Aviation and air traffic control terminology · MLC-0104
Aviation and air traffic control terms: M (61)
- MAA, see Maximum authorized altitude
- Mach numberThe ratio of true airspeed to the speed of sound; e.g., MACH .82, MACH 1.6.
- Mach technique [ICAO]Describes a control technique used by air traffic control whereby turbojet aircraft operating successively...
- MAHWPMissed Approach Holding Waypoint
- Maintaina. Concerning altitude/flight level, the term means to remain at the altitude/flight level specified. The...
- Maintenance planning friction levelThe friction level specified in AC 150/5320-12, Measurement, Construction, and Maintenance of Skid Resistant...
- Make short approachUsed by ATC to inform a pilot to alter his/her traffic pattern so as to make a short final approach.
- Man portable air defense systems (MANPADS)MANPADS are lightweight, shoulder-launched, missile systems used to bring down aircraft and create mass...
- Mandatory altitudeAn altitude depicted on an instrument Approach Procedure Chart requiring the aircraft to maintain altitude at...
- MANPADS, see Man portable air defense systems (MANPADS)
- MAP, see Missed approach point (MAP)
- Marker beaconAn electronic navigation facility transmitting a 75 MHz vertical fan or boneshaped radiation pattern. Marker...
- MARSA, see Military authority assumes responsibility for separation of aircraft (MARSA)
- MAWPMissed Approach Waypoint
- Maximum authorized altitudeA published altitude representing the maximum usable altitude or flight level for an airspace structure or...
- Maximum gross operating weight (MGOW)The maximum gross weight of an aircraft, including fuel and any external objects, at any point during the...
- MaydayThe international radiotelephony distress signal. When repeated three times, it indicates imminent and grave...
- MCA, see Minimum crossing altitude (MCA)
- MDA, see Minimum descent altitude (MDA)
- MEA, see Minimum en route IFR altitude (MEA)
- MEARTS, see Micro-en route automated radar tracking system (MEARTS)
- Meteorological impact statementAn unscheduled planning forecast describing conditions expected to begin within 4 to 12 hours which may...
- Meter fix arcA semicircle, equidistant from a meter fix, usually in low altitude relatively close to the meter fix, used...
- Meter reference element (MRE)A constraint point through which traffic flows are managed. An MRE can be the runway threshold, a meter fix...
- Meter reference point list (MRP)A list of TBFM delay information conveyed to the controller on the situation display via the Meter Reference...
- MeteringA method of time-regulating traffic flows in the en route and terminal environments.
- Metering airportsAirports adapted for metering and for which optimum flight paths are defined. A maximum of 15 airports may be...
- Metering fixA fix along an established route from over which aircraft will be metered prior to entering terminal...
- MGOW, see Maximum gross operating weight (MGOW)
- MHA, see Minimum holding altitude
- MIA, see Minimum IFR altitudes (MIA)
- MicroburstA small downburst with outbursts of damaging winds extending 2.5 miles or less. In spite of its small...
- Micro-en route automated radar tracking system (MEARTS)An automated radar and radar beacon tracking system capable of employing both short-range (ASR) and...
- Mid RVR, see Visibility
- Middle compass locator, see Compass locator
- Middle markerA marker beacon that defines a point along the glideslope of an ILS normally located at or near the point of...
- Miles-in-trailA specified distance between aircraft, normally, in the same stratum associated with the same destination or...
- Military authority assumes responsibility for separation of aircraft (MARSA)A condition whereby the military services involved assume responsibility for separation between participating...
- Military landing zoneA landing strip used exclusively by the military for training. A military landing zone does not carry a...
- Military operations area, see Special use airspace
- Military training routesAirspace of defined vertical and lateral dimensions established for the conduct of military flight training...
- Minima, see Minimums
- Minimum crossing altitude (MCA)The lowest altitude at certain fixes at which an aircraft must cross when proceeding in the direction of a...
- Minimum descent altitude (MDA)The lowest altitude, expressed in feet above mean sea level, to which descent is authorized on final approach...
- Minimum en route IFR altitude (MEA)The lowest published altitude between radio fixes which assures acceptable navigational signal coverage and...
