InfoDotInc / archive systemEstablished online record · rebuilding deliberately
InfoDotInc

Technical documents, historic paths, and source-backed reference material.

Archive / FAA Aeronautical Information Manual / FAA Aeronautical Information Manual: Index

Index

Index — Part 4

AIM Basic with Changes 1, 2, and 3 (2026)

7/9/26 AIM

Paragraph Page

4−3−27. Operations at Uncontrolled Airports With Automated Surface Observing System

(ASOS)/Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) .................... 4−3−37

Section 4. ATC Clearances and Aircraft Separation

4−4−1. Clearance ............................................................ 4−4−1

4−4−2. Clearance Prefix ...................................................... 4−4−1

4−4−3. Clearance Items ....................................................... 4−4−1

4−4−4. Amended Clearances ................................................... 4−4−3

4−4−5. Coded Departure Route (CDR) ........................................... 4−4−3

4−4−6. Special VFR Clearances ................................................ 4−4−3

4−4−7. Pilot Responsibility upon Clearance Issuance ............................... 4−4−4

4−4−8. IFR Clearance VFR−on−top ............................................. 4−4−5

4−4−9. VFR/IFR Flights ...................................................... 4−4−6

4−4−10. Adherence to Clearance ............................................... 4−4−6

4−4−11. IFR Separation Standards .............................................. 4−4−8

4−4−12. Speed Adjustments ................................................... 4−4−8

4−4−13. Runway Separation ................................................... 4−4−11

4−4−14. Visual Separation ..................................................... 4−4−11

4−4−15. Use of Visual Clearing Procedures and Scanning Techniques .................. 4−4−12

4−4−16. Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS I & II) .................. 4−4−13

4−4−17. Traffic Information Service (TIS) ........................................ 4−4−14

Section 5. Surveillance Systems

4−5−1. Radar ............................................................... 4−5−1

4−5−2. Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (A TCRBS) ......................... 4−5−3

4−5−3. Surveillance Radar .................................................... 4−5−4

4−5−4. Precision Approach Radar (PAR) ......................................... 4−5−4

4−5−5. Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE −X)/Airport Surface Surveillance

Capability (ASSC) .................................................... 4−5−4

4−5−6. Traffic Information Service (TIS) ......................................... 4−5−5

4−5−7. Automatic Dependent Surveillance −Broadcast (ADS−B) Services ............... 4−5−12

4−5−8. Traffic Information Service − Broadcast (TIS−B) ............................. 4−5−17

4−5−9. Flight Information Service − Broadcast (FIS−B) .............................. 4−5−18

4−5−10. Automatic Dependent Surveillance −Rebroadcast (ADS−R) ................... 4−5−21

Section 6. Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical

Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore

Airspace and the San Juan FIR

4−6−1. Applicability and RVSM Mandate (Date/Time and Area) ...................... 4−6−1

4−6−2. Flight Level Orientation Scheme ......................................... 4−6−1

4−6−3. Aircraft and Operator Approval Policy/Procedures, RVSM Monitoring and

Databases for Aircraft and Operator Approval .............................. 4−6−2

4−6−4. Flight Planning into RVSM Airspace ...................................... 4−6−3

4−6−5. Pilot RVSM Operating Practices and Procedures ............................. 4−6−4

4−6−6. Guidance on Severe Turbulence and Mountain Wave Activity (MW A) ........... 4−6−4

4−6−7. Guidance on Wake Turbulence ........................................... 4−6−6

4−6−8. Pilot/Controller Phraseology ............................................. 4−6−6

4−6−9. Contingency Actions: Weather Encounters and Aircraft System Failures that

Occur After Entry into RVSM Airspace ................................... 4−6−7

4−6−10. Procedures for Accommodation of Non −RVSM Aircraft ...................... 4−6−9

Table of Contents v

AIM 7/9/26

Paragraph Page

4−6−11. Non− RVSM Aircraft Requesting Climb to and Descent from Flight Levels Above

