European Air Traffic Management

Gestion de la circulation aérienne

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION LEXICON

AICM
For the Aeronautical Information Conceptual Model (AICM)

European
Organisation for the
Safety of
Air Navigation

Organisation
européenne pour la
sécurité de la
navigation aérienne
Rue de la Fusée, 96
1130 Bruxelles
Tél. : +32(0)2-729 90 11
Fax : +32(0)2-729 90 43
Telex : 21173 EUROC B
 2
Aerodrome
A defined area on land or water (including any
buildings, installations and equipment) intended to be
used either wholly or in part for the arrival, departure
and surface movement of aircraft/helicopters.
Source: ICAO
Aerodrome elevation
The vertical distance between the highest point of the
landing area of an aerodrome and mean sea level.
Source: AICM3.3
aerodrome reference point (ARP)
The designated geographical location of an
aerodrome, located near the initial or planned
geometric centre of the aerodrome and normally
remaining where originally established.
Source: AICM3.3
Synonyms: ARP
Aerodrome rescue & fire fighting category
A standard categorisation of the rescue and
fire-fighting capabilities of an aerodrome on the basis
of the length and fuselage width of the largest aircraft
to be rescued.
Source: AICM
Aeronautical ground light
A fixed light specifically provided as an aid to air
navigation, with the exception of obstacle lights and
lights forming part of surface or approach lighting
systems.
Note : the primary purpose type might include marine,
identification, heliport, aerodrome, responder, control
tower signalling.
Source: AICM3.3
Aeronautical ground light type
A code indicating a type of aeronautical ground light.
E.g.: Marine, RWY BCN, ABN, IBN, etc.
Source: AICM3.3
Aircraft category for OCA/OCH
Classification of aircraft based on 1.3 times stall
speed in landing configuration at maximum certified
landing mass (e.g. 'A' for less than 169 km/h (91 kt)
IAS, 'B' for 169 km/h or more but less than 224 km/h
(121 kt) IAS, ...). The default aircraft within these
categories are considered to have a 2.5% climbing
gradient capability.
Source: AICM3.3
Aircraft category for SID/STAR/IAP
A code indicating the class of aircraft based on 1.3
times stall speed in landing configuration at maximum
certified landing mass.
Category A: - less than 169 km/h (91 kt)
Category B: - 169 km/h (91 kt) or more but less than
224 km/h (121 kt)
Category C: - 224 km/h (121 kt) or more but less than
261 km/h (141 kt)
Category D: - 261 km/h (141 kt) or more but less than
307 km/h (166 kt)
Category E: - 307 km/h (166 kt) or more but less than
391 km/h (211 kt)
Speed = IAS = indicated air speed
Source: AICM3.3
Aircraft stand
A stand or a gate at an aerodrome/heliport which may
be used by aircraft/helicopters as a parking position.
Source: AICM3.3
Aircraft type for Traffic Flow Restrictions
A code indicating the type of an aircraft
Source: AICM3.3
Airspace
'regions' (ICAO and otherwise), 'areas', 'zones',
'sectors' (elementary and/or consolidated) etc, as
used in and by air traffic services, including those of
the FUA concept, special regulated and client defined
airspaces and all sorts of 'limited' airspaces.
Source: AICM3.3
Airway
A control area or portion thereof established in the
form of a corridor equipped with radio navigation aids
Source: ICAO
ALS (Approach Lighting System)
see Approach Lighting System
Altitude
Also Pressure altitude
The measured distance above the local pressure
setting (QNH) that makes the altimeter indicate the
aircraft's altitude above mean sea level (AMSL).
Source: AICM
Approach Lighting System (ALS)
A lighting system installed before the threshold of a
runway providing a visual reference for aircraft landing
on that runway.
Source: AICM3.3
Synonyms: ALS
Approach procedure type for OCA/ACH
A code indicating the type of the approach procedure
(e.g. straight-in, circling, straight-in CAT I, ...)
 3

