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Basic ATC

Browse Basic ATC terms for pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew and aviation learners.

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Abortar despegue

To stop the takeoff procedure after it has begun but before the aircraft becomes airborne.

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Acelerar

A phrase used to instruct the pilot to hasten a maneuver or action.

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Acuse de recibo

An instruction to confirm that a message has been received and understood.

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Afirmativo

A standard radiotelephony term meaning 'Yes'; used to indicate a positive response to a question or instruction.

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Ajuste del altímetro

The value to which the scale of a pressure altimeter is set so as to indicate elevation or height. In ATC phraseology, this typically refers to the current QNH for a given location.

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Ajuste el código del transpondedor

An instruction for a pilot to set a specific transponder code, enabling air traffic control to identify and track the aircraft on radar.

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Alerta de seguridad

A warning issued to alert the pilot of an immediate safety concern.

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Alerta de tráfico

A warning issued to alert the pilot of nearby aircraft that may pose a collision risk.

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Alinearse y esperar

An air traffic control instruction for an aircraft to taxi onto the runway and hold in position, awaiting takeoff clearance.

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Altitud

The height of an aircraft above sea level, usually expressed in feet.

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Aproximación autorizada

An instruction indicating that the aircraft is authorized to execute an approach procedure.

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Aproximación baja

An approach over the runway where the aircraft descends to runway level but does not land, typically followed by a climb-out.

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Aproximación frustrada

A procedure followed when a landing cannot be completed.

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Aproximación ILS autorizada

An instruction indicating that the aircraft is authorized to execute an Instrument Landing System approach.

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Aproximación por contacto

An IFR approach procedure that permits an aircraft under VFR conditions to proceed to the destination airport by visual reference to the surface while operating on an IFR flight plan

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Aproximación RNAV autorizada

An instruction indicating that the aircraft is authorized to execute an RNAV approach.

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Aproximación visual autorizada

An instruction indicating that the aircraft is authorized to execute a visual approach.

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Aproximación VOR autorizada

An instruction indicating that the aircraft is authorized to execute a VOR approach.

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Ascenso de crucero

A climb technique where the aircraft climbs at a constant power setting and speed.

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Ascienda a

An instruction to initiate a climb to a specific altitude and level off upon reaching it, unless otherwise directed.

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Ascienda y mantenga

Instruction for the aircraft to begin climbing to the stated altitude and maintain that altitude when reached.

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Aumentar velocidad

A phrase used to instruct the pilot to increase the aircraft's speed.

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Autorizado

An explicit authorization by ATC for a pilot to proceed under specified conditions within controlled airspace.

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Autorizado arranque de motores

ATC clearance authorizing the aircraft to start its engines, typically when pushback is not required.

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Autorizado para aterrizar

An air traffic control authorization for an aircraft to land on a specified runway, indicating that the runway is available and safe for landing.

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Autorizado para despegar

An air traffic control authorization for an aircraft to depart from a specified runway, indicating that the runway is available and safe for immediate takeoff.

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Autorizado retroceso y puesta en marcha

ATC clearance authorizing an aircraft to begin pushback from the gate and start engines.

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Calle de rodaje

A path on an airport connecting runways with aprons, hangars, terminals, and other facilities.

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Cambie a

Instruction to change the aircraft's communication radio frequency to another specified ATC unit or frequency.

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Cambio de frecuencia aprobado

ATC clearance for the pilot to leave the current frequency, typically when no further communication is required on that frequency.

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Cancelar despegue

An instruction to abort the takeoff procedure before the aircraft becomes airborne.

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Cancelar IFR

An instruction to terminate the Instrument Flight Rules flight plan.

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Cancelar SID

An instruction to terminate the Standard Instrument Departure procedure.

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Cancelar STAR

An instruction to terminate the Standard Terminal Arrival Route procedure.

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Combustible mínimo

A declaration by a pilot indicating that the aircraft has enough fuel to reach the destination but no extra fuel for delays.

