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Pilot/Controller Glossary

Pilot/Controller Glossary: I

76 entries, reproduced verbatim from the FAA glossary effective 7/9/26.

ICAO Three-Letter Designator (3LD)

Letter Designator (3LD)- An ICAO 3LD is an exclusive designator that, when used together with a flight number, becomes the aircraft call sign and provides distinct aircraft identification to air traffic control (ATC). ICAO approves 3LDs to enhance the safety and security of the air traffic system. An ICAO 3LD may be assigned to a company, agency, or organization and is used instead of the aircraft registration number for ATC operational and security purposes. An ICAO 3LD is also used for aircraft identification in the flight plan and associated messages and can be used for domestic and international flights. A telephony associated with an ICAO 3LD is used for radio communication.

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ICING

The accumulation of airframe ice.

Types of icing are:

  1. Rime Ice- Rough, milky, opaque ice formed by the instantaneous freezing of small supercooled water droplets.
  2. Clear Ice- A glossy, clear, or translucent ice formed by the relatively slow freezing of large supercooled water droplets.
  3. Mixed- A mixture of clear ice and rime ice.

Intensity of icing:

  1. Trace- Ice becomes noticeable. The rate of accumulation is slightly greater than the rate of sublimation. A representative accretion rate for reference purposes is less than ¼ inch (6 mm) per hour on the outer wing. The pilot should consider exiting the icing conditions before they become worse.
  2. Light- The rate of ice accumulation requires occasional cycling of manual deicing systems to minimize ice accretions on the airframe. A representative accretion rate for reference purposes is ¼ inch to 1 inch (0.6 to 2.5 cm) per hour on the unprotected part of the outer wing. The pilot should consider exiting the icing condition.
  3. Moderate- The rate of ice accumulation requires frequent cycling of manual deicing systems to minimize ice accretions on the airframe. A representative accretion rate for reference purposes is 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) per hour on the unprotected part of the outer wing. The pilot should consider exiting the icing condition as soon as possible.
  4. Severe- The rate of ice accumulation is such that ice protection systems fail to remove the accumulation of ice and ice accumulates in locations not normally prone to icing, such as areas aft of protected surfaces and any other areas identified by the manufacturer. A representative accretion rate for reference purposes is more than 3 inches (7.5 cm) per hour on the unprotected part of the outer wing. By regulation, immediate exit is required.

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IDENT Frequently used

A request for a pilot to activate the aircraft transponder identification feature. This will help the controller to confirm an aircraft identity or to identify an aircraft.

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IDENT FEATURE

The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other beacon targets.

SeeIDENT

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IF NO TRANSMISSION RECEIVED FOR (TIME) Frequently used

Used by ATC in radar approaches to prefix procedures which should be followed by the pilot in event of lost communications.

SeeLOST COMMUNICATIONS

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IFR AIRCRAFT

An aircraft conducting flight in accordance with instrument flight rules.

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IFR CONDITIONS

Weather conditions below the minimum for flight under visual flight rules.

SeeINSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

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IFR MILITARY TRAINING ROUTES (IR)

Routes used by the Department of Defense and associated Reserve and Air Guard units for the purpose of conducting low‐altitude navigation and tactical training in both IFR and VFR weather conditions below 10,000 feet MSL at airspeeds in excess of 250 knots IAS.

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IFR TAKEOFF MINIMUMS AND DEPARTURE PROCEDURES

Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 91, prescribes standard takeoff rules for certain civil users. At some airports, obstructions or other factors require the establishment of nonstandard takeoff minimums, departure procedures, or both to assist pilots in avoiding obstacles during climb to the minimum en route altitude. Those airports are listed in FAA/DoD Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) Charts under a section entitled “IFR Takeoff Minimums and Departure Procedures.” The FAA/DoD IAP chart legend illustrates the symbol used to alert the pilot to nonstandard takeoff minimums and departure procedures. When departing IFR from such airports or from any airports where there are no departure procedures, DPs, or ATC facilities available, pilots should advise ATC of any departure limitations. Controllers may query a pilot to determine acceptable departure directions, turns, or headings after takeoff. Pilots should be familiar with the departure procedures and must assure that their aircraft can meet or exceed any specified climb gradients.

