We Guide You Home
We Guide You Home

Home

Discover NATCA

National Air Traffic Controllers Association

NATCA is a labor union and aviation safety organization in the United States that represents nearly 20,000 highly skilled air traffic controllers, engineers, and other aviation safety-related professionals. NATCA was certified in 1987 by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to be the exclusive bargaining representative for air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Today, NATCA is one of the strongest labor unions in the federal sector and represents a range of aviation safety professionals in 15 FAA bargaining units, six Department of Defense air traffic facilities, and 171 federal contract towers. These air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals make vital contributions to the U.S. economy and make modern life possible by coordinating the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of nearly one billion aviation passengers and millions of tons of freight within the National Airspace System each year. NATCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.

Featured News

NATCA Leaders Represent Our Union at the 30th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention

Union leaders and activists from around the country gathered June 7-10, in Minneapolis for the 30th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention. NATCA President Nick Daniels, Special Counsel to the President Eugene Freedman, and National Training Rep. Jamaal Haltom represented our Union during the event. The convention brought together representatives from AFL-CIO’s 65 affiliate unions during a crucial…

Read More

Celebrating 39 Years of NATCA

On June 19, 1987, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for all air traffic controllers at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Over the years, our Union has thrived, and our collective voice has grown from a small choir to a booming symphony, representing 16 bargaining units covered by…

Read More

Las Vegas TRACON Controller Attends Event for U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen

Las Vegas TRACON (L30) FacRep Anthony Borgert recently had the opportunity to attend a legislative event hosted by U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, where Jimmy Kimmel was the featured speaker. The event provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly on issues impacting our workforce and to reinforce NATCA’s priorities.During a conversation with Sen. Rosen, Borgert discussed…

Read More

See All

Video Channel

Check out our most recent videos:

Visit our Channel

Benefits

See All

Events

Save the Date: NATCA Returns to Chicago for 2027 Convention

NATCA is returning to its roots. Delegates at the 19th Biennial Convention in Fort Lauderdale selected Chicago as the site for the 21st Biennial Convention. Scheduled for April 27-29, 2027, the event will take place at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. This landmark gathering coincides with the 40th anniversary of NATCA’s founding. Chicago has a deep labor history, including our own…

Read More

Spotlight

Aviation Facts

Fact: The United States aviation system is an economic driver, contributing 5.2 percent to the nation’s gross domestic product, and generating nearly 11 million jobs.

5,400

Aircraft in the sky at peak operational times

44,500,000,000

Pounds of freight moving through the National Airspace System each year

Current Traffic

Tracking 10,677 airborne aircraft with 636,859,278 total flights in the database. FlightAware has tracked 113,709 arrivals in the last 24 hours.

Aviation Acronyms

Learn acronyms used by safety professionals nationwide:

