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Communities for a Responsible Mather Airport

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“Plane Talk" Glossary

The following glossary of abbreviations, acronyms and terms is provided to help make sense of the lingo that is associated with the Mather issue. 

Please submit inquiries or glossary additions to the Webmaster.

4R/22L

The 11,301-foot runway at Mather.  Approved for CAT I landing minimums.

4L/22R

The 6,040-foot runway at Mather.  Not approved for instrument approaches.

ABX

ABX Air (a major cargo air carrier)

ADF

Automatic Direction Finder – a navigation aid for aircraft

AGL

Above Ground Level – the height of an aircraft above ground

BOS

Board of Supervisors

CAT I

 

Category 1 instrument landing procedures - Aircraft are allowed to begin approach if visibility is greater than 1/2 mile.

CAT II

 

Category 2 instrument landing procedures - Aircraft are allowed to begin approach if visibility is greater than 1/4 mile.

CAT IIIa

 

Category 3 instrument landing procedures, Subcategory (a) - Aircraft are allowed to begin approach if visibility is greater than 600 feet.

CAT IIIb

 

Category 3 instrument landing procedures, Subcategory (b) - Aircraft are allowed to begin approach if visibility is greater than 300 feet.

CAT IIIc

 

Category 3 instrument landing procedures, Subcategory (c) - Aircraft are allowed to begin approach if visibility is zero feet.

CDA

Continuous Descent Approach – A technique being tested by UPS to reduce noise

CEQA

California Environmental Quality Act

CIP

Capital Improvement Program

dB

Decibel – A measurement of sound

DHL

DHL (a major cargo air carrier)

DME

Distance Measuring Equipment

EIR

Environmental Impact Report

EIS

Environmental Impact Study

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration

GS

Glide Slope – The elevation portion of the ILS

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization

IFR

 

Instrument Flight Rules - The pilot flies using cockpit instrumentation and navigation on assigned flight paths and at assigned altitudes

ILS

Instrument Landing System - A navigation aid for landing in bad weather

LOC

Localizer - The Azimuth portion of the ILS

LOM

Locator, Outer Marker

MALSR

Medium intensity Approach Light Sequence flashers for Runway

MHR

Mather Airport (FAA designation)

MM

Middle Marker

MSL

Mean Sea Level - The height of an aircraft above sea level.

NDB

Non-directional beacon - Navigation aid for aircraft

OAK

Oakland Airport (FAA designation)

RCL

Runway Centerline Lights

SAC

Sacramento Executive Airport (FAA designation)

SCAS

Sacramento County Airport System

SMF

Sacramento Metro International Airport (FAA designation)

TRACON

FAA’s terminal control facility for Sacramento

UPS

United Parcel Service (a major cargo air carrier)

VASI

Visual Approach Slope Indicator

VOR

Visual Omni Ranger - A navigator aid for aircraft

YOSHE

Co-located distance and directional navigation aid.

VFR

Visual Flight Rules - The pilot flies clear of the clouds

 

 

 

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