Acronyms, Abbreviations, and NOTAM Contractions

This is a list of common acronyms and abbreviations used in the aviation industry as well as NOTAM contractions. For a more complete list of contractions used in aviation, see FAA Order JO 7340.2 (as amended). Additional information regarding NOTAMs can be found at pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb/.

• A
• A/C—aircraft
• A/FD—airport/facility directory
• A/G—air to ground
• A/HA—altitude/height
• AAF—Army Air Field
• AAI —arrival aircraft interval
• AAP—advanced automation program
• AAR—airport acceptance rate
• ABDIS—Automated Data Interchange System Service B
• ABN—aerodrome beacon
• ABV—above
• ACAIS—air carrier activity information system
• ACAS—aircraft collision avoidance system
• ACC—area control center; Airports Consultants Council
• ACCT—accounting records
• ACCUM—accumulate
• ACD—Automatic Call Distributor
• ACDO—Air Carrier District Office
• ACF—Area Control Facility
• ACFO—Aircraft Certification Field Office
• ACFT—aircraft
• ACID—aircraft identification
• ACI-NA—Airports Council International-North America
• ACIP—airport capital improvement plan
• ACLS—automatic carrier landing system
• ACLT—actual landing time calculated

ACO—Office of Airports Compliance and Field Operations;

• Aircraft Certification Office
• ACR—air carrier
• ACRP—Airport Cooperative Research Program
• ACS—Airman Certification Standard
• ACT—active, activated, or activity
• ADA—air defense area
• ADAP—Airport Development Aid Program
• ADAS—AWOS data acquisition system
• ADCCP—advanced data communications control procedure
• ADDA—administrative data
• ADF—automatic direction finding
• ADI—automatic de-ice and inhibitor
• ADIN—AUTODIN service
• ADIZ—air defense identification zone
• ADJ—adjacent
• ADL—aeronautical data-link
• ADLY—arrival delay
• ADO—airline dispatch office
• ADP—automated data processing
• ADS—automatic dependent surveillance
• ADSIM —airfield delay simulation model
• ADSY—administrative equipment systems
• ADTN—Administrative Data Transmission Network
• ADTN2000—Administrative Data Transmission Network 2000
• ADVO—administrative voice
• ADZD—advised
• AEG—Aircraft Evaluation Group
• AERA—automated en route air traffic control
• AEX—automated execution
• AF—airway facilities
• AFB—Air Force Base
• AFIS—automated flight inspection system
• AFP—area flight plan
• AFRES—Air Force Reserve Station
• AFS—airways facilities sector
• AFSFO—AFS field office
• AFSFU—AFS field unit
• AFSOU—AFS field office unit (standard is AFSFOU)
• AFSS—automated flight service station
• AFTN—Automated Fixed Telecommunications Network
• AGIS—airports geographic information system
• AGL—above ground level
• AID—airport information desk
• AIG—Airbus Industries Group
• AIM—Airman’s Information Manual
• AlP—airport improvement plan
• AIRMET—Airmen’s Meteorological Information
• AIRNET—Airport Network Simulation Model

AIS—aeronautical lnformation service AlT—automated information transfer

ALP—airport layout plan

• ALS—approach light system ALSFl—ALS with sequenced flashers I
• ALSF2—ALS with sequenced flashers II
• ALSIP—Approach Lighting System Improvement Plan
• ALSTG—altimeter setting
• ALT—altitude
• ALTM—altimeter
• ALTN—alternate
• ALTNLY—alternately
• ALTRV—altitude reservation
• AMASS—airport movement area safety system
• AMCC—ADF/ARTCC Maintenance Control Center
• AMDT—amendment
• AMGR—Airport Manager
• AMOS—Automatic meteorological observing system
• AMP—ARINC Message Processor; Airport Master Plan
• AMVER—automated mutual assistance vessel rescue system
• ANC—alternate network connectivity
• ANCA—Airport Noise and Capacity Act
• ANG—Air National Guard
• ANGB—Air National Guard Base
• ANMS—automated network monitoring system
• ANSI—American National Standards Group
• AOA—air operations area
• AP—airport; acquisition plan
• APCH—approach
• APL—airport lights
• APP—approach; approach control; Approach Control Office
• APS—airport planning standard
• AQAFO—Aeronautical Quality Assurance Field Office

ARAC—Army Radar Approach Control (AAF); Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee

• ARCTR—FAA Aeronautical Center or Academy
• ARF—airport reservation function
• ARFF—aircraft rescue and fire fighting

ARINC—Aeronautical Radio, Inc.

