN | Attention
AT-VASIS | (to be pronounced “AY-TEE-VASIS”)(+) Abbreviated T visual approach slope indicator system
ATZ | Aerodrome traffic zone
AUG | August
AUP | Airspace use Plan
AUTH | Authorized or authorization
AUTO | Automatic
AUW | All up weight
AUX | Auxiliary
AVBL | Available or availability
AVG | Average
AVGAS | Aviation gasoline(+)
AWOS | Automated weather observation system
AWTA | Advise at what time able
AWY | Airway
AZM | Azimuth
B - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
B | Blue
BA | Braking action
BAK | Type of Arresting Gear
BARO-VNAV | Barometric vertical navigation (to be pronounced “BAA-RO-VEE-NAV“)(+)
BASE | Cloud base(+)
BCFG | Fog patches
BCN | Beacon (aeronautical ground light)
BCST | Broadcast
BCU | Bird Control Unit
BDRY | Boundary
BECMG | Becoming
BFR | Before
BIRDTAM | NOTAM Reporting Bird Hazard
BKN | Broken
BL | Blowing (followed by DU=dust, SA=sand or SN=snow)
BLDG | Building
BLO | Below clouds
BLW | Below...
BOMB | Bombing
BR | Mist
BRF | Short (used to indicate the type of approach desired or required)
BRG | Bearing
BRKG | Braking
B-RNAV | Basic Area Navigation
BS | Commercial broadcasting station
BTL | Between layers
BTN | Between
BUFR | Binary universal form for the representation of meteorological data
BYD | Beyond
C - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
C | Centre (runway identification)
C | Degrees Celsius (Centigrade)
C | Charts
CA | Course to an altitude
CAA | Civil aviation authority or civil aviation administration
CAR | Caribbean
CASA | Computer Assisted Slot Allocation
CAT | Category
CAT | Clear air turbulence
CAVOK | (to be pronounced “KAV-OH-KAY”) Visibility, cloud and present weather better than prescribed values or conditions(+)
CB | (to be pronounced “CEE BEE”) Cumulonimbus(++)
CBH | Cloud Base Height
CC | cirrocumulus
CCA | (or CCB, CCC... etc., in sequence) Corrected meteorological messages
CCO | Continuous climb operations
CD | Candela
CDN | Coordination (message type designator)
CDO | Continuous descent operations
CDR | Conditional Route
CEU | Central Executive Unit
CF | Change frequency to...
CF | Course to a fix
CFM | Confirm or I confirm (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
CGL | Circling guidance light(s)
CH | Channel
CH | This is a channel-continuity-check of transmission to permit comparison of your record of channel-sequence numbers of messages received on the channel (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)(#)
CHCK | Chocks
CHEM | Chemical
CHG | Modification (message type designator)
CI | Cirrus
CIDIN | Common ICAO data interchange network(+)
CIV | Civil
CK | Check
CL | Centre line
CLA | Clear type of ice formation
CLBR | Calibration
CLD | Cloud
CLD | Clearance Delivery
CLG | Calling
CLIMB-OUT | Climb-out area
CLR | Clear(s) or cleared to... or clearance
CLRD | Runway(s) cleared (used in METAR/SPECI)
CLSD | Close or closed or closing
CM | Centimetre
CMB | Climb to or climbing to
CMPL | Completion or completed or complete
CNL | Cancel or cancelled
CNL | Flight plan cancellation (message type designator)
CNS | Communications, navigation and surveillance
CODE | ICAO Aircraft Address in form alphanumerical of six hexadecimal characters
COFA | Air Force Operational Command
COM | Communications
CONC | Concrete
COND | Condition
CONS | Continuous
CONST | Construction or constructed
CONT | Continue(s) or continued
COOR | Coordinate or coordination
COORD | Coordinates
COP | Change-over point
COR | Correct or correction or corrected (used to indicate corrected meteorological message; message type designator)
COT | At the coast
COV | Cover or covered or covering
CPDLC | Controller-pilot data link communications(++)
CPL | Current flight plan (message type designator)
CR | Cross Sections
CRAM | Conditional Route Availability Message
CRC | Cyclic redundancy check
CRC | Control and Reporting Centre
CRM | Collision risk model
CRP | Compulsory reporting point
CRZ | Cruise
CS | Call sign
CS | Cirrostratus
CSF | Communication Support Facility
CTA | Control area
CTAM | Climb to and maintain
CTC | Contact
CTL | Control
CTN | Caution
CTOT | Calculated Take-off Time
CTR | Control zone
CU | Cumulus
CUF | Cumuliform
CUST | Customs
CVR | Cockpit voice recorder
CW | Continuous wave
CWY | Clearway
D - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
D | Downward (tendency in RVR during previous 10 minutes)
D | Danger area (followed by identification)
DA | Decision altitude
DAT | Data Link
D-ATIS | (to be pronounced “DEE-ATIS”) Data link automatic terminal information service(+)
DCD | Double channel duplex
DCKG | Docking
DCL | Clearance Delivery Service
DCP | Datum crossing point
DCPC | Direct controller-pilot communications
DCS | Double channel simplex
DCT | Direct (in relation to flight plan clearances and type of approach)
DE | From (used to precede the call sign of the calling station) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
DEC | December
DEG | Degrees
DEP | Depart or departure
DEP | Departure (message type designator)
DEPO | Deposition
DER | Departure End of the Runway
DES | Descend to or descending to
DEST | Destination
DETRESFA | Distress phase(+)
DEV | Deviation or deviating
