Aeronautical Terms beginning with C
Cage
The black markings on the ball instrument indicating its neutral position.
Calibrated
The instrument indication compared with a standard value to determine the accuracy of the instrument.
Calibrated orifice
A hole of specific diameter used to delay the pressure change in the case of a vertical speed indicator.
Calibrated airspeed
The speed at which the aircraft is moving through the air, found by correcting IAS for instrument and position errors.
Changeover point (COP)
A point along the route or airway segment between two adjacent navigation facilities or waypoints where changeover in navigation guidance should occur.
Circling approach
A maneuver initiated by the pilot to align the aircraft with a runway for landing when a straight- in landing from an instrument approach is not possible or is not desirable.
Class A airspace
Airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 NM of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska; and designated international airspace beyond 12 NM of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska within areas of domestic radio navigational signal or ATC radar coverage, and within which domestic procedures are applied.
Class B airspace
Airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nations busiest airports in terms of IFR operations or passenger numbers. The configuration of each Class B airspace is individually tailored and consists of a surface area and two or more layers, and is designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an aircraft enters the airspace. For all aircraft, an ATC clearance is required to operate in the area, and aircraft so cleared receive separation services within the airspace.
Class C airspace
Airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports having an operational control tower, serviced by radar approach control, and having a certain number of IFR operations or passenger numbers. Although the configuration of each Class C airspace area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a 5 NM radius core surface area that extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, and a 10 NM radius shelf area that extends from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation.
Class D airspace
Airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower. The configuration of each Class D airspace area is individually tailored, and when instrument procedures are published, the airspace is normally designed to contain the procedures.
Class E airspace
Airspace that is not Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D, and is controlled airspace.
Class G airspace
Airspace that is uncontrolled, except when associated with a temporary control tower, and has not been designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace.
Clean configuration
A configuration in which all flight control surfaces have been placed to create minimum drag. In most aircraft this means flaps and gear retracted.
Clearance
ATC permission for an aircraft to proceed under specified traffic conditions within controlled airspace, for the purpose of providing separation between known aircraft.
Clearance delivery
Control tower position responsible for transmitting departure clearances to IFR flights.
Clearance limit
The fix, point, or location to which an aircraft is cleared when issued an air traffic clearance.
Clearance on request
An IFR clearance not yet received after filing a flight plan.
Clearance void time
Used by ATC, the time at which the departure clearance is automatically canceled if takeoff has not been made. The pilot must obtain a new clearance or cancel the IFR flight plan if not off by the specified time.
Clear ice
Glossy, clear, or translucent ice formed by the relatively slow freezing of large, supercooled water droplets.
Compass course
A true course corrected for variation and deviation errors.
Compass locator
A low-power, low- or medium-frequency (L/MF) radio beacon installed at the site of the outer or middle marker of an ILS.
Compass rose
A small circle graduated in 360 increments, printed on navigational charts to show the amount of compass variation at different locations, or on instruments to indicate direction.
Computer navigation fix
A point used to define a navigation track for an airborne computer system such as GPS or FMS.
Concentric rings
Dashed-line circles depicted in the plan view of IAP charts, outside of the reference circle, that show en route and feeder facilities.
Cone of confusion
A cone-shaped volume of airspace directly above a VOR station where no signal is received, causing the CDI to fluctuate.
Control and performance
A method of attitude instrument flying in which one instrument is used for making attitude changes, and the other instruments are used to monitor the progress of the change.
Control display unit
A display interfaced with the master computer, providing the pilot with a single control point for all navigations systems, thereby reducing the number of required flight deck panels.
Controlled airspace
An airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC service is provided to IFR and VFR flights in accordance with the airspace classification. It includes Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E airspace.
Control pressures
The amount of physical exertion on the control column necessary to achieve the desired attitude.
Convective weather
Unstable, rising air found in cumuliform clouds.
Convective SIGMET
Weather advisory concerning convective weather significant to the safety of all aircraft, including thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes.
Coordinated flight
Flight with a minimum disturbance of the forces maintaining equilibrium, established via effective control use.
Coriolis illusion
The illusion of rotation or movement in an entirely different axis, caused by an abrupt head movement, while in a prolonged constant rate turn that has ceased stimulating the brains motion sensing system.
Crew resource management (CRM)
The effective use of all available resources human, hardware, and information.
Critical areas
Areas where disturbances to the ILS localizer and glide slope courses may occur when surface vehicles or aircraft operate near the localizer or glide slope antennas.
Cross-check
The first fundamental skill of instrument flight, also known as scan, the continuous and logical observation of instruments for attitude and performance information.
Cruise clearance
An ATC clearance issued to allow a pilot to conduct flight at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including the altitude specified in the clearance. Also authorizes a pilot to proceed to and make an approach at the destination airport.
Current induction
An electrical current being induced into, or generated in, any conductor that is crossed by lines of flux from any magnet.
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