Runway Lighting and Visual Glideslope Indicators

Runway Lighting

• Runway edge lights are white, except for instrument runways where the last 2000 feet or half the length of the runway are amber.
• Bidirectional threshold lights appear green during approach to a landing, marking the beginning of the runway.
• Bidirectional threshold lights appear red during takeoff, indicating the departure end of the runway.
• Green threshold lights mean operations are not authorized short of the lights, unless the runway is marked with edge lights.

Visual Glideslope Indicators

• Visual glideslope indicators (VSIs) indicate position in relation to the desired glide path.
• The Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) is a common installation. If landing at a controlled airport served by a VASI, maintain an altitude at or above the glide slope until a lower altitude is necessary for a safe landing.
• The Pulsating Visual Approach Slope Indicator (PVASI) projects a two-color visual approach path.
• The Tri-color VASI projects a three-color visual path.
• The Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) has 2 or four lights installed in a single row instead of far and near bars.

Runway Lighting Intensity

• High intensity runway lights (HIRLs) are the brightest runway lights.
• Medium intensity runway lights (MIRLs) and Low intensity runway lights (LIRLs) are less bright.

Special VFR

• Special VFR clearances are obtained from ATC when weather is below VFR minimums and there is no conflicting traffic.

Special Use Airspace

• Controlled firing areas require immediate discontinuation of activities when a spotter aircraft, radar, or ground lookout personnel determines an aircraft might be approaching the area.
• National Security Areas (NSAs) are established in locations where there's a requirement for increased security and safety.
• Military Training Routes (MTRs) are used for low-level, high-speed military training flights.
• Routes at or below 1,500 feet AGL are flown under VFR. Routes above 1,500 feet AGL are flown under IFR.
• Temporary Flight Restrictions are imposed when necessary to protect persons or property from a specific hazard or situation.

Aeronautical Charts

• Sectional charts are primary VFR navigation references that depict topographic information, landmarks, and airport data.
• Instrument charts are published in electronic and printed formats.

Chart Supplements

• Chart supplements contain data that cannot be readily depicted on charts and apply to public and joint use airports, seaplane bases, and heliports.
• Each chart supplement contains 5 primary sections:
  • The Airport/Facility Directory Legend
  • The Airport/Facility Directory
  • Notices
  • Associated Data
  • Airport Diagrams

Airport/Facility Directory

• The A/FD contains a descriptive listing of all airports, heliports, and seaplane bases open to the public.

Elements of an IFR Clearance

Departure Procedure

• ATC can issue specific headings for you to fly and altitude restrictions to separate your airplane from other traffic in the terminal area.
• Standard instrument departure procedures (SIDs) and standard terminal arrival routes (STARs) are charted procedures that simplify clearance issuance.
• "No SID No STAR" in the remarks section of an IFR flight plan indicates you do not wish to use these procedures.

Route of Flight

• Clearances are normally issued for the altitude or flight level and route filed in the flight plan.
• ATC might specify a route different from the original flight plan due to traffic conditions.
• Flow patterns are established in congested areas to route traffic on preferred routes.

Altitude Data

• The "maintain" instruction in an ATC clearance requires the aircraft to operate at the given altitude or flight level when in controlled airspace.
• If the assigned altitude is different from the requested altitude, ATC will inform you when to expect a climb or descent clearance or when to request an altitude change from another facility.
• ATC may issue a cruise clearance when the route segment is relatively short and traffic congestion is not a consideration.
• Cruise clearance authorizes operation at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including the specified altitude in the clearance.
• Cruise clearance also authorizes proceeding to the destination airport and performing an approach.
• ATC may issue holding instructions if the aircraft is cleared to a fix other than the destination airport and a delay is expected.
• The controller should issue an EFC time and a best estimate of any additional enroute or terminal delay.
• If the holding pattern is charted, and the controller does not issue complete holding instructions, the pilot is expected to hold as depicted on the appropriate chart.

Abbreviated IFR Departure Clearance

• To decrease radio congestion and controller workload, ATC issues an abbreviated IFR departure clearance when possible.
• “Cleared as filed” indicates clearance to fly the route as contained in the IFR flight plan.
• If a SID is filed in the flight plan or is in use at the departure airport, the SID or SID transition is included in the clearance.
• While SIDs are included in the abbreviated clearance, STARs are considered part of the routing and are not normally stated in the body of the clearance.

Departure Restrictions

• A release time specifies the earliest time you may depart.
• When ATC issues a hold for release, you may not depart until receiving a release time or additional instructions.
• ATC might issue a clearance void time in conjunction with an IFR departure clearance if operating at an airport not served by an operating control tower.
• "Clearance void if not off by…” indicates that ATC expects you to be airborne by a certain time.

VFR On Top

• VFR-on-top clearances allow operation under VFR conditions and at appropriate cruising altitudes of your choice.
• The pilot must request a VFR-on-top clearance.
• The pilot must maintain VFR conditions at all times.
• Altitude selection must comply with VFR cruising altitude rules, which are based on the magnetic course of the aircraft.

Climb to VFR On Top

• Climb to VFR on top allows climbing through a cloud, haze, or smoke layer and then either canceling the IFR flight plan or operating VFR-on-top.