Chapter 1. General

1-1-1. PURPOSE OF THIS ORDER

This order prescribes air traffic control procedures and phraseology for use by persons providing air traffic control services. Controllers are required to be familiar with the provisions of this order that pertain to their operational responsibilities and to exercise their best judgment if they encounter situations that are not covered by it.

1-1-2. AUDIENCE

This order applies to all ATO personnel and anyone using ATO directives.

1-1-3. WHERE TO FIND THIS ORDER

This order is available on the FAA Web site at http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices.

1-1-4. WHAT THIS ORDER CANCELS

FAA Order JO 7110.65Z, Air Traffic Control, dated June 17, 2021, and all changes to it are canceled.

1-1-5. EXPLANATION OF CHANGES

The significant changes to this order are identified in the Explanation of Changes page(s). It is advisable to retain the page(s) throughout the duration of the basic order.

1-1-6. EFFECTIVE DATES AND SUBMISSIONS FOR CHANGES

1. This order and its changes are scheduled to be published to coincide with AIRAC dates. (See TBL 1-1-1.)
2. The “Cutoff Date for Completion” in the table below refers to the deadline for a proposed change to be fully coordinated and signed. Change initiators must submit their proposed changes well in advance of this cutoff date to meet the publication effective date. The process to review and coordinate changes often takes several months after the change is initially submitted.

TBL 1-1-1 Publication Schedule

Basic or Change	Cutoff Date for Completion	Effective Date of Publication
JO 7110.65AA	11/3/22	4/20/23
Change 1	4/20/23	10/5/23
Change 2	10/5/23	3/21/24
Change 3	3/21/24	9/5/24
JO 7110.65BB	9/5/24	2/20/25
Change 1	2/20/25	8/7/25
Change 2	8/7/25	1/22/26
Change 3	1/22/26	7/29/26

1-1-7. DELIVERY DATES

1. If an FAA facility has not received the order/changes at least 30 days before the above effective dates, the facility must notify its service area office distribution officer.
2. If a military facility has not received the order/changes at least 30 days before the above effective dates, the facility must notify its appropriate military headquarters. (See TBL 1-1-2.)

TBL 1-1-2 Military Distribution Contacts

Military Headquarters	DSN	Commercial
U.S. Army USAASA	656-4868	(703) 806-4868
U.S. Air Force HQ AFFSA	884-5509	(405) 734-5509
U.S. Navy CNO (N980A)	224-2638	(703) 614-2638

1-1-8. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROCEDURAL CHANGES

The office of primary responsibility (OPR) for this order is:

• FAA Headquarters, Mission Support Services
• Policy (AJV-P)
• 600 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20597

1. Personnel should submit recommended changes in procedures to facility management.
2. Recommendations from other sources should be submitted through appropriate FAA, military, or industry/user channels.
3. Proposed changes must be submitted electronically to [email protected]. The submission should include a description of the recommended change, and the proposed language to be used in the order.

   NOTE: For details on the submission process as well as additional AJV-P processing responsibilities, please see FAA Order JO 7000.5 Procedures for Submitting Changes to Air Traffic Control Publications.

4. Procedural changes will not be made to this order until the operational system software has been adapted to accomplish the revised procedures

1-1-9. REQUESTS FOR INTERPRETATIONS OR CLARIFICATIONS TO THIS ORDER

1. Interpretation requests from field air traffic personnel must be submitted as follows:
   1. The request must be submitted,in writing,by an Air Traffic Facility/General manager to their Service Area Director.
   2. The Service Area Director must review the request and determine if more than one interpretation on the intent of the language can be inferred.
   3. If it is determined that an interpretation is required, the Service Area Director must submit the request, in writing, to the Policy Directorate, for a response.
2. If a request does not require an interpretation but further clarification is needed it must be forwarded to the Service Center Operations Support Group for a response.
   1. The Service Center Operations Support Group may consult with the Policy Directorate when preparing their response.
   2. The Service Center Operations Support Group must provide a written response to the requestor and forward the response to the Policy Directorate.
3. Interpretation requests from all other sources must be submitted to the Policy Directorate at [email protected]

NOTE: Interpretations can be accessed through the Air Traffic Control Interpretation link at the following website: https://my.faa.gov/org/linebusiness/ato/mission_support/psgroup/atc_interpretations.html.

