Aviation Speak

The instruction fly heading is issued by air traffic control to a pilot. A typical instruction might be, �Cessna Alpha-Bravo, fly heading zero-two-zero degrees.� If the pilot must turn from his or her current course to comply, the pilot is expected to turn in the shorter direction unless the controller specifies otherwise. Such heading instructions may be given to avoid other traffic or special use airspace or to vector the pilot to an approach course, airway, airport, or other destination. When a pilot is instructed to fly a heading that will take him away from his desired course, as in to avoid conflicting traffic, he may be vectored back to his course by the controller or he may be instructed to �resume own navigation,� meaning that it is up to the pilot to return to his desired course and continue on his way.

Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)

A terminal radar service area exists in the airspace around designated airports. Within the TRSA, air traffic controllers provide radar vectoring, se- quencing, and separation on a full-time basis. This service is provided to all aircraft on instrument flight plants and any VFR aircraft that choose to participate. TRSAs are depicted on VFR aeronautical charts with a solid black line and altitudes for each segment.

Pilot participation is encouraged but is not mandatory. If you wish to participate as a VFR pilot, simply radio the radar approach control facility for the airport.

It�s worth noting that TRSAs were originally established as part of the Terminal Radar Program and have never been considered controlled airspace from a regulatory standpoint. As a result, you will not find TRSAs in the federal aviation regulations, although they are explained in the Aeronautical Information Manual.