All A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W
There are currently 884 acronyms in this directory
Term
Definition
A/C
Aircraft
A/G
Air to Ground
A/H
Altitude/Height
AAC
Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center
AAF
Army Air Field
AAI
Arrival Aircraft Interval
AAP
Advanced Automation Program
AAR
Airport Acceptance Rate
ABDIS
Automated Data Interchange System Service B
AC
Advisory Circular
ACAIS
Air Carrier Activity Information System
ACAS
Aircraft Collision Avoidance System
ACC
Airports Consultants Council
ACCT
Accounting Records
ACD
Automatic Call Distributor
ACDO
Air Carrier District Office
ACF
Area Control Facility
ACFO
Aircraft Certification Field Office
ACFT
Aircraft
ACI-NA
Airports Council International - North America
ACID
Aircraft Identification
ACIP
Airport Capital Improvement Plan
ACLS
Automatic Carrier Landing System
ACLT
Actual Landing Time Calculated
ACO
Office of Airports Compliance and Field Operations
ACRP
Airport Cooperative Research Program
ADA
Air Defense Area
ADAP
Airport Development Aid Program
ADAS
AWOS Data Acquisition System
ADCCP
Advanced Data Communications Control Procedure
ADDA
Administrative Data
ADF
Automatic Direction Finding
ADG
Airplane Design Group
ADI
Automatic De-Ice and Inhibitor
ADIN
AUTODIN Service
ADIZ
Air Defense Identification Zone
ADL
Aeronautical Data-Link
ADLY
Arrival Delay
ADO
Airline Dispatch Office
ADP
Automated Data Processing
ADS
Automatic Dependent Surveillance
ADS-B
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
ADSIM
Airfield Delay Simulation Model
ADSY
Administrative Equipment Systems
ADTN
Administrative Data Transmission Network
ADTN2000
Administrative Data Transmission Network 2000
ADVO
Administrative Voice
AEG
Aircraft Evaluation Group
AERA
Automated En-Route Air Traffic Control
AEX
Automated Execution
AF
Airway Facilities
AFB
Air Force Base
AFIS
Automated Flight Inspection System
AFP
Area Flight Plan
AFRES
Air Force Reserve Station
AFS
Airways Facilities Sector
AFSFO
AFS Field Office
AFSFU
AFS Field Unit
AFSOU
AFS Field Office Unit (Standard is AFSFOU)
AFSS
Automated Flight Service Station
AFTN
Automated Fixed Telecommunications Network
AGIS
Airports Geographic Information System
AGL
Above Ground Level
AID
Airport Information Desk
AIG
Airbus Industries Group
AIM
Airman's Information Manual
AIP
Airport Improvement Plan
AIRMET
Airmen's Meteorological Information
AIRNET
Airport Network Simulation Model
AIS
Aeronautical Information Service
AIT
Automated Information Transfer
ALP
Airport Layout Plan
ALS
Approach Lighting System
ALSF1
ALS with Sequenced Flashers I
ALSF2
ALS with Sequenced Flashers II
ALSIP
Approach Lighting System Improvement Plan
ALTRV
Altitude Reservation
AMASS
Airport Movement Area Safety System
AMCC
ACF/ARTCC Maintenance Control Center
AMOS
Automated Meteorological Observation Station
AMP
ARINC Message Processor (OR) Airport Master Plan
AMVER
Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System
ANC
Alternate Network Connectivity
ANCA
Airport Noise and Capacity Act
ANG
Air National Guard
ANGB
Air National Guard Base
ANMS
Automated Network Monitoring System
ANSI
American National Standards Group
AOA
Air Operations Area
AP
Acquisition Plan
APP
Approach
APS
Airport Planning Standard
AQAFO
Aeronautical Quality Assurance Field Office
ARAC
Army Radar Approach Control (AAF)
ARC
Airport Reference Code
ARCTR
FAA Aeronautical Center or Academy
ARF
Airport Reservation Function
ARFF
Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting
ARINC
Aeronautical Radio, Inc.
ARLNO
Airline Office
ARO
Airport Reservation Office
ARP
Airport Reference Point
ARRA
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
ARSA
Airport Service Radar Area
ARSR
Air Route Surveillance Radar
ARTCC
Air Route Traffic Control Center
ARTS
Automated Radar Terminal System
ASAS
Aviation Safety Analysis System
ASC
AUTODIN Switching Center
ASCP
Aviation System Capacity Plan
ASD
Aircraft Situation Display
ASDA
Accelerate — Stop Distance Available
ASLAR
Aircraft Surge Launch And Recovery
ASM
Available Seat Mile
ASOS
Automatic Surface Observation System
ASP
Arrival Sequencing Program
ASQP
Airline Service Quality Performance
ASR
Airport Surveillance Radar
ASTA
Airport Surface Traffic Automation
ASV
Annual Service Volume
AT
Air Traffic
ATA
Air Transport Association of America
ATAS
Airspace and Traffic Advisory Service
ATC
Air Traffic Control