1-1-10. PROCEDURAL LETTERS OF AGREEMENT

Procedures/minima which are applied jointly or otherwise require the cooperation or concurrence of more than one facility/organization must be documented in a letter of agreement. Letters of agreement only supplement this order. Any minima they specify must not be less than that specified herein unless appropriate military authority has authorized application of reduced separation between military aircraft.

• REFERENCE
• FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-1, ATC Service.
• FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 4-3-1, Letters of Agreement.

1-1-11. CONSTRAINTS GOVERNING SUPPLEMENTS AND PROCEDURAL DEVIATIONS

1. Exceptional or unusual requirements may dictate procedural deviations or supplementary procedures to this order. Prior to implementing supplemental or any procedural deviation that alters the level, quality, or degree of service, obtain prior approval from the Vice President, Mission Support Services.
2. If military operations or facilities are involved, prior approval by the following appropriate headquarters is required for subsequent interface with FAA. (See TBL 1-1-3.)

TBL 1-1-3 Military Operations Interface Offices

Branch	Address
U.S. Navy	Department of the Navy Chief of Naval Operations N980A, NAATSEA 2000 Navy Pentagon (5D453) Washington, D.C. 20350-2000
U.S. Air Force	HQ AFFSA 5316 S. Douglas Blvd Bldg 8400, Room 232 Oklahoma City, OK 73150
U.S. Army	Director USAASA (MOAS-AS) 9325 Gunston Road, Suite N319 Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-5582

NOTE: Terminal: Headquarters Air Force Flight Standards Agency is the approval authority for any USAF procedures or minima that differ from those specified herein and that involve military aircraft only.

• REFERENCE
• FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-12, Military Procedures.
• FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 3-1-3, Use of Active Runways.

1-1-12. SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SMS)

Every employee is responsible to ensure the safety of equipment and procedures used in the provision of services within the National Airspace System (NAS). Risk assessment techniques and mitigations, as appropriate, are intended for implementation of any planned safety significant changes within the NAS, as directed by FAA Order 1100.161, Air Traffic Safety Oversight. Direction regarding the SMS and its application can be found in the FAA Safety Management System Manual and FAA Order 1100.161. The SMS will be implemented through a period of transitional activities. (Additional information pertaining to these requirements and processes can be obtained by contacting the service area offices.)

1-1-13. REFERENCES TO FAA NON-AIR TRAFFIC ORGANIZATIONS

When references are made to regional office organizations that are not part of the Air Traffic Organization (i.e., Communications Center, Flight Standards, Airport offices, etc.), the facility should contact the FAA region where the facility is physically located - not the region where the facility's service area office is located.

1-1-14. DISTRIBUTION

This order is distributed to selected offices in Washington headquarters, regional offices, service area offices, the William J. Hughes Technical Center, and the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. Also, copies are sent to all air traffic field facilities and international aviation field offices; and to interested aviation public.

1-2-1. WORD MEANINGS

As used in this order:

1. “Shall” or “must” means a procedure is mandatory.
2. “Shall not” or “must not” means a procedure is prohibited.
3. “Should” means a procedure is recommended.
4. “May” or “need not” means a procedure is optional.
5. “Will” means futurity, not a requirement for the application of a procedure.
6. Singular words include the plural.
7. Plural words include the singular.
8. “Aircraft” means the airframe, crew members, or both.
9. “Approved separation” means separation in accordance with the applicable minima in this order.
10. “Altitude” means indicated altitude mean sea level (MSL), flight level (FL), or both.
11. “Miles” means nautical miles unless otherwise specified, and means statute miles in conjunction with visibility.
12. “Course,” “bearing,” “azimuth,” “heading,” and “wind direction” information must always be magnetic unless specifically stated otherwise.
13. “Time” when used for ATC operational activities, is the hour and the minute in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Change to the next minute is made at the minute plus 30 seconds, except time checks are given to the nearest quarter minute.
14. “Runway” means the runway used by aircraft and, unless otherwise specified, does not include helipads and/or their accompanying takeoff/landing courses. (See Pilot/Controller Glossary terms - Runway and Helipad.)
15. Flight operations in accordance with the options of “due regard” or “operational” have the following requirements:
    1. Obligates the authorized state aircraft commander to:
       1. (a) Separate his/her aircraft from all other air traffic; and
       2. (b) Assure that an appropriate monitoring agency assumes responsibility for search and rescue actions; and
       3. (c) Operate under at least one of the following conditions:
          1. (1) In visual meteorological conditions (VMC); or
          2. (2) Within an area that is covered by an ATC surveillance source and in communications with ATC, or within surveillance source service volume and radio communications range of a facility, Department of Homeland Security or DoD unit capable of providing the pilot assistance to operate with due regard to other aircraft; or
          3. (3) Be equipped with airborne radar that is sufficient to provide separation between his/her aircraft and any other aircraft he/she may be controlling and other aircraft; or
          4. (4) Operate within Class G airspace.
    2. An understanding between the pilot and controller regarding the intent of the pilot and the status of the flight should be reached before the aircraft leaves ATC frequency.
    • NOTE:
    • 1. A pilot's use of the phrase “Going Tactical” does not indicate “Due Regard.”
    • 2. The above conditions provide for a level of safety equivalent to that normally given by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ATC agencies and fulfills U.S. Government obligations under Article 3, paragraph d, of the Chicago Convention of 1944, which stipulates there must be “due regard for the safety of navigation of civil aircraft” when flight is not being conducted under ICAO flight procedures.
      • REFERENCE
      • DoD Instruction (DODI) 4540.1, Enclosure 3, Para 3c(1)(c). DoD Flight Information Publication (FLIP), Section 8-6c(1)
16. “CFR” means Code of Federal Regulations.

1-2-2. COURSE DEFINITIONS

The following definitions must be used in the application of the separation criteria in this order.

NOTE: The term “protected airspace,” as used in this paragraph, is the airspace equal to one half the required applicable lateral separation on either side of an aircraft along its projected flight path. If the protected airspace of two aircraft does not overlap, applicable lateral separation is ensured.

1. SAME COURSES are courses whose protected airspaces are coincident, overlap, or intersect and whose angular difference is less than 45 degrees. (See FIG 1-2-1.)
2. CROSSING COURSES are intersecting courses whose angular difference is 45 through 135 degrees inclusive. (See FIG 1-2-1.)
3. OPPOSITE/RECIPROCAL COURSES are courses whose protected airspaces are coincident, overlap, or intersect and whose angular difference is greater than 135 degrees through 180 degrees inclusive. (See FIG 1-2-1.)

1-2-3. NOTES

Statements of fact, or of a prefatory or explanatory nature relating to directive material, are set forth as notes.

1-2-4. REFERENCES

As used in this order, references direct attention to an additional or supporting source of information such as FAA, NWS, and other agencies' orders, directives, notices, CFRs, and Advisory Circulars (ACs).

1-2-5. ANNOTATIONS

Revised, reprinted, or new pages are marked as follows:

1. The change number and the effective date are printed on each revised or additional page.
2. A page that does not require a change is reprinted in its original form.
3. Bold vertical lines in the margin of changed pages indicate the location of substantive revisions to the order. Bold vertical lines adjacent to the title of a chapter, section, or paragraph means that extensive changes have been made to that chapter, section, or paragraph.
4. Paragraphs/sections annotated with EN ROUTE, OCEANIC, or TERMINAL are only to be applied by the designated type facility. When they are not so designated, the paragraphs/sections apply to all types of facilities (en route, oceanic, and terminal).
5. The annotation, USAF for the U.S. Air Force, USN for the U.S. Navy, and USA for the U.S. Army denotes that the procedure immediately following the annotation applies only to the designated service.
   • REFERENCE
   • FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-12, Military Procedures.
6. WAKE TURBULENCE APPLICATION inserted within a paragraph means that the remaining information in the paragraph requires the application of wake turbulence procedures.
7. The annotation PHRASEOLOGY denotes the prescribed words and/or phrases to be used in communications.