RVSM Airspace Without Intermediate Level Off ........................... 4−6−10

Section 7. Operational Policy/Procedures for the Gulf of America 50 NM

Lateral Separation Initiative

4−7−1. Introduction and General Policies ......................................... 4−7−1

4−7−2. Accommodating Non−RNP 10 Aircraft .................................... 4−7−1

4−7−3. Obtaining RNP 10 or RNP 4 Operational Authorization ....................... 4−7−1

4−7−4. Authority for Operations with a Single Long −Range Navigation System .......... 4−7−2

4−7−5. Flight Plan Requirements ............................................... 4−7−2

4−7−6. Contingency Procedures ................................................ 4−7−2

Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures

Section 1. Preflight

5−1−1. Preflight Preparation ................................................... 5−1−1

5−1−2. Follow IFR Procedures Even When Operating VFR .......................... 5−1−2

5−1−3. Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) System ...................................... 5−1−3

5−1−4. Operational Information System (OIS) ..................................... 5−1−9

5−1−5. Flight Plan − VFR Flights ............................................... 5−1−10

5−1−6. Flight Plan − IFR Flights ................................................ 5−1−11

5−1−7. Flight Plans For Military/DoD Use Only ................................... 5−1−15

5−1−8. Flight Plan – Defense VFR (DVFR) Flights ................................. 5−1−15

5−1−9. Single Flights Conducted With Both VFR and IFR Flight Plans ................. 5−1−16

5−1−10. IFR Operations to High Altitude Destinations .............................. 5−1−16

5−1−11. Flights Outside U.S. Territorial Airspace .................................. 5−1−17

5−1−12. Change in Flight Plan ................................................. 5−1−18

5−1−13. Change in Proposed Departure Time ..................................... 5−1−18

5−1−14. Closing VFR/DVFR Flight Plans ........................................ 5−1−18

5−1−15. Canceling IFR Flight Plan .............................................. 5−1−18

5−1−16. RNA V and RNP Operations ............................................ 5−1−19

5−1−17. Cold Temperature Operations ........................................... 5−1−20

Section 2. Departure Procedures

5−2−1. Pre-taxi Clearance Procedures ........................................... 5−2−1

5−2−2. Automated Pre−Departure Clearance Procedures ............................. 5−2−1

5−2−3. IFR Clearances Off Uncontrolled Airports .................................. 5−2−2

5−2−4. Taxi Clearance ........................................................ 5−2−2

5−2−5. Line Up and Wait (LUAW) .............................................. 5−2−2

5−2−6. Abbreviated IFR Departure Clearance (Cleared. . .as Filed) Procedures ........... 5−2−4

5−2−7. Departure Restrictions, Clearance V oid Times, Hold for Release, and Release

Times ............................................................... 5−2−5

5−2−8. Departure Control ..................................................... 5−2−6

5−2−9. Instrument Departure Procedures (DP) − Obstacle Departure Procedures

(ODP), Standard Instrument Departures (SID), and Diverse V ector Areas

(DV A) .............................................................. 5−2−7

Table of Contents vi

7/9/26 AIM

Section 3. En Route Procedures

Paragraph Page

5−3−1. ARTCC Communications ............................................... 5−3−1

5−3−2. Position Reporting ..................................................... 5−3−17

5−3−3. Additional Reports ..................................................... 5−3−19

5−3−4. Airways and Route Systems ............................................. 5−3−20

5−3−5. Airway or Route Course Changes ......................................... 5−3−22

5−3−6. Changeover Points (COPs) .............................................. 5−3−23

5−3−7. Minimum Turning Altitude (MTA) ........................................ 5−3−23

5−3−8. Holding ............................................................. 5−3−24

Section 4. Arrival Procedures

5−4−1. Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) Procedures .............................. 5−4−1

5−4−2. Local Flow Traffic Management Program .................................. 5−4−3

5−4−3. Approach Control ..................................................... 5−4−4

5−4−4. Advance Information on Instrument Approach .............................. 5−4−5

5−4−5. Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) Charts ............................... 5−4−5

5−4−6. Approach Clearance ................................................... 5−4−28