DF | Direction finding
DFDR | Digital flight data recorder
DFTI | Distance from touchdown indicator
DGS | Docking Guidance System
DH | Decision height
DIF | Diffuse
DIST | Distance
DIV | Divert or diverting
DLA | Delay or delayed
DLA | Delay (message type designator)
DLIC | Data link initiation capability
DLY | Daily
DME | Distance measuring equipment(++)
DNG | Danger or dangerous
DOC | Document
DOF | Date of Flight
DOM | Domestic
DP | Dew point temperature
DPT | Depth
DR | Dead reckoning
DR | Low drifting (followed by DU=dust, SA=sand or SN=snow)
DRG | During
DS | Duststorm
DSB | Double sideband
DTAM | Descend to and maintain
DTG | Date-time group
DTHR | Displaced runway threshold
DTRT | Deteriorate or deteriorating
DTW | Dual tandem wheels
DU | Dust
DUC | Dense upper cloud
DUPE | This is a duplicate message (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)(#)
DUR | Duration
D-VOLMET | Data link VOLMET
DVOR | Doppler VOR
DVORTAC | DVOR and TACAN Combination
DW | Dual wheels
DZ | Drizzle
E - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
E | East or eastern longitude
eAIP | Electronic Aeronautical Information Publication
EAD | European AIS Database
EAT | Expected approach time
EB | Eastbound
EC | European Community
ECAC | European Civil Aviation Conference
EDA | Elevation differential area
EDTO | Extended diversion time operations
EEE | Error (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)(#)
EET | Estimated elapsed time
EFC | Expect further clearance
EFIS | (to be pronounced “EE-FIS”) Electronic flight instrument system(+)
EGNOS | (to be pronounced “EGG-NOS) European geostationary navigation overlay service(+)
EHF | Extremely high frequency (30 000 to 300 000 MHz)
EFIS | Electronic flight instrument system (to be pronounced “EE-FIS”)(+)
ELBA | Emergency location beacon - aircraft(+)
ELEV | Elevation
ELR | Extra long range
ELT | Emergency locator transmitter
EM | Emission
EMBD | Embedded in a layer (to indicate cumulonimbus embedded in layers of other clouds)
EMERG | Emergency
EN | English
END | Stop-end (related to RVR)
ENE | East-north-east
ENG | Engine
ENR | En route
ENRC | Enroute chart (followed by name/title)
EOBT | Estimated off-block time
EPNdB | Effective perceived noise in decibels
EQPT | Equipment
ESE | East-south-east
EST | Estimate or estimated or estimation (message type designator)
ETA | Estimated time of arrival or estimating arrival(++)
ETD | Estimated time of departure or estimating departure
ETFMS | Enhanced Tactical Flow Management System
ETO | Estimated time over significant point
ETOT | Estimated Take-off Time
EU | European Union
EUR | European Region
EUR RODEX | European regional OPMET data exchange
EV | Every
EVS | Enhanced vision system
EXC | Except
EXCL | Excluded
EXER | Exercises or exercising or to exercise
EXP | Expect or expected or expecting
EXT | Extension
EXTD | Extend or extending or extended
F - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
F | Fixed
FA | Course from a fix to an altitude
FAC | Facilities
FAF | Final approach fix
FAL | Facilitation of international air transport
FAM | Flight Activation Monitoring
FANS | Future Air Navigation Systems
FAP | Final approach point
FAS | Final approach segment
FATO | Final approach and take-off area
FAX | Facsimile transmission
FBL | Light (used to indicate the intensity of weather phenomena, interference or static reports, e.g. FBL RA = light rain)
FC | Funnel cloud (tornado or water spout)
FCST | Forecast
FCT | Friction coefficient
FDPS | Flight data processing system
FEB | February
FEW | Few
FFS | Fire Fighting Service
FG | Fog
FIC | Flight information centre
FIR | Flight information region(++)
FIS | Flight information service
FISA | Automated flight information service
FL | Flight level
FLD | Field
FLG | Flashing
FLR | Flares
FLS | Flight Suspension Message
FLT | Flight
FLTCK | Flight check
FLUC | Fluctuating or fluctuation or fluctuated
FLW | Follow(s) or following
FLY | Fly or flying
FM | Modulated Frequency
FM | From
FM | From (followed by time weather change is forecast to begin)
FM | Course from a fix to manual termination (used in navigation database coding)
FMC | Flight management computer
FMD | Former NM Flow Management Division
FMP | Flow Management Position
FMS | Flight management system(++)
FMU | Flow management unit
FNA | Final approach
FPAP | Flight path alignment point
FPL | Flight plan
FPM | Feet per minute
FPR | Flight plan route
FR | Fuel remaining
FRA | Free route airspace(*)
FREQ | Frequency
FRI | Friday
FRNG | Firing
FRONT | Front (relating to weather)(+)
FROST | Frost (used in aerodrome warnings)(+)
FRQ | Frequent
FSL | Full stop landing
FSS | Flight service station
FST | First
ft | Feet (dimensional unit)
FTE | Flight technical error
FTP | Fictitious threshold point
FTT | Flight technical tolerance
FU | Smoke
FZ | Freezing
FZDZ | Freezing drizzle
FZFG | Freezing fog
FZRA | Freezing rain
G - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
G | Green
G | Variations from the mean wind speed (gusts) (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI and TAF)
GA | General aviation
GA | Go ahead, resume sending (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
G/A | Ground-to-air