• ARLNO—Airline Office
• ARO—Airport Reservation Office
• ARP—airport reference point
• ARR—arrive; arrival
• ARRA—American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
• ARSA—airport service radar area
• ARSR—air route surveillance radar
• ARTCC—air route traffic control center
• ARTS—automated radar terminal system
• ASAS—aviation safety analysis system
• ASC—AUTODIN switching center
• ASCP—Aviation System Capacity Plan
• ASD—aircraft situation display
• ASDA—accelerate-stop distance available
• ASLAR—aircraft surge launch and recovery
• ASM—available seat mile
• ASOS—automated surface observing system
• ASP—arrival sequencing program
• ASPH—asphalt
• ASQP—airline service quality performance
• ASR—airport surveillance radar
• ASTA—airport surface traffic automation
• ASV—airline schedule vendor
• AT—air traffic
• ATA—Air Transport Association of America
• ATAS—airspace and traffic advisory service
• ATC—air traffic control
• ATCAA—air traffic control assigned airspace
• ATCBI—air traffic control beacon indicator
• ATCCC—Air Traffic Control Command Center
• ATCO—Air Taxi Commercial Operator
• ATCRB—air traffic control radar beacon
• ATCRBS—air traffic control radar beacon system
• ATCSCC—Air Traffic Control System Command Center
• ATCT—airport traffic control tower
• ATIS—automatic terminal information service
• ATISR—ATIS recorder
• ATM—air traffic management; asynchronous transfer mode
• ATMS—advanced traffic management system
• ATN—Aeronautical Telecommunications Network
• ATODN—AUTODIN terminal (FUS)
• ATOMS—air traffic operations management system
• ATOVN—AUOTVON (facility)
• ATS—air traffic service
• ATSCCP—ATS contingency command post
• AUTH—authority
• AUTOB—automatic weather reporting system
• AUTODIN—DoD Automatic Digital Network
• AUTOVON—DoD Automatic Voice Network
• AVBL—available
• AVN—Aviation Standards National Field Office, Oklahoma
• City
• AVON—AUTOVON service AWlS—airport weather information
• AWOS—automatic weather; observing/reporting system
• AWP—Aviation Weather Processor
• AWPG—aviation weather products generator
• AWS—air weather station
• AWY—airway
• AZM—azimuth
• B
• BA FAIR—braking action fair
• BA NIL—braking action nil
• BA POOR—braking action poor
• BANS—BRITE alphanumeric system
• BART—billing analysis reporting tool (GSA software tool)
• BASIC—basic contract observing station
• BASOP—military base operations

• BC—back course
• BCA—benefit/cost analysis
• BCN—beacon
• BCR—benefit/cost ratio
• BDAT—digitized beacon data
• BERM—snowbank(s) containing earth/gravel
• BLW—below
• BMP—best management practices
• BND—bound
• BOC—Bell Operating Company bps—bits per second
• BRG—bearing
• BRI—basic rate interface
• BRITE—bright radar indicator terminal equipment
• BRL—building restriction line
• BUEC—back-up emergency communications
• BUECE—back-up emergency communications equipment
• BYD—beyond
• C C/S/S/N—capacity/safety/security/noise
• CAA—civil aviation authority; Clean Air Act
• CAAS—Class A Airspace
• CAB—civil aeronautics board
• CARF—Central Altitude Reservation Facility
• CASFO—Civil Aviation Security Office
• CAT—category; clear-air turbulence
• CAU—Crypto Ancillary Unit
• CBAS—Class B airspace
• CBI—computer based instruction
• CBSA—Class B surface area
• CC&O—customer cost and obligation
• CCAS—Class C Airspace
• CCC—Communications Command Center
• CCCC—staff communications
• CCCH—central computer complex host
• CCLKWS—counterclockwise
• CCS7-NI—Communication Channel Signal-7-Network Interconnect
• CCSA—Class C surface area
• CCSD—Command Communications Service Designator
• CCU—Central Control Unit
• CD—clearance delivery; common digitizer
• CDAS—Class D Airspace
• CDR—cost detail report
• CDSA—Class D surface area
• CDT—controlled departure time
• CDTI—cockpit display of traffic information
• CEAS—Class E Airspace
• CENTX—central telephone exchange
• CEP—capacity enhancement program
• CEQ—council on environmental quality

CERAP—center radar approach control; combined center radar approach control

• CESA—Class E surface area
• CFC—central flow control
• CFCF—Central Flow Control Facility
• CFCS—central flow control service
• CFR—Code of Federal Regulations
• CFWP—central flow weather processor
• CFWU—central flow weather unit
• CGAS—Class G Airspace; Coast Guard Air Station
• CHG—change
• CIG—ceiling
• CK—check
• CL—centerline
• CLC—course line computer
• CLIN—contract line item
• CLKWS—clockwise
• CLR—clearance, clear(s), cleared to
• CLSD—closed
• CLT—calculated landing time
• CM—commercial service airport
• CMB—climb
• CMSND—commissioned
• CNL—cancel
• CNMPS—Canadian Minimum Navigation Performance Specification Airspace
• CNS—consolidated NOTAM system
• CNSP—consolidated NOTAM system processor
• CO—central office
• COE—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• COM—communications
• COMCO—command communications outlet
• CONC—concrete
• CONUS—Continental United States
• CORP—private corporation other than ARINC or MITRE
• CPD—coupled
• CPE—customer premise equipment
• CPMIS—consolidated personnel management information system
• CRA—conflict resolution advisory
• CRDA—converging runway display aid
• CRS—course
• CRT—cathode ray tube
• CSA—communications service authorization
• CSIS—centralized storm information system
• CSO—customer service office
• CSR—communications service request
• CSS—central site system
• CTA—controlled time of arrival; control area
• CTA/FIR—control area/flight information region
• CTAF—common traffic advisory frequency
• CTAS—center-TRACON automation system