ATCAA
Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace
ATCBI
Air Traffic Control Beacon Indicator
ATCCC
Air Traffic Control Command Center
ATCO
Air Taxi Commercial Operator
ATCRB
Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon
ATCRBS
Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System
ATCSCC
Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center
ATCT
Airport Traffic Control Tower
ATIS
Automated Terminal Information Service
ATISR
ATIS Recorder
ATM
Air Traffic Management
ATMS
Advanced Traffic Management System
ATN
Aeronautical Telecommunications Network
ATODN
AUTODIN Terminal (FUS)
ATOMS
Air Traffic Operations Management System
ATOVN
AUOTVON (Facility)
ATS
Air Traffic Service
ATSCCP
ATS Contingency Command Post
AUTODIN
DoD Automatic Digital Network
AUTOVON
DoD Automatic Voice Network
AVN
Aviation Standards National Field Office, Oklahoma City
AVON
AUTOVON Service
AWIS
Airport Weather Information
AWOS
Automated Weather Observation System
AWP
Aviation Weather Processor
AWPG
Aviation Weather Products Generator
AWS
Air Weather Station
BANS
BRITE Alphanumeric System
BART
Billing Analysis Reporting Tool (GSA software tool)
BASIC
Basic Contract Observing Station
BASOP
Military Base Operations
BCA
Benefit/Cost Analysis
BCR
Benefit/Cost Ratio
BDAT
Digitized Beacon Data
BMP
Best Management Practices
BOC
Bell Operating Company
bps
bits per second
BRI
Basic Rate Interface
BRITE
Bright Radar Indicator Terminal Equipment
BRL
Building Restriction Line
BUEC
Back-- up Emergency Communications
BUECE
Back-- up Emergency Communications Equipment
C/S/S/N
Capacity/Safety/Security/Noise
CAA
Civil Aviation Authority
CAB
Civil Aeronautics Board
CAC
Citizen's Advisory Committee
CAD
Computer Aided Design
CARF
Central Altitude Reservation Facility
CASFO
Civil Aviation Security Office
CAT
Category
CAU
Crypto Ancillary Unit
CBI
Computer Based Instruction
CC&O
Customer Cost and Obligation
CCC
Communications Command Center
CCCC
Staff Communications
CCCH
Central Computer Complex Host
CCS7
NI — Communication Channel Signal-7 — Network Interconnect
CCSD
Command Communications Service Designator
CCU
Central Control Unit
CD
Common Digitizer
CDR
Cost Detail Report
CDT
Controlled Departure Time
CDTI
Cockpit Display of Traffic Information
CENTX
Central Telephone Exchange
CEP
Capacity Enhancement Program
CEQ
Council on Environmental Quality
CERAP
Center Radar Approach Control
CFC
Central Flow Control
CFCF
Central Flow Control Facility
CFCS
Central Flow Control Service
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
CFWP
Central Flow Weather Processor
CFWU
Central Flow Weather Unit
CGAS
Coast Guard Air Station
CIP
Capital Improvement Plan
CLC
Course Line Computer
CLIN
Contract Line Item
CLT
Calculated Landing Time
CM
Commercial Service Airport
CNMPS
Canadian Minimum Navigation Performance Specification Airspace
CNS
Consolidated NOTAM System
CNSP
Consolidated NOTAM System Processor
CO
Central Office
COE
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
COMCO
Command Communications Outlet
CONUS
Continental United States
CORP
Private Corporation other than ARINC or MITRE
CPE
Customer Premise Equipment
CPMIS
Consolidated Personnel Management Information System
CRA
Conflict Resolution Advisory
CRDA
Converging Runway Display Aid
CRT
Cathode Ray Tube
CSA
Communications Service Authorization
CSIS
Centralized Storm Information System
CSO
Customer Service Office
CSR
Communications Service Request
CSS
Central Site System
CTA
Controlled Time of Arrival
CTA/FIR
Control Area/Flight Information Region
CTAF
Common Traffic Advisory Frequency
CTAS
Center — Tracon Automation System
CTMA
Center Traffic Management Advisor
CUPS
Consolidated Uniform Payroll System
CVFR
Controlled Visual Flight Rules
CVTS
Compressed Video Transmission Service
CW
Continuous Wave
CWA
Clean Water Act
CWSU
Central Weather Service Unit
CWY
Clearway
DA
Direct Access
DABBS
DITCO Automated Bulletin Board System
DAIR
Direct Altitude and Identity Readout
DAR
Designated Agency Representative
DARC
Direct Access Radar Channel
dBA
Decibels A-weighted
DBCRC
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission
DBE
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
DBMS
Data Base Management System
DBRITE
Digital Bright Radar Indicator Tower Equipment
DCA
Defense Communications Agency
DCAA
Dual Call, Automatic Answer Device
DCCU
Data Communications Control Unit