G/A/G | Ground-to-air and air-to-ground
GAGAN | GPS and geostationary earth orbit augmented navigation(+)
GAIN | Airspeed or headwind gain
GAMET | Area forecast for low-level flights
GARP | GBAS azimuth reference point
GBAS | (to be pronounced “GEE-BAS”) Ground-based augmentation system(+)
GAT | General Air Traffic
GCA | Ground controlled approach system or ground controlled approach(++)
GEN | General
GEO | Geographic or true
GES | Ground earth station
GLD | Glider
GLONASS | (to be pronounced “GLO-NAS”) Global orbiting navigation satellite system(++)
GLS | GBAS landing system (++)
GMC | Ground movement chart (followed by name/title)
GND | Ground
GNDCK | Ground check
GNSS | Global navigation satellite system(++)
GOV | Government
GP | Glide path
GPA | Glide path angle
GPIP | Glide path intercept point
GPS | Global positioning system(++)
GPU | Ground power unit
GPWS | Ground proximity warning system(++)
GR | Hail
GRASS | (to be pronounced “GRASS”) Ground-based regional augmentation system(+)
GRASS | Grass landing area
GRIB | Processed meteorological data in the form of grid point values expressed in binary form (in meteorological code)
GRVL | Gravel
GS | Ground speed
GS | Small hail and/or snow pellets
GUND | Geoid undulation
H - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
H | High pressure area or the centre of high pressure
H | Hour
H | Height
H... | Significant wave height (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI)
H24 | Continuous day and night service
HA | Holding/racetrack to an altitude
HAPI | Helicopter approach path indicator
HBN | Hazard beacon
HCH | Heliport crossing height
HDF | High frequency direction-finding station
HDG | Heading
HEL | Helicopter
HEMS | Hospital Emergency Medical Service
HF | High frequency [3 000 to 30 000 kHz](++)
HF | Holding/racetrack to a fix
HGT | Height or height above
HIRO | High Intensity Runway Operation
HJ | Sunrise to sunset
HLDG | Holding
HLP | Heliport
HLS | Heliport landing site
HM | Holding/racetrack to a manual termination
HN | Sunset to sunrise
HO | Service available to meet operational requirements
HOL | Holiday
HOSP | Hospital aircraft
HPA | Hectopascal
HQ | Headquarters
HR | Hours
HS | Service available during hours of scheduled operations
HT | High Tension
HTA | Helicopter Training Area
HUD | Head-up display
HUM | Humanitarian
HURCN | Hurricane
HVDF | High and very high frequency direction- finding stations (at the same location)
HVY | Heavy
HVY | Heavy (used to indicate the intensity of weather phenomena,e.g. HVY RA = heavy rain)
HX | No specific working hours
HYR | Higher
HZ | Haze
HZ | Hertz (cycle per second)
I - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
IAC | Instrument approach chart (followed by name/title)
IAF | Initial approach fix
IAO | In and out of clouds
IAP | Instrument approach procedure
IAR | Intersection of air routes
IAS | Indicated airspeed
IATA | International Air Transport Association
IBN | Identification beacon
ICAO | International Civil Aviation Organization
ICD | Interface Control Document
ICE | Icing
ID | Identifier or identify
IDENT | Identification(+)
IF | Intermediate approach fix
IFF | Identification friend/foe
IFPS | Integrated Initial Flight Plan Processing System
IFPU | Integrated Initial Flight Plan Processing Unit
IFPZ | IFPS Zone
IFR | Instrument flight rules(++)
IGA | International general aviation
ILS | Instrument landing system(++)
IM | Inner marker
IMC | Instrument meteorological conditions(++)
IMG | Immigration
IMI | Interrogation sign (question mark) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
IMPR | Improve or improving
IMT | Immediate or immediately
INA | Initial approach
INBD | Inbound
INC | In cloud
INCERFA | Uncertainty phase(+)
IND | Indicator
INCORP | Incorporated
INFO | Information(+)
INOP | Inoperative
INP | If not possible
INPR | In progress
INS | Inertial navigation system
INSTL | Install or installed or installation
INSTR | Instrument
INT | Intersection
INTL | International
INTRG | Interrogator
INTRP | Interrupt or interruption or interrupted
INTSF | Intensify or intensifying
INTST | Intensity
IR | Ice on runway
IRS | Inertial reference system
ISA | International standard atmosphere
ISB | Independent sideband
ISOL | Isolated
ITC | Inclusive Tour Charter Flight
J - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
JAA | Joint Aviation Authorities
JAN | January
JET | Jet
JTST | Jet stream
JUL | July
JUN | June
K - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
KG | Kilograms
KHZ | Kilohertz
KIAS | Knots indicated airspeed
KM | Kilometres
KMH | Kilometres per hour
KPA | Kilopascal
KT | Knots
KW | Kilowatts
L - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
L | Left (preceded by runway designation number to identify a parallel runway)
L | Litre
L | Locator
L | Low pressure area or the centre of low pressure
LAM | Logical acknowledgement (message type designator)
LAN | Inland
LAT | Latitude
LB | Pounds (Weight)
LCA | Local or locally or location or located
LCN | Load classification number
LDA | Landing distance available
LDAH | Landing distance available, helicopter
LDG | Landing
LDI | Landing direction indicator
LEN | Length
LF | Low frequency (30 to 300 KHz)
