Introduction and Glossary

To start off, this section of the knowledgebase serves as an introduction to key terms, procedures, and knowledge needed for anyone interested in taking part in most aviation-related activities, both on VATSIM and in the real world.

General-purpose Glossary

Acronyms and Abbreviations

ACS – Area Control Surveillance
AIP – Aeronautical Information Publication
AGL – Above Ground Level
AMSL – Above Mean Sea Level
APS – Approach Control Surveillance
ATC – Air Traffic Control
ATCO – Air Traffic Control Officer (i.e. an Air Traffic Controller)
ATS – Air Traffic Service
AoR – Area of Responsibility
ARP – Aerodrome Reference Point
ATIS – Automatic Terminal Information Service
ATZ – Aerodrome Traffic Zone
CFL – Cleared Flight Level
CTAF – Common Traffic Advisory Frequency
CTA – Control Area
CTR – Control Traffic Zone
COPN – Coordination Point Entry
COPX – Coordination Point Exit
DCL – Datalink
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival
FIR – Flight Information Region
GA – General Aviation
GMC – Ground Movement Control
ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organisation
IFR – Instrumental Flight Rules
IHP – Intermediate Holding Position
ILS – Instrumental Landing System
ITHP – Intermediate Taxi-Holding Position
LOC – Localiser
LVP – Low Visibility Procedures
METAR – Meteorological Aerodrome Report
MTOW – Maximum Takeoff Weight
NIL – None
N/A – Not Applicable
NM – Nautical mile
NOTAM – Notice to Airmen
PBN – Performance Based Navigation
PDC – Pre-departure Clearance
RET – Rapid Exit Taxiway
RFL – Requested Flight Level
RMZ – Radio Mandatory Zone
RNAV – Area Navigation
RNP – Required Navigation Performance
RVR – Runway Visual Range
RVSM – Reduced Vertical Separation Minima
RWY – Runway
SID – Standard Instrument Departure
SNOWTAM – Snow Warning to Airmen
SSR – Secondary Surveillance Radar
TAF – Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
TMA – Terminal Maneuvering Area
TMZ – Transponder Mandatory Zone
TODA – Takeoff Distance Available
TORA – Takeoff Run Available
TWR – Tower
TWY – Taxiway
TXL – Taxiline
VFR – Visual Flight Rules
VRP – Visual Reference/Reporting Point
WTC – Wake Turbulence Category

Terms and Definitions (Global to the Knowledgebase)

Controlled Airspace is such in which two-way radio communication is mandatory for all traffic following IFR (Instrumental Flight Rules) and may be either optional or mandatory for traffic following VFR (Visual Flight Rules) as well. Most controlled airspace has secondary radar coverage.

Uncontrolled Airspace is such in which two-way radio communication is not mandatory, however, selective portions may impose radio or transponder requirements through establishment of RMZs (Radio Mandatory Zones) and TMZs (Transponder Mandatory Zones). Uncontrolled airspace most of the time has at least primary radar coverage, but may lack it.

Shall in relation to an action or a requirement renders the action mandatory.

Should in relation to an action or a requirement renders the action recommended.

May/Might in relation to an action or a requirement renders the action optional.

International Phonetic Alphabet

Letters

A – Alfa
B – Bravo
C – Charlie
D – Delta
E – Echo
F – Foxtrot
G – Golf
H – Hotel
I – India
J – Juliett
K – Kilo
L – Lima
M – Mike
N – November
O – Oscar
P – Papa
Q – Quebec
R – Romeo
S – Sierra
T – Tango
U – Uniform
V – Victor
W – Whiskey
X – X-Ray
Y – Yankee
Z – Zulu

Numbers

1 – Wun
2 – Too
3 – Tree
4 – Fow-er
5 – Fife
6 – Six
7 – Seven
8 – Ait
9 – Nin-er
0 – Ze-ro

VATSIM Glossary

Administrative Structure

The Board of Governors (BoG) is the main governing body of the VATSIM Network. All key decisions including, but not limited to financing of the network and enactment of global policies are taken by the BoG.

Regions are the primary divisions of the VATSIM Network. They are administered directly by the BoG. Latvia vACC is a part of the VATSIM Europe, Middle East and Africa (VATEMEA) region.

Divisions are the first layer of self-governance on the Network. They are tasked with working out specific policies and regulations that are applicable for their respective area of the world. Latvia vACC is a part of the VATSIM Europe Division (VATEUD) and the vACC Staff Team answers directly to the VATSIM Europe Division Director.

Subdivisions are the second layer of self-governance on VATSIM. Some divisions have them and some do not. In divisions where subdivisions are present, they are tasked with managing day-to-day business of a portion of their parent division’s airspace. In VATEUD subdivisions are called virtual Area Control Centres (vACCs) — Latvia vACC is a subdivision of the VATSIM Europe Division.

Controller Ratings

OBS – Observer
S1 – Developing Controller
S2 – Aerodrome Controller
S3 – Terminal Controller
C1 – Enroute Controller
C3 – Senior Controller
I1 – Instructor
I3 – Senior Instructor
SUP – Supervisor
ADM – Administrator

Transfer and Visiting Controllers Policy

Transfer and Visiting Controllers Policy (TVCP) is a global VATSIM policy that governs members’ attachments to different entities in the VATSIM administrative structure and their status within them. In this section descriptions are provided to terms used within or relevant to the mentioned policy in the scope of Latvia vACC.

Active Controllers are those who are listed on the Latvia vACC Controller Roster and thus have the privilege to staff ATC positions within EVRR FIR.

Home Controllers are VATSIM members whose allocation is Europe, Middle East and Africa - Europe (except UK) - Latvia. Those members enjoy the right to full controller training in Latvia vACC. Members can view their current allocation on my.vatsim.net.

Visiting Controllers are VATSIM members whose allocation is other than Latvia vACC who are listed on the Latvia vACC Controller Roster and thus have the privilege to staff ATC positions within EVRR FIR.

Controller Endorsements

Unrestricted Endorsement is one that is granted to a controller at the start of their training. This endorsement gives one the privilege of staffing ATC positions that are not designated as restricted. At the moment, no positions in Latvia vACC are restricted.

Tier 1 Endorsement is one that is granted to controllers authorised to control especially complicated ATC positions. At the moment, no positions in Latvia vACC are designated as Tier 1.

Tier 2 Endorsement is one that is granted to controllers authorised to control ATC positions that require some kind of special expertise. At the moment, no positions in Latvia vACC are designated as Tier 2.

ATC Facilities

DEL – Clearance/Delivery
GND – Ground Control
RMP – Ramp Control
TWR – Tower Control
DEP – Departure Control
APP – Approach Control
CTR – Enroute Control
FSS – Flight Service Station
RDO – Radio Operator
FMP/TMU – Traffic Flow Position, Traffic Management Unit

METAR and SNOWTAM