DCE
Data Communications Equipment
DDA
Dedicated Digital Access
DDD
Direct Distance Dialing
DDM
Difference in Depth of Modulation
DDS
Digital Data Service
DEA
Drug Enforcement Agency
DEDS
Data Entry and Display System
DEIS
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DEP
Departure
DEWIZ
Distance Early Warning Identification Zone
DF
Direction Finder
DFAX
Digital Facsimile
DFI
Direction Finding Indicator
DGPS
Differential Global Positioning Satellite (System)
DH
Decision Height
DID
Direct Inward Dial
DIP
Drop and Insert Point
DIRF
Direction Finding
DITCO
Defense Information Technology Contracting Office Agency
DME
Distance Measuring Equipment
DME/P
Precision Distance Measuring Equipment
DMN
Data Multiplexing Network
DNL
Day-- Night Equivalent Sound Level (Also called Ldn)
DOD
Direct Outward Dial
DOI
Department of Interior
DOS
Department of State
DOT
Department of Transportation
DOTCC
Department of Transportation Computer Center
DOTS
Dynamic Ocean Tracking System
DSCS
Digital Satellite Compression Service
DSUA
Dynamic Special Use Airspace
DTS
Dedicated Transmission Service
DUAT
Direct User Access Terminal
DVFR
Defense Visual Flight Rules
DVOR
Doppler Very High Frequency Omni-- Directional Range
DYSIM
Dynamic Simulator
E-MSAW
En-Route Automated Minimum Safe Altitude Warning
EA
Environmental Assessment
EARTS
En Route Automated Radar Tracking System
ECOM
En Route Communications
ECVFP
Expanded Charted Visual Flight Procedures
EDCT
Expedite Departure Path
EFAS
En Route Flight Advisory Service
EFC
Expect Further Clearance
EFIS
Electronic Flight Information Systems
EIAF
Expanded Inward Access Features
EIS
Environmental Impact Statement
ELT
Emergency Locator Transmitter
ELWRT
Electrowriter
EMAS
Engineered Materials Arresting System
EMPS
En Route Maintenance Processor System
EMS
Environmental Management System
ENAV
En Route Navigational Aids
EOF
Emergency Operating Facility
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
EPS
Engineered Performance Standards
EPSS
Enhanced Packet Switched Service
ERAD
En Route Broadband Radar
ERAM
En Route Automation Modernization
ESEC
En Route Broadband Secondary Radar
ESF
Extended Superframe Format
ESP
En Route Spacing Program
ESYS
En Route Equipment Systems
ETA
Estimated Time of Arrival
ETE
Estimated Time En Route
ETG
Enhanced Target Generator
ETMS
Enhanced Traffic Management System
ETN
Electronic Telecommunications Network
EVAS
Enhanced Vortex Advisory System
EVCS
Emergency Voice Communications System
F&E
Facilities and Equipment
FAA
Federal Aviation Administration
FAAAC
FAA Aeronautical Center
FAACIS
FAA Communications Information System
FAATC
FAA Technical Center
FAATSAT
FAA Telecommunications Satellite
FAC
Facility
FACREP
NATCA Facility Representative
FAF
Final Approach Fix
FAP
Final Approach Point
FAPM
FTS2000 Associate Program Manager
FAR
Federal Aviation Regulation
FAST
Final Approach Spacing Tool
FATO
Final Approach and Take Off
FAX
Facsimile Equipment
FBO
Fixed Base Operator
FBS
Fall Back Switch
FCC
Federal Communications Commission
FCLT
Freeze Calculated Landing Time
FCOM
FSS Radio Voice Communications
FCPU
Facility Central Processing Unit
FDAT
Flight Data Entry and Printout (FDEP) and Flight Data Service
FDE
Flight Data Entry
FDEP
Flight Data Entry and Printout
FDIO
Flight Data Input/Output
FDIOC
Flight Data Input/Output Center
FDIOR
Flight Data Input/Output Remote
FDM
Frequency Division Multiplexing
FDP
Flight Data Processing
FED
Federal
FEIS
Final Environmental Impact Statement
FEP
Front End Processor
FFAC
From Facility
FIFO
Flight Inspection Field Office
FIG
Flight Inspection Group
FINO
Flight Inspection National Field Office
FIPS
Federal Information Publication Standard
FIR
Flight Information Region
FIRE
Fire Station
FIRMR
Federal Information Resource Management Regulation
FL
Flight Level
FLOWSIM
Traffic Flow Planning Simulation
FMA
Final Monitor Aid
FMF
Facility Master File
FMIS
FTS2000 Management Information System
FMS
Flight management System
FNMS
FTS2000 Network Management System
FOIA
Freedom Of Information Act
FONSI
Finding of No Significant Impact
FP
Flight Plan
FRC
Request Full Route Clearance
FSAS
Flight Service Automation System
FSDO
Flight Standards District Office
FSDPS
Flight Service Data Processing System
FSEP
Facility/Service/Equipment Profile
FSP
Flight Strip Printer
FSPD
Freeze Speed Parameter
FSS
Flight Service Station