LGT | Light or lighting
LGTD | Lighted
LIH | Light intensity high
LIL | Light intensity low
LIM | Light intensity medium
LINE | Line (used in SIGMET)
LM | Locator, middle
LMT | Local mean time
LNAV | Lateral navigation (to be pronounced “EL-NAV”)(+)
LNG | Long (used to indicate the type of approach desired or required)
LO | Locator, outer
LOC | Localizer
LONG | Longitude
LORAN | LORAN (long range air navigation system)(+)
LOSS | Airspeed or headwind loss
LPV | Localizer performance with vertical guidance
LR | The last message received by me was... (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
LRG | Long range
LS | Last message sent by me, was...or Last message was... (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
LTA | Lower control area
LTD | Limited
LTP | Landing threshold point
LV | Light and variable (relating to wind)
LVE | Leave or leaving
LVL | Level
LVP | Low Visibility Procedures
LVO | Low Visibility Operation
LYR | Layer or layered
M - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
M | Mach number (followed by figures)
M | Metres (preceded by figures)
M | Minimum value of runway visual range (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI)
MAA | Maximum authorized altitude
MAG | Magnetic
MAHF | Missed approach holding fix
MAINT | Maintenance
MALS | Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System
MAP | Aeronautical maps and charts
MAPT | Missed approach point
MAR | At sea
MAR | March
MATF | Missed approach turning fix
MATZ | Military aerodrome traffic zone
MAX | Maximum
MAY | May
MBST | Microburst
MCA | Minimum crossing altitude
MCTA | Military control area
MCTR | Military control zone
MCW | Modulated continuous wave
MDA | Minimum descent altitude
MDF | Medium frequency direction-finding station
MDH | Minimum descent height
MEA | Minimum en-route altitude
MEDEVAC | Medical evacuation flight
MEHT | Minimum eye height over threshold (for visual approach slope indicator systems)
MET | Meteorological or meteorology(+)
METAR | Aerodrome routine meteorological report (in meteorological code)(+)
MET REPORT | Local routine meteorological report (in abbreviated plain language)
MF | Medium frequency (300 to 3 000 khz)
MHA | Minimum holding altitude
MHDF | Medium and high frequency direction-finding stations (at the same location)
MHVDF | Medium, high and very high frequency direction-finding stations (at the same location)
MHZ | Megahertz
MID | Mid-point (related to RVR)
MIFG | Shallow fog
MIL | Military
MIN | Minutes
MIPS | Military Instrument Procedures
MIS | Miscellaneous
MIS | Missing... (transmission identification) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
MKR | Marker radio beacon
MLS | Microwave landing system(++)
MM | Middle marker
MNM | Minimum
MNPS | Minimum navigation performance specifications
MNT | Monitor or monitoring or monitored
MNTN | Maintain
MOA | Military operating area
MOC | Minimum obstacle clearance (required)
MOCA | Minimum obstacle clearance altitude
MOD | Moderate (used to indicate the intensity of weather phenomena, interference or stactic reports, e.g. MODRA=moderate rain)
MON | Above mountains
MON | Monday
MOPS | Minimum operational performance standards(+)
MOTNE | Meteorological Operational Telecommunications Network Europe
MOV | Move or moving or movement
MPH | Statute Miles per Hour
MPS | Metres per second
MRA | Minimum reception altitude
MRG | Medium range
MRP | ATS/MET reporting point
MS | Minus
MSA | Minimum sector altitude
MSAS | (to be pronounced “EM-SAS”) Multi-functional transport satellite (MTSAT) satellite-based augmentation system(+)
MSAW | Minimum Safe Altitude Warning
MSG | Message
MSL | Mean sea level
MSR | Message... (transmission identification) has been misrouted (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)(#)
MSSR | Monopulse secondary surveillance radar
MT | Mountain
MTOM | Maximum take-off mass
MTOW | Maximum Take-off Weight
MTU | Metric units
MTW | Mountain waves
MVDF | Medium and very high frequency direction- finding stations (at the same location)
MWO | Meteorological watch office
MX | Mixed type of ice formation (white and clear)
N - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
N | No distinct tendency (in RVR during previous 10 minutes)
N | North or northern latitude
NADP | Noise abatement departure procedure
NASC | National AIS system centre(+)
NAT | North Atlantic
NATSPG | North Atlantic Systems Planning Group
NAV | Navigation
NAVAID | Navigation aid
NB | Northbound
NBFR | Not before
NC | No change
NCD | No cloud detected (used in automated METAR/SPECI)
NDB | Non-directional radio beacon(++)
NDV | No directional variations available (used in automated METAR/SPECI)
NE | North-east
NEB | North-eastbound
NEG | No or negative or permission not granted or that is not correct
NGT | Night
NIL | None or I have nothing to send to you(+)
NM | Network Manager
NM | Nautical miles
NML | Normal
NN | No name, unnamed
NNE | North-north-east
NNW | North-north-west
NO | No (negative) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
NOF | International NOTAM office
NONSTD | Non-standard
NOSIG | No significant change (used in trend-type landing forecasts)(+)
