Definition
An automated air traffic control function that warns controllers when an IFR aircraft, or a VFR aircraft receiving radar advisories, is observed to be at or descending below a predetermined minimum safe altitude for its location. When triggered, the controller issues a low altitude alert to the pilot along with the safe altitude for the area.
Plain English
A computer tool at ATC that flashes a warning when a plane gets too low for the area it's flying over, so the controller can immediately tell the pilot to climb.
Context Anchor
You may encounter LAAS in discussions of air traffic control safety alerts, especially during radar services, approaches, and operations near rising terrain or obstacles.
Why Pilots Care
It gives controllers an early chance to issue a safety alert and prevent controlled flight into terrain.
Intuition Check
Do not assume LAAS is a cockpit instrument or a guarantee of terrain clearance. In this context, it is a controller-side warning system that can help prompt a safety alert to the pilot.
Example Sentence 1
The controller transmitted, 'Low altitude alert, check your altitude immediately, the minimum vectoring altitude in your area is 4,000.'
Example Sentence 2
LAAS monitoring is active during radar vectoring to final approach in areas with high terrain.