FSSA
Flight Service Station Automated Service
FSTS
Federal Secure Telephone Service
FSYS
Flight Service Station Equipment Systems
FTS
Federal Telecommunications System
FTS2000
Federal Telecommunications System 2000
FUS
Functional Units or Systems
FWCS
Flight Watch Control Station
GA
General Aviation
GAA
General Aviation Activity
GAAA
General Aviation Activity and Avionics
GADO
General Aviation District Office
GCA
Ground Control Approach
GIS
Geographic Information System
GNAS
General National Airspace System
GNSS
Global Navigation Satellite System
GOES
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite
GOESF
GOES Feed Point
GOEST
GOES Terminal Equipment
GPRA
Government Performance Results Act
GPS
Global Positioning System
GPWS
Ground Proximity Warning System
GRADE
Graphical Airspace Design Environment
GS
Glide Slope Indicator
GSA
General Services Administration
GSE
Ground Support Equipment
H
Non-- Directional Radio Homing Beacon (NDB)
HAA
Height Above Airport
HAL
Height Above Landing
HARS
High Altitude Route System
HAT
Height Above Touchdown
HAZMAT
Hazardous Material
HCAP
High Capacity Carriers
HDME
NDB with Distance Measuring Equipment
HDQ
FAA Headquarters
HELI
Heliport
HF
High Frequency
HH
NDB, 2kw or More
HI-- EFAS
High Altitude EFAS
HLDC
High Level Data Link Control
HOV
High Occupancy Vehicle
HPZ
Heliport Protection Zone
HSI
Horizontal Situation Indicators
HUD
Housing and Urban Development
HWAS
Hazardous In-- Flight Weather Advisory
Hz
HERTZ
I/AFSS
International AFSS
IA
Indirect Access
IAF
Initial Approach Fix
IAP
Instrument Approach Procedures
IAPA
Instrument Approach Procedures Automation
IBM
International Business Machines
IBP
International Boundary Point
IBR
Intermediate Bit Rate
ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization
ICSS
International Communications Switching Systems
IDAT
Interfacility Data
IF
Intermediate Fix
IFCP
Interfacility Communications Processor
IFDS
Interfacility Data System
IFEA
In-- Flight Emergency Assistance
IFO
International Field Office
IFR
Instrument Flight Rules
IFSS
International Flight Service Station
ILS
Instrument Landing System
IM
Inner Marker
IMC
Instrument Meteorological Conditions
INM
Integrated Noise Model
INS
Inertial Navigation System
IRMP
Information Resources Management Plan
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network
ISMLS
Interim Standard Microwave Landing System
ITI
Interactive Terminal Interface
IVRS
Interim Voice Response System
IW
Inside Wiring
Kbps
Kilobits Per Second
Khz
Kilohertz
KVDT
Keyboard Video Display Terminal
LAA
Local Airport Advisory
LAAS
Low Altitude Alert System
LABS
Leased A B Service
LABSC
LABS GS-- 200 Computer
LABSR
LABS Remote Equipment
LABSW
LABS Switch System
LAHSO
Land and Hold Short Operation
LAN
Local Area Network
LATA
Local Access and Transport Area
LAWRS
Limited Aviation Weather Reporting System
LBA
Load-Bearing Area
LCF
Local Control Facility
LCN
Local Communications Network
LDA
Localizer Directional Aid
LDIN
Lead-- in Lights
LEC
Local Exchange Carrier
LF
Low Frequency
LINCS
Leased Interfacility NAS Communications System
LIS
Logistics and Inventory System
LLWAS
Low Level Wind Shear Alert System
LM/MS
Low/Medium Frequency
LMM
Locator Middle Marker
LMS
LORAN Monitor Site
LOC
Localizer
LOCID
Location Identifier
LOI
Letter of Intent
LOM
Compass Locator at Outer Marker
LORAN
Long Range Aid to Navigation
LPV
Lateral Precision Performance with Vertical Guidance
LRCO
Limited Remote Communications Outlet
LRNAV
Long Range Navigation
LRR
Long Range Radar
MAA
Maximum Authorized Altitude
MALS
Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System
MALSF
MALS with Sequenced Flashers
MALSR
MALS with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights
MAP
Maintenance Automation Program
Mbps
Megabits Per Second
MCA
Minimum Crossing Altitude
MCAS
Marine Corps Air Station
MCC
Maintenance Control Center
MCL
Middle Compass Locater
MCS
Maintenance and Control System
MDA
Minimum Descent Altitude
MDT
Maintenance Data Terminal
MEA
Minimum En Route Altitude
METI
Meteorological Information
MF
Middle Frequency
MFJ
Modified Final Judgment
MFT
Meter Fix Crossing Time/Slot Time
MHA
Minimum Holding Altitude
Mhg
MegHERTZ
MIA
Minimum IFR Altitudes
MIDO
Manufacturing Inspection District Office
MIS
Meteorological Impact Statement
MISC
Miscellaneous
MISO
Manufacturing Inspection Satellite Office
MIT
Miles In Trail