Source: AICM3.3 Elevation

Apron Also orthometric height

The measured distance above the geoid (MSL).
A defined area, on a land aerodrome/heliport, Source: AICM
intended to accommodate aircraft/helicopters for
purposes of loading and unloading passengers, mail En-route Route
or cargo, and for fuelling, parking or maintenance.
Source: ICAO Airway, advisory route, controlled or uncontrolled
route, etc. excluding arrival and departure routes.
ARP (aerodrome reference point) Source: AICM3.3

see aerodrome reference point FATO

Authority type Final Approach and Take Off

The type of the authority (e.g. 'S' for State, 'GS' for
Group of States, 'O' for Organisation within a state,
'IO' for International organisation, 'AOA' for Aircraft
Operating Agency, 'ATS' for Air Traffic Services
Provider, 'HA' for Handling Agency, 'A' for National
Authority', ...).
Source: AICM3.3
Declared distance
A distance reference from a radio navigation aid
(DME, TACAN)
Source: AICM3.3
A defined area over which the final phase of the
approach manoeuvre to hover or land is completed
and from which the take-off manoeuvre is commenced
and, where the FATO is to be used by performance
class 1 helicopters, includes the rejected take-off area
available.
Source: AICM3.3
FATO declared distance type
A code indicating the type of conventional declared
distance for a Final Approach and Take-Off Direction.
E.g.: LDAH, RTODAH, etc.
Source: AICM3.3

Designated point FATO protect area

A named geographical location not marked by the site
of a radio navigation aid, used in defining an ATS
route, the flight path of an aircraft or for other
navigation or ATS purposes.
Source: AICM3.3
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)
see DME
DME (Distance Measuring Equipment)
UHF distance measuring equipment, operating on the
interrogation-answer principle. The time required for
the round trip of the signal exchange is measured in
the airborne DME unit and translated into distance.
Source: ICAO
Synonyms: Distance Measuring Equipment
An area situated in the vicinity of a final approach and
take-off area, provided to protect helicopters during
manoeuvring, take-off and/or landing operations
Source: AICM3.3
Flight level
Pressure altitude where the final two zeros are
omitted (e.g. a pressure altitude of 6500 ft expressed
as flight level is written FL65)
Source: AICM
Flight status for Flow Restriction
The designation of a special status of a flight (e.g.
'HEAD' for Head of State, 'STATE' for State aircraft
other than Head of State, ...)
Source: AICM3.3

