Aeronautical Terms beginning with O
Obstacle
An existing object, object of natural growth, or terrain at a fixed geographical location or which may be expected at a fixed location within a prescribed area with reference to which vertical clearance is or must be provided during flight operation.
Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP)
A preplanned instrument flight rule (IFR) departure procedure printed for pilot use in textual or graphic form to provide obstruction clearance via the least onerous route from the terminal area to the appropriate en route structure. ODPs are recommended for obstruction clearance and may be flown without ATC clearance unless an alternate departure procedure (SID or radar vector) has been specifically assigned by ATC.
Obstacle Free Zone
The OFZ is a three dimensional volume of airspace which protects for the transition of aircraft to and from the runway. The OFZ clearing standard precludes taxiing and parked airplanes and object penetrations, except for frangible NAVAID locations that are fixed by function. Additionally, vehicles, equipment, and personnel may be authorized by air traffic control to enter the area using the provisions of FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 3-1-5, VEHICLES/EQUIPMENT/PERSONNEL ON RUNWAYS. The runway OFZ and when applicable, the inner-approach OFZ, and the inner-transitional OFZ, comprise the OFZ.
Obstruction
Any object/obstacle exceeding the obstruction standards specified by 14 CFR Part 77, Subpart C.
Obstruction Light
A light or one of a group of lights, usually red or white, frequently mounted on a surface structure or natural terrain to warn pilots of the presence of an obstruction.
Oceanic Airspace
Airspace over the oceans of the world, considered international airspace, where oceanic separation and procedures per the International Civil Aviation Organization are applied. Responsibility for the provisions of air traffic control service in this airspace is delegated to various countries, based generally upon geographic proximity and the availability of the required resources.
Oceanic Display And Planning System
An automated digital display system which provides flight data processing, conflict probe, and situation display for oceanic air traffic control.
Oceanic Navigational Error Report
A report filed when an aircraft exiting oceanic airspace has been observed by radar to be off course. ONER reporting parameters and procedures are contained in FAAO 7110.82, Monitoring of Navigational Performance In Oceanic Areas.
Oceanic Published Route
A route established in international airspace and charted or described in flight information publications, such as Route Charts, DOD Enroute Charts, Chart Supplements, NOTAMs, and Track Messages.
Oceanic Transition Route
An ATS route established for the purpose of transitioning aircraft to/from an organized track system.
ODALS
Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System Consists of seven omnidirectional flashing lights located in the approach area of a nonprecision runway. Five lights are located on the runway centerline extended with the first light located 300 feet from the threshold and extending at equal intervals up to 1,500 feet from the threshold. The other two lights are located, one on each side of the runway threshold, at a lateral distance of 40 feet from the runway edge, or 75 feet from the runway edge when installed on a runway equipped with a VASI.
ODAPS
Oceanic Display And Planning System
ODP
Obstacle Departure Procedure
Off Course
A term used to describe a situation where an aircraft has reported a position fix or is observed on radar at a point not on the ATC-approved route of flight.
Off-Route Vector
A vector by ATC which takes an aircraft off a previously assigned route. Altitudes assigned by ATC during such vectors provide required obstacle clearance.
Offset Parallel Runways
Staggered runways having centerlines which are parallel.
Offshore/Control Airspace Area
That portion of airspace between the U.S. 12 NM limit and the oceanic CTA/FIR boundary within which air traffic control is exercised. These areas are established to provide air traffic control services. Offshore/Control Airspace Areas may be classified as either Class A airspace or Class E airspace.
OFT
Outer Fix Time
OM
Outer Marker
Omega
An RNAV system designed for long-range navigation based upon ground-based electronic navigational aid signals.
On Course
A. Used to indicate that an aircraft is established on the route centerline.
B. Used by ATC to advise a pilot making a radar approach that his/her aircraft is lined up on the final approach course.
On-Course Indication
An indication on an instrument, which provides the pilot a visual means of determining that the aircraft is located on the centerline of a given navigational track, or an indication on a radar scope that an aircraft is on a given track.
One-Minute Weather
The most recent one minute updated weather broadcast received by a pilot from an uncontrolled airport ASOS/AWSS/AWOS.