5−4−7. Instrument Approach Procedures ......................................... 5−4−30

5−4−8. Special Instrument Approach Procedures ................................... 5−4−32

5−4−9. Procedure Turn and Hold−in−lieu of Procedure Turn .......................... 5−4−33

5−4−10. Timed Approaches from a Holding Fix ................................... 5−4−36

5−4−11. Radar Approaches .................................................... 5−4−38

5−4−12. Radar Monitoring of Instrument Approaches ............................... 5−4−39

5−4−13. Simultaneous Approaches to Parallel Runways ............................. 5−4−40

5−4−14. Simultaneous Dependent Approaches ..................................... 5−4−42

5−4−15. Simultaneous Independent ILS/RNA V/GLS Approaches ...................... 5−4−44

5−4−16. Simultaneous Close Parallel PRM Approaches and Simultaneous Offset

Instrument Approaches (SOIA) ......................................... 5−4−46

5−4−17. Simultaneous Converging Instrument Approaches ........................... 5−4−53

5−4−18. RNP AR (Authorization Required) Instrument Procedures .................... 5−4−53

5−4−19. Side−step Maneuver .................................................. 5−4−55

5−4−20. Approach and Landing Minimums ....................................... 5−4−55

5−4−21. Missed Approach ..................................................... 5−4−58

5−4−22. Use of Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) on Instrument Approaches ...... 5−4−61

5−4−23. Visual Approach ..................................................... 5−4−65

5−4−24. Charted Visual Flight Procedure (CVFP) .................................. 5−4−66

5−4−25. Contact Approach .................................................... 5−4−66

5−4−26. Landing Priority ...................................................... 5−4−67

5−4−27. Overhead Approach Maneuver .......................................... 5−4−67

Section 5. Pilot/Controller Roles and Responsibilities

5−5−1. General .............................................................. 5−5−1

5−5−2. Air Traffic Clearance ................................................... 5−5−1

5−5−3. Contact Approach ..................................................... 5−5−2

5−5−4. Instrument Approach ................................................... 5−5−2

5−5−5. Missed Approach ...................................................... 5−5−3

5−5−6. V ectors .............................................................. 5−5−4

5−5−7. Safety Alert .......................................................... 5−5−4

5−5−8. See and Avoid ........................................................ 5−5−5

Table of Contents vii

AIM 7/9/26

Paragraph Page

5−5−9. Speed Adjustments .................................................... 5−5−5

5−5−10. Traffic Advisories (Traffic Information) ................................... 5−5−6

5−5−11. Visual Approach ..................................................... 5−5−6

5−5−12. Visual Separation ..................................................... 5−5−7

5−5−13. VFR-on-top ......................................................... 5−5−8

5−5−14. Instrument Departures ................................................. 5−5−8

5−5−15. Minimum Fuel Advisory ............................................... 5−5−9

5−5−16. RNA V and RNP Operations ............................................ 5−5−9

Section 6. National Security and Interception Procedures

5−6−1. National Security ...................................................... 5−6−1

5−6−2. National Security Requirements .......................................... 5−6−1

5−6−3. Definitions ........................................................... 5−6−1

5−6−4. ADIZ Requirements ................................................... 5−6−2

5−6−5. Civil Aircraft Operations To or From U.S. Territorial Airspace ................. 5−6−4

5−6−6. Civil Aircraft Operations Within U.S. Territorial Airspace ..................... 5−6−4

5−6−7. Civil Aircraft Operations Transiting U.S. Territorial Airspace .................. 5−6−5

5−6−8. Foreign State Aircraft Operations ......................................... 5−6−6

5−6−9. FAA/TSA Airspace Waivers ............................................. 5−6−8

5−6−10. TSA Aviation Security Programs ........................................ 5−6−8

5−6−11. FAA Flight Routing Authorizations ...................................... 5−6−8

5−6−12. Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCA T) ........................ 5−6−8

5−6−13. Interception Procedures ................................................ 5−6−9

5−6−14. Interception Signals ................................................... 5−6−11

