Plain English Meaning

A short code -- usually three or four letters -- that officially names a specific airport or navigation point so that pilots, controllers, and computers all refer to the exact same place.

Full Definition

A standardized three- or four-character code assigned by the FAA, ICAO, or other recognized authority to uniquely identify an airport, navaid, fix, or other aeronautical point used in flight planning, ATC communications, and published procedures.

Context Anchor

Seen in preferred instrument route listings, flight plans, charts, and procedure text when a route names places by code instead of by full name.