Definition
A designated point along an arrival route where Air Traffic Control measures and adjusts the flow of arriving aircraft to deliver them to a busy airport at a manageable rate. ATC assigns crossing times, speeds, or holding instructions so that aircraft cross the metering fix in a sequence that matches the airport's acceptance rate.
Plain English
It's a specific point in the sky that ATC uses as a checkpoint to space arriving traffic. As aircraft approach a busy airport, controllers time them so they each pass this point at the right moment, creating an orderly line of arrivals.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument procedure and route discussions, especially where RNAV points or floating waypoints are used to help ATC organize arriving traffic.
Derivation
‘Metering’ comes from ‘meter,’ meaning to measure or regulate flow — like a water meter controlling how much passes through. ‘Fix’ in aviation is a defined geographic point. Together: a measured point used to regulate arrival flow.
Why Pilots Care
Helps maintain safe separation and reduces holding or delays in high traffic areas.
Analogy
It is like a highway on-ramp meter that spaces cars before they merge, except the spacing point is in the air and the controller manages aircraft instead of cars.
Intuition Check
Do not read “fix” as something being repaired. Here, a fix is a defined point in the sky, and “metering” means controlling how traffic flows through it.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching the metering fix, the crew was told to cross at a specific time to fit into the arrival sequence.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots monitor their speed to meet the assigned time at the ATC metering fix.