DME displacement Flow restriction

the distance from the DME antenna to where the zero A rule to regulate the use of the route network, by
range indication occurs identifying a set of flights which fulfil a combination of
Source: AICM3.3 elementary flow conditions and either forbidding them
on a particular routing or obliging them to follow one
DME type
routing out of a set of mandatory alternatives.
A code indicating the type of UHF distances Notes:
measuring equipments. 1) Flow restrictions are created mainly to protect a
E.g. DME/N, DME/W, DME/P. portion of the route network or airspace from being
Source: AICM3.3 used in excess of its traffic capacity. Other reasons,
such as prohibiting over flying airspace by a specific
 4
Aircraft Operator, can occasionally lead to the
establishment of flow restrictions.
2) Standard Routing Scheme - SRS taken into
account.
Source: AICM3.3
Frequency call sign
The full textual service provider identification or
callsign for a particular frequency service
Source: AICM3.3
Frequency service
one or two (communication) frequencies used to
provide a service as follows:
- one way broadcast (e.g. ATIS);
- two-way radio communication on the same
frequency (single channel simplex);
- two-way radio communication on two distinct
frequencies (double channel simplex, offset frequency
simplex, duplex)
Source: AICM
Fuel category
A code indicating the category of fuel for aircraft and
helicopters (e.g. OCT73, OCT80-87, AVGAS,
OCT100-130, OCT115-145, MOGAS, JET, A1, A1+,
B, JP4, JP5, ...)
Source: AICM3.3
Gate
see Stand
Geodetic datum
A minimum set of parameters required to define
location and orientation of the local reference system
with respect to the global reference system/frame
Source: ICAO
Geoid
The equipotential surface in the gravity field of the
earth which coincides with the undisturbed mean sea
level (MSL) extended continuously through continents.
Source: ICAO
Geoid undulation
The distance of the geoid above (positive) or below
(negative) the mathematical reference ellipsoid. In
respect to the World Geodetic System - 1984
(WGS-84) defined ellipsoid, the difference between
the WGS-84 ellipsoidal height and orthometric height
represents the WGS-84 geoid undulation
Source: ICAO
Ground service
Any service available at the aerodrome/heliport,
except those related to Air Traffic Services, MET and
AIS briefing.
Source: AICM3.3
Height
The measured distance above the ground.
Source: AICM
Holding procedure
A predetermined manoeuvre which keeps an aircraft
within a specified airspace while awaiting further
clearance.
Source: ICAO
IAP
Instrument Approach Procedure
A series of predetermined manoeuvres by reference
to flight instruments with specified protection from
obstacles from the initial approach fix, or where
applicable, from the beginning of a defined arrival
route to a point from which a landing can be
completed and thereafter, if a landing is not
completed, to a position at which holding or en-route
obstacle clearance criteria apply.
Source: ICAO
IAP phase
according to ARINC 424, 5.7 ""Route Type"".
Source: AICM3.3
IAP role fix
A code indicating the role of a fix within an instrument
approach procedure. Examples: initial approach fix,
final approach fix, missed approach point, etc.
Source: AICM3.3
IAP transition identifier
A code used to identify a branch of an IAP, as
described in ARINC 424, 5.11
Source: AICM3.3
ILS
Instrument Landing System
A radio aid to navigation intended to facilitate aircraft
in landing by providing lateral and vertical guidance
including indications of distance from the optimum
point of landing.
Source: ICAO
ILS glide path
A component of an ILS consisting of a UHF
transmitter radiating signals and providing a straight
line descent path in the vertical plane containing the
centre line of the runway served by the ILS, and
thereby furnishing descent information down to the
 5
lowest authorized decision height or to the surface of
a runway, depending on the Facility Performance
Category of the ILS.
Source: AICM3.3
ILS localizer
A component of an ILS consisting of a VHF
transmitter, radiating signals in the direction served by
the ILS, to provide a straight line descent path in the
vertical plane containing the centre line of the runway.
Source: AICM3.3
Location indicator
A four-letter code group formulated in accordance with
the rules prescribed by ICAO and assigned to the
location of an aeronautical fixed station.
Source: ICAO Doc 7910
Locator
low powered NDB used as an aid for final approach
Source: AICM3.3
Magnetic bearing
Also Magnetic heading
The measure of the angle between a given direction
and the magnetic north at a given position
Source: AICM
Magnetic variation
The measure of the angle between the direction of the
magnetic north and the direction of the geographic
north at a given location and a given moment. By
convention, the measure is reported by a positive
number if the magnetic north is east of the geographic
north and negative if the magnetic north is west of the
geographic north. That is Magnetic bearing +
Magnetic variation = True bearing. The rule variation
east, magnetic least, variation west magnetic best
applies.
Source: AICM
Marker
A marker beacon serving to identify a particular
location in space by means of a 75MHz transmitter
which transmits a directional signal to be received by
aircraft flying overhead.
Source: ICAO
Marker class
A code indicating the class of the radio marker.
E.g. fan marker, low-powered fan marker, Z marker.
Source: AICM3.3
Minimum sector altitude (MSA)
The lowest altitude that will provide a minimum
clearance of 300m (1000ft) above all objects located
in the sector.
Source: AICM3.3
Synonyms: MSA
MLS
A radio aid to navigation which provides precision
navigation guidance for exact alignment and descent
of aircraft on approach to a runway. It provides
azimuth, elevation and distance indications.
Source: AICM3.3
MLS azimuth
A component of an MLS consisting of an SHF
transmitter and associated equipment, radiating
signals in a volume of airspace served by the MLS,
thereby furnishing azimuth indications to aircraft
approaching the runway or back azimuth indications
to aircraft departing from the runway or performing a
missed approach procedure.
Source: AICM3.3
MLS elevation
A component of an MLS consisting of an SHF
transmitter, and associated equipment radiating
signals within a volume of airspace served by the
MLS, thereby furnishing elevation information as an
angular value to aircraft approaching the runway.
Source: AICM3.3
MSA (Minimum sector altitude)
see Minimum sector altitude
Navigation station
A land based station of a special navigation system.
Source: AICM3.3
Navigation station service type
A code indicating the type of service within the chain
(e.g. Master, Red Slave for DECCA, Slave for
LORAN,&)
Source: AICM3.3
Navigation system
A wide area (worldwide) navigation system based on
a chain of land stations or a satellite constellation
providing radio frequency signals which can be used
by airborne equipment to determine at least, the
aircrafts two-dimensional position or, depending on
the capability of the system, the three-dimensional
position.
Source: AICM3.3
Navigation system type
A code indicating a type of special navigation system
 6

(e.g. LORAN, DECCA, GNSS, &) aircraft, CLSD for Closed, FAILAID for Failure or
Source: AICM3.3 irregular operation of visual aids, SPOWER for
Secondary power supply in operation, ...).
NDB Source: AICM3.3

Non Directional Beacon Parking position stand type

A Non-directional radio beacon. A low or medium
frequency radio beacon which transmits signals
whereby the pilot of an aircraft properly equipped can
determine bearings and 'home in' on the station.
Source: ICAO
A code indicating the type of stand.
E.g. parking position on the apron, isolated aircraft
stand, terminal building gate, etc..
Source: AICM3.3

