Pilot/Controller Glossary
11/3/22
specified limits. These areas may be required for
certain turbine-powered operations and the size and
upward slope of the clearway will differ depending on
when the aircraft was certificated.
(Refer to 14 CFR Part 1.)
CLIMB TO VFR
−
ATC authorization for an aircraft
to climb to VFR conditions within Class B, C, D, and
E surface areas when the only weather limitation is
restricted visibility. The aircraft must remain clear of
clouds while climbing to VFR.
(See SPECIAL VFR CONDITIONS.)
(Refer to AIM.)
CLIMBOUT
−
That portion of flight operation
between takeoff and the initial cruising altitude.
CLIMB VIA– An abbreviated ATC clearance that
requires compliance with the procedure lateral path,
associated speed restrictions, and altitude restrictions
along the cleared route or procedure.
CLOSE PARALLEL RUNWAYS
−
Two parallel
runways whose extended centerlines are separated by
less than 4,300 feet and at least 3000 feet (750 feet for
SOIA operations) for which ATC is authorized to
conduct simultaneous independent approach opera-
tions. PRM and simultaneous close parallel appear in
approach title. Dual communications, special pilot
training, an Attention All Users Page (AAUP), NTZ
monitoring by displays that have aural and visual
alerting algorithms are required. A high update rate
surveillance sensor is required for certain runway or
approach course spacing.
CLOSED LOOP CLEARANCE
−
A vector or reroute
clearance that includes a return to route point and
updates ERAM to accurately reflect the anticipated
route (e.g., a QU route pick that anticipates length of
vector and includes the next fix that ties into the route
of flight.)
CLOSED RUNWAY
−
A runway that is unusable for
aircraft operations. Only the airport management/
military operations office can close a runway.
CLOSED TRAFFIC
−
Successive operations involv-
ing takeoffs and landings or low approaches where
the aircraft does not exit the traffic pattern.
CLOUD
−
A cloud is a visible accumulation of
minute water droplets and/or ice particles in the
atmosphere above the Earth’s surface. Cloud differs
from ground fog, fog, or ice fog only in that the latter
are, by definition, in contact with the Earth’s surface.
CLT
−
(See CALCULATED LANDING TIME.)
CLUTTER
−
In radar operations, clutter refers to the
reception and visual display of radar returns caused
by precipitation, chaff, terrain, numerous aircraft
targets, or other phenomena. Such returns may limit
or preclude ATC from providing services based on
radar.
(See CHAFF.)
(See GROUND CLUTTER.)
(See PRECIPITATION.)
(See TARGET.)
(See ICAO term RADAR CLUTTER.)
CMNPS
−
(See CANADIAN MINIMUM NAVIGATION
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION AIRSPACE.)
COA
−
(See CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER OR
AUTHORIZATION.)
COASTAL FIX
−
A navigation aid or intersection
where an aircraft transitions between the domestic
route structure and the oceanic route structure.
CODES
−
The number assigned to a particular
multiple pulse reply signal transmitted by a
transponder.
(See DISCRETE CODE.)
COLD TEMPERATURE CORRECTION
−
A
correction in feet, based on height above airport and
temperature, that is added to the aircraft’s indicated
altitude to offset the effect of cold temperature on true
altitude.
COLLABORATIVE TRAJECTORY OPTIONS
PROGRAM (CTOP)
−
CTOP is a traffic management
program administered by the Air Traffic Control
System Command Center (ATCSCC) that manages
demand through constrained airspace, while consid-
ering operator preference with regard to both route
and delay as defined in a Trajectory Options Set
(TOS).
COMBINED CENTER-RAPCON
−
An air traffic
facility which combines the functions of an ARTCC
and a radar approach control facility.
(See AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL
CENTER.)
(See RADAR APPROACH CONTROL
FACILITY.)
COMMON POINT
−
A significant point over which
two or more aircraft will report passing or have
PCG C
−
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