background image

Pilot/Controller Glossary

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 considering 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 reported

passing before proceeding on the same or
diverging tracks. To establish/maintain longitudinal separation, a

controller may determine a common point not originally in the
aircraft's flight plan and then clear the aircraft

to fly over the point.

(See SIGNIFICANT POINT.)

COMMON PORTION

-

(See COMMON ROUTE.)

COMMON ROUTE

-

 That segment of a North American Route between the inland navigation
facility and the

coastal fix.

OR

COMMON ROUTE

-

(See SEGMENTS OF A SID/STAR)

COMMON TRAFFIC ADVISORY FREQUENCY (CTAF)

-

 A frequency designed for the purpose of carrying

out airport advisory practices while operating to or from an airport
without an operating control tower. The CTAF

may be a UNICOM, Multicom, FSS, or tower frequency and is identified in
appropriate aeronautical

publications.

(See DESIGNATED COMMON TRAFFIC ADVISORY FREQUENCY (CTAF) AREA.)
(Refer to AC 90-66, Non

-

Towered Airport Flight Operations.)

-