Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/3/14

PCG C−1

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.
CENRAP−

(See CENTER RADAR ARTS

PRESENTATION/PROCESSING.)

CENRAP-PLUS−

(See CENTER RADAR ARTS

PRESENTATION/PROCESSING-PLUS.)

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 RADAR ARTS PRESENTATION/

PROCESSING− A computer program developed to

provide a back-up system for airport surveillance

radar in the event of a failure or malfunction. The

program uses air route traffic control center radar for

the processing and presentation of data on the ARTS

IIA or IIIA displays.
CENTER RADAR ARTS PRESENTATION/

PROCESSING-PLUS− A computer program

developed to provide a back-up system for airport

surveillance radar in the event of a terminal secondary

radar system failure. The program uses a combination

of Air Route Traffic Control Center Radar and

terminal airport surveillance radar primary targets

displayed simultaneously for the processing and

presentation of data on the ARTS IIA or IIIA

displays.
CENTER TRACON AUTOMATION SYSTEM

(CTAS)− A computerized set of programs designed

to aid Air Route Traffic Control Centers and

TRACONs in the management and control of air

traffic.
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 AWW.)
(See AIRMET.)
(See CONVECTIVE SIGMET.)
(See SIGMET.)
(Refer to AIM.)