Air Traffic Control (ATC) glossary – Master the language of air traffic control
Air Traffic Control (ATC) communications may sound cryptic at first, but every word is there for a reason: safety, clarity, and coordination. Whether you’re flying in a simulator or training in real-world aviation, understanding these terms is key. Below is a complete ATC glossary structured in categories, each introduced with a quick explanation to help you contextualize the vocabulary.
Basic ATC Terms
These are the fundamental terms every pilot or virtual aviator needs to know. They describe who controls the airspace and when you should talk to them.
| Term | Definition | Example |
| ATC (Air Traffic Control) | A service ensuring safe and orderly aircraft operations on the ground and in the air. | “Contact ATC for departure clearance.” |
| Tower (TWR) | Local ATC managing aircraft in the airport vicinity which is using or plans to use a runway for takeoff and landing. | “Tower, Delta 123 ready for departure, runway 27.” |
| TMA or TCA (Terminal Control Area) | Also called “Terminal”, it is an area covered by ATC services surrounding a major airport. | Heathrow TCA, Kennedy TCA, TMA Paris, etc |
| Ground Control | Manages aircraft on taxiways and non-active runways. | “Contact ground on 121.9 for taxi instructions.” |
| Approach | Coordinates aircraft inside the TMA with the intention of landing up to contact with TWR. | “Contact approach on 125.5 for sequencing.” |
| Departure | ATC unit handling outbound flights shortly after takeoff until they leave TMA. | “Contact departure on 119.2.” |
Clearances & Commands
This section explains common instructions issued by ATC to guide aircraft during taxi, takeoff, landing, and movement on the ground.
| Term | Definition | Example |
| Cleared for Takeoff | Authorization to begin the takeoff roll. | “American 456, cleared for takeoff runway 27.” |
| Cleared to Land | Authorization to land on a specified runway. | “United 789, cleared to land runway 18L.” |
| Expedite | Move faster due to urgency (usually traffic-related). | “Expedite crossing runway 08, traffic on final.” |
| Hold Short | Instruct the aircraft to stop at the holding point before reaching the runway. | “Hold short of runway 09R.” |
| Line Up and Wait | Taxi onto and align with the runway, then wait for takeoff clearance. | “Line up and wait, runway 22L.” |
| Taxi | Ground movement of an aircraft under its own power. | “Taxi to gate via Alpha and Charlie.” |
| Pushback | Backing the aircraft from the gate using a tug. | “Request pushback and engine start.” |
Airport Layout Terms
To navigate an airport safely, pilots must know where they are and where they’re going. These terms describe the physical layout of any airport.
| Term | Definition | Example |
| Taxiway | A path connecting runways and aprons/gates. | “Taxi via Bravo and Delta.” |
| Runway | A designated strip for aircraft takeoff and landing. | “Runway 33L is active today.” |
| Holding Point / Hold Line | Marked location to stop before entering a runway. | “Hold at point Echo.” |
| Apron / Ramp | Area where aircraft are parked, boarded, or refueled. | “Taxi to the apron via taxiway Alpha.” |
Flight Patterns & Procedures
Once in the air (or preparing to land), aircraft follow standard traffic patterns. This section covers these procedures and specific maneuvers.
| Term | Definition | Example |
| Pattern (Traffic Pattern) | A rectangular flight path around the airport followed by aircraft when taking off or landing maintaining visual contact with the airfield. | “Enter right downwind for runway 24.” |
| Downwind / Base / Final | Legs of the traffic pattern: Downwind (parallel), Base (perpendicular), Final (aligned with runway). | “Report on final for runway 27.” |
| Go-Around | Aborting a landing attempt and climbing for another approach. | “Go around, aircraft still on the runway.” |
| Touch-and-Go | Landing followed by immediate takeoff without full stop. | “Cleared touch-and-go, runway 18.” |
| Low Approach | Fly over the runway without landing. | “Approved low approach runway 22.” |
Radio & Communication Terms
Clear radio communication is critical. These terms help structure conversations between pilots and controllers.
| Contact [Frequency] | Contact an ATC service using the designated frequency. | “Contact tower on 118.3.” |
| Standby | Asking TCA or aircraft to wait for a response. | “Tower, N123AB, standby.” |
| Say Again | Request repetition of the last message. | “Say again, unable to copy.” |
| Read Back | Repetition of the instruction received or part of it for confirmation. | “Clear to land runway 19, 0TJ.” |
| Roger | Message received and understood. | “Roger, taxiing to 15R.” |
| Wilco | Will comply. | “Wilco, lining up runway 09.” |
| Negative | No, or not authorized. | “Negative, not cleared for takeoff.” |
| Affirmative | Yes, or correct. | “Affirmative, squawk 7000.” |
Transponder & Navigation
These terms refer to navigation systems and transponder usage that help track and separate aircraft in controlled airspace.
| Term | Definition | Example |
| Squawk [Code] | Set transponder to a specific 4-digit code. | “Squawk 1200 for VFR.” |
| Ident | Press the IDENT button on the transponder to highlight on radar. | “Ident, radar contact.” |
| VFR (Visual Flight Rules) | Flight by visual reference, generally below controlled airspace. | “Flying VFR to the north.” |
| IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) | Flying using instruments under limited visual contact with the ground. | “IFR clearance to JFK received.” |
Approaches
The final stage of flight: this section explains how aircraft transition from en route to landing, guided either visually or via navigation systems.
| Visual Approach | Landing guided by visual references. | “Cleared visual approach runway 33.” |
| Instrument Approach | Landing guided by navigation instruments. | “Expect ILS approach runway 09L.” |
| ILS (Instrument Landing System) | Precision approach using horizontal localizer and glideslope. | “Established on the ILS runway 04R.” |
| RNAV Approach | Approach using GPS-based navigation. | “Cleared RNAV approach runway 10.” |
| Circling Approach | Visual maneuver after instrument approach to land on another runway. | “Clear for ILS 18, circle to land runway 27 after approach.” |
Mastering ATC terminology is a valuable step toward becoming a more confident and capable pilot—whether you’re in a flight simulator or flying for real. This glossary is designed to make communication with Air Traffic Control clearer, reduce misunderstandings, and help you immerse yourself fully in realistic flight operations.
Feel free to keep this reference close during your flights, and don’t hesitate to share it with fellow simmers or aviation students. The sky’s the limit when you speak the language of the tower!
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