MITRE
Mitre Corporation
MLS
Microwave Landing System
MM
Middle Marker
MMC
Maintenance Monitoring Console
MMS
Maintenance Monitoring System
MNPS
Minimum Navigation Performance Specification
MNPSA
Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications Airspace
MOA
Memorandum of Agreement
MOCA
Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude
MODE C
Altitude-- Encoded Beacon Reply
MODE S
Mode Select Beacon System
MOU
Memorandum of Understanding
MPO
Metropolitan Planning Organization
MPS
Maintenance Processor Subsystem (OR) Master Plan Supplement
MRA
Minimum Reception Altitude
MRC
Monthly Recurring Charge
MSA
Minimum Safe Altitude
MSAW
Minimum Safe Altitude Warning
MSL
Mean Sea Level
MSN
Message Switching Network
MTCS
Modular Terminal Communications System
MTI
Moving Target Indicator
MUX
Multiplexor
MVA
Minimum Vectoring Altitude
MVFR
Marginal Visual Flight Rules 
NAAQS
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NADA
NADIN Concentrator
NADIN
National Airspace Data Interchange Network
NADSW
NADIN Switches
NAILS
National Airspace Integrated Logistics Support
NAMS
NADIN IA
NAPRS
National Airspace Performance Reporting System
NAS
National Airspace System or Naval Air Station
NASDC
National Aviation Safety Data
NASP
National Airspace System Plan
NASPAC
National Airspace System Performance Analysis Capability
NATCO
National Communications Switching Center
NAVAID
Navigational Aid
NAVMN
Navigation Monitor and Control
NAWAU
National Aviation Weather Advisory Unit
NAWPF
National Aviation Weather Processing Facility
NCAR
National Center for Atmospheric Research; Boulder, CO
NCF
National Control Facility
NCIU
NEXRAD Communications Interface Unit
NCP
Noise Compatibility Program
NCS
National Communications System
NDB
Non-- Directional Radio Homing Beacon
NDNB
NADIN II
NEM
Noise Exposure Map
NEPA
National Environmental Policy Act
NEXRAD
Next Generation Weather Radar
NFAX
National Facsimile Service
NFDC
National Flight Data Center
NFIS
NAS Facilities Information System
NI
Network Interface
NICS
National Interfacility Communications System
NM
Nautical Mile
NMAC
Near Mid Air Collision
NMC
National Meteorological Center
NMCE
Network Monitoring and Control Equipment
NMCS
Network Monitoring and Control System
NOAA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOC
Notice Of Completion
NOTAM
Notice to Airmen
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPE
Non-primary Airport Entitlement
NPIAS
National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems
NPRM
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
NR
Non-Rulemaking; refers to a type of airport airspace analysis case
NRA
Non-Rulemaking Airport; refers to a type of airport airspace analysis case
NRC
Non-- Recurring Charge
NRCS
National Radio Communications Systems
NSAP
National Service Assurance Plan
NSRCATN
National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America's Transportation Network
NSSFC
National Severe Storms Forecast Center
NSSL
National Severe Storms Laboratory; Norman, OK
NSWRH
NWS Regional Headquarters
NTAP
Notices To Airmen Publication
NTP
National Transportation Policy
NTSB
National Transportation Safety Board
NTZ
No Transgression Zone
NWS
National Weather Service
NWSR
NWS Weather Excluding NXRD
NXRD
Advanced Weather Radar System
OAG
Official Airline Guide
OALT
Operational Acceptable Level of Traffic
OAW
Off-- airway Weather Station
ODAL
Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System
ODAPS
Oceanic Display and Processing Station
OEI
One Engine Inoperative
OEP
Operational Evolution Plan / Partnership
OFA
Object Free Area
OFDPS
Offshore Flight Data Processing System
OFT
Outer Fix Time
OFZ
Obstacle Free Zone
OM
Outer Marker
OMB
Office of Management and Budget
ONER
Oceanic Navigational Error Report
OPLT
Operational Acceptable Level of Traffic
OPSW
Operational Switch
OPX
Off Premises Exchange
ORD
Operational Readiness Demonstration
OTR
Oceanic Transition Route
OTS
Organized Track System
PABX
Private Automated Branch Exchange
PAD
Packet Assembler/Disassembler
PAL
Planning Activity Level
PAM
Peripheral Adapter Module
PAPI
Precision Approach Path Indicator
PAR
Precision Approach Radar
PATWAS
Pilots Automatic Telephone Weather Answering Service
PBB
Passenger Boarding Bridge
PBCT
Proposed Boundary Crossing Time
PBRF
Pilot Briefing
PBX
Private Branch Exchange
PCA
Positive Control Airspace
PCC