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Contacte con rodadura

Instruction from ATC to switch communication to the ground control frequency, typically issued after landing or before taxi for departure.

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Contacte con salida

ATC instruction to switch radio communication to the departure controller, usually issued shortly after takeoff for enroute climb and navigation.

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Contacte con torre

Instruction from ATC to switch radio communication from the current frequency to the aerodrome control tower frequency for landing or taxi clearance.

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Contacto radar

Indication that a particular aircraft is identified on the radar display and radar flight following will be provided

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Continúe

An ATC instruction to proceed with the current action or phase of flight without change.

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Continúe ascenso

An ATC instruction to maintain or resume climbing to a previously assigned altitude or to a new altitude.

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Continúe el descenso

An ATC instruction directing the pilot to maintain the ongoing descent to a specified level or altitude without interruption.

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Continúe la aproximación

An instruction to proceed with the instrument or visual approach but not yet cleared to land.

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Continúe rodando

An instruction to proceed with ground movement along a designated taxi route or surface without stopping or awaiting further clearance.

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Corta final

The segment of the final approach path closest to the runway.

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Cruce la pista

An instruction authorizing an aircraft to proceed across a specified runway, typically during taxi operations.

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Crucero

The phase of flight where the aircraft maintains a steady altitude and speed.

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Descenso de crucero

A descent at a controlled rate while maintaining cruise speed.

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Descenso de emergencia

A rapid descent by an aircraft in response to an emergency situation.

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Descienda a

An instruction from air traffic control directing an aircraft to decrease altitude to a specified level.

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Descienda y mantenga

An instruction to begin descent and level off at the specified altitude, maintaining it until further clearance is issued.

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Desestimar

A phrase used to instruct the pilot to ignore the previous transmission.

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Desocupar pista

An instruction to exit the runway at the nearest suitable exit.

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Despegue vía

An ATC instruction directing the pilot to follow a specified Standard Instrument Departure (SID) or route after takeoff.

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Entendido, cumpliré

A radiotelephony term meaning 'will comply'; it signifies that the message has been received, understood, and will be complied with.

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Espere

An instruction meaning 'wait and I will call you'; it indicates that the controller or pilot is temporarily unable to communicate.

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Espere

Used by ATC to advise pilots of anticipated instructions or clearances, such as altitude changes or approach clearances, to assist with planning.

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Espere más autorizaciones

An instruction indicating that further clearance will be provided at a specified time or location.

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Espere vectores

An advisory indicating that the pilot should anticipate receiving radar vector instructions from ATC at a specified time, altitude, or fix, typically used to sequence traffic or guide aircraft to a specific point.

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Estacionamiento

The area where aircraft are parked for loading, unloading, or maintenance.

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Estimación

A term used by pilots to indicate the estimated time of arrival at a specific point.

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Final

The last leg of the approach path before landing.

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Gire a la derecha

An instruction from ATC to initiate a right turn onto a specific heading, route, or to avoid traffic or terrain.

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Gire a la izquierda

An instruction to change aircraft heading by initiating a left turn.

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Ida al aire

An aborted landing approach, requiring the aircraft to climb and reattempt landing.

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Ident

A function on the aircraft transponder that, when activated, causes the radar return to flash on the controller’s screen for identification.

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Incapaz

A phrase used by pilots to indicate they cannot comply with a specific instruction or clearance.

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Incorpórese

Instruction to intercept and follow a specified route, airway, arrival procedure, or traffic pattern.

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Incorpórese a base

Instruction to enter the circuit on the base leg, a perpendicular segment to final approach before landing.

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Incorpórese a viento en cola

An instruction to enter the traffic circuit on the downwind leg, parallel to and opposite direction of landing runway.

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Informe

An instruction for the pilot to provide specific information, such as position, altitude, or status, either once or at specified intervals.

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Informe al alcanzar

An instruction to notify ATC when a specified altitude or level has been attained.