5−6−15. ADIZ Boundaries and Designated Mountainous Areas (See FIG 5 −6−3.) ......... 5−6−14

5−6−16. Visual Warning System (VWS) .......................................... 5−6−15

Chapter 6. Emergency Procedures

Section 1. General

6−1−1. Pilot Responsibility and Authority ........................................ 6−1−1

6−1−2. Emergency Condition − Request Assistance Immediately ...................... 6−1−1

Section 2. Emergency Services Available to Pilots

6−2−1. Radar Service for VFR Aircraft in Difficulty ................................ 6−2−1

6−2−2. Transponder Emergency Operation ........................................ 6−2−1

6−2−3. Intercept and Escort .................................................... 6−2−1

6−2−4. Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) ..................................... 6−2−2

6−2−5. FAA K−9 Explosives Detection Team Program .............................. 6−2−4

6−2−6. Search and Rescue ..................................................... 6−2−4

Section 3. Distress and Urgency Procedures

6−3−1. Distress and Urgency Communications .................................... 6−3−1

6−3−2. Obtaining Emergency Assistance ......................................... 6−3−1

6−3−3. Ditching Procedures ................................................... 6−3−3

6−3−4. Special Emergency (Air Piracy) .......................................... 6−3−7

6−3−5. Fuel Dumping ........................................................ 6−3−8

Table of Contents viii

7/9/26 AIM

Section 4. T wo‐way Radio Communications Failure

Paragraph Page

6−4−1. Two-way Radio Communications Failure ................................... 6−4−1

6−4−2. Transponder Operation During Two-way Communications Failure .............. 6−4−2

6−4−3. Reestablishing Radio Contact ............................................ 6−4−2

Section 5. Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Communications

6−5−1. Discrete Emergency Frequency ........................................... 6−5−1

6−5−2. Radio Call Signs ...................................................... 6−5−1

6−5−3. ARFF Emergency Hand Signals .......................................... 6−5−1

Chapter 7. Safety of Flight

Section 1. Meteorology

7−1−1. National Weather Service Aviation Weather Service Program .................. 7−1−1

7−1−2. FAA Weather Services .................................................. 7−1−2

7−1−3. Use of Aviation Weather Products ........................................ 7−1−3

7−1−4. Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) .................................... 7−1−6

7−1−5. Preflight Briefing ...................................................... 7−1−8

7−1−6. Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories ...................................... 7−1−11

7−1−7. Categorical Ceiling and Visibility Conditions ............................... 7−1−22

7−1−8. Inflight Weather Advisory Broadcasts ..................................... 7−1−22

7−1−9. Flight Information Services (FIS) ......................................... 7−1−23

7−1−10. Weather Observing Programs ........................................... 7−1−27

7−1−11. Weather Radar Services ................................................ 7−1−36

7−1−12. A TC Inflight Weather Avoidance Assistance ............................... 7−1−40

7−1−13. Runway Visual Range (RVR) ........................................... 7−1−42

7−1−14. Reporting of Cloud Heights ............................................ 7−1−43

7−1−15. Reporting Prevailing Visibility .......................................... 7−1−44

7−1−16. Estimating Intensity of Rain and Ice Pellets ................................ 7−1−44

7−1−17. Estimating Intensity of Snow or Drizzle (Based on Visibility) ................. 7−1−44

7−1−18. Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs) ......................................... 7−1−44

7−1−19. PIREPs Relating to Airframe Icing ....................................... 7−1−46

7−1−20. Definitions of Inflight Icing Terms ....................................... 7−1−47

7−1−21. PIREPs Relating to Turbulence .......................................... 7−1−48

7−1−22. Wind Shear PIREPs ................................................... 7−1−49

7−1−23. Clear Air Turbulence (CA T) PIREPs ..................................... 7−1−50

7−1−24. Microbursts ......................................................... 7−1−50

7−1−25. PIREPs Relating to V olcanic Ash Activity ................................. 7−1−61

7−1−26. Thunderstorms ....................................................... 7−1−62

7−1−27. Thunderstorm Flying .................................................. 7−1−62