ONER
Oceanic Navigational Error Report
Operational
Due Regard.
Operations Specifications [ICAO]
The authorizations, conditions and limitations associated with the air operator certificate and subject to the conditions in the operations manual.
Opposite Direction Aircraft
Aircraft are operating in opposite directions when: a. They are following the same track in reciprocal directions; or b. Their tracks are parallel and the aircraft are flying in reciprocal directions; or c. Their tracks intersect at an angle of more than 135°.
Option Approach
An approach requested and conducted by a pilot which will result in either a touch-and-go, missed approach, low approach, stop-and-go, or full stop landing.
Organized Track System
A series of ATS routes which are fixed and charted; i.e., CEP, NOPAC, or flexible and described by NOTAM; i.e., NAT TRACK MESSAGE.
OROCA
An off-route altitude which provides obstruction clearance with a 1,000 foot buffer in nonmountainous terrain areas and a 2,000 foot buffer in designated mountainous areas within the United States. This altitude may not provide signal coverage from ground-based navigational aids, air traffic control radar, or communications coverage.
OTR
Oceanic Transition Route
OTS
Organized Track System
Out
The conversation is ended and no response is expected.
Outer Area (Associated With Class C Airspace)
Nonregulatory airspace surrounding designated Class C airspace airports wherein ATC provides radar vectoring and sequencing on a full-time basis for all IFR and participating VFR aircraft. The service provided in the outer area is called Class C service which includes: IFR/IFR-standard IFR separation; IFR/VFR-traffic advisories and conflict resolution; and VFR/VFR-traffic advisories and, as appropriate, safety alerts. The normal radius will be 20 nautical miles with some variations based on site-specific requirements. The outer area extends outward from the primary Class C airspace airport and extends from the lower limits of radar/radio coverage up to the ceiling of the approach control’s delegated airspace excluding the Class C charted area and other airspace as appropriate.
Outer Compass Locator
Compass Locator.
Outer Compass Locator (LOM)
A compass locator installed at the site of the outer marker of an instrument landing system.
Outer Fix
A general term used within ATC to describe fixes in the terminal area, other than the final approach fix. Aircraft are normally cleared to these fixes by an Air Route Traffic Control Center or an Approach Control Facility. Aircraft are normally cleared from these fixes to the final approach fix or final approach course.
Outer Fix Arc
A semicircle, usually about a 50-70 mile radius from a meter fix, usually in high altitude, which is used by CTAS/HOST to calculate outer fix times and determine appropriate sector meter list assignments for aircraft on an established arrival route that will traverse the arc.
Outer Fix Time
A calculated time to depart the outer fix in order to cross the vertex at the ACLT. The time reflects descent speed adjustments and any applicable delay time that must be absorbed prior to crossing the meter fix.
Outer Marker
A marker beacon at or near the glideslope intercept altitude of an ILS approach. It is keyed to transmit two dashes per second on a 400 Hz tone, which is received aurally and visually by compatible airborne equipment. The OM is normally located four to seven miles from the runway threshold on the extended centerline of the runway.
Over
My transmission is ended; I expect a response.
Overhead Maneuver
A series of predetermined maneuvers prescribed for aircraft (often in formation) for entry into the visual flight rules (VFR) traffic pattern and to proceed to a landing. An overhead maneuver is not an instrument flight rules (IFR) approach procedure. An aircraft executing an overhead maneuver is considered VFR and the IFR flight plan is cancelled when the aircraft reaches the “initial point” on the initial approach portion of the maneuver. The pattern usually specifies the following: a. The radio contact required of the pilot. b. The speed to be maintained. c. An initial approach 3 to 5 miles in length. d. An elliptical pattern consisting of two 180 degree turns. e. A break point at which the first 180 degree turn is started. f. The direction of turns. g. Altitude (at least 500 feet above the conventional pattern). h. A “Roll-out” on final approach not less than 1/4 mile from the landing threshold and not less than 300 feet above the ground.
Overlying Center
The ARTCC facility that is responsible for arrival/departure operations at a specific terminal.
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