• CTC—contact
• CTL—control
• CTMA—Center Traffic Management Advisor
• CUPS—consolidated uniform payroll system
• CVFR—controlled visual flight rules
• CVTS—compressed video transmission service
• CW—continuous wave
• CWSU—Central Weather Service Unit
• CWY—clearway
• D

DA—direct access; decision altitude/decision height;

• Descent Advisor
• DABBS—DITCO automated bulletin board system
• DAIR—direct altitude and identity readout
• DALGT—daylight
• DAR—Designated Agency Representative
• DARC—direct access radar channel dBA—decibels A-weighted
• DBCRC—Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission
• DBE—disadvantaged business enterprise
• DBMS—database management system
• DBRITE—digital bright radar indicator tower equipment
• DCA—Defense Communications Agency
• DCAA—dual call, automatic answer device
• DCCU—Data Communications Control Unit
• DCE—data communications equipment
• DCMSND—decommissioned
• DCT—direct
• DDA—dedicated digital access
• DDD—direct distance dialing
• DDM—difference in depth of modulation
• DDS—Digital Data Service
• DEA—Drug Enforcement Agency
• DEDS—data entry and display system
• DEGS—degrees
• DEIS—Draft Environmental Impact Statement
• DEP—depart/departure
• DEPPROC—departure procedures
• DEWIZ—distance early warning identification zone
• DF—direction finder
• DFAX—digital facsimile
• DFI—direction finding indicator
• DGPS—Differential Global Positioning Satellite (System)
• DH—decision height
• DID—direct inward dial
• DIP—drop and insert point
• DIRF—direction finding
• DISABLD—disabled
• DIST—distance
• DITCO—Defense Information Technology Contracting
• Office Agency
• DLA—delay or delayed
• DLT—delete
• DLY—daily
• DME—distance measuring equipment
• DME/P—precision distance measuring equipment
• DMN—Data Multiplexing Network
• DMSTN—demonstration
• DNL—day-night equivalent sound level (also called Ldn)
• DOD—direct outward dial
• DoD—Department of Defense
• DOI—Department of Interior
• DOS—Department of State
• DOT—Department of Transportation
• DOTCC—Department of Transportation Computer Center
• DOTS—dynamic ocean tracking system
• DP—dew point temperature
• DRFT—snowbank(s) caused by wind action
• DSCS—digital satellite compression service
• DSPLCD—displaced
• DSUA—dynamic special use airspace
• DTS—dedicated transmission service
• DUAT—direct user access terminal
• DVFR—defense visual flight rules; day visual flight rules
• DVOR—doppler very high frequency omni-directional range
• DYSIM—dynamic simulator
• E
• E—east
• EA—environmental assessment
• EARTS—en route automated radar tracking system
• EB—eastbound
• ECOM—en route communications
• ECVFP—expanded charted visual flight procedures
• EDCT—expedite departure path
• EFC—expect further clearance
• EFIS—electronic flight information systems
• EIAF—expanded inward access features
• EIS—environmental impact statement
• ELEV—elevation
• ELT—emergency locator transmitter
• ELWRT—electrowriter
• EMAS—engineered materials arresting system
• EMPS—en route maintenance processor system
• EMS—environmental management system
• E-MSAW—en route automated minimum safe altitude warning
• ENAV—en route navigational aids
• ENG—engine
• ENRT—en route
• ENTR—entire
• EOF—emergency Operating Facility
• EPA—Environmental Protection Agency
• EPS—Engineered Performance Standards

