A terminal ATC facility that uses radar and non-radar capabilities to provide approach control services to aircraft arriving, departing, or transiting airspace controlled by the facility. This facility provides radar ATC services to aircraft operating in the vicinity of one or more civil/military airports in a terminal area. The facility may provide services of a ground-controlled approach (GCA). A radar approach control facility may be operated by FAA or a military service, or jointly. Specific facility nomenclatures are used for administrative purposes only and are related to the physical location of the facility and the operating service generally: Army Radar Approach Control (ARAC) (Army) Radar Air Traffic Control Facility (RATCF) (Navy/FAA) Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) (Air Force/FAA) Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) (FAA) Tower/Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) (FAA ‚ only towers delegated approach control authority)

SEE RADIO NAVIGATION

An aerodynamic duct in which fuel is burned to produce a high-velocity propulsive jet. It needs to be accelerated to high speed before it can become operative.

A circular engine fairing.

A flexible, delta-wing plan in which three rigid members are shaped in the form of an arrowhead and joined by a flexible fabric, which inflates upward under flight loads. Originally specific to paragliders, but now found on some powered aircraft.

Of the three axes in flight, this specifies the action around a central point. Compare PITCH and YAW.

A powerplant that rotates on a stationary propeller shaft. An American invention by Adams-Farwell Co (1896), it was first used for buses and trucks in the US (1903), then copied by French engineers for early aircraft engines (1914).

A heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support in flight on the lift generated by one or more rotors. Includes helicopters and gyroplanes.

The movable part of a vertical airfoil which controls the yaw of an aircraft; the fixed part being the FIN.