Portland Cement Concrete
PCM
Pulse Code Modulation
PDAR
Preferential Arrival And Departure Route
PDC
Pre-Departure Clearance
PDN
Public Data Network
PDR
Preferential Departure Route
PFC
Passenger Facility Charge
PGP
Planning Grant Program
PIC
Principal Interexchange Carrier
PIDP
Programmable Indicator Data Processor
PIREP
Pilot Weather Report
PMS
Program Management System
POLIC
Police Station
POP
Point Of Presence
POT
Point Of Termination
PPIMS
Personal Property Information Management System
PR
Primary Commercial Service Airport
PRI
Primary Rate Interface
PRM
Precision Runway Monitor
PSDN
Public Switched Data Network
PSN
Packet Switched Network
PSS
Packet Switched Service
PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network
PTC
Presumed-to-Conform
PUB
Publication
PUP
Principal User Processor
PVC
Permanent Virtual Circuit
PVD
Plan View Display
QA
Quality Assurance
RAIL
Runway Alignment Indicator Lights
RAPCO
Radar Approach Control (USAF)
RAPCON
Radar Approach Control (FAA)
RATCC
Radar Air Traffic Control Center
RATCF
Radar Air Traffic Control Facility (USN)
RBC
Rotating Beam Ceilometer
RBDPE
Radar Beacon Data Processing Equipment
RBSS
Radar Bomb Scoring Squadron
RCAG
Remote Communications Air/Ground
RCC
Rescue Coordination Center
RCCC
Regional Communications Control Centers
RCF
Remote Communication Facility
RCIU
Remote Control Interface Unit
RCL
Radio Communications Link
RCLR
RCL Repeater
RCLT
RCL Terminal
RCO
Remote Communications Outlet
RCU
Remote Control Unit
RDAT
Digitized Radar Data
RDP
Radar Data Processing
RDSIM
Runway Delay Simulation Model
REIL
Runway End Identification Lights
RF
Radio Frequency
RL
General Aviation Reliever Airport
RMCC
Remote Monitor Control Center
RMCF
Remote Monitor Control Facility
RML
Radio Microwave Link
RMLR
RML Repeater
RMLT
RML Terminal
RMM
Remote Maintenance Monitoring
RMMS
Remote Maintenance Monitoring System
RMS
Remote Monitoring Subsystem
RMSC
Remote Monitoring Subsystem Concentrator
RNAV
Area Navigation
RNAV (NATCA)
Retired NATCA Active Volunteers
RNP
Required Navigation Performance
ROD
Record of Decision
ROSA
Report of Service Activity
ROT
Runway Occupancy Time
RP
Restoration Priority
RPC
Restoration Priority Code
RPG
Radar Processing Group
RPZ
Runway Protection Zone
RRH
Remote Reading Hygrothermometer
RRHS
Remote Reading Hydrometer
RRWDS
Remote Radar Weather Display
RRWSS
RWDS Sensor Site
RSA
Runway Safety Area
RSAT
Runway Safety Action Team
RSS
Remote Speaking System
RT
Remote Transmitter
RT & BTL
Radar Tracking And Beacon Tracking Level
RTAD
Remote Tower Alphanumerics Display
RTCA
Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics
RTP
Regional Transportation Plan
RTR
Remote Transmitter/Receiver
RTRD
Remote Tower Radar Display
RVP
NATCA Regional Vice President
RVR
Runway Visual Range
RW
Runway
RWDS
Same as RRWDS
RWP
Real-time Weather Processor
S/S
Sector Suite
SAC
Strategic Air Command
SAFI
Semi Automatic Flight Inspection
SALS
Short Approach Lighting System
SATCOM
Satellite Communications
SAWRS
Supplementary Aviation Weather Reporting System
SBGP
State Block Grant Program
SCC
System Command Center
SCVTS
Switched Compressed Video Telecommunications Service
SDF
Simplified Direction Finding
SDIS
Switched Digital Integrated Service
SDP
Service Delivery Point
SDS
Switched Data Service
SEL
Single Event Level
SELF
Simplified Short Approach Lighting System With Sequenced Flashing Lights
SFAR-- 38
Special Federal Aviation Regulation 38
SHPO
State Historic Preservation Officer
SIC
Service Initiation Charge
SID
Station Identifier
SIGMET
Significant Meteorological Information
SIMMOD
Airport and Airspace Simulation Model
SIP
State Implementation Plan
SM
Statute Miles
SMGC
Surface Movement Guidance and Control
SMPS
Sector Maintenance Processor Subsystem
SMS
Safety Management System
SNR
Signal-- to-- Noise Ratio, also: S/N
SOAR
System of Airports Reporting
SOC
Service Oversight Center
SOIR
Simultaneous Operations On Intersecting Runways
SOIWR
Simultaneous Operations on Intersecting Wet Runways
SRAP
Sensor Receiver and Processor
SRM
Safety Risk Management
SSALF
SSALS with Sequenced Flashers
SSALR
Simplified Short Approach Lighting System
SSB
Single Side Band
STAR
Standard Terminal Arrival Route
STARS
Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System
STD
Standard
STMUX
Statistical Data Multiplexer
STOL
Short Takeoff and Landing
SURPIC
Surface Picture
SVCA