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IF/IAWP

Intermediate Fix/Initial Approach Waypoint. The waypoint where the final approach course of a T approach meets the crossbar of the T. When designated (in conjunction with a TAA) this waypoint will be used as an IAWP when approaching the airport from certain directions, and as an IFWP when beginning the approach from another IAWP.

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ILS CATEGORIES

1. Category I. An ILS approach procedure which provides for approach to a height above touchdown of not less than 200 feet and with runway visual range of not less than 1,800 feet.- 2. Special Authorization Category I. An ILS approach procedure which provides for approach to a height above touchdown of not less than 150 feet and with runway visual range of not less than 1,400 feet, HUD to DH. 3. Category II. An ILS approach procedure which provides for approach to a height above touchdown of not less than 100 feet and with runway visual range of not less than 1,200 feet (with autoland or HUD to touchdown and noted on authorization, RVR 1,000 feet).- 4. Special Authorization Category II with Reduced Lighting. An ILS approach procedure which provides for approach to a height above touchdown of not less than 100 feet and with runway visual range of not less than 1,200 feet with autoland or HUD to touchdown and noted on authorization (no touchdown zone and centerline lighting are required).- 5. Category III:

  1. IIIA.-An ILS approach procedure which provides for approach without a decision height minimum and with runway visual range of not less than 700 feet.
  2. IIIB.-An ILS approach procedure which provides for approach without a decision height minimum and with runway visual range of not less than 150 feet.
  3. IIIC.-An ILS approach procedure which provides for approach without a decision height minimum and without runway visual range minimum.

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IMMEDIATELY Frequently used

Used by ATC or pilots when such action compliance is required to avoid an imminent situation.

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INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM (INS)

An RNAV system which is a form of self‐contained navigation.

SeeArea Navigation/RNAV

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INFLIGHT SERVICES [FSS]

Services provided to or affecting aircraft inflight or otherwise operating on the airport surface. This includes services to airborne aircraft, such as the delivery of ATC clearances, advisories or requests, issuance of military flight advisory messages, NOTAM delivery, search and rescue communications searches, flight plan handling, transcribed or live broadcasts, weather observations, PIREPs, and pilot briefings.

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INFORMATION REQUEST (INREQ)

A request originated by an FSS for information concerning an overdue VFR aircraft.

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INITIAL APPROACH SEGMENT [ICAO]

That segment of an instrument approach procedure between the initial approach fix and the intermediate approach fix or, where applicable, the final approach fix or point.

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INLAND NAVIGATION FACILITY

A navigation aid on a North American Route at which the common route and/or the noncommon route begins or ends.

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INNER MARKER

A marker beacon used with an ILS (CAT II) precision approach located between the middle marker and the end of the ILS runway, transmitting a radiation pattern keyed at six dots per second and indicating to the pilot, both aurally and visually, that he/she is at the designated decision height (DH), normally 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation, on the ILS CAT II approach. It also marks progress during a CAT III approach.

SeeINSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM

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INSTRUMENT APPROACH OPERATIONS [ICAO]

An approach and landing using instruments for navigation guidance based on an instrument approach procedure. There are two methods for executing instrument approach operations:

  1. A two-dimensional (2D) instrument approach operation, using lateral navigation guidance only; and
  2. A three-dimensional (3D) instrument approach operation, using both lateral and vertical navigation guidance.

SeeICAO term INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE

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INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE

A series of predetermined maneuvers for the orderly transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from the beginning of the initial approach to a landing or to a point from which a landing may be made visually. It is prescribed and approved for a specific airport by competent authority.

SeeSEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE

Refer to14 CFR part 91

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  1. U.S. civil standard instrument approach procedures are approved by the FAA as prescribed under 14 CFR part 97 and are available for public use.
  2. U.S. military standard instrument approach procedures are approved and published by the Department of Defense.
  3. Special instrument approach procedures are approved by the FAA for individual operators but are not published in 14 CFR part 97 for public use.

SeeICAO term INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE

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INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE [ICAO]

A series of predetermined maneuvers by reference to flight instruments with specified protection from obstacles from the initial approach fix, or where applicable, from the beginning of a defined arrival route to a point from which a landing can be completed and thereafter, if a landing is not completed, to a position at which holding or en route obstacle clearance criteria apply.