   NOTE: Controllers may, after first using the prescribed phraseology for a specific procedure, rephrase the message to ensure the content is understood. Good judgment must be exercised when using nonstandard phraseology.

8. The annotation EXAMPLE provides a sample of the way the prescribed phraseology associated with the preceding paragraph(s) will be used. If the preceding paragraph(s) does (do) not include specific prescribed phraseology, the EXAMPLE merely denotes suggested words and/or phrases that may be used in communications.

   NOTE: The use of the exact text contained in an example not preceded with specific prescribed phraseology is not mandatory. However, the words and/or phrases are expected, to the extent practical, to approximate those used in the example.

1-2-6. ABBREVIATIONS

As used in this order, the abbreviations listed below have the following meanings indicated. (See TBL 1-2-1.)

TBL 1-2-1 Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning
AAR	Adapted arrival route
AAR	Airport acceptance rate
AC	Advisory Circular
ACC	Area Control Center
ACE-IDS	ASOS Controller Equipment- Information Display System
ACL	Aircraft list
ACLS	Automatic Carrier Landing System
ADAR	Adapted departure arrival route
ADC	Aerospace Defense Command
ADIZ	Air Defense Identification Zone (to be pronounced “AY DIZ”)
ADR	Adapted departure route
ADS	Automatic Dependent Surveillance
ADS-B	Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
ADS-C	Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract
AFP	Airspace flow program
AERT	Automation Embedded Route Text
AFP	Airspace Flow Program
AIDC	ATS Interfacility Data Communications
AIM	Aeronautical Information Manual
AIRMET	Airmen's meteorological information
ALDARS	Automated Lightning Detection and Reporting System
ALERFA	Alert phase code (Alerting Service)
ALNOT	Alert notice
ALS	Approach Light System
ALTRV	Altitude reservation
AM	Ambiguity- A disparity greater than a locally adapted distance exists between the position declared for a target by MEARTS and another facility's computer declared position during interfacility handoff
AMASS	Airport Movement Area Safety System
AMB	Ambiguity- A disparity greater than a locally adapted distance exists between the position declared for a target by MEARTS and another facility's computer declared position during interfacility handoff
AMVER	Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System
ANG	Air National Guard
APR	ATC preferred route
APREQ	Approval Request
ARAC	Army Radar Approach Control Facility (US Army)
ARINC	Aeronautical Radio Incorporated
ARIP	Air refueling initial point
ARSR	Air route surveillance radar
ARTCC	Air Route Traffic Control Center
ASD	Aircraft Situation Display
ASDE	Airport Surface Detection Equipment
ASDE-X	Airport Surface Detection Equipment System - Model X
ASF	Airport Stream Filters
ASOS	Automated Surface Observing System
ASR	Airport surveillance radar
ATC	Air traffic control
ATCAA	ATC assigned airspace
ATCSCC	David J. Hurley Air Traffic Control System Command Center
ATD	Along-Track Distance
ATIS	Automatic Terminal Information Service
ATO	Air Traffic Organization
ATO COO	Air Traffic Organization Chief Operating Officer
ATOP	Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures
ATS	Air Traffic Service
AWOS	Automated Weather Observing System
BASE	Cloud base
CA	Conflict Alert
CARCAH	Chief, Aerial Reconnaissance Coordination, All Hurricanes
CARF	Central Altitude Reservation Function
CAT	Clear air turbulence
CDT	Controlled departure time
CEP	Central East Pacific
CERAP	Combined Center/RAPCON
CFR	Code of Federal Regulations
CFR	Call for Release
CIC	Controller-in-Charge
CNS	Continuous
CPDLC	Controller Pilot Data Link Communications
