Aircraft operations guide the flow of traffic throughout the National Airspace System by the use of common procedures
Increased traffic congestion, aircraft in climb and descent attitudes, and pilot preoccupation with cockpit duties are some factors that increase the hazardous accident potential near the airport
The situation is further compounded when the weather is marginal, that is, just meeting VFR requirements
Pilots must be particularly alert when operating in the vicinity of an airport
This section defines some rules, practices, and procedures that pilots should be familiar with and adhere to for safe airport operations
Following the enroute phase of flight, a pilot executes the approach and landing phase
The term "approach" has become a general term and may refer to operations under Instrument Flight Rules or to describe the terminal phase of flight to landing when flying Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
Therefore different types of operation will have different types of approaches and terminology
The Pilot/Controller Glossary defines the terminal area as a general term used to describe airspace in which approach control service or airport traffic control service is provided
The terminal area centers around either a single or series of airports
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are fundamentally changing the way we view aviation
Classified into 5 categories or "groups," UAS range from small hand launched aircraft, similar to model aircraft, to larger aircraft
As the Federal Aviation Administration works to integrate these systems into the national airspace system pilots owe it to themselves to learn how UAS will impact their operation
