Tutor Platform
Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

Sign in to generate a study note

From the FAA library

  • Chapter 7. Safety of Flight › Section 1. Meteorology › 7-1-14. Reporting of Cloud Heights

    meter increments for products between 1,200 meters and 2,000 meters. 7-1-14. Reporting of Cloud Heights a. Ceiling, by definition in the CFRs and as used in aviation weather reports and forecasts, is the height above ground ... phenomenon that is reported as “broken,” “overcast,” or “obscuration,” e.g., an aerodrome forecast (TAF) which reads “BKN030” refers to height above ground level. An area forecast which reads “BKN030” indicates that the height is above mean sea level. b. Pilots…

  • Chapter 1. Air Navigation › Section 1. Navigation Aids › 1-1-9. Instrument Landing System (ILS)

    Pilots must be alert when approaching the glidepath interception. False courses and reverse sensing will occur at angles considerably greater than the published path. 5. Make every effort to remain on the indicated glide path. CAUTION-Avoid flying below ... glide path to assure obstacle/terrain clearance is maintained. 6. The published glide slope threshold crossing height (TCH) DOES NOT represent the height of the actual glide path on-course indication above the runway threshold. It is used as a reference…

  • Pilot/Controller Glossary › D

    Areas of airspace that may be activated in response to unplanned falling debris in the NAS. DECISION ALTITUDE/DECISION HEIGHT [ICAO Annex 6]- A specified altitude or height (A/H) in the precision approach at which a missed approach must be initiated ... continue the approach has not been established. 1. Decision altitude (DA) is referenced to mean sea level and decision height (DH) is referenced to the threshold elevation. 2. Category II and III minima are expressed…

  • Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures › Section 2. Departure Procedures › 5-2-9. Instrument Departure Procedures (DP) - Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODP), Stan…

    There is also a DER crossing altitude included in the notes section, providing the pilot with a DER crossing height that clears all obstacles that penetrate the 40:1 OCS. (5) The obstacles are described with an inner limit from ... centerline. Left or right means they are greater than 100 ft from centerline. Both an MSL altitude and height above DER elevation will be provided for the obstacle that penetrates the 40:1 OCS the most. This allows the pilot…

  • Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures › Section 4. Arrival Procedures › 5-4-5. Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) Charts

    must not be used for approach procedures. 5. Chart Terminology. (a) Decision Altitude (DA) replaces the familiar term Decision Height (DH). DA conforms to the international convention where altitudes relate to MSL and heights relate to AGL. DA will eventually ... many years, and will continue to be used for the LNAV only and circling procedures. (c) Threshold Crossing Height (TCH) has been traditionally used in “precision” approaches as the height of the glide slope above threshold. With publication of LNAV/VNAV…

  • Chapter 12: Weather Theory › Atmospheric Stability › Temperature/Dew Point Relationship

    rate of 4.4 °F. Apply the convergence rate to the reported temperature and dew point to determine the height of the cloud base. Given: Temperature (T) = 85 °F Dew point (DP) = 71 °F Convergence Rate (CR) = 4.4° T – DP = Temperature ... Point Spread (TDS) TDS ÷ CR = X X × 1,000 feet = height of cloud base AGL Example: The height of the cloud base is 3,180 feet AGL. Explanation: With an outside air temperature (OAT) of 85 °F at the surface…