NDB class Passenger facility

The class of the NDB. Passenger facilities available at an aerodrome/heliport

E.g. NDB or Locator. (like medical facilities) or in the surrounding area
Source: AICM3.3 (hotels in city etc.).
Source: AICM3.3
Obstacle
Procedure Leg type
All fixed objects whether temporary or permanent, or
parts thereof, that are located on an area intended for A code that defines a specific type of flight path and a
the surface movement of aircraft or that extend above specific type of termination of that flight path.
a defined surface intended to protect aircraft in flight. Source: AICM3.3
Source: ICAO
Radio emission type
Obstacle clearance altitude (OCA)
A code indicating the type of emission, as defined at
The lowest altitude above the elevation of the relevant the 1979 ITU World Administrative Radio Conference
runway threshold or aerodrome elevation as (e.g. : A3E, NONA2a, G1D).
applicable, used in establishing compliance with Source: AICM3.3
appropriate obstacle clearance criteria.
Source: ICAO Route
Synonyms: OCA
A specified route designed for channelling the flow of
Obstacle clearance height (OCH) traffic as necessary for the provision of air traffic
services, from the end of the take-off and initial climb
The lowest height above the elevation of the relevant phase to the commencement of the approach and
runway threshold or aerodrome elevation as landing phase.
applicable, used in establishing compliance with Source: AICM3.3
appropriate obstacle clearance criteria.
Source: ICAO Route portion
Synonyms: OCH
A convenient way of grouping together two or more
OCA (Obstacle clearance altitude) consecutive segments of the same route, as
necessary to formulate traffic flow restrictions which
see Obstacle clearance altitude concerns all those segments.
Source: AICM3.3
OCH (Obstacle clearance height)
Route segment
see Obstacle clearance height
A portion of a route to be flown usually without an
Oil category intermediate stop, as defined by two consecutive
significant points.
A code indicating the category of oil (e.g. TURBO,
Source: ICAO
AVIA, HYD, ...).
Source: AICM3.3 Route type

operational status for runway, apron, taxiway, The type of route from a navigation point of view
stopway (e.g. conventional, RNAV, etc.).
Source: AICM3.3
A code indicating the operational status of the feature
associated with the surface (e.g. WIP for construction Runway
or work in progress, PARKED for parked or disables
 7

A defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome Source: ICAO

prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft.
Source: ICAO Runway visual range (RVR)

Runway approach lighting system type The range over which the pilot of an aircraft on the
centre line of a runway can see the runway surface
The type of the approach lighting system (e.g. 'A' for markings or the lights delineating the runways or
ICAO CAT I precision approach lighting system, 'B', identifying its centre line.
for ICAO CAT II, 'C' for ICAO CAT III, 'D' for ICAO Source: ICAO
CAT II and III, 'E' for Simple approach lighting system Synonyms: RVR
for non-instrument, 'F' for circling guidance lighting
system, 'G' for Visual alignment guidance system, ...) RVR (Runway visual range)
Source: AICM3.3
see Runway visual range
Runway declared distance
Service
A conventional distance declared for a runway
Any type of services furnished to variously, pilots,
direction.
flights, Aircraft Operators and other personnel and
E.g. TORA, TODA, LDA, ASDA
institutions concerned with flight operations.
Source: AICM3.3
Source: AICM3.3
Runway declared distance type
Service frequency type
A conventional distance declared for a runway
A code indicating if a frequency is 'special' or
direction (e.g. TORA, TODA, LDA, ASDA, ...)
'non-standard'.
Source: AICM3.3
E.g. emergency, alternate or guard etc..
Runway direction Source: AICM3.3