• EPSS—enhanced packet switched service
• ERAD—en route broadband radar
• ESEC—en route broadband secondary radar
• ESF—extended superframe format
• ESP—en route spacing program
• ESYS—en route equipment systems
• ETA—estimated time of arrival
• ETE—estimated time en route
• ETG—enhanced target generator
• ETMS—enhanced traffic management system
• ETN—Electronic Telecommunications Network
• EVAS—enhanced vortex advisory system
• EVCS—emergency voice communications system
• EXC—except
• F
• F&E—facility and equipment
• FAA—Federal Aviation Administration
• FAAAC—FAA aeronautical center
• FAACIS—FAA communications information system
• FAATC—FAA technical center
• FAATSAT—FAA telecommunications satellite
• FAC—facility/facilities
• FAF—final approach fix
• FAN—MKR fan marker
• FAP—final approach point
• FAPM—FTS2000 associate program manager
• FAR—Federal Aviation Regulation
• FAST—final approach spacing tool
• FAX—facsimile equipment
• FBO—fixed base operator
• FBS—fall back switch
• FCC—Federal Communications Commission
• FCLT—freeze calculated landing time
• FCOM—FSS radio voice communications
• FCPU—Facility Central Processing Unit
• FDAT—flight data entry and printout (FDEP) and flight data service
• FDC—flight data center
• FDE—flight data entry
• FDEP—flight data entry and printout
• FDIO—flight data input/output
• FDIOC—flight data input/output center
• FDIOR—flight data input/output remote
• FDM—frequency division multiplexing
• FDP—flight data processing
• FED—federal
• FEIS—Final Environmental Impact Statement
• FEP—front end processor
• FFAC—from facility
• FI/P—flight inspection permanent
• FI/T—flight inspection temporary
• FIFO—Flight Inspection Field Office
• FIG—flight inspection group
• FINO—Flight Inspection National Field Office
• FIPS—federal information publication standard
• FIR—flight information region
• FIRE—fire station
• FIRMR—Federal Information Resource Management
• Regulation
• FL—flight level
• FLOWSIM—traffic flow planning simulation
• FM—from
• FMA—final monitor aid
• FMF—facility master file
• FMIS—FTS2000 management information system
• FMS—flight management system
• FNA—final approach
• FNMS—FTS2000 network management system
• FOIA—Freedom Of Information Act
• FONSI—finding of no significant impact
• FP—flight plan
• FPM—feet per minute
• FRC—request full route clearance
• FREQ—frequency
• FRH—fly runway heading
• FRI—Friday
• FRZN—frozen
• FSAS—flight service automation system
• FSDO—Flight Standards District Office
• FSDPS—flight service data processing system
• FSEP—facility/service/equipment profile
• FSP—flight strip printer
• FSPD—freeze speed parameter
• FSS—flight service station
• FSSA—flight service station automated service
• FSTS—federal secure telephone service
• FSYS—flight service station equipment systems
• FTS—federal telecommunications system
• FT—feet/foot
• FTS2000—Federal Telecommunications System 2000
• FUS—functional units or systems
• FWCS—flight watch control station
• G
• GA—general aviation
• GAA—general aviation activity
• GAAA—general aviation activity and avionics
• GADO—General Aviation District Office
• GC—ground control
• GCA—ground control approach
• GIS—geographic information system
• GNAS—general national airspace system
• GNSS—global navigation satellite system
• GOES—Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite
• GOESF—GOES feed point

• GOEST—GOES terminal equipment
• GOVT—government
• GP—glide path
• GPRA—Government Performance Results Act
• GPS—global positioning system
• GPWS—ground proximity warning system
• GRADE—graphical airspace design environment
• GRVL—gravel
• GS—glide slope indicator
• GSA—General Services Administration
• GSE—ground support equipment
• H H—non-directional radio homing beacon (NDB)
• HAA—height above airport
• HAL—height above landing
• HARS—high altitude route system
• HAT—height above touchdown
• HAZMAT—hazardous materials
• HCAP—high capacity carriers
• HDG—heading
• HDME—NDB with distance measuring equipment
• HDQ—FAA headquarters
• HEL—helicopter
• HELI—heliport
• HF—high frequency
• HH—NDB, 2kw or more
• HI-EFAS—high altitude EFAS
• HIRL—high intensity runway lights
• HIWAS—Hazardous lnflight Weather Advisory Service
• HLDC—high level data link control
• HLDG—holding
• HOL—holiday
• HOV—high occupancy vehicle
• HP—holding pattern
• HR—hour
• HSI—horizontal situation indicators
• HUD—housing and urban development
• HWAS—hazardous in-flight weather advisory Hz—Hertz
• I
• I/AFSS—international AFSS
• IA—indirect access
• IAF—initial approach fix
• IAP—instrument approach procedures
• IAPA—instrument approach procedures automation
• IBM—International Business Machines
• IBP—international boundary point
• IBR—intermediate bit rate
• ICAO—International Civil Aviation Organization
• ICSS—international communications switching systems
• ID—identification
• IDAT—interfacility data
• IDENT—identify/identifier/identification
• IF—intermediate fix
• IFCP—interfacility communications processor
• IFDS—interfacility data system
• IFEA—in-flight emergency assistance
• IFO—International Field Office
• IFR—instrument flight rules
• IFSS—international flight service station
• ILS—instrument landing system
• IM—inner marker
• IMC—instrument meteorological conditions
• IN—inch/inches
• INBD—inbound
• INDEFLY—indefinitely
• INFO—information
• INM—integrated noise model
• INOP—inoperative
• INS—inertial navigation system
• INSTR—instrument
• INT—intersection
• INTL—international
• INTST—intensity
• IR—ice on runway(s)
• IRMP—information resources management plan
• ISDN—integrated services digital network
• ISMLS—interim standard microwave landing system
• ITI—interactive terminal interface
• IVRS—interim voice response system
• IW—inside wiring
• K
• Kbps—Kilobits per second
• Khz—Kilohertz
• KT—knots
• KVDT—keyboard video display terminal
• L
• L—left
• LAA—local airport advisory
• LAAS—low altitude alert system
• LABS—leased A B service
• LABSC—LABS GS-200 computer
• LABSR—LABS remote equipment
• LABSW—LABS switch system
• LAHSO—land and hold short operation
• LAN—local area network
• LAT—latitude
• LATA—local access and transport area
• LAWRS—limited aviation weather reporting station
• LB—pound/pounds