- Minimum friction levelThe friction level specified in AC 150/5320-12, Measurement, Construction, and Maintenance of Skid Resistant...
- Minimum fuelIndicates that an aircraft's fuel supply has reached a state where, upon reaching the destination, it can...
- Minimum holding altitudeThe lowest altitude prescribed for a holding pattern which assures navigational signal coverage...
- Minimum IFR altitudes (MIA)Minimum altitudes for IFR operations as prescribed in 14 CFR part 91. These altitudes are published on...
- Minimum obstruction clearance altitude (MOCA)The lowest published altitude in effect between radio fixes on VOR airways, off-airway routes, or route...
- Minimum reception altitude (MRA)The lowest altitude at which an intersection can be determined.
- Minimum safe altitude (MSA)a. The Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA) specified in 14 CFR part 91 for various aircraft operations.
- Minimum safe altitude warning (MSAW)A function of the EAS and STARS computer that aids the controller by alerting him/her when a tracked Mode C...
- Minimum sector altitude [ICAO]The lowest altitude which may be used under emergency conditions which will provide a minimum clearance of...
- Minimum vectoring altitude (MVA)The lowest MSL altitude at which an IFR aircraft will be vectored by a radar controller, except as otherwise...
- MinimumsWeather condition requirements established for a particular operation or type of operation; e.g., IFR takeoff...
- Minutes-in-trailA specified interval between aircraft expressed in time. This method would more likely be utilized regardless...
- MIS, see Meteorological impact statement
- Missed approacha. A maneuver conducted by a pilot when an instrument approach cannot be completed to a landing. The route of...
- Missed approach point (MAP)A point prescribed in each instrument approach procedure at which a missed approach procedure must be...
- Missed approach procedure [ICAO]The procedure to be followed if the approach cannot be continued.
- Missed approach segment, see Segments of an instrument approach procedure
- MM, see Middle marker
- MOCA, see Minimum obstruction clearance altitude (MOCA)
- ModeThe letter or number assigned to a specific pulse spacing of radio signals transmitted or received by ground...
- Mode C intruder alertA function of certain air traffic control automated systems designed to alert radar controllers to existing...
- Mode (SSR mode) [ICAO]The letter or number assigned to a specific pulse spacing of the interrogation signals transmitted by an...
- Model aircraftAn unmanned aircraft that is: (1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere; (2) flown within visual line...
- Monitor(When used with communication transfer) listen on a specific frequency and stand by for instructions. Under...
- Monitor alert (MA)A function of the TFMS that provides traffic management personnel with a tool for predicting potential...
- Monitor alert parameter (MAP)The number designated for use in monitor alert processing by the TFMS. The MAP is designated for each...
- Mosaic/multi-sensor modeAccepts positional data from multiple approved surveillance sources. Targets are displayed from a single...
- Mountain waveMountain waves occur when air is being blown over a mountain range or even the ridge of a sharp bluff area...
- Movement areaThe runways, taxiways, and other areas of an airport/heliport which are utilized for taxiing/hover taxiing...
- Movement area [ICAO]That part of an aerodrome to be used for the takeoff, landing and taxiing of aircraft, consisting of the...
- Moving airspace reservationThe term used in oceanic ATC for airspace that encompasses oceanic activities and advances with the mission...
- Moving altitude reservationAn altitude reservation which encompasses en route activities and advances with the mission progress; i.e...
- Moving target indicatorAn electronic device which will permit radar scope presentation only from targets which are in motion. A...
- MRA, see Minimum reception altitude (MRA)
- MRE, see Meter reference element (MRE)
- MRP, see Meter reference point list (MRP)
- MSA, see Minimum safe altitude (MSA)
- MSAW, see Minimum safe altitude warning (MSAW)
- MTI, see Moving target indicator
- MTR, see Military training routes
- MulticomA mobile service not open to public correspondence used to provide communications essential to conduct the...
- Multiple runwaysThe utilization of a dedicated arrival runway(s) for departures and a dedicated departure runway(s) for...
- MVA, see Minimum vectoring altitude (MVA)
61 of 1,122 terms in Aviation and air traffic control terminology (MLC-0104). Request the full dataset.