NOTAM | Notice distributed by means of telecommunication containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations(+)
NOTAMC | Cancelling NOTAM
NOTAMN | New NOTAM
NOTAMR | Replacing NOTAM
NOV | November
NOZ | Normal operating zone(++)
NPA | Non-precision approach
NR | Number
NRH | No reply heard
NS | Nimbostratus
NS | Non-schedule
NSC | Nil significant cloud
NSE | Navigation system error
NSW | Nil significant weather
NTL | National
NTZ | No transgression zone(++)
NVO | Normal Visibility Operations
NW | North-west
NWB | North-westbound
NXT | Next
O - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
OAC | Oceanic area control centre
OAS | Obstacle assessment surface
OBS | Observe or observed or observation
OBSC | Obscure or obscured or obscuring
OBST | Obstacle
OCA | Obstacle clearance altitude
OCA | Oceanic control area
OCC | Occulting (light)
OCH | Obstacle clearance height
OCL | Obstacle clearance limit
OCNL | Occasional or occasionally
OCS | Obstacle clearance surface
OCT | October
OFZ | Obstacle free zone
OGN | Originate (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
OHD | Overhead
OIS | Obstacle identification surface
OK | We agree or lt is correct (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
OLDI | On-line data interchange(+)
OM | Outer marker
OPA | Opaque, white type of ice formation
OPC | Control indicated is operational control
OPMET | Operational meteorological (information)(+)
OPN | Open or opening or opened
OPR | Operator or operate or operative or operating or operational
OPS | Operations(+)
OPSD | NM Operations Division
O/R | On request
ORD | Order
OSV | Ocean station vessel
OTLK | Outlook (used in SIGMET messages for volcanic ash and tropical cyclones)
OTP | On top
OTR | Other
OTS | Organized track system
OUBD | Outbound
OVC | Overcast
P - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
P | Prognostic upper air chart
P | Maximum value of wind speed or runway visual range (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI and TAF)
P | Prohibited area (followed by identification)
PA | Precision approach
PALS | Precision approach lighting system (specify category)
PANS | Procedures for air navigation services
PAPI | Precision approach path indicator(+)
PAR | Precision approach radar(++)
PARL | Parallel
PATC | Precision approach terrain chart (followed by name/title)
PAX | Passenger(s)
PBC | Performance-based communication
PBN | Performance-based navigation
PBS | Performance-based surveillance
PCD | Proceed or proceeding
PCL | Pilot-controlled lighting
PCN | Pavement classification number
PCT | Per cent
PDC | Pre-departure clearance(++)
PDG | Procedure design gradient
PDUS | Primary Data User Station
PER | Performance
PERM | Permanent
PIB | Pre-flight information bulletin
PJE | Parachute jumping exercise
PL | Ice pellets
PLA | Practice low approach
PLVL | Present level
PN | Prior notice required
PNR | Point of no return
PO | Dust/sand whirls (dust devils)
POB | Persons on board
POS | Position Report
POSS | Possible
PPI | Plan position indicator
PPR | Prior permission required
PPSN | Present position
PRFG | Aerodrome partially covered by fog
PRI | Primary
PRKG | Parking
PROB | Probability(+)
PROC | Procedure
PROP | Propeller
PROV | Provisional
PRP | Point-in-space reference point
PS | Plus
PSG | Passing
PSN | Position
PSP | Pierced steel plank
PSR | Primary surveillance radar(++)
PSYS | Pressure system(s)
PT | Portuguese
PTN | Procedure turn
PTS | Polar track structure
PWR | Power
Q - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
QDL | Do you intend to ask me for a series of bearings? or I intend to ask you for a series of bearings (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code)
QDM | Magnetic heading (zero wind)(++)
QDR | Magnetic bearing
QFE | Atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation (or at runway threshold)(++)
QFU | Magnetic orientation of runway
QGE | What is my distance to your station? or Your distance to my station is (distance figures and units) (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code)
QJH | Shall I run my test tape/a test sentence? or Run your test tape/a test sentence (to be used in AFS as a Q Code)
QNH | Altimeter sub-scale setting to obtain elevation when on the ground(++)
QSP | Will you relay to... free of charge? or I will relay to... free of charge (to be used in AFS as a Q Code)
QTA | Shall I cancel telegram number...? or Cancel telegram number... (to be used in AFS as a Q Code)
QTE | True bearing
QTF | Will you give me the position of my station according to the bearings taken by the D/F stations which you control? or The position of your station according to the bearings taken by the DIF stations that I control was... latitude... longitude (or other indication of position), class... at... hours (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code)
QUAD | Quadrant
QUJ | Will you indicate the TRUE track to reach you? or The TRUE track to reach me is... degrees at... hours (to be used in radiotelegraphy as a Q Code)
R - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
R | Right (Preceded by runway designation number to identify a parallel runway)
R | Rate of turn
R | Red