• LC—local control
• LCF—local control facility
• LCN—local communications network
• LCTD—located
• LDA—localizer-type directional aid; landing directional aid
• LDG—landing
• LDIN—lead-in lights
• LEC—local exchange carrier
• LF—low frequency
• LGT—light or lighting
• LGTD—lighted
• LINCS—leased interfacility NAS C
• LIRL—low intensity runway lights
• LIS—logistics and inventory system
• LLWAS—low level wind shear alert system
• LLZ—localizer
• LM—compass locator at ILS middle marker
• LM/MS—low/medium frequency
• LMM—locator middle marker
• LO—compass locator at ILS outer marker
• LOC—local; locally; location; localizer
• LOCID—location identifier
• LOI—letter of intent
• LOM—compass locator at outer marker
• LONG—longitude
• LPV—lateral precision performance with vertical guidance
• LRCO—limited remote communications outlet
• LRNAV—long range navigation
• LRR—long range radar
• LSR—loose snow on runway(s)
• LT—left turn
• M
• MAA—maximum authorized altitude
• MAG—magnetic
• MAINT—maintain, maintenance
• MALS—medium intensity approach light system
• MALSF—medium intensity approach light system with sequenced flashers

MALSR—medium intensity approach light system with runway alignment indicator lights

MAP—maintenance automation program; military airport program; missed approach point; modified access pricing

• MAPT—missed approach point
• Mbps—megabits per second
• MCA—minimum crossing altitude
• MCAS—Marine Corps air station
• MCC—maintenance control center
• MCL—middle compass locater
• MCS—maintenance and control system
• MDA—minimum descent altitude
• MDT—maintenance data terminal
• MEA—minimum en route altitude
• MED—medium
• METI—meteorological information
• MF—middle frequency
• MFJ—modified final judgment
• MFT—meter fix crossing time/slot time
• MHA—minimum holding altitude
• Mhg—Meghertz
• MIA—minimum IFR altitudes
• MIDO—Manufacturing Inspection District Office
• MIN—minute
• MIRL—medium intensity runway lights
• MIS—Meteorological Impact Statement
• MISC—miscellaneous
• MISO—Manufacturing Inspection Satellite Office
• MIT—miles in trail
• MITRE—Mitre Corporation
• MLS—microwave landing system
• MM—middle marker
• MMAC—Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center
• MMC—maintenance monitoring console
• MMS—maintenance monitoring system
• MNM—minimum
• MNPS—minimum navigation performance specification
• MNPSA—minimum navigation performance specifications airspace
• MNT—monitor; monitoring; monitored
• MOA—memorandum of agreement; military operations area
• MOC—minimum obstruction clearance
• MOCA—minimum obstruction clearance altitude

MODE C—altitude-encoded beacon reply; altitude reporting mode of secondary radar

• MODE S—mode select beacon system
• MON—Monday
• MOU—memorandum of understanding
• MPO—Metropolitan Planning Organization
• MPS—maintenance processor subsystem or master plan supplement
• MRA—minimum reception altitude
• MRC—monthly recurring charge
• MSA—minimum safe altitude; minimum sector altitude
• MSAW—minimum safe altitude warning
• MSG—message
• MSL—mean sea level
• MSN—message switching network
• MTCS—modular terminal communications system
• MTI—moving target indicator
• MU—mu meters
• MUD—mud
• MUNI—municipal
• MUX—multiplexor
• MVA—minimum vectoring altitude
• MVFR—marginal visual flight rules

• N
• N—north
• NA—not authorized
• NAAQS—national ambient air quality standards
• NADA—ADIN concentrator
• NADIN—National Airspace Data Interchange Network
• NADSW—NADIN switches
• NAILS—National Airspace Integrated Logistics Support
• NAMS—NADIN IA
• NAPRS—National Airspace Performance Reporting System
• NAS—National Airspace System or Naval Air Station
• NASDC—National Aviation Safety Data
• NASP—National Airspace System Plan
• NASPAC—National Airspace System Performance Analysis Capability
• NATCO—National Communications Switching Center
• NAV—navigation
• NAVAID—navigation aid
• NAVMN—navigation monitor and control
• NAWAU—National Aviation Weather Advisory Unit
• NAWPF—National Aviation Weather Processing Facility
• NB—northbound
• NCAR—National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
• NCF—National Control Facility
• NCIU—NEXRAD Communications Interface Unit
• NCP—noise compatibility program
• NCS—national communications system
• NDB—non-directional radio beacon
• NDNB—NADIN II
• NE—northeast
• NEM—noise exposure map
• NEPA—National Environmental Policy Act
• NEXRAD—next generation weather radar
• NFAX—National Facsimile Service
• NFDC—National Flight Data Center
• NFIS—NAS Facilities Information System
• NGT—night
• NI—network interface
• NICS—national interfacility communications system
• NM—nautical mile(s)
• NMAC—near mid-air collision
• NMC—National Meteorological Center
• NMCE—network monitoring and control equipment
• NMCS—network monitoring and control system
• NMR—nautical mile radius
• NOAA—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• NOC—notice of completion
• NONSTD—nonstandard
• NOPT—no procedure turn required
• NOTAM—notice to airmen
• NPDES—National pollutant discharge elimination system
• NPE—non-primary airport entitlement
• NPIAS—national plan of integrated airport systems
• NR—number
• NRC—non-recurring charge
• NRCS—national radio communications systems
• NSAP—National Service Assurance Plan

