12/2/21
Pilot/Controller Glossary
C
CALCULATED LANDING TIME
−
A term that may
be used in place of tentative or actual calculated
landing time, whichever applies.
CALL FOR RELEASE
−
Wherein the overlying
ARTCC requires a terminal facility to initiate verbal
coordination to secure ARTCC approval for release
of a departure into the en route environment.
CALL UP
−
Initial voice contact between a facility
and an aircraft, using the identification of the unit
being called and the unit initiating the call.
(Refer to AIM.)
CANADIAN MINIMUM NAVIGATION PERFOR-
MANCE SPECIFICATION AIRSPACE
−
That
portion of Canadian domestic airspace within which
MNPS separation may be applied.
CARDINAL ALTITUDES
−
“Odd” or “Even”
thousand-foot altitudes or flight levels; e.g., 5,000,
6,000, 7,000, FL 250, FL 260, FL 270.
(See ALTITUDE.)
(See FLIGHT LEVEL.)
CARDINAL FLIGHT LEVELS
−
(See CARDINAL ALTITUDES.)
CAT
−
(See CLEAR-AIR TURBULENCE.)
CATCH POINT
−
A fix/waypoint that serves as a
transition point from the high altitude waypoint
navigation structure to an arrival procedure (STAR)
or the low altitude ground
−
based navigation
structure.
CEILING
−
The heights above the earth’s surface of
the lowest layer of clouds or obscuring phenomena
that is reported as “broken,” “overcast,” or
“obscuration,” and not classified as “thin” or
“partial.”
(See ICAO term CEILING.)
CEILING [ICAO]
−
The height above the ground or
water of the base of the lowest layer of cloud below
6,000 meters (20,000 feet) covering more than half
the sky.
CENTER
−
(See AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL
CENTER.)
CENTER’S AREA
−
The specified airspace within
which an air route traffic control center (ARTCC)
provides air traffic control and advisory service.
(See AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL
CENTER.)
(Refer to AIM.)
CENTER WEATHER ADVISORY
−
An unsched-
uled weather advisory issued by Center Weather
Service Unit meteorologists for ATC use to alert
pilots of existing or anticipated adverse weather
conditions within the next 2 hours. A CWA may
modify or redefine a SIGMET.
(See AIRMET.)
(See CONVECTIVE SIGMET.)
(See SAW.)
(See SIGMET.)
(Refer to AIM.)
CENTRAL EAST PACIFIC
−
An organized route
system between the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii.
CEP
−
(See CENTRAL EAST PACIFIC.)
CERAP
−
(See COMBINED CENTER-RAPCON.)
CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER OR AUTHORIZA-
TION (COA)
−
An FAA grant of approval for a
specific flight operation or airspace authorization or
waiver.
CERTIFIED TOWER RADAR DISPLAY (CTRD)
−
An FAA radar display certified for use in the NAS.
CFR
−
(See CALL FOR RELEASE.)
CHA
(See CONTINGENCY HAZARD AREA)
CHAFF
−
Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various
lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar
energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft
and allowed to drift downward, result in large targets
on the radar display.
CHART SUPPLEMENT U.S.
−
A publication
designed primarily as a pilot’s operational manual
containing all airports, seaplane bases, and heliports
open to the public including communications data,
navigational facilities, and certain special notices and
PCG C
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