Service A
SVCB
Service B
SVCC
Service C
SVCO
Service O
SVFB
Interphone Service F (B)
SVFC
Interphone Service F (C)
SVFD
Interphone Service F (D)
SVFO
Interphone Service F (A)
SVFR
Special Visual Flight Rules
T1MUX
T1 Multiplexer
TAAS
Terminal Advance Automation System
TAC
Technical Advisory Committee
TACAN
Tactical Aircraft Control and Navigation
TACR
TACAN at VOR, TACAN only
TAF
Terminal Area Forecast, Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
TAMR
Terminal Automation Modernization and Replacement
TARS
Terminal Automated Radar Service
TAS
True Air Speed
TATCA
Terminal Air Traffic Control Automation
TAVT
Terminal Airspace Visualization Tool
TCA
Traffic Control Airport or Tower Control Airport
TCACCIS
Transportation Coordinator Automated Command and Control Information System
TCAS
Traffic Alert And Collision Avoidance System
TCC
DOT Transportation Computer Center
TCCC
Tower Control Computer Complex
TCE
Tone Control Equipment
TCLT
Tentative Calculated Landing Time
TCO
Telecommunications Certification Officer
TCOM
Terminal Communications
TCS
Tower Communications System
TDLS
Tower Data-Link Services
TDMUX
Time Division Data Multiplexer
TDPC
Touchdown/Positioning Circle
TDWR
Terminal Doppler Weather Radar
TELCO
Telephone Company
TELMS
Telecommunications Management System
TERPS
Terminal Instrument Procedures
TFAC
To Facility
TH
Threshold
TIMS
Telecommunications Information Management System
TIPS
Terminal Information Processing System
TL
Taxilane
TLOF
Touchdown and Liftoff Area
TM&O
Telecommunications Management and Operations
TMA
Traffic Management Advisor
TMC
Traffic Management Coordinator
TMC/MC
Traffic Management Coordinator/Military Coordinator
TMCC
Terminal Information Processing System
TMF
Traffic Management Facility
TML
Television Microwave Link
TMLI
Television Microwave Link Indicator
TMLR
Television Microwave Link Repeater
TMLT
Television Microwave Link Terminal
TMP
Traffic Management Processor
TMS
Traffic Management System
TMSPS
Traffic Management Specialists
TMU
Traffic Management Unit
TNAV
Terminal Navigational Aids
TODA
Takeoff Distance Available
TOF
Time Of Flight
TOFMS
Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer
TOPS
Telecommunications Ordering and Pricing System (GSA software tool)
TORA
Take-off Run Available
TR
Telecommunications Request
TRACAB
Terminal Radar Approach Control in Tower Cab
TRACON
Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility
TRAD
Terminal Radar Service
TRB
Transportation Research Board
TRNG
Training
TSA
Taxiway Safety Area
TSEC
Terminal Secondary Radar Service
TSP
Telecommunications Service Priority
TSR
Telecommunications Service Request
TSYS
Terminal Equipment Systems
TTMA
TRACON Traffic Management Advisor
TTY
Teletype
TVOR
Terminal VHF Omnidirectional Range
TW
Taxiway
TWEB
Transcribed Weather Broadcast
TWR
Tower (non-controlled)
TY
Type (FAACIS)
UAS
Uniform Accounting System
UHF
Ultra High Frequency
URA
Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970
USAF
United States Air Force
USC
United States Code
USOC
Uniform Service Order Code
VALE
Voluntary Airport Low Emission
VASI
Visual Approach Slope Indicator
VDME
VOR with Distance Measuring Equipment
VF
Voice Frequency
VFR
Visual Flight Rules
VGSI
Visual Glideslope Indicator
VHF
Very High Frequency
VLF
Very Low Frequency
VMC
Visual Meteorological Conditions
VNAV
Visual Navigational Aids
VNTSC
Volpe National Transportation System Center
VON
Virtual On-net
VOR
VHF Omnidirectional Range
VOR/DME
VHF Omnidirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment
VORTAC
VOR collocated with TACAN
VOT
VOR Test Facility
VP/D
Vehicle/Pedestrian Deviation
VRS
Voice Recording System
VSCS
Voice Switching and Control System
VTA
Vertex Time of Arrival
VTAC
VOR collocated with TACAN
VTOL
Vertical Takeoff and Landing
VTS
Voice Telecommunications System
WAAS
Wide Area Augmentation System
WAN
Wide Area Network
WC
Work Center
WCP
Weather Communications Processor
WECO
Western Electric Company
WESCOM
Western Electric Satellite Communications
WHA
Wildlife Hazard Assessment
WHMP
Wildlife Hazard Management Plan
WMSC
Weather Message Switching Center
WMSCR
Weather Message Switching Center Replacement
WSCMO
Weather Service Contract Meteorological Observatory
WSFO
Weather Service Forecast Office
WSMO
Weather Service Meteorological Observatory
WSO
Weather Service Office
WTHR
Weather
WX
Weather
Jump to top of page