NSRCATN—National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America’s Transportation Network

• NSSFC—National Severe Storms Forecast Center
• NSSL—National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK
• NSWRH—NWS Regional Headquarters
• NTAP—Notices To Airmen Publication
• NTP—National Transportation Policy
• NTSB—National Transportation Safety Board
• NTZ—no transgression zone
• NW—northwest
• NWS—National Weather Service
• NWSR—NWS weather excluding NXRD
• NXRD—advanced weather radar system
• O
• OAG—official airline guide
• OALT—operational acceptable level of traffic
• OAW—off-airway weather station
• OBSC—obscured
• OBST—obstruction
• ODAL—omnidirectional approach lighting system
• ODAPS—oceanic display and processing station
• OEP—operational evolution plan/partnership
• OFA—object free area
• OFDPS—offshore flight data processing system
• OFT—outer fix time
• OFZ—obstacle free zone
• OM—outer marker
• OMB—Office Of Management and Budget
• ONER—Oceanic Navigational Error Report
• OPLT—operational acceptable level of traffic
• OPR—operate
• OPS—operation
• OPSW—operational switch
• OPX—off premises exchange
• ORD—operational readiness demonstration
• ORIG—original
• OTR—oceanic transition route
• OTS—out of service; organized track system
• OVR—over
• P
• PABX—private automated branch exchange
• PAD—packet assembler/disassembler
• PAEW—personnel and equipment working
• PAM—peripheral adapter module
• PAPI—precision approach path indicator
• PAR—precision approach radar; preferential arrival route

• PARL—parallel
• PAT—pattern
• PATWAS—Pilots Automatic Telephone Weather Answering
• Service
• PAX—passenger
• PBCT—proposed boundary crossing time
• PBRF—pilot briefing
• PBX—private branch exchange
• PCA—positive control airspace
• PCL—pilot controlled lighting
• PCM—pulse code modulation
• PD—Pilot Deviation
• PDAR—preferential arrival and departure route
• PDC—pre-departure clearance; program designator code
• PDN—Public Data Network
• PDR—preferential departure route
• PERM—permanent/permanently
• PFC—passenger facility charge
• PGP—planning grant program
• PIC—principal interexchange carrier
• PIDP—programmable indicator data processor
• PIREP—pilot weather report
• PJE—parachute jumping exercise
• PLA—practice low approach
• PLW—plow/plowed
• PMS—program management system
• PNR—prior notice required
• POLIC—police station
• POP—point of presence
• POT—point of termination
• PPIMS—personal property information management system
• PPR—prior permission required
• PR—primary commercial service airport
• PREV—previous
• PRI—primary rate interface
• PRM—precision runway monitor
• PRN—pseudo random noise
• PROC—procedure
• PROP—propeller
• PSDN—public switched data network
• PSN—packet switched network
• PSR —packed snow on runway(s)
• PSS—packet switched service
• PSTN—public switched telephone network
• PTC—presumed-to-conform
• PTCHY—patchy
• PTN—procedure turn
• PUB—publication
• PUP—principal user processor
• PVC—permanent virtual circuit
• PVD—plan view display
• PVT—private
• R
• RAIL—runway alignment indicator lights
• RAMOS—remote automatic meteorological observing system
• RAPCO—radar approach control (USAF)
• RAPCON—radar approach control (FAA)
• RATCC—Radar Air Traffic Control Center
• RATCF—Radar Air Traffic Control Facility (USN)
• RBC—rotating beam ceilometer
• RBDPE—radar beacon data processing equipment
• RBSS—Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron
• RCAG—remote communications air/ground facility
• RCC—Rescue Coordination Center
• RCCC—Regional Communications Control Centers
• RCF—Remote Communication Facility
• RCIU— Remote Control Interface Unit
• RCL— runway centerline; radio communications link
• RCLL—runway centerline light system
• RCLR—RCL repeater
• RCLT—RCL terminal
• RCO—remote communications outlet
• RCU—remote control unit
• RDAT—digitized radar data
• RDP—radar data processing
• RDSIM—runway delay simulation model
• REC—receive/receiver
• REIL—runway end identifier lights
• RELCTD—relocated
• REP—report
• RF—radio frequency
• RL—General Aviation Reliever Airport
• RLLS—runway lead-in lights system
• RMCC—Remote Monitor Control Center
• RMCF—Remote Monitor Control Facility
• RML—radio microwave link
• RMLR—RML repeater
• RMLT—RML terminal
• RMM—remote maintenance monitoring
• RMMS—remote maintenance monitoring system
• RMNDR—remainder
• RMS—remote monitoring subsystem
• RMSC—remote monitoring subsystem concentrator
• RNAV—area navigation
• RNP—required navigation performance
• ROD—record of decision
• ROSA—report of service activity
• ROT—runway occupancy time
• RP—restoration priority
• RPC—restoration priority code
• RPG—radar processing group
• RPLC—replace

