Aeronautical Terms beginning with L
Land And Hold Short Operations
Operations which include simultaneous takeoffs and landings and/or simultaneous landings when a landing aircraft is able and is instructed by the controller to hold-short of the intersecting runway/taxiway or designated hold-short point. Pilots are expected to promptly inform the controller if the hold short clearance cannot be accepted.
Land-Based Air Defense Identification Zone
An ADIZ over U.S. metropolitan areas, which is activated and deactivated as needed, with dimensions, activation dates and other relevant information disseminated via NOTAM. Note: ADIZ locations and operating and flight plan requirements for civil aircraft operations are specified in 14 CFR Part 99.
Landing Area
Any locality either on land, water, or structures, including airports/heliports and intermediate landing fields, which is used, or intended to be used, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft whether or not facilities are provided for the shelter, servicing, or for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo.
Landing Area [ICAO]
That part of a movement area intended for the landing or take-off of aircraft.
Landing Direction Indicator
A device which visually indicates the direction in which landings and takeoffs should be made.
Landing Distance Available (LDA)
The runway length declared available and suitable for a landing airplane.
Landing Distance Available [ICAO]
The length of runway which is declared available and suitable for the ground run of an aeroplane landing.
Landing Minimums
The minimum visibility prescribed for landing a civil aircraft while using an instrument approach procedure. The minimum applies with other limitations set forth in 14 CFR Part 91 with respect to the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) or Decision Height (DH) prescribed in the instrument approach procedures as follows: a. Straight-in landing minimums. A statement of MDA and visibility, or DH and visibility, required for a straight-in landing on a specified runway, or b. Circling minimums. A statement of MDA and visibility required for the circle-to-land maneuver. Note: Descent below the established MDA or DH is not authorized during an approach unless the aircraft is in a position from which a normal approach to the runway of intended landing can be made and adequate visual reference to required visual cues is maintained.
Landing Roll
The distance from the point of touchdown to the point where the aircraft can be brought to a stop or exit the runway.
Landing Sequence
The order in which aircraft are positioned for landing.
Large
An Aircraft Class Wake Turbulence Separation Minima. Aircraft of more than 41,000 pounds, maximum certificated takeoff weight, up to but not including 300,000 pounds.
Last Assigned Altitude
The last altitude/flight level assigned by ATC and acknowledged by the pilot.
Lateral Navigation (LNAV)
A function of area navigation (RNAV) equipment which calculates, displays, and provides lateral guidance to a profile or path.
Lateral Separation
The lateral spacing of aircraft at the same altitude by requiring operation on different routes or in different geographical locations.
Left Base Area
A type of Terminal Arrival Area. A 30NM arc centered on the right corner IAF (Initial Approach Fix). The area shares a boundary with the straight-in area except that it extends out for 30NM from the IAF and is bounded on the other side by a line extending from the IF through the FAF to the arc.
Light Gun
A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of light transmitted can be used to approve or disapprove anticipated pilot actions where radio communication is not available. The light gun is used for controlling traffic operating in the vicinity of the airport and on the airport movement area.
Light Icing
The rate of accumulation may create a problem if flight is prolonged in this environment (over 1 hour). Occasional use of deicing/anti-icing equipment removes/prevents accumulation. It does not present a problem if the deicing/anti-icing equipment is used.
Lighted Airport
An airport where runway and obstruction lighting is available.
Line Up And Wait (LUAW)
Used by ATC to inform a pilot to taxi onto the departure runway to line up and wait. It is not authorization for takeoff. It is used when takeoff clearance cannot immediately be issued because of traffic or other reasons.
Local Airport Advisory (LAA)
A service provided by facilities, which are located on the landing airport, have a discrete ground-to-air communication frequency or the tower frequency when the tower is closed, automated weather reporting with voice broadcasting, and a continuous ASOS/AWSS/AWOS data display, other continuous direct reading instruments, or manual observations available to the specialist.
Local Traffic
Aircraft operating in the traffic pattern or within sight of the tower, or aircraft known to be departing or arriving from flight in local practice areas, or aircraft executing practice instrument approaches at the airport.
Localizer
The component of an ILS which provides course guidance to the runway.
Localizer Course [ICAO]
The locus of points, in any given horizontal plane, at which the DDM (difference in depth of modulation) is zero.
Localizer Offset
An angular offset of the localizer from the runway extended centerline in a direction away from the no transgression zone (NTZ) that increases the normal operating zone (NOZ) width. An offset requires a 50 foot increase in DH and is not authorized for CAT II and CAT III approaches.
Localizer Type Directional Aid
A NAVAID used for nonprecision instrument approaches with utility and accuracy comparable to a localizer but which is not a part of a complete ILS and is not aligned with the runway.
Localizer Usable Distance
The maximum distance from the localizer transmitter at a specified altitude, as verified by flight inspection, at which reliable course information is continuously received.
Locator [ICAO]
An LM/MF NDB used as an aid to final approach. Note: A locator usually has an average radius of rated coverage of between 18.5 and 46.3 km (10 and 25 NM).
Long Range Navigation
LORAN. [Decommissioned in 2010]
Longitudinal Separation
The longitudinal spacing of aircraft at the same altitude by a minimum distance expressed in units of time or miles.
LORAN
[Decommissioned in 2010] An electronic navigational system by which hyperbolic lines of position are determined by measuring the difference in the time of reception of synchronized pulse signals from two fixed transmitters. Loran A operates in the 1750-1950 kHz frequency band. Loran C and D operate in the 100-110 kHz frequency band.
Lost Communications
Loss of the ability to communicate by radio. Aircraft are sometimes referred to as NORDO (No Radio). Standard pilot procedures are specified in 14 CFR Part 91. Radar controllers issue procedures for pilots to follow in the event of lost communications during a radar approach when weather reports indicate that an aircraft will likely encounter IFR weather conditions during the approach.
Low Altitude Airway Structure
The network of airways serving aircraft operations up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL.
Low Altitude Alert System
An automated function of the TPX-42 that alerts the controller when a Mode C transponder equipped aircraft on an IFR flight plan is below a predetermined minimum safe altitude. If requested by the pilot, Low Altitude Alert System monitoring is also available to VFR Mode C transponder equipped aircraft.
Low Altitude Alert, Check Your Altitude Immediately
Safety Alert.
Low Approach
An approach over an airport or runway following an instrument approach or a VFR approach including the go-around maneuver where the pilot intentionally does not make contact with the runway.
Low Frequency
The frequency band between 30 and 300 kHz.
Low Level Autorotation
Commences at an altitude well below the traffic pattern, usually below 100 feet AGL and is used primarily for tactical military training.
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