7−1−28. Key to Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) and Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) 7 −1−65

7−1−29. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Weather Formats ............. 7−1−67

Section 2. Barometric Altimeter Errors and Setting Procedures

7−2−1. General .............................................................. 7−2−1

7−2−2. Barometric Pressure Altimeter Errors ...................................... 7−2−1

7−2−3. Altimeter Errors ....................................................... 7−2−1

Table of Contents ix

AIM 7/9/26

Section 3. Cold Temperature Barometric Altimeter Errors, Setting

Procedures and Cold Temperature Airports (CTA)

Paragraph Page

7−3−1. Effect of Cold Temperature on Barometric Altimeters ........................ 7−3−1

7−3−2. Pre−Flight Planning for Cold Temperature Altimeter Errors .................... 7−3−1

7−3−3. Effects of Cold Temperature on Baro −V ertical Navigation (VNA V) V ertical

Guidance ............................................................ 7−3−1

7−3−4. Cold Temperature Airports (CTA) ........................................ 7−3−2

7−3−5. Cold Temperature Airport Procedures ..................................... 7−3−3

7−3−6. Examples for Calculating Altitude Corrections on CTAs ....................... 7−3−6

Section 4. Wake T urbulence

7−4−1. General .............................................................. 7−4−1

7−4−2. V ortex Generation ..................................................... 7−4−1

7−4−3. V ortex Strength ....................................................... 7−4−1

7−4−4. V ortex Behavior ....................................................... 7−4−2

7−4−5. Operations Problem Areas ............................................... 7−4−5

7−4−6. V ortex Avoidance Procedures ............................................ 7−4−6

7−4−7. Helicopters ........................................................... 7−4−6

7−4−8. Pilot Responsibility .................................................... 7−4−7

7−4−9. Air Traffic Wake Turbulence Separations ................................... 7−4−8

Section 5. Bird Hazards and Flight Over National Refuges, Parks, and

Forests

7−5−1. Migratory Bird Activity ................................................. 7−5−1

7−5−2. Reducing Bird Strike Risks .............................................. 7−5−1

7−5−3. Reporting Bird Strikes .................................................. 7−5−1

7−5−4. Reporting Bird and Other Wildlife Activities ................................ 7−5−1

7−5−5. Pilot Advisories on Bird and Other Wildlife Hazards ......................... 7−5−2

7−5−6. Flights Over Charted U.S. Wildlife Refuges, Parks, and Forest Service Areas ...... 7−5−2

Section 6. Potential Flight Hazards

7−6−1. Accident Causal Factors ................................................ 7−6−1

7−6−2. Reporting Radio/Radar Altimeter Anomalies ................................ 7−6−1

7−6−3. VFR in Congested Areas ................................................ 7−6−2

7−6−4. Obstructions To Flight .................................................. 7−6−2

7−6−5. Avoid Flight Beneath Unmanned Balloons .................................. 7−6−4

7−6−6. Unmanned Aircraft Systems ............................................. 7−6−4

7−6−7. Mountain Flying ...................................................... 7−6−5

7−6−8. Use of Runway Half−way Signs at Unimproved Airports ...................... 7−6−7

7−6−9. Seaplane Safety ....................................................... 7−6−8

7−6−10. Flight Operations in V olcanic Ash ....................................... 7−6−9

7−6−11. Emergency Airborne Inspection of Other Aircraft ........................... 7−6−10

7−6−12. Precipitation Static ................................................... 7−6−11

7−6−13. Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (Laser) Operations and

Reporting Illumination of Aircraft ...................................... 7−6−12

7−6−14. Flying in Flat Light, Brown Out Conditions, and White Out Conditions ......... 7−6−13

7−6−15. Operations in Ground Icing Conditions ................................... 7−6−15

7−6−16. Avoid Flight in the Vicinity of Exhaust Plumes (Smoke Stacks and Cooling Towers) 7 −6−16

Table of Contents x

Original source PDFPublished from pages 59–64 of the recorded source chapter.
Open source PDF ↗