Primary Airport Control Station, or PACS, is a
survey marker established in the vicinity of an airport and tied directly to the
National Spatial Reference System
The National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), managed by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS), is a coordinate system that includes latitude, longitude, elevation, and other values. The NSRS consists of a National Shoreline, the NOAA CORS Network (a ...
. This control consists of permanent marks with precisely determined latitudes, longitudes and elevations. PACS and SACS are designated by the National Geodetic Survey and must meet the specific siting, construction, and accuracy requirements. (also see
airport security
Airport security includes the techniques and methods used in an attempt to protect passengers, staff, aircraft, and airport property from malicious harm, crime, terrorism, and other threats.
Aviation security is a combination of measures and hum ...
)
PACS coordinates are established by meeting a survey, data processing, adjustment and reporting standard known as the NGS Bluebook. (See
Aviation safety
Aviation safety is the study and practice of managing risks in aviation. This includes preventing aviation accidents and incidents through research, educating air travel personnel, passengers and the general public, as well as the design of airc ...
for more info)
External links
The NGS complete list of airports with PACS and SACSInput Formats and Specifications of the National Geodetic Survey Data BasePACS and SACS overview with diagrams
Surveying
Airport infrastructure