CPME	Calibration Performance Monitor Equipment
CTA	Control Area
CTRD	Certified Tower Radar Display
CVFP	Charted Visual Flight Procedure
CWA	Center Weather Advisory
DETRESFA	Distress Phase code (Alerting Service)
DH	Decision height
DL	Departure List
DME	Distance measuring equipment compatible with TACAN
DOE	Department of Energy
DP	Instrument Departure Procedure
DR	Dead reckoning
DRT	Diversion recovery tool
DSR	Display System Replacement
DTAS	Digital Terminal Automation Systems
DTM	Digital Terrain Map
DVFR	Defense Visual Flight Rules
DVRSN	Diversion
EA	Electronic Attack
EAS	En Route Automation System
EDCT	Expect Departure Clearance Time
EDST	En Route Decision Support Tool
EFC	Expect further clearance
EFVS	Enhanced Flight Vision System
ELDB	Enhanced Limited Data Block
ELP	Emergency Landing Pattern
ELT	Emergency locator transmitter
EoR	Established on RNP
EOS	End Service
EOVM	Emergency obstruction video map
ERAM	En Route Automation Modernization
ERIDS	En Route Information Display System
ERT	Embedded route text
ETA	Estimated time of arrival
FAA	Federal Aviation Administration
FAA Order	FAA Order
FANS	Future Air Navigation System
FDB	FDB
FDIO	Flight Data Input/Output
FDP	Flight data processing
FICON	Field Condition
FIR	Flight Information Region
FL	Flight level
FLIP	Flight Information Publication
FLY	Fly or flying
FMS	Flight Management System
FMSP	Flight Management System Procedure
FSM	Flight Schedule Monitor
FSS	Flight Service Station
GCA	Ground controlled approach
GNSS	Global Navigation Satellite System
GPD	Graphics Plan Display
GPS	Global Positioning System
GS	Ground stop
HF/RO	High Frequency/Radio Operator
HIRL	High intensity runway lights
IAFDOF	Inappropriate Altitude for Direction of Flight
ICAO	International Civil Aviation Organization
IDENT	Aircraft identification
IDS	Information Display System
IFR	Instrument flight rules
IFSS	International Flight Service Station
ILS	Instrument Landing System
INCERFA	Uncertainty Phase code (Alerting Service)
INREQ	Information request
INS	Inertial Navigation System
IR	IFR military training route
IRU	Inertial Reference Unit
ISR	Increased Separation Required
ITWS	Integrated Terminal Weather System
JATO	Jet assisted takeoff
LAHSO	Land and Hold Short Operations
LOA	Letter of Agreement
LLWAS	Low Level Wind Shear Alert System
LLWAS NE	Low Level Wind Shear Alert System Network Expansion
LLWAS-RS	Low Level Wind Shear Alert System Relocation/Sustainment
LLWS	Low Level Wind Shear
L/MF	Low/medium frequency
LORAN	Long Range Navigation System
Mach	Mach number
MALS	Medium Intensity Approach Light System
MALSR	Medium Approach Light System with runway alignment indicator lights
MAP	Missed approach point
MARSA	Military authority assumes responsibility for separation of aircraft
MCA	Minimum crossing altitude
MCI	Mode C Intruder
MDA	Minimum descent altitude
MDM	Main display monitor
MEA	Minimum en route (IFR) altitude
MEARTS	Micro En Route Automated Radar Tracking System
METAR	Aviation Routine Weather Report
MIA	Minimum IFR altitude
MIAWS	Medium Intensity Airport Weather System
MIRL	Medium intensity runway lights
MNPS	Minimum Navigation Performance Specification
MNT	Mach Number Technique
MOA	Military operations area
MOCA	Minimum obstruction clearance altitude
MRA	Minimum reception altitude
MSAW	Minimum Safe Altitude Warning
MSL	Mean sea level
MTI	Moving target indicator
MTR	Military training route
MVA	Minimum vectoring altitude
NADIN	National Airspace Data Interchange Network
NAR	National Automation Request
NAS	National Airspace System
NAT	ICAO North Atlantic Region
NAT HLA	North Atlantic High Level Airspace
NBCAP	National Beacon Code Allocation Plan
NDB	Nondirectional radio beacon
NHOP	National Hurricane Operations Plan
