Pilot/Controller Glossary: H

SeeHEIGHT ABOVE AIRPORT

SeeHEIGHT ABOVE LANDING

An action taken to transfer the radar identification of an aircraft from one controller to another if the aircraft will enter the receiving controller's airspace and radio communications with the aircraft will be transferred.

SeeHEIGHT ABOVE TOUCHDOWN

Used by pilots to inform ATC that they have received runway, wind, and altimeter information only.

Hazardous materials as defined by 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §171.8.
(Refer to 49 CFR part 171.8)
(Refer to AIM)

Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot weather reports (urgent PIREP/UUA), center weather advisories (CWA), airmen's meteorological information (AIRMET/WA), graphical airmen's meteorological information (G-AIRMET) and any other weather such as isolated thunderstorms that are rapidly developing and increasing in intensity, or low ceilings and visibilities that are becoming widespread which is considered significant and are not included in a current hazardous weather advisory.

SeeHAZARDOUS MATERIALS

SeeAIRCRAFT CLASSES

The height of the Minimum Descent Altitude above the published airport elevation. This is published in conjunction with circling minimums.

SeeMINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE

The height above a designated helicopter landing area used for helicopter instrument approach procedures.

Refer to14 CFR part 97

The height of the Decision Height or Minimum Descent Altitude above the highest runway elevation in the touchdown zone (first 3,000 feet of the runway). HAT is published on instrument approach charts in conjunction with all straight‐in minimums.

SeeDECISION HEIGHT

SeeMINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE

A rotorcraft that, for its horizontal motion, depends principally on its engine‐driven rotors.

SeeROTORCRAFT

A small, designated area, usually with a prepared surface, on a heliport, airport, landing/takeoff area, apron/ramp, or movement area used for takeoff, landing, or parking of helicopters.

An area of land, water, or structure used or intended to be used for the landing and takeoff of helicopters and includes its buildings and facilities if any.

The geographic center of a heliport.

The standard radio equivalent of frequency in cycles per second of an electromagnetic wave. Kilohertz (kHz) is a frequency of one thousand cycles per second. Megahertz (MHz) is a frequency of one million cycles per second.

SeeHIGH FREQUENCY

SeeHIGH FREQUENCY COMMUNICATIONS

The frequency band between 3 and 30 MHz.

SeeHIGH FREQUENCY COMMUNICATIONS

High radio frequencies (HF) between 3 and 30 MHz used for air‐to‐ground voice communication in overseas operations.

SeeHIGH SPEED TAXIWAY

A long radius taxiway designed and provided with lighting or marking to define the path of aircraft, traveling at high speed (up to 60 knots), from the runway center to a point on the center of a taxiway. Also referred to as long radius exit or turn‐off taxiway. The high speed taxiway is designed to expedite aircraft turning off the runway after landing, thus reducing runway occupancy time.

SeeHIGH SPEED TAXIWAY

A surveillance system that provides a sensor update rate of less than 4.8 seconds.

Used by ATC to delay an aircraft for traffic management reasons; i.e., weather, traffic volume, etc. Hold for release instructions (including departure delay information) are used to inform a pilot or a controller (either directly or through an authorized relay) that an IFR departure clearance is not valid until a release time or additional instructions have been received.

SeeICAO term HOLDING POINT

IN‐LIEU OF PROCEDURE TURN- A hold‐in‐lieu of procedure turn must be established over a final or intermediate fix when an approach can be made from a properly aligned holding pattern. The hold‐in‐lieu of procedure turn permits the pilot to align with the final or intermediate segment of the approach and/or descend in the holding pattern to an altitude that will permit a normal descent to the final approach fix altitude. The hold‐in‐lieu of procedure turn is a required maneuver (the same as a procedure turn) unless the aircraft is being radar vectored to the final approach course, when “NoPT” is shown on the approach chart, or when the pilot requests or the controller advises the pilot to make a “straight‐in” approach.

A predetermined maneuver which keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control. Also used during ground operations to keep aircraft within a specified area or at a specified point while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control.

SeeHOLDING FIX

📖Refer toAIM (opens in new tab) ↗

A specified fix identifiable to a pilot by NAVAIDs or visual reference to the ground used as a reference point in establishing and maintaining the position of an aircraft while holding.

SeeFIX

SeeVISUAL HOLDING

📖Refer toAIM (opens in new tab) ↗

A specified location, identified by visual or other means, in the vicinity of which the position of an aircraft in flight is maintained in accordance with air traffic control clearances.

SeeHOLD PROCEDURE

SHORT POINT- A point on the runway beyond which a landing aircraft with a LAHSO clearance is not authorized to proceed. This point may be located prior to an intersecting runway, taxiway, predetermined point, or approach/departure flight path.

SHORT POSITION LIGHTS- Flashing in‐pavement white lights located at specified hold‐short points.

SHORT POSITION MARKING- The painted runway marking located at the hold‐short point on all LAHSO runways.

SHORT POSITION SIGNS- Red and white holding position signs located alongside the hold‐short point.

Flight toward a NAVAID, without correcting for wind, by adjusting the aircraft heading to maintain a relative bearing of zero degrees.

SeeBEARING

SeeICAO term HOMING

The procedure of using the direction‐finding equipment of one radio station with the emission of another radio station, where at least one of the stations is mobile, and whereby the mobile station proceeds continuously towards the other station.

A location on an airport movement area with a history of potential risk of collision or runway incursion, and where heightened attention by pilots/drivers is necessary.

Used to describe when a helicopter/VTOL aircraft requires a stabilized hover to conduct a performance/power check prior to hover taxi, air taxi, or takeoff. Altitude of the hover will vary based on the purpose of the check.

Used to describe a helicopter/VTOL aircraft movement conducted above the surface and in ground effect at airspeeds less than approximately 20 knots. The actual height may vary, and some helicopters may require hover taxi above 25 feet AGL to reduce ground effect turbulence or provide clearance for cargo slingloads.

SeeAIR TAXI

SeeHOVER CHECK

📖Refer toAIM (opens in new tab) ↗

A question relating to the quality of the transmission or to determine how well the transmission is being received.

SeeHERTZ