Glossary
Glossary
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Airport planning and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process require the
use of many technical terms. Some of the most important are defined in this
section. Terms in bold italics are defined separately in this glossary.
Air Carrier Aircraft – Generally, U.S. registered large (12,500 pounds or more, by
FAA definition) transport category civil aircraft (excluding single-engine) of
designated class and type, that support scheduled passenger-carrying and cargo
operations in air commerce, pursuant to a Federal Aviation Administration air
carrier certificate issued under 14 CFR Parts 119 and 121 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations, (see 14 CFR § 119.3, for Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental
definitions).
Air Traffic Control (ATC) - An FAA service operated for the public, to ensure
adequate separation of aircraft and to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious
flow of air traffic. The air traffic facility with jurisdiction over mapped and
designated airspace may authorize aircraft to proceed under specified traffic
conditions within controlled airspace.
Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) - An air traffic control facility established
on an airport to provide for safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic arriving
at and departing from an airport, including airport surface areas such as runways
and taxiways.
Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes - "ATS route," a generic term, includes "VOR
Federal airways," "colored Federal airways," "alternate airways," "jet routes,"
"Military Training Routes," "named routes," and "RNAV routes." The term "ATS
route" serves as an overall title for listing the types of routes that comprise the
United States route structure.
Airport Arrival Rate (AAR) - A dynamic input parameter specifying the number of
arriving aircraft which an airport or airspace can accept from the Air Route Traffic
Control Center per hour. The AAR is used to calculate the desired interval
between successive arrival aircraft.
Airport Layout Plan (ALP) - A scaled drawing of existing and proposed land and
facilities necessary for the operation and development of the airport. The ALP
shows boundaries and proposed additions to all areas owned or controlled by the
airport operator for airport purposes, the location and nature of existing and
proposed action, and the location on the airport of existing and proposed non-
aviation areas and improvements thereon.
Airport Operations – The total takeoffs (departures) and landings (arrivals) from
an airport.
Airport Reference Code (ARC) - A coding system used to relate airport design
criteria to the operational and physical characteristics of the design aircraft
intended to operate at the airport (i.e. the most critical aircraft type currently
using, or projected to use, an airport, with a minimum of 500 operations per year).
ARC can either be one aircraft or a group of aircraft. The first component of the
ARC is a capital letter (A, B, C, D, or E with "A" being the lowest, and "E" being the
highest), which refers to the aircraft approach speed in its landing configuration.
The second component, which is depicted by a Roman numeral (I, II, III, IV, V, VI,
with "I" being the lowest and "VI" being the highest), refers to aircraft wingspan.
Together, the two components relate aircraft operational and physical
characteristics to the required design criteria of various airport components, such
as runway/taxiway widths, runway to taxiway separation standards, and obstacle
clearance items. Under this methodology, safety margins are provided in the
physical design of airport facilities.
Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) - Approach control radar used by air traffic
controllers to detect and display an aircraft's position in the airport terminal area.
ASR provides range (distance) and azimuth (direction) information with regard to
arriving or departing aircraft.
Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes - "ATS route," a generic term, includes "VOR
Federal airways," "colored Federal airways," "alternate airways," "jet routes,"
"Military Training Routes," "named routes," and "RNAV routes." The term "ATS
route" serves as an overall title for listing the types of routes that comprise the
United States route structure.
Ambient Noise - The total sum of noise from all sources in a given place and time.
This is also known as Existing Ambient Noise. See also Natural Ambient
Noise.
Approach Light Systems (ALS) - One of various lighting aids that may be
installed on an airport. The ALS is a series of lights that provide visual guidance to
landing aircraft by radiating light beams in a directional pattern, to assist the pilot
when aligning aircraft with the extended runway centerline on final approach.
Azimuth - An arc of the horizon measured between a fixed point (such as true
north) and the vertical circle passing through the center of an object.
Base Flight Segment – A flight path at right angles to the landing runway off its
approach end. The base segment normally extends from the downwind segment to
the intersection of the extended runway centerline.
Base Leg - A flight path at right angles to the approach of a runway end. It
usually extends from the downwind leg to the intersection of the extended runway
centerline.
Building Restriction Line (BRL) - A line drawn on an airport layout plan that
distinguishes between areas that are suitable for buildings and areas that are
unsuitable. Typically, a 35-foot building height is used to ensure that all the
surfaces in 14 CFR Part 77 are clear.
and volume of aircraft operations. Controlled airspace is also that airspace within
which all aircraft operators are subject to certain pilot qualifications, operating
rules, and equipment requirements (for specific operating requirements, see 14 CFR
Part 91).
