Aviation glossary
ATC
Air Traffic Control — the service that issues clearances and instructions in controlled airspace and is responsible for aircraft separation.
ATC (Air Traffic Control) covers tower (TWR), approach (APP) and area (ACC/CTR) services. Unlike AFIS it issues binding clearances — without an ATC clearance you may not take off, land or enter controlled airspace. Pilots make first contact with their registration and flight type and follow ATC instructions. In the Czech Republic ATC is provided by Air Navigation Services (ANS CR).
Related terms
- AFISAerodrome Flight Information Service — an information service at uncontrolled aerodromes. Provides traffic, weather and runway information but never issues control clearances.
- CTRControl Zone — the controlled airspace around a controlled aerodrome. Entry requires an ATC clearance and the appropriate VFR/IFR flight plan.
- IFRInstrument Flight Rules — the pilot navigates by radio-navigation instruments independently of outside visibility.
- VFRVisual Flight Rules — the pilot navigates by outside visual reference and must meet VMC minima.