• RPZ—runway protection zone
• RQRD—required
• RRH—remote reading hygrothermometer
• RRHS—remote reading hydrometer
• RRL—runway remaining lights
• RRWDS—remote radar weather display
• RRWSS—RWDS sensor site
• RSA—runway safety area
• RSAT—runway safety action team
• RSR—en route surveillance radar
• RSS—remote speaking system
• RSVN—reservation
• RT—right turn; remote transmitter
• RT & BTL—radar tracking and beacon tracking level
• RTAD—remote tower alphanumerics display
• RTCA—Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics
• RTE—route
• RTP—regional transportation plan
• RTR—remote transmitter/receiver
• RTRD—remote tower radar display
• RTS—return to service
• RUF—rough
• RVR—runway visual range
• RVRM—runway visual range midpoint
• RVRR—runway visual range rollout
• RVRT—runway visual range touchdown
• RW—runway
• RWDS—same as RRWDS
• RWP—real-time weather processor
• RWY—runway
• S
• S—south
• S/S—sector suite
• SA—sand, sanded
• SAC—Strategic Air Command
• SAFI—semi-automatic flight inspection
• SALS—short approach lighting system
• SAT—Saturday
• SATCOM—satellite communications
• SAWR—Supplementary Aviation Weather Reporting Station
• SAWRS—Supplementary Aviation Weather Reporting
• System
• SB—southbound
• SBGP—state block grant program
• SCC—System Command Center
• SCVTS—Switched Compressed Video Telecommunications Service

SDF—simplified directional facility; simplified direction finding; software defined network

• SDIS—switched digital integrated service
• SDP—service delivery point
• SD-ROB—radar weather report
• SDS—switched data service
• SE—southeast
• SEL—single event level

SELF—simplified short approach lighting system with sequenced flashing lights

• SFAR-38—Special Federal Aviation Regulation 38
• SFL—sequence flashing lights
• SHPO—State Historic Preservation Officer
• SIC—service initiation charge
• SID— standard instrument departure; station identifier
• SIGMET—significant meteorological information
• SIMMOD—airport and airspace simulation model
• SIMUL—simultaneous
• SIP—state implementation plan
• SIR—packed or compacted snow and ice on runway(s)
• SKED—scheduled
• SLR—slush on runway(s)
• SM—statute miles
• SMGC—surface movement guidance and control
• SMPS—sector maintenance processor subsystem
• SMS—safety management system; simulation modeling system
• SN—snow
• SNBNK—snowbank(s) caused by plowing
• SNGL—single
• SNR—signal-to-noise ratio, also: S/N
• SOAR—system of airports reporting
• SOC—service oversight center
• SOIR—simultaneous operations on intersecting runways
• SOIWR—simultaneous operations on intersecting wet runways
• SPD—speed
• SRAP—sensor receiver and processor

SSALF—simplified short approach lighting system with sequenced flashers

SSALR—simplified short approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights

• SSALS—simplified short approach lighting system
• SSB—single side band
• SSR—secondary surveillance radar
• STA—straight-in approach
• STAR—standard terminal arrival route
• STD—standard
• STMUX—statistical data multiplexer
• STOL—short takeoff and landing
• SUN—Sunday
• SURPIC—surface picture
• SVC—service
• SVCA—service A
• SVCB—service B
• SVCC—service C

• SVCO—service O
• SVFB—interphone service F (B)
• SVFC—interphone service F (C)
• SVFD—interphone service F (D)
• SVFO—interphone service F (A)
• SVFR—special visual flight rules
• SW—southwest
• SWEPT—swept or broom/broomed
• T
• T—temperature
• T1MUX—T1 multiplexer
• TAA—terminal arrival area
• TAAS—terminal advance automation system
• TACAN—tactical air navigation
• TACR—TACAN at VOR, TACAN only
• TAF—terminal area forecast
• TAR—terminal area surveillance radar
• TARS—terminal automated radar service
• TAS—true air speed
• TATCA—terminal air traffic control automation
• TAVT—terminal airspace visualization tool

TCA—traffic control airport or tower control airport; terminal control area

TCACCIS—Transportation Coordinator Automated Command And Control Information System