Crosswind Leg - A flight path at right angles to the approach runway end off of
the upwind end.
Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) - A noise measure used to describe the
average sound level over a 24-hour period, typically an average day over the
course of a year. In computing DNL, an extra weight of ten decibels is assigned to
noise occurring between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. to account for
increased annoyance when ambient noise levels are lower and people are trying to
sleep. DNL may be determined for individual locations or expressed in noise
contours.
Decibel (dB) - Sound is energy and is measured by its pressure. Because of the
enormous range of sound pressures to which the human ear is sensitive, the raw
sound pressure measurement is converted to the decibel scale for purposes of
description and analysis. The decibel scale is logarithmic. A ten-decibel increase in
sound is perceived as a doubling of sound (or twice as loud) by the human ear.
Declared Distances – The distance the airport owner declares available for the
airplane’s takeoff run, takeoff distance, accelerate-stop distance, and landing
distance requirements.
Design Aircraft - The most critical aircraft type currently using, or projected to
use, an airport, with a minimum of 500 operations per year. It can either be one
aircraft or a group of aircraft. See also Airport Reference Code.
Detailed Study Area - One of the areas identified for detailed environmental
investigation as part of this Environmental Impact Statement. This study area
is smaller in scale than the General Study Area to accommodate the more
detailed analyses. (See General Study Area.)
Double-Clear Zone - An area on the ground, up to 1,250 feet from each side of
the runway centerline and extending 5,000 feet beyond each end of the primary
runway surface. It is also known as the Approach Transitional Area for runways
serving or anticipated to serve turbojet aircraft or having an existing or planned
runway with an instrument approach.
Easement - The legal right of one party to use part of the rights of a piece of real
estate belonging to another party. This may include, but is not limited to, the right
of passage over, on or below the property; certain air rights above the property,
including view rights; and the rights to any specified form of development or
activity.
Engine Run-ups – A routine procedure for testing aircraft systems by running one
or more engines at a high power setting. Engine run-ups are normally conducted
by airline maintenance personnel checking an engine or other on board systems
following maintenance.
EnRoute Air Traffic Control System - Unlike airport traffic control tower or
terminal radar approach control service, Air Route Traffic Control Centers provide
enroute service, generally for aircraft on Instrument Flight Rules flight plans,
when these aircraft are operating between departure and destination airports at
designated higher altitudes. When equipment, capabilities, and controller workload
permit, certain advisory/assistance services may be provided to Visual Flight
Rules aircraft. Enroute airspace is that airspace not delegated to approach control.
Equivalent Sound Level (Leq) - The A-weighted energy average sound level
experienced over a given period of time. The metric is expressed as ten times the
log of the total noise energy divided by the number of seconds during the period
under consideration.
Final Approach - A flight path in the direction of landing that follows the extended
runway centerline. It usually extends from the base leg to the runway.
Fleet Mix - The mix or differing types of aircraft operating in a particular airport
environment.
Flight Track Utilization - The use of established routes for arrival and departure
by aircraft to and from the runways at the airport.
General Aviation Aircraft – Generally, those U.S. registered civil aircraft which
operate for private and noncommercial purposes and whose operations are not
governed by 14 CFR Parts 119, 121, 125, or 135 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations. General aviation aircraft range from small single-engine propeller
aircraft to large turbojet private aircraft.
Glide Slope (GS) - Provides vertical guidance for aircraft during approach and
landing. The glide slope consists of the following:
General Study Area - One of the areas identified for environmental investigation
as part of this EIS. This study area is larger in scale than the Detailed Study
Area. (See Detailed Study Area.)
Grid Analysis - A type of aircraft noise analysis that evaluates the noise levels at
individual points rather than through generation of noise contours.
Hubbing - A method of airline scheduling that times the arrival and departure of
several aircraft in a close period of time in order to allow the transfer of passengers
between different flights of the same airline in order to reach their ultimate
destination. Several airlines may conduct hubbing operations at an airport.
Land Use Compatibility - The ability of land uses surrounding the airport to
coexist with airport-related activities with minimum conflict.
Landing and Takeoff (LTO) Cycle - The time that an aircraft is in operation at or
near an airport. An LTO cycle begins when an aircraft starts its final approach
(arrival) and ends after the aircraft has made its climb-out (departure).
Ldn - See DNL. Ldn is used in place of DNL in mathematical equations only.
Local Operation - An aircraft flight that begins and ends at the same airport.
Maximum Noise Level (Lmax) - The maximum sound pressure for a given event
adjusted toward the frequency range of human hearing.