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Informe al pasar

An instruction for the pilot to notify ATC when passing through a specific altitude or level.

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Informe de posición

A report made by a pilot to ATC providing the aircraft's current position, altitude, and other relevant information.

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Informe establecido

An instruction for the pilot to inform ATC when the aircraft is established on a specified segment of the approach, typically the localizer or final approach course.

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Informe final

An instruction for the pilot to inform ATC when the aircraft is on the final approach segment, aligned with the runway centerline and descending for landing.

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Informe pista desocupada

An instruction to inform ATC when the aircraft has completely left the runway.

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Instrumento

A term used to describe operations conducted with reference to instruments.

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Lectura correcta

A phrase used by ATC to confirm that the pilot's readback of instructions is accurate.

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Leer de nuevo

A procedure where the receiving station repeats a received message or its pertinent parts to confirm accurate reception.

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Lento

A phrase used to instruct the pilot to reduce speed.

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Libre de conflicto

An indication that the aircraft is no longer in a conflicting situation with another aircraft.

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Listo para copiar

A phrase used by pilots to indicate they are prepared to receive and write down instructions or clearances.

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Listo para el retroceso

A phrase used by pilots to indicate they are prepared for the aircraft to be pushed back from the gate.

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Listo para la salida

A phrase used by pilots to indicate they are prepared to begin the takeoff roll.

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Listo para rodar

A phrase used by pilots to indicate they are prepared to begin taxiing.

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Mantener

To maintain a specific position or altitude, often in a holding pattern.

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Mantener en

An instruction to maintain a specific position or altitude until further notice.

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Mantener IFR

A phrase used to instruct the pilot to continue flying under Instrument Flight Rules.

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Mantener separación visual

A phrase used to instruct the pilot to visually keep a safe distance from other aircraft.

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Mantener su propia separación

A phrase used to instruct the pilot to ensure a safe distance from other aircraft without ATC assistance.

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Mantener VFR

A phrase used to instruct the pilot to continue flying under Visual Flight Rules.

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Mantenga

An instruction to continue holding a specified altitude, heading, speed, or other parameter until further advised.

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Mantenga la altitud actual

Instruction to the pilot to continue flying at the present assigned altitude.

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Mantenga posición antes de

An instruction to stop before reaching a specified point, usually a runway or intersection, and not proceed until further clearance is received.

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Mantenga rumbo pista

An instruction to continue on the magnetic heading of the runway after takeoff without turning, usually for departure sequencing or obstacle avoidance.

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Marque ident

An ATC instruction to activate the IDENT feature on the aircraft's transponder, which causes the radar return to flash, allowing identification of the aircraft.

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Mayday

A distress call indicating a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate assistance.

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Monitorear

Listen on a frequency without establishing two-way communication, maintaining awareness of transmissions

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Negativo

A standard radiotelephony term meaning 'No'; used to indicate a negative response or denial.

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Nivel

A generic term used to denote a pilot's cleared vertical position, whether expressed as an altitude, flight level, or height.

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Nivel de vuelo

A standardised altitude expressed in hundreds of feet, based on a pressure setting of 1013.2 hPa.

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Opción

An ATC clearance that permits the pilot to perform a touch and go, stop and go, low approach, or full stop landing at the pilot’s discretion.

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Pan pan

A radio call indicating an urgent situation that is not immediately life-threatening.

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Pasando

A term used by pilots to report the altitude they are currently climbing or descending through.

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Paso lateral

A maneuver to change from one parallel runway to another during approach.

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Paso por encima

A visual maneuver used to enter the traffic pattern from above the airfield, typically involving an initial pass over the runway followed by a break into the pattern.

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Patrón de espera

A racetrack-shaped flight path flown to delay an aircraft's approach.

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Pierna base

The flight path at right angles to the landing runway off its approach end.

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Pista

A defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and takeoff of aircraft.

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Pista desocupada

Confirmation that the aircraft has exited the runway.

