Definition
The FAA's official directive titled 'Air Traffic Control,' which prescribes the procedures and phraseology that air traffic controllers in the United States must use when providing ATC services. It is the controller's primary rulebook and is updated periodically, with the current edition identified by a letter suffix (e.g., 7110.65Z).
Plain English
The official handbook that tells U.S. air traffic controllers exactly how to do their job and what words to use when talking to pilots.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument procedure discussions when an FAA handbook explains why a controller must issue, withhold, or phrase an approach clearance a certain way.
Derivation
In FAA use, an “order” is an official instruction document issued inside the agency. “7110.65” is the document number assigned to the FAA’s air traffic control procedures, so the number identifies a specific controller procedures manual.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots receive standardized clearances that follow the rules in this order, which directly affects the safety and predictability of instrument approaches.
Analogy
For a pilot, FAA Order 7110.65 is like the controller’s operating manual. It does not replace the pilot’s own rules, but it explains the procedures ATC is required to follow.
Intuition Check
Do not read “Order” here as a command given over the radio. In this term, it means an official FAA document that tells controllers how to do their job.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor explained that the controller's exact wording for the approach clearance comes straight from FAA Order 7110.65.
Example Sentence 2
A pilot may hear references to FAA Order 7110.65 when a controller confirms the proper sequence for an ILS approach.