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2. DEFINITIONS, ABBREVIATIONS and MESSAGES

2. 1 DEFINITIONS
Station

A station is simply a piece of equipment which is used to transmit or receive

aeronautical information. It could be a radio in an aircraft or on the ground, or
even a network of teleprinters or computers used by controllers, or operations

departments.

Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network
This is a network of fixed local based stations used to send information such as

NOTAMS, WEATHER, FLIGHT PLANS, DEPARTURE & ARRIVAL INFORMATION etc.

Formerly this was mostly teleprinter information but now it is increasingly a
digital (computer) network usually called AFTN.

Aeronautical Mobile Service

This is the service that you will use whenever you use your radio. It is all
stations on the ground or in the air involved in the day-to-day operations of

the aircraft.

Blind Transmission
In this case one station is receiving no reply; it could be just his own receiver is

not working. So he transmits ‘blind’, hoping that Control can hear him.

ICAO DEFINITION. A transmission from one station to another in
circumstances where two- way communication cannot be established but

where it is believed that the called station is able to receive the transmission.

Read Back
Some important instructions or information must be readback to confirm or to

check accuracy of reception.

Aerodrome control service. Air traffic control service to aerodrome traffic.

Aerodrome traffic. All traffic on the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome and all

aircraft flying in the vicinity of an aerodrome.

Note: An aircraft is in the vicinity of an aerodrome when it is on, entering or leaving a traffic circuit.
Aerodrome traffic circuit. The specified path to be flown by aircraft operating in

the vicinity of an aerodrome.

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