Aeronautical Terms beginning with N
NACG
National Aeronautical Charting Group. (obsolete)
NACO
National Aeronautical Charting Office
NAS
National Airspace System. The common network of U.S. airspace; air navigation facilities, equipment and services, airports or landing areas.
NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NATCA
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Aeronautical Charting Group (NACG)
A Federal agency operating under the FAA, responsible for publishing charts such as the terminal procedures and en route charts. Moved to Aeronautical Information Services AJV-A
National Airspace System
The common network of U.S. airspace; air navigation facilities, equipment and services, airports or landing areas; aeronautical charts, information and services; rules, regulations and procedures, technical information, and manpower and material. Included are system components shared jointly with the military.
National Airspace System (NAS)
The common network of United States airspace—air navigation facilities, equipment and services, airports or landing areas; aeronautical charts, information and services; rules, regulations and procedures, technical information; and manpower and material.
National defense airspace
Airspace established by a regulation prescribed, or an order issued under, 49 U.S.C. 40103(b)(3).
National Flight Data Center
A facility in Washington D.C., established by FAA to operate a central aeronautical information service for the collection, validation, and dissemination of aeronautical data in support of the activities of government, industry, and the aviation community. The information is published in the National Flight Data Digest.
National Flight Data Digest
A daily (except weekends and Federal holidays) publication of flight information appropriate to aeronautical charts, aeronautical publications, Notices to Airmen, or other media serving the purpose of providing operational flight data essential to safe and efficient aircraft operations.
National Route Program (NRP)
A set of rules and procedures designed to increase the flexibility of user flight planning within published guidelines.
National Security Area (NSA)
Areas consisting of airspace of defined vertical and lateral dimensions established at locations where there is a requirement for increased security and safety of ground facilities. Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flying through the depicted NSA. When it is necessary to provide a greater level of security and safety, flight in NSAs may be temporarily prohibited. Regulatory prohibitions are disseminated via NOTAMs.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
A United States Government independent organization responsible for investigations of accidents involving aviation, highways, waterways, pipelines, and railroads in the United States. NTSB is charged by congress to investigate every civil aviation accident in the United States.
NAV/COM
Navigation and communication radio.
NAVAID
Navigational Aid. Any visual or electronic device, airborne or on the surface, which provides point-to-point guidance information or position data to aircraft in flight.
Navaid Classes
VOR, VORTAC, and TACAN aids are classed according to their operational use. The three classes of NAVAIDs are: a. T-Terminal. b. L-Low altitude. c. H-High altitude. Note: The normal service range for T, L, and H class aids is found in the AIM. Certain operational requirements make it necessary to use some of these aids at greater service ranges than specified. Extended range is made possible through flight inspection determinations. Some aids also have lesser service range due to location, terrain, frequency protection, etc. Restrictions to service range are listed in Airport/Facility Directory.
Navigable Airspace
Airspace at and above the minimum flight altitudes prescribed in the CFRs including airspace needed for safe takeoff and landing.
Navigational Aid
Any visual or electronic device airborne or on the surface which provides point-to-point guidance information or position data to aircraft in flight.
NDB
Nondirectional Radio Beacon
NDB (ADF)
Nondirectional Beacon (Automatic Direction Finder).
Negative
“No,” or “permission not granted,” or “that is not correct.”
Negative Contact
Used by pilots to inform ATC that: a. Previously issued traffic is not in sight. It may be followed by the pilot’s request for the controller to provide assistance in avoiding the traffic. b. They were unable to contact ATC on a particular frequency.
NFDC
National Flight Data Center
NGA
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Night
The time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in the American Air Almanac, converted to local time.
NM
Nautical Mile. International unit equal to 6076.115 feet (1852 meters).
No Gyro Approach
A radar approach/vector provided in case of a malfunctioning gyro-compass or directional gyro. Instead of providing the pilot with headings to be flown, the controller observes the radar track and issues control instructions “turn right/left” or “stop turn” as appropriate.
No Gyro Vector
No Gyro Approach. A radar approach/vector provided in case of a malfunctioning gyro-compass or directional gyro. Instead of providing the pilot with headings to be flown, the controller observes the radar track and issues control instructions “turn right/left” or “stop turn” as appropriate.
No Transgression Zone (NTZ)
The NTZ is a 2,000 foot wide zone, located equidistant between parallel runway final approach courses in which flight is not allowed.
NOAA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Nonapproach Control Tower
Authorizes aircraft to land or takeoff at the airport controlled by the tower or to transit the Class D airspace. The primary function of a nonapproach control tower is the sequencing of aircraft in the traffic pattern and on the landing area. Nonapproach control towers also separate aircraft operating under instrument flight rules clearances from approach controls and centers. They provide ground control services to aircraft, vehicles, personnel, and equipment on the airport movement area.
Nonmovement Areas
Taxiways and apron (ramp) areas not under the control of air traffic.
NORDO
(No Radio) Aircraft That Cannot Or Do Not Communicate By Radio When Radio Communication Is Required Are Referred To As “Nordo.
Normal Category
A category of aircraft certificated under 14 CFR part 23 and CAR part 3 that allows the maximum weight and CG range while restricting the maneuvers that are permitted.
NOTAM
Notice to Airmen. A notice containing information (not known sufficiently in advance to publicize by other means) concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any component (facility, service, or procedure of, or hazard in the National Airspace System) the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.
NOTAM D
Distant Notam
NOTAM L
Local Notam
Notice To Airmen
A notice containing information (not known sufficiently in advance to publicize by other means) concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any component (facility, service, or procedure of, or hazard in the National Airspace System) the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations. There are two types: NOTAM(D) and FDC NOTAM.
Notices To Airmen Publication
A publication issued every 28 days, designed primarily for the pilot, which contains current NOTAM information considered essential to the safety of flight as well as supplemental data to other aeronautical publications. The contraction NTAP is used in NOTAM text.
NPRM
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
NRP
North American Route Program. The NRP is a set of rules and procedures which are designed to increase the flexibility of user flight planning within published guidelines.
NSA
National Security Area
NTAP
Notices to Airmen Publication
NTSB
National Transportation Safety Board
NTZ
No Transgression Zone
Numerous Targets Vicinity (Location)
A traffic advisory issued by ATC to advise pilots that targets on the radar scope are too numerous to issue individually.
NWS
National Weather Service.
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