R | Restricted area (followed by identification)
R | Runway (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI
R | Right (runway identification)
R | Received (acknowledgement of receipt) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
R | Radial from VOR (followed by three figures)
RA | Rain
RA | Resolution advisory
RAC | Rules of the air and air traffic services
RAD | Route Availability Document
RADAR | Radio Detection and Ranging
RAFC | Regional area forecast centre
RAG | Ragged
RAG | Runway arresting gear
RALT | Route Alternative
RAI | Runway alignment indicator
RAIM | Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring(+)
RASC | Regional AIS system centre(+)
RASS | Remote altimeter setting source
RB | Rescue boat
RCA | Reach cruising altitude
RBK | Readback
RCA | Reach cruising altitude
RCC | Rescue coordination centre
RCF | Radiocommunication failure (message type designator)
RCH | Reach or reaching
RCL | Runway centre line
RCL | Oceanic clearance request
RCLL | Runway centre line light(s)
RCLR | Recleared
RCP | Required communication performance(++)
RDH | Reference datum height (for ILS)
RDL | Radial
RDO | Radio
RDOACT | Radioactive
RE | Recent (used to qualify weather phenomena, e.g. RERA = recent rain)
REA | Ready message
REC | Receive or receiver
REDL | Runway edge light(s)
REF | Reference to... or refer to...
REG | Registration
REJ | Rejected
RENL | Runway end light(s)
REP | Report or reporting or reporting point
REQ | Request or requested
REQ | Reclearance request
RERTE | Re-route
RESA | Runway end safety area
RESPBY | Respond by (Time out to give a response)
RET | Rapid exit taxiway
RETIL | Rapid exit taxiway indicator lights
RF | Constant radius arc to a fix
RFF | Rescue and fire fighting
RFFS | Rescue and fire fighting services
RFP | Replacement flight plan (related to ATFM)
RG | Range (lights)
RHC | Right-hand circuit
RIF | Reclearance in flight
RIME | Rime (used in aerodrome warnings)(+)
RL | Report leaving
RLA | Relay to
RLCE | Request level change en route
RLLS | Runway lead-in lighting system
RLNA | Request level not available
RLS | Report Level or Speed
RMK | Remark
RNAV | (to be pronounced “AR-NAV”) Area navigation(+)
RNG | Radio range
RNP | Required navigation performance(++)
ROBEX | Regional OPMET bulletin exchange (scheme)(+)
ROC | Rate of climb
ROD | Rate of descent
ROFOR | Route forecast (in aeronautical meteorological code)
RON | Receiving only
RPE | Reported Estimated
RPDS | Reference path data selector
RP | Recommended Practice
RPI | Radar position indicator(++)
RPL | Repetitive flight plan
RPLC | Replace or replaced
RPS | Radar position symbol
RPT | Repeat or I repeat (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)(+)
RQ | Request (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
RQMNTS | Requirements
RQP | Request flight plan (message type designator)
RQS | Request supplementary flight plan (message type designator)
RR | Report reaching
RRA | (or RRB, RRC... etc., in sequence) Delayed meteorological message (message type designator)
RRP | Rerouting proposal message
RSC | Rescue sub-centre
RSCD | Runway surface condition
RSP | Responder beacon
RSP | Required surveillance performance (++)
RSR | En-route surveillance radar
RSS | Root sum square
RTD | Delayed (used to indicate delayed meteorological message; message type designator)
RTE | Route
RTF | Radiotelephone
RTG | Radiotelegraph
RTHL | Runway threshold light(s)
RTN | Return or returned or returning
RTODAH | Rejected take-off distance available, helicopter
RTS | Return to service
RTT | Radioteletypewriter
RTZL | Runway touchdown zone light(s)
RUT | Standard regional route transmitting frequencies
RV | Rescue vessel
RVA | Radar vectoring area
RVR | Runway visual range(++)
RVSM | Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum [300 m (1000 ft) between FL290 and FL410] (++)
RWY | Runway
S - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
S | Seconds
S | South or southern latitude
S | State of the sea (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI)
S | Surface Analysis (Current Chart)
S | Schedule
SA | Sand
SALS | Simple approach lighting system
SAM | Slot Allocation Message
SAN | Sanitary
SAR | Search and rescue
SARPs | Standards and Recommended Practices [ICAO]
SAT | Saturday
SATCOM | Satellite communication(+)
SATVOICE | Satellite voice communication
SB | Southbound
SBAS | (to be pronounced “ESS-BAS”) Satellite-based augmentation system(+)
SC | Stratocumulus
SCT | Scattered
SD | Standard deviation
SDBY | Stand by
SDF | Step down fix
SE | South-east
SEA | Sea (used in connection with sea-surface temperature and state of the sea)
SEB | South-eastbound
SEC | Seconds
SEC | Special event charter flight
SECN | Section
SECT | Sector
SEL | Selcal Code
SELCAL | Selective calling system(+)
SEP | September
SER | Service or servicing or served
SEV | Severe (used e.g. to qualify icing and turbulence reports)
SFC | Surface
SG | Snow grains
SGL | Signal
SH | Shower (followed by RA = rain, SN = snow, PL = ice pellets, GR = hail, GS = small hail and/or snow pellets or combinations thereof e.g. SHRASN= showers of rain and snow)
SHF | Super high frequency (3 000 to 30 000 MHz)
SI | International system of units.