Mean Sea Level (MSL) - The average height of the surface of the sea for all
stages of the tide; used as a reference for elevations; also called sea level datum.
National Airspace System (NAS) - The common network of U.S. airspace, air
navigation facilities, equipment, services, airports, or landing areas; aeronautical
charts, information, and services; rules, regulations, and procedures; technical
information, manpower, and materials, all of which are used in aerial navigation to
provide a safe and efficient flying environment.
Nautical Mile - A measure of distance equal to one minute of arc on the earth's
surface (6,076.1 feet or 1,852 meters).
Outer Fix - An air traffic control term for a point in the airspace from which
aircraft are normally cleared to the approach fix or final approach course.
Positive Control - The separation of all air traffic within designated airspace as
directed by air traffic controllers.
Public Use Airport - An airport open to public use without prior permission, and
without restrictions within the physical capabilities of the facility. It may or may
not be publicly-owned.
Regional Jet - A jet aircraft that falls within the air carrier aircraft category
because of size and payload. For use in air commerce, the regional jet must be
operated pursuant to an air carrier certificate pursuant to an air carrier certificate
issued under 14 CFR Parts 119 and 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
(See 14 CFR § 119.3, for Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental operations). Regional
jets are not operated as commuter aircraft pursuant to 14 CFR Part 135. Regional
jets are typically jet aircraft, with approximately 35 to 90 seats. The next-
generation regional jets are expected to seat 100 passengers.
Reliever Airport - An airport which, when certain criteria are met, relieves the
aeronautical demand on a busier air carrier airport.
Run-up - A routine procedure for testing aircraft systems by running one or more
engines at a high power setting. Engine run-ups are normally conducted by
airline maintenance personnel checking an engine or other on board systems
following maintenance.
Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) - Two synchronized flashing lights, one on
each side of the runway threshold, which identify the approach end of the
runway.
Runway Safety Area (RSA) - A defined surface surrounding the runway prepared
or suitable for reducing the risk or damage to airplanes in the event of an
undershoot, overshoot, or excursion from the runway.
Runway Threshold - The beginning of that portion of the runway usable for
landing.
Scoping - Scoping is an early and open process for determining the scope or range
of issues to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement and
identifying the significant issues related to a proposed action. Issues important to
the public and local, state, and Federal agencies are solicited through direct
mailing, public notices, or meetings. Scoping is generally conducted before
development of the Environmental Impact Statement scope of work.
Single event - One noise event. For many kinds of analysis, the sound from
single events is expressed using the Sound Exposure Level metric.
Slant-range distance - The distance along a straight line between an aircraft and
a point on the ground.
Sound - Sound is the result of vibration in the air. The vibration produces
alternating bands of relatively dense and sparse particles of air, spreading outward
from the source in the same way as ripples do on water after a stone is thrown into
it. The result of the movement is fluctuation in the normal atmospheric pressure or
sound waves.
Stage 2 Aircraft - Aircraft that meet the noise levels prescribed by Federal
Aviation Regulations 14 CFR Part 36, which are less stringent than those
established for the quieter Stage 3 designation. The Airport Noise and Capacity
Act required the phase-out of all Stage 2 aircraft over 75,000 pounds by
December 31, 1999, with the potential for case-by-case exceptions through the
year 2003.
Stage 3 Aircraft - Aircraft that meet the most stringent noise levels set in Federal
Aviation Regulations 14 CFR Part 36.
Time Above (TA) - The amount of time that sound exceeds a given decibel level
during a 24-hour period (e.g., time in minutes that the sound level is above
75 decibels).
Thrust Settings – Settings on an aircraft that control the power applied to the
engines.
Traffic Pattern – The traffic flow prescribed for aircraft landing at, taxiing on, or
taking off from an airport. The components of a typical traffic pattern are upwind
leg, crosswind leg, downwind leg, base leg, and final approach.
Turboprop - Aircraft of this type are typically used by airlines on short routes
between two relatively close locations.
Upwind Leg - A flight path parallel to the approach runway in the direction of
approach.
Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) - A visual aid for final approach to the
runway threshold, consisting of two wing bars of lights on either side of the
runway. Each bar produces a split beam of light - the upper segment is white, the
lower is red.
Visual Flight Rules (VFR) - Rules and procedures specified in Federal Aviation
Regulations 14 CFR Part 91 for aircraft operations under visual conditions.
Aircraft operations under VFR are not generally under positive control by Air
Traffic Control. The term VFR is also used in the U.S. to indicate weather
conditions that are equal to or greater than minimum VFR requirements. In
addition, it is used by pilots and controllers to indicate a type of flight plan.