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Plataforma

A defined area on an airport intended to accommodate aircraft for purposes of loading or unloading passengers or cargo, refueling, parking, or maintenance.

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Ponga el transpondedor en modo de espera

An instruction for a pilot to set the aircraft's transponder to standby mode, ceasing transmission of the transponder signal.

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Posición

A designated area where an aircraft is parked for loading, unloading, or maintenance.

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Proceda directo

An ATC instruction authorizing an aircraft to fly directly to a specified point, bypassing the previously assigned route or waypoints.

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Proceda vía

An ATC instruction directing an aircraft to follow a specified route, airway, or series of waypoints.

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Puerta

A designated area at an airport where passengers board or disembark from an aircraft.

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QNH

The altimeter subscale setting that causes the altimeter to read elevation above mean sea level at an airfield. Used primarily below transition altitude.

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Reanude su propia navegación

Instruction for the pilot to return to their own pre-filed or previously assigned route after deviation or vectoring.

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Recibido

A standard radiotelephony term meaning 'I have received all of your last transmission'; it does not imply compliance or agreement.

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Reducir velocidad

A phrase used to instruct the pilot to decrease the aircraft's speed.

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Repita

A phrase used to request the repetition of all or part of a previous transmission.

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Restricción de altitud

A specified altitude that an aircraft must not exceed or descend below.

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Retroceso aprobado

An air traffic control authorization allowing an aircraft to begin pushback from the gate or stand, typically in coordination with ground services.

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Rodaje a

An ATC instruction authorizing an aircraft to proceed under its own power to a specified location on the aerodrome, such as a runway holding point or parking stand.

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Rodaje vía

An ATC instruction specifying the taxi route an aircraft must follow, indicating designated taxiways and any other routing information.

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Rodar en sentido inverso por pista

A procedure whereby an aircraft taxis in the opposite direction of take-off or landing on a runway to reach the threshold or exit.

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Rumbo

The direction in which the aircraft’s nose is pointed, expressed in degrees from magnetic north.

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Saliendo de

Used by pilots to report they are vacating a specific altitude, either climbing or descending from it.

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Salir de la vía aérea

An instruction to exit a designated airway.

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Servicio de radar finalizado

ATC instruction indicating that radar monitoring and associated services are no longer being provided; the pilot must now operate under visual or procedural rules.

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Sin contacto visual

Phrase used by pilots to indicate that they do not have visual contact with the reported traffic.

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Taxi de regreso

Taxiing on a runway in the opposite direction of takeoff or landing.

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Terreno

The physical features of the land that may pose a hazard to aircraft.

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Toque y siga

A maneuver in which an aircraft lands on a runway and immediately takes off again without coming to a full stop.

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Tráfico a la vista

Phrase used by pilots to confirm that they have visually acquired the reported traffic.

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Tráfico de aeródromo

A standard rectangular traffic pattern around the airfield used for sequencing aircraft for landing or training operations.

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Unirse a final

An instruction to align the aircraft with the final approach path for landing.

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Unirse a la vía aérea

An instruction to enter and follow a designated airway.

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Vectores

Heading instructions issued to provide navigational guidance by radar

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Velocidad

The rate at which an aircraft is moving through the air, usually expressed in knots.

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Velocidad mínima limpia

The lowest speed at which an aircraft can fly in a clean configuration without deploying flaps or slats.

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Verificación de altitud

A request to verify the current altitude of the aircraft.

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Verificación del viento

A request for the current wind conditions at a specific location.

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Viento cruzado

The flight path at right angles to the landing runway at the upwind end.

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Viento en cara

The initial leg of the traffic pattern after takeoff, flown parallel to the runway and in the direction of departure.

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Viento en cola

The flight path parallel to the landing runway in the opposite direction of landing.

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Vientos

The current atmospheric conditions affecting aircraft movement.

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Visual

A term used to describe operations conducted with visual reference to the terrain.

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Órbita

A 360-degree turn in the air to delay or maintain position.

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