SID | Standard instrument departure(+)
SIF | Selective identification feature
SIG | Significant
SIGMET | Information concerning en-route weather and other phenomena in the atmosphere that may affect the safety of aircraft operations(+)
SIGWX | Significant weather
SIMUL | Simultaneous or simultaneously
SMA | Schedule movement advice
SIP | Slot improvement proposal message
SITA | Société Internationale des Telecommunications Aeronautiques
SIWL | Single isolated wheel load
SKC | Sky clear
SKED | Schedule or scheduled
SLC | Slot Cancellation Message
SLP | Speed limiting point
SLW | Slow
SMC | Surface movement control
SMR | Surface movement radar
SN | Snow
SNOCLO | Aerodrome closed due to snow (used in METAR/SPECI)
SNOWTAM | Special series NOTAM notifying the presence or removal of hazardous conditions due to snow, ice, slush or standing water associated with snow, slush and ice on the movement area, by means of a specific format(+)
SOC | Start of climb
SPA | Slot improvement proposal acceptance message
SPECI | Aerodrome special meteorological report (in meteorological code)
SPECIAL | Local special meteorological report (in abbreviated plain language)(+)
SPI | Special position indicator
SPL | Supplementary flight plan (message type designator)
SPOC | SAR point of contact
SPOT | Spot wind(+)
SQ | Squall
SQK | SSR Assignment
SQL | SquaIl line
SR | Sunrise
SRA | Surveillance radar approach
SRE | Surveillance radar element of precision approach radar system
SRG | Short range
SRJ | Slot Improvement Proposal Rejection Message
SRM | Slot Revision Message
SRR | Search and rescue region
SRY | Secondary
SS | Sandstorm
SS | Sunset
SSB | Single sideband
SSE | South-south-east
SSR | Secondary surveillance radar(++)
SST | Supersonic transport
SSW | South-south-west
ST | Stratus
STA | Straight-in approach
STAR | Standard instrument arrival(+)
STD | Standard
STF | Stratiform
STN | Station
STNR | Stationary
STOL | Short take-off and landing
STS | Status
STWL | Stopway light(s)
SUBJ | Subject to
SUN | Sunday
SUP | Supplement (AIP Supplement)
SUPPS | Regional supplementary procedures
SVC | Service (message type only)
SVCBL | Serviceable
SW | South-west
SWB | South-westbound
SWH | Significant weather high chart
SWM | Significant weather medium chart
SWY | Stopway
T - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
T | Temperature
T | True (preceded by a bearing to indicate reference to True North)
T | Telephone
T-VASIS | T Visual Approach Slope Indicator System
TA | Transition altitude
TA | Traffic advisory
TAA | Terminal arrival altitude
TA/H | Turn at an altitude/height
TACAN | UHF tactical air navigation aid(+)
TACT | NM Tactical
TAF | Aerodrome forecast (in meteorological code)(+)
TAIL | Tail wind(+)
TAR | Terminal area surveillance radar
TAS | True airspeed
TAX | Taxiing or taxi
TBN | To be notified
TC | Tropical cyclone
TCAC | Tropical cyclone advisory centre
TCAS RA | Traffic alert and collision avoidance system resolution advisory (to be pronounced “TEE-CAS-AR-AY”)(+)
TCH | Threshold crossing height
TCP | Transfer Control Point
TCU | Towering cumulus
TDO | Tornado
TDZ | Touchdown zone
TDZE | Touchdown zone elevation
TECR | Technical reason
TEL | Telephone
TEMPO | Temporary or temporarily(+)
TEND | Trend forecast(+)
TER | Terrain
TERPS | Terminal procedures
TF | Track to fix
TFC | Traffic
TGL | Touch-and-go landing
TGS | Taxiing guidance system
THR | Threshold
THRU | Through
THU | Thursday
TIBA | Traffic information broadcast by aircraft(+)
TIL | Until(+)
TIP | Until past... (followed by place)
TL | Till (followed by time by which weather change is forecast to end)
TKOF | Take-off
TLOF | Touchdown and lift-off area
TMA | Terminal control area(++)
TN | Minimum temperature (followed by figures in TAF)
TNA | Turn altitude
TNH | Turn height
TO | To... (followed by place)
TOC | Top of climb
TOBT | Target of block time
TODA | Take-off distance available
TODAH | Take-off distance available helicopter
TOP | Cloud top(+)
TORA | Take-off run available
TOX | Toxic
TP | Turning point
TR | Track
TRA | Temporary reserved airspace
TRANS | Transmits or transmitter
TREND | Trend forecast(+)
TRG | Training
TRL | Transition level
TROP | Tropopause
TS | Thunderstorm (in aerodrome reports and forecasts, TS used alone means thunder heard but no precipitation at the aerodrome)
TS | Thunderstorm (followed by RA=RAIN, SN=snow, PL=ice pellets, GR=hail, GS=small hail and/or snow pellets or combinations thereof e.g. TSRASN=thunderstorm with rain and snow)
TSA | Temporary Segregated Area(+)
TSUNAMI | Tsunami (used in aerodrome warnings)
TT | Teletypewriter
TUE | Tuesday
TURB | Turbulence
TVOR | Terminal VOR
TWR | Aerodrome control tower or aerodrome control
TWY | Taxiway
TX | Maximum temperature (followed by figures in TAF)
TXL | Taxilane
TXT | Text (when the abbreviation is used to request a repetition, the question mark (IMI) Precedes the abbreviation, eg. IMI TXT) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
TYP | Type of aircraft
TYPH | Typhoon
U - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
U | Upward (tendency in RVR during previous 10 minutes)
UA | Unmanned aircraft
U/S | Unserviceable
UAB | Until advised by...
