← Back to Aviation Glossary
Approach Plate
The published instrument approach procedure chart that depicts the lateral and vertical path, fixes, altitudes, minima, and missed-approach instructions for an airport approach. Instrument pilots brief the approach plate before flying an IFR arrival or practice approach.
Want to go beyond the definition? This term is covered in depth in AviatorPro's Instrument Rating ground school.
Learn more in Instrument Rating →Related Terms
- Area of OperationA major skill category in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), such as preflight preparation, takeoffs and landings, or navigation. Each area of operation contains tasks the examiner may evaluate on the practical test, with knowledge, risk management, and skill elements.
- ARROWA student-pilot mnemonic for the documents that must be aboard an aircraft: Airworthiness certificate, Registration certificate, Radio station license (when required for international operations), Operating limitations (POH/AFM), and Weight and balance data. ARROW pairs with AV1ATE, which covers required inspections.
- ARTCC (Air Route Traffic Control Center)An FAA facility that provides air traffic control services to aircraft operating on IFR flight plans within controlled airspace, principally during the en route phase of flight. Pilots also contact ARTCC facilities to file or relay PIREPs and to review ARTCC-area NOTAMs that can affect a route.
- ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System)An automated weather observing system that continuously reports surface weather at many airports, including wind, visibility, sky condition, temperature, dew point, and altimeter setting. ASOS observations often feed METARs and may be available by frequency or telephone when ATIS is not.