SeeICAO term INSTRUMENT APPROACH OPERATIONS

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INSTRUMENT DEPARTURE PROCEDURE (DP)

A preplanned instrument flight rule (IFR) departure procedure published for pilot use, in graphic or textual format, that provides obstruction clearance from the terminal area to the appropriate en route structure. There are two types of DP, Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP), printed either textually or graphically, and, Standard Instrument Departure (SID), which is always printed graphically.

SeeIFR TAKEOFF MINIMUMS AND DEPARTURE PROCEDURES

SeeOBSTACLE DEPARTURE PROCEDURES

SeeSTANDARD INSTRUMENT DEPARTURES

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INSTRUMENT RUNWAY

A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight‐in landing minimums has been approved.

SeeICAO term INSTRUMENT RUNWAY

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INSTRUMENT RUNWAY [ICAO]

One of the following types of runways intended for the operation of aircraft using instrument approach procedures:

  1. Nonprecision Approach Runway- An instrument runway served by visual aids and a nonvisual aid providing at least directional guidance adequate for a straight‐in approach.
  2. Precision Approach Runway, Category I- An instrument runway served by ILS and visual aids intended for operations down to 60 m (200 feet) decision height and down to an RVR of the order of 800 m.
  3. Precision Approach Runway, Category II- An instrument runway served by ILS and visual aids intended for operations down to 30 m (100 feet) decision height and down to an RVR of the order of 400 m.
  4. Precision Approach Runway, Category III- An instrument runway served by ILS to and along the surface of the runway and:
  5. Intended for operations down to an RVR of the order of 200 m (no decision height being applicable) using visual aids during the final phase of landing;
  6. Intended for operations down to an RVR of the order of 50 m (no decision height being applicable) using visual aids for taxiing;
  7. Intended for operations without reliance on visual reference for landing or taxiing.

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INTEGRATED DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL CAPABILITY (IDAC)

A Tower/TRACON departure scheduling capability within TBFM that allows departures to be scheduled into either an arrival flow or an en route flow. IDAC provides a mechanism for electronic coordination of departure release times.

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INTEGRITY

The ability of a system to provide timely warnings to users when the system should not be used for navigation.

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INTERMEDIATE APPROACH SEGMENT [ICAO]

That segment of an instrument approach procedure between either the intermediate approach fix and the final approach fix or point, or between the end of a reversal, race track or dead reckoning track procedure and the final approach fix or point, as appropriate.

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INTERMEDIATE LANDING

On the rare occasion that this option is requested, it should be approved. The departure center, however, must advise the ATCSCC so that the appropriate delay is carried over and assigned at the intermediate airport. An intermediate landing airport within the arrival center will not be accepted without coordination with and the approval of the ATCSCC.

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INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Relating to international flight, it means:

  1. An airport of entry which has been designated by the Secretary of Treasury or Commissioner of Customs as an international airport for customs service.
  2. A landing rights airport at which specific permission to land must be obtained from customs authorities in advance of contemplated use.
  3. Airports designated under the Convention on International Civil Aviation as an airport for use by international commercial air transport and/or international general aviation.

SeeICAO term INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Refer toChart Supplement U.S

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INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT [ICAO]

Any airport designated by the Contracting State in whose territory it is situated as an airport of entry and departure for international air traffic, where the formalities incident to customs, immigration, public health, animal and plant quarantine and similar procedures are carried out.

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INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION [ICAO]

A specialized agency of the United Nations whose objective is to develop the principles and techniques of international air navigation and to foster planning and development of international civil air transport.

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INTERNATIONAL NOTICE

A notice containing flight prohibitions, potential hostile situations, or other international/foreign oceanic airspace matters. These notices can be found on the International Notices website.

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INTERROGATOR

The ground‐based surveillance radar beacon transmitter‐receiver, which normally scans in synchronism with a primary radar, transmitting discrete radio signals which repetitiously request all transponders on the mode being used to reply. The replies received are mixed with the primary radar returns and displayed on the same plan position indicator (radar scope). Also, applied to the airborne element of the TACAN/DME system.

SeeTRANSPONDER

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INTERSECTION

  1. A point defined by any combination of courses, radials, or bearings of two or more navigational aids.
  2. Used to describe the point where two runways, a runway and a taxiway, or two taxiways cross or meet.

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Source. FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary, letter I, effective 7/9/26, reproduced verbatim from https://www.faa.gov/Air_traffic/publications/atpubs/pcg_html/index.html. A United States Government work. Check the current published glossary before you rely on any entry here.