Aeronautical Terms beginning with F
FAF
Final Approach Fix.
False horizon
Inaccurate visual information for aligning the aircraft, caused by various natural and geometric formations that disorient the pilot from the actual horizon.
FAP
Final Approach Point
FB
Fly-By
FBWP
Fly-By Waypoint
FD
Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast
FDP
Flight Data Processing
Federal airways
Class E airspace areas that extend upward from 1,200 feet to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL, unless otherwise specified.
Feeder facilities
Used by ATC to direct aircraft to intervening fixes between the en route structure and the initial approach fix.
Feeder Fix
The fix depicted on Instrument Approach Procedure Charts which establishes the starting point of the feeder route.
Feeder Route
A feeder route is a route depicted on IAP charts to designate courses for aircraft to proceed from the en route structure to the IAF. Feeder routes, also referred to as approach transitions, technically are not considered approach segments but are an integral part of many IAPs.
Final
Commonly used to mean that an aircraft is on the final approach course or is aligned with a landing area.
Final approach
Part of an instrument approach procedure in which alignment and descent for landing are accomplished.
Final Approach
The segment between the final approach fix or point and the runway, airport, or missed approach point.
Final Approach Course
A bearing/radial/track of an instrument approach leading to a runway or an extended runway centerline all without regard to distance.
Final Approach Fix
The fix from which the final approach (IFR) to an airport is executed and which identifies the beginning of the final approach segment. It is designated on Government charts by the Maltese Cross symbol for nonprecision approaches and the lightning bolt symbol for precision approaches; or when ATC directs a lower-than-published glideslope/path intercept altitude, it is the resultant actual point of the glideslope/path intercept.
Final Approach Point
The point, applicable only to a nonprecision approach with no depicted FAF (such as an on airport VOR), where the aircraft is established inbound on the final approach course from the procedure turn and where the final approach descent may be commenced. The FAP serves as the FAF and identifies the beginning of the final approach segment.
Final Approach Segment
Segments Of An Instrument Approach Procedure.
Final Approach [ICAO]
That part of an instrument approach procedure which commences at the specified final approach fix or point, or where such a fix or point is not specified. a. At the end of the last procedure turn, base turn or inbound turn of a racetrack procedure, if specified; or b. At the point of interception of the last track specified in the approach procedure; and ends at a point in the vicinity of an aerodrome from which: 1. A landing can be made; or 2. A missed approach procedure is initiated.
FIR
Flight Information Region
FIS
Flight Information System
FIS-B
Flight Information Service Broadcast
FISDL
Flight Information Services Data Link
Fix
A geographical position determined by visual reference to the surface, by reference to one or more radio NAVAIDs, by celestial plotting, or by another navigational device. Note:Fix is a generic name for a geographical position and is referred to as a fix, waypoint, intersection, reporting point, etc.
Fixating
Staring at a single instrument, thereby interrupting the cross-check process.
FL
Flight Level.
Flag
A warning device incorporated in certain airborne navigation and flight instruments indicating that: a. Instruments are inoperative or otherwise not operating satisfactorily, or b. Signal strength or quality of the received signal falls below acceptable values.
Flight configurations
Adjusting the aircraft control surfaces (including flaps and landing gear) in a manner that will achieve a specified attitude.
Flight director indicator (FDI)
One of the major components of a flight director system, it provides steering commands that the pilot (or the autopilot, if coupled) follows.
Flight Information Region (FIR)
A FIR is an airspace of defined dimensions within which Flight Information Service and Alerting Service are provided. Flight Information Service (FIS) is a service provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights. Alerting Service is a service provided to notify appropriate organizations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid, and assist such organizations as required.
Flight Inspection
Inflight investigation and evaluation of a navigational aid to determine whether it meets established tolerances.
Flight Level (FL)
A flight level is a level of constant atmospheric pressure related to a reference datum of 29.92 in.Hg. Each flight level is stated in three digits that represents hundreds of feet. For example, FL 250 represents an altimeter indication of 25,000 feet.
Flight management system (FMS)
Provides pilot and crew with highly accurate and automatic long-range navigation capability, blending available inputs from long- and short- range sensors.
Flight path
The line, course, or track along which an aircraft is flying or is intended to be flown.
Flight patterns
Basic maneuvers, flown by reference to the instruments rather than outside visual cues, for the purpose of practicing basic attitude flying. The patterns simulate maneuvers encountered on instrument flights such as holding patterns, procedure turns, and approaches.
Flight strips
Paper strips containing instrument flight information, used by ATC when processing flight plans.
Floating Waypoints
Floating waypoints represent airspace fixes at a point in space not directly associated with a conventional airway. In many cases they may be established for such purposes as ATC metering fixes, holding points, RNAV-direct routing, gateway waypoints, STAR origination points leaving the en route structure, and SID terminating points joining the en route structure.
Fly Visual To Airport
Published Instrument Approach Procedure Visual Segment.
Fly-By (FB) Waypoint
A waypoint that requires the use of turn anticipation to avoid overshooting the next flight segment.
Fly-Over (FO) Waypoint
A waypoint that precludes any turn until the waypoint is overflown, and is followed by either an intercept maneuver of the next flight segment or direct flight to the next waypoint.
FMC
Flight Management Computer
FMS
Flight Management System.
FO
Fly-Over
FOM
Flight Operations Manual
Four Corner Post Configuration
An arrangement of air traffic pathways in a terminal area that brings incoming flights over fixes at four corners of the traffic area, while outbound flights depart between the fixes, thus minimizing conflicts between arriving and departing traffic.
FOWP
Fly-Over Waypoint
FPM
Feet Per Minute
FPNM
Feet Per Nautical Mile
FSDO
Flight Standards District Office
FSS
Flight Service Station
FTD
Flight Training Device.
FTE
Flight Technical Error
Fundamental skills
Pilot skills of instrument cross-check, instrument interpretation, and aircraft control.
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