NM	Nautical mile
NOAA	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOPAC	North Pacific
NORAD	North American Aerospace Defense Command
NOS	National Ocean Service
NOTAM	Notice to Air Missions
NOWGT	No weight. The weight class or wake category has not been determined
NRP	North American Route Program
NRR	Nonrestrictive Route
NRS	Navigation Reference System
NTZ	No transgression zone
NWS	National Weather Service
NWSOP	National Winter Storm Operations Plan
ODALS	Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System
ODP	Obstacle Departure Procedure
OID	Operator Interface Device
OS	Operations Supervisor
OTR	Oceanic transition route
PAPI	Precision Approach Path Indicators
PAR	Precision approach radar
PBCT	Proposed boundary crossing time
P/CG	Pilot/Controller Glossary
PDC	Pre-Departure Clearance
PIREP	Pilot Weather Report
PPI	Plan position indicator
PTP	Point-to-point
PVD	Plan view display
RA	Radar Associate
RAIL	Runway alignment indicator lights
RAPCON	Radar Approach Control Facility (USAF, USN, and USMC)
RATCF	Radar Air Traffic Control Facility (USN and USMC)
RBS	Radar bomb scoring
RCC	Rescue Coordination Center
RCLS	Runway Centerline System
RCR	Runway condition reading
RE	Recent (used to qualify weather phenomena such as rain, e.g. recent rain = RERA)
REIL	Runway end identifier lights
RF	Radius-to-Fix
RNAV	Area navigation
RNP	Required Navigation Performance
RTQC	Real-Time Quality Control
RVR	Runway visual range
RVSM	Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum
RwyCC	Runway Condition Codes
RwyCR	Runway Condition Report
SAA	Special Activity Airspace
SAR	Search and rescue
SATCOM	Satellite Communication
SDP	Surveillance Data Processing
SELCAL	Selective Calling System
SFA	Single frequency approach
SFO	Simulated flameout
SID	Standard Instrument Departure
SIGMET	Significant meteorological information
SPA	Special Posting Area
SPECI	Nonroutine (Special) Aviation Weather Report
STAR	Standard terminal arrival
STARS	Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System
STMC	Supervisory Traffic Management Coordinator
STMCIC	Supervisory Traffic Management Coordinator-in-charge
STOL	Short takeoff and landing
SURPIC	Surface Picture
SVFR	Special Visual Flight Rules
TAA	Terminal arrival area
TAS	Terminal Automation Systems
TACAN	TACAN UHF navigational aid (omnidirectional course and distance information)
TAWS	Terrain Awareness Warning System
TCAS	Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System
TCDD	Tower cab digital display
TDLS	Terminal Data Link System
TDW	Tower display workstation
TDWR	Terminal Doppler Weather Radar
TDZL	Touchdown Zone Light System
TF	Track-to-Fix
TFMS	Traffic Flow Management System
TMC	Traffic Management Coordinator
TMU	Traffic Management Unit
TRACON	Terminal Radar Approach Control
TRSA	Terminal radar service area
UFO	Unidentified flying object
UHF	Ultra high frequency
USA	United States Army
USAF	United States Air Force
USN	United States Navy
UTC	Coordinated universal time
UTM	Unsuccessful transmission message
UUA	Urgent pilot weather report
VCI	Voice Communication Indicator
VFR	Visual flight rules
VHF	Very high frequency
VMC	Visual meteorological conditions
VNAV	Vertical Navigation
VOR	VHF navigational aid (omnidirectional course information)
VOR/DME	Collocated VOR and DME navigational aids (VHF course and UHF distance information)
VORTAC	Collocated VOR and TACAN navigation aids (VHF and UHF course and UHF distance information)
VR	VFR military training route
VSCS	Voice Switching and Control System
WAAS	Wide Area Augmentation System
WARP	Weather and Radar Processing
WATRS	West Atlantic Route System
WRA	Weather Reconnaissance Area
WSO	Weather Service Office
WSP	Weather System Processor
WST	Convective SIGMET