The instruction by the controller to a pilot requiring him or her to fly the aircraft in level flight at, or to climb or descend to, a specified altitude. The Assigned Altitude is called the Cleared Level, and is recorded in the VV Simulator in the aircraft’s label display.
Applied TFC
A record of the traffic advice issued to aircraft in a Compromised Separation event.
1 denotes that traffic has been issued to the first aircraft in the pair;
2 denotes that traffic has been issued to the second aircraft in the pair;
B denotes that traffic has been issued to both aircraft;
N denotes that no traffic was issued.
Approach Control
That phase of the control of an aircraft’s progress to a landing that occurs within specified airspace surrounding an airport. In the VV Approach course that airspace is contained within 30 nautical miles of the airport, and above altitudes that rise as distance increases.
Around the world, Approach Control is also called Terminal Control, Terminal Area Control and TRACON.
Back-step (simulator)
A facility provided by the VV Simulator to allow a traffic situation to be re-processed for practice purposes, or to allow the correction of an error made by either the student or the simulator. The clock is back-stepped to a point at which the exercise can be repeated.
Bearing
The direction from one point to another. In aviation it is often measured with reference to the earth’s magnetic field, and so it is expressed in Degrees Magnetic.
Circuit
A standard flight pattern for a particular runway. It is used by a pilot or controller to plan and control, in an orderly manner, an aircraft’s progress from or to the runway. The Circuit is also known as Pattern in some areas of the world.
Control Area
(Abbrev: CTA). Airspace that has been promulgated by aviation documentation to be controlled. No aircraft may enter such airspace without the approval of Air Traffic Control. This approval is commonly called a Clearance. The dimensions of a Control Area are defined both laterally and vertically. In some areas, a system of airspace classification defines which aircraft require a clearance and what services are provided.
Control Area Steps
(Abbrev: CTA Steps) An arrangement of the Control Area around an airport in which the lower limit (base) rises in steps as distance from the airport increases. This is done to contain the climb and descent of aircraft from and to the runway within controlled airspace at all times
Control Instruction
A direction by the controller to the pilot that requires the latter to fly the aircraft in a manner necessary for Air Traffic Control purposes.
Drift
The effect that the movement of the air through which an aircraft is flying (wind) has on its path and speed across the ground.