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Area of Operation
A 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.
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- 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.
- ATC (Air Traffic Control)The FAA service that separates and sequences aircraft in controlled airspace and on controlled airports. Controllers issue clearances, traffic advisories, and sequencing instructions; pilots read back clearances and report the current ATIS code when contacting the facility.