Definition
The process by which air traffic control arranges arriving or departing aircraft into an orderly, spaced flow, often by assigning specific speeds, headings, or altitudes so that each aircraft fits safely into the stream of traffic.
Plain English
ATC putting aircraft in line, with the right spacing between them, so everyone can land or depart in an orderly order.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when air traffic control assigns a speed or heading to fit your aircraft into the flow of other traffic.
Derivation
Sequence comes from the Latin sequi, meaning to follow. Traffic sequencing is literally the act of deciding which aircraft follows which, and how closely.
Why Pilots Care
Proper sequencing keeps aircraft safely spaced and prevents delays or go-arounds in busy terminal areas.
Intuition Check
Traffic sequencing does not just mean noticing nearby traffic. Here, it means actively arranging aircraft into an ordered flow with safe spacing.
Example Sentence 1
Approach control reduced our speed to 210 knots for traffic sequencing into the arrival.
Example Sentence 2
The controller placed us in traffic sequencing behind a slower aircraft, requiring us to reduce airspeed early.