Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/3/14

PCG C−2

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.)

CERTIFIED TOWER RADAR DISPLAY (CTRD)−

A FAA radar display certified for use in the NAS.

CFR−

(See CALL FOR RELEASE.)

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.

CHARTED VFR FLYWAYS− Charted VFR Fly-

ways are flight paths recommended for use to bypass

areas heavily traversed by large turbine-powered

aircraft. Pilot compliance with recommended

flyways and associated altitudes is strictly voluntary.

VFR Flyway Planning charts are published on the

back of existing VFR Terminal Area charts.

CHARTED VISUAL FLIGHT PROCEDURE

APPROACH− An  approach  conducted  while

operating on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight

plan which authorizes the pilot of an aircraft to

proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport via

visual landmarks and other information depicted on

a charted visual flight procedure. This approach must

be authorized and under the control of the appropriate

air traffic control facility. Weather minimums

required are depicted on the chart.

CHASE

− An aircraft flown in proximity to another

aircraft normally to observe its performance during

training or testing.

CHASE AIRCRAFT−

(See CHASE.)

CIRCLE-TO-LAND MANEUVER− 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. At tower controlled airports, this maneuver

is made only after ATC authorization has been

obtained and the pilot has established required visual

reference to the airport.

(See CIRCLE TO RUNWAY.)
(See LANDING MINIMUMS.)
(Refer to AIM.)

CIRCLE TO RUNWAY (RUNWAY NUMBER)

−

Used by ATC to inform the pilot that he/she must

circle to land because the runway in use is other than

the runway aligned with the instrument approach

procedure. When the direction of the circling

maneuver in relation to the airport/runway is

required, the controller will state the direction (eight

cardinal compass points) and specify a left or right

downwind or base leg as appropriate; e.g., “Cleared

VOR Runway Three Six Approach circle to Runway

Two Two,” or “Circle northwest of the airport for a

right downwind to Runway Two Two.”

(See CIRCLE-TO-LAND MANEUVER.)
(See LANDING MINIMUMS.)
(Refer to AIM.)

CIRCLING APPROACH−

(See CIRCLE-TO-LAND MANEUVER.)

CIRCLING MANEUVER−

(See CIRCLE-TO-LAND MANEUVER.)

CIRCLING MINIMA−

(See LANDING MINIMUMS.)

CLASS A AIRSPACE−

(See CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.)

CLASS B AIRSPACE−

(See CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.)

CLASS C AIRSPACE−

(See CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.)

CLASS D AIRSPACE−

(See CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.)

CLASS E AIRSPACE−

(See CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.)

CLASS G AIRSPACE− That airspace not designated

as Class A, B, C, D or E.
CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE (CAT)− Turbulence

encountered in air where no clouds are present. This

term is commonly applied to high-level turbulence

associated with wind shear. CAT is often encountered

in the vicinity of the jet stream.

(See WIND SHEAR.)
(See JET STREAM.)

CLEAR OF THE RUNWAY−

a.

Taxiing aircraft, which is approaching a

runway, is clear of the runway when all parts of the