• TCAS—Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System
• TCC—DOT Transportation Computer Center
• TCCC—Tower Control Computer Complex
• TCE—tone control equipment
• TCLT—tentative calculated landing time
• TCO—Telecommunications Certification Officer
• TCOM—Terminal Communications
• TCS—tower communications system
• TDLS—Tower Data-Link Services
• TDMUX—time division data multiplexer
• TDWR—terminal doppler weather radar
• TDZ—touchdown zone
• TDZ LG—touchdown zone lights
• TELCO—telephone company
• TELMS—telecommunications management system
• TEMPO—temporary
• TERPS—terminal instrument procedures
• TFAC—to facility
• TFC—traffic
• TFR—temporary flight restriction
• TGL—touch-and-go landings
• TH—threshold
• THN—thin
• THR—threshold
• THRU—through
• THU—Thursday
• TIL—until
• TIMS—telecommunications information management system
• TIPS—terminal information processing system
• TKOF—takeoff
• TL—taxilane
• TM—traffic management
• TM&O—telecommunications management and operations
• TMA—Traffic Management Advisor
• TMC—Traffic Management Coordinator
• TMC/MC—Traffic Management Coordinator/Military Coordinator

TMCC—terminal information processing system; Traffic Management Computer Complex

• TMF—Traffic Management Facility
• TML—television microwave link
• TMLI—television microwave link indicator
• TMLR—television microwave link repeater
• TMLT—television microwave link terminal
• TMP—Traffic Management Processor
• TMPA—traffic management program alert
• TMS—traffic management system
• TMSPS—traffic management specialists
• TMU—traffic management unit
• TNAV—terminal navigational aids
• TODA—takeoff distance available
• TOF—time of flight
• TOFMS—time of flight mass spectrometer

TOPS—Telecommunications Ordering And Pricing System (GSA software tool)

• TORA—take-off run available
• TR—telecommunications request
• TRACAB—terminal radar approach control in tower cab
• TRACON—Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility
• TRAD—terminal radar service
• TRB—Transportation Research Board
• TRML—terminal
• TRNG—training
• TRSN—transition
• TSA—taxiway safety area; Transportation Security Administration
• TSEC—terminal secondary radar service
• TSNT—transient
• TSP—telecommunications service priority
• TSR—telecommunications service request
• TSYS—terminal equipment systems
• TTMA—TRACON Traffic Management Advisor
• TTY—teletype
• TUE—Tuesday
• TVOR—terminal VHF omnidirectional range
• TW—taxiway
• TWEB—transcribed weather broadcast
• TWR—tower
• TWY—taxiway
• TY—type (FAACIS)

• U
• UAS—unmanned aircraft systems
• UFN—until further notice
• UHF—ultra high frequency
• UNAVBL—unavailable
• UNLGTD—unlighted
• UNMKD—unmarked
• UNMNT—unmonitored
• UNREL—unreliable
• UNUSBL—unusable

URA—Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970

• USAF—United States Air Force
• USC—United States Code
• USOC—Uniform Service Order Code
• V
• V/PD—Vehicle/pedestrian deviation
• VALE—voluntary airport low emission
• VASI—visual approach slope indicator
• VDME—VOR with distance measuring equipment
• VDP—visual descent point
• VF—voice frequency
• VFR—visual flight rules
• VGSI—visual glide slope indicator
• VHF—very high frequency
• VIA—by way of
• VICE—instead/versus
• VIS—visibility
• VLF—very low frequency
• VMC—visual meteorological conditions
• VNAV—visual navigational aids
• VNTSC—Volpe National Transportation System Center
• VOL—volume
• VON—virtual on-net
• VOR—VHF omnidirectional range
• VOR/DME—VHF omnidirectional range/distance measuring equipment
• VORTAC—VOR and TACAN (collocated)
• VOT—VOR Test Facility
• VP/D—vehicle/pedestrian deviation
• VRS—voice recording system
• VSCS—voice switching and control system
• VTA—vertex time of arrival
• VTAC—VOR and TACAN (collocated)
• VTOL—vertical takeoff and landing
• VTS—voice telecommunications system W
• W—west
• WAAS—Wide Area Augmentation System
• WAN—wide area network
• WB—westbound
• WC—work center
• WCP—Weather Communications Processor
• WECO—Western Electric Company
• WED—Wednesday
• WEF—with effect from; effective from
• WESCOM—Western Electric Satellite Communications
• WI—within
• WIE—with immediate effect, or effective immediately
• WKDAYS—Monday through Friday
• WKEND—Saturday and Sunday
• WMSC—Weather Message Switching Center
• WMSCR—Weather Message Switching Center Replacement
• WND—wind
• WPT—waypoint
• WSCMO—Weather Service Contract Meteorological Observatory
• WSFO—Weather Service Forecast Office
• WSMO—Weather Service Meteorological Observatory
• WSO—Weather Service Office
• WSR—wet snow on runway(s)
• WTHR—weather
• WTR—water on runway(s)
• WX—weather