UAC | Upper area control centre
UAR | Upper air route
UAS | Unmanned aircraft system
UDF | Ultra high frequency direction-finding station
UFN | Until further notice
UHDT | Unable higher due traffic
UHF | Ultra high frequency [300 to 3 000 MHz] (++)
UIC | Upper information centre
UIR | Upper flight information region(++)
ULM | Ultra Light motorized Aircraft
ULR | Ultra long range
UNA | Unable
UNAP | Unable to approve
UNL | Unlimited
UNREL | Unreliable
UP | Unidentified precipitation (used in automated METAR/SPECI)
UTA | Upper control area
UTC | Coordinated Universal Time(++)
UTCW | Coordinated Universal Time - Winter
V - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
V | Variations from the mean wind direction (preceded and followed by figures in METAR/SPECI, e.g. 350V070)
VA | Volcanic ash
VA | Heading to an altitude
VAAC | Volcanic ash advisory centre
VAC | Visual approach chart (followed by name/title)
VAL | In valleys
VAN | Runway control van
VAR | Magnetic variation
VAR | Visual-aural radio range
VASIS | Visual approach slope indicator systems
VAT | Value-added tax
VC | Vicinity of the aerodrome (followed by FG=fog, FC=funnelcloud, SH=shower, PO=dust/sand whirls, BLDU=blowing dust, BLSA=blowing sand, BLSN = blowing snow, DS = duststorm or SS = sandstorm, e. g. VCFG = vicinity fog)
VCY | Vicinity
VDF | Very high frequency direction-finding station
VDP | Visual descend point
VER | Vertical
VET | Veterinary
VFR | Visual flight rules (++)
VHF | Very high frequency (30 to 300 MHz)(++)
VI | Heading to an intercept
VIP | Very important person(++)
VIS | Visibility
VLF | Very low frequency [3 to 30 KHz]
VLR | Very long range
VM | Heading to a manual termination
VMC | Visual meteorological conditions(++)
VNAV | Vertical navigation (to be pronounced VEE-NAV)(++)
VOL... | Volume (followed by I, II...)
VOLMET | Meteorological information for aircraft in flight(+)
VOR | VHF omnidirectional radio range(++)
VORTAC | VOR and TACAN combination(++)
VOT | VOR airborne equipment test facility
VPA | Vertical path angle
VPT | Visual manoeuvre with prescribed track
VRB | Variable
VSA | By visual reference to the ground
VSP | Vertical speed
VTF | Vector to final
VTOL | Vertical take-off and landing
VV | Vertical visibility (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI and TAF)
W - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
W | West or western longitude
W | White
W | Width or wide
W | Significant Weather Chart
W | Sea-surface temperature (followed by figures in METAR/SPECI)
WAAS | Wide area augmentation system(+)
WAC | World Aeronautical Chart - ICAO 1: 1 000 000 (followed by name/title)
WAFC | World area forecast centre
WB | Westbound
WBAR | Wing bar lights
WDI | Wind direction indicator
WDSPR | Widespread
WED | Wednesday
WEF | With effect from or effective from
WGS-84 | World Geodetic System - 1984
WI | Within
WID | Width or wide
WIE | With immediate effect or effective immediately
WILCO | Will comply(+)
WIND | Wind
WINTEM | Forecast upper wind and temperature for aviation
WIP | Work in progress
WKN | Weaken or weakening
WNW | West-north-west
WO | Without
WPT | Way-point
WRNG | Warning
WS | Wind shear
WSPD | Wind speed
WSW | West-south-west
WT | Weight
WTSPT | Waterspout
WWW | Worldwide web
WX | Weather
WXR | Weather radar
X - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
X | Cross
XBAR | Crossbar (of approach lighting system)
XNG | Crossing
XS | Atmospherics
Y - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Y | Yellow
YCZ | Yellow caution zone (runway lighting)
YES | Yes (affirmative) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal)
YR | Your
Z - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Z | Coordinated Universal Time (in meteorological messages)