One of the two landing and take-off directions of a Service type

runway for which attributes like TORA, TODA, LDA,
Type of a service such as Flight Information etc
etc. may be defined.
Source: AICM3.3
Source: AICM3.3
SID (Standard Instrument Departure)
Runway holding position
A designated instrument flight rule (IFR) departure
A designated position intended to protect a runway,
route linking the aerodrome or a specific runway of the
an obstacle limitation surface, or an ILS/MLS
aerodrome with a specified significant point, normally
critical/sensitive area at which taxiing aircraft and
on a designated ATS route, at which the en-route
vehicles shall stop and hold, unless otherwise
phase of a flight commences.
authorised by the aerodrome control tower.
Source: ICAO
Source: ICAO
Synonyms: Standard Instrument Departure
Runway protect area
SID phase
An area situated in the vicinity of a runway or provided
according to ARINC 424, 5.7 ""Route Type"".
to protect aircraft during manoeuvring, take-off and
Source: AICM3.3
landing operations.
Source: AICM3.3 SID type
Runway strip A code indicating the type of SID (e.g. O for Engine
Out SID, C for Conventional SID, R for RNAV SID, F
The runway strip is a defined area including the
for FMS SID, ...)
runway and stopway, if provided, intended : a) to
Source: AICM3.3
reduce the risk of damage to aircraft running off a
runway; and b) to protect aircraft flying over it during Significant point
take-off or landing operations.
Source: ICAO A specified geographical location used to define an
ATS route, the flight path of an aircraft or for other
Runway threshold navigation/ATS purposes.
Source: ICAO
The beginning of that portion of a runway usable for
landing Stand
 8

A stand or a gate at an aerodrome/heliport which may
be used by aircraft/helicopters as a parking position.
Source: AICM3.3
Synonyms: Gate
Standard Arrival Route (STAR)
see STAR
Standard Instrument Departure (SID)
see SID
STAR (Standard Arrival Route)
A designated instrument flight rule (IFR) arrival route
linking a significant point, normally on an ATS route,
with a point from which a published instrument
approach procedure can be commenced.
Source: ICAO
Synonyms: Standard Arrival Route
another, including aircraft/helicopter stand taxi lanes,
apron taxiways, rapid exit taxiways, air taxiways etc..
Source: ICAO
Taxiway type
A code indicating the type of taxiway (e.g. Air
Taxiway, Ground exit/turnoff Rapid exit/turnoff, Stub,
turn around, Parallel, bypass holding bay, Apron,
Gate/Stand taxilane, Lead-in taxilane, Lead-out
taxilane, ...).
Source: AICM3.3
Time reference system
The reference system used to express a time value
(e.g. Co-ordinated Universal Time, UTC adjustable for
summer time, local time, &)
Source: AICM
Tlof

STAR phase Touch-down and Lift Off

A load bearing area on which an aircraft/helicopter
according to ARINC 424, 5.7 ""Route Type"".
may touch down or lift-off.
Source: AICM3.3
Source: ICAO
STAR type
Tlof safe area
A code indicating a type of STAR (e.g. Conventional
An area situated in the vicinity of a touch down and
STAR, RNAV STAR, FMS STAR, ...).
lift-off area, provided to protect helicopters during
Source: AICM3.3
manoeuvring, take-off and/or landing operations.
Stopway Source: AICM3.3

A defined rectangular area on the ground at the end Touchdown zone

of take-off run available prepared as a suitable area in
The portion of a runway, beyond the threshold, where
which an aircraft can be stopped in the case of an
it is intended landing aeroplanes first contact the
abandoned take-off.
runway
Source: ICAO
Source: ICAO
Surface composition
True bearing
A code indicating the composition of a surface (e.g.
Also True heading
ASPH for asphalt, ASP+GRS for asphalt and grass,
The measure of the angle between a given direction
CONC for concrete, CONC+ASPH for concrete and
and the true north at a given position.
asphalt, CONC+GRS for concrete and grass, GRASS
Source: AICM
for grass, &).
Source: AICM3.3 True north

Tacan Also geographic north

A UHF Tactical Air Navigation beacon. A navigation
system developed by military and naval forces
providing, as far as the navigating pilot is concerned
and for suitably equipped aircraft, the same indication
as a VOR/DME system.
Source: AICM3.3
Taxiway
A defined path at an aerodrome/heliport established
for the taxiing of aircraft/helicopters and intended to
provide a link between one part of the aerodrome and
Source: AICM
Unit
A generic term meaning variously all types of 'units'
providing all types of services. This includes
particularly Air Traffic Management (ATM) Units but
also units which are not expresis verbis included in
ATM such as SAR, MET, COM etc. .
Source: AICM3.3
Unit type
 9

A code indicating the 'type' of unit available in as

much detail as possible.
E.g. Approach Control Office dealing with departures
only or Aeronautical Information Services Briefing
Office.
Source: AICM3.3

VOR

A VHF omni directional radio range beacon. A

short-range, very-high-frequency omni directional
beacon which provides an indication in the aircraft of
the bearing of the beacon, or left-right track indication.
Source: ICAO

VOR Station declination

The angular difference between the True North and

the station declination ('Magnetic North' - as indicated
by the station).
Source: AICM3.3

VOR type

A code indicating the type of VOR, e.g. conventional

VOR or Doppler VOR.
Source: AICM3.3