Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/3/14

PCG C−4

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, having a Precision Runway

Monitoring (PRM) system that permits simultaneous

independent ILS approaches.

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.)

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.)

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− Typically the portion of a

RNAV STAR between the en route transition end

point and the runway transition start point; however,

the common route may only consist of a single point

that joins the en route and runway transitions.

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.

(Refer to AC 90-42, Traffic Advisory Practices at

Airports Without Operating Control Towers.)

COMPASS LOCATOR− A low power, low or

medium frequency (L/MF) radio beacon installed at

the site of the outer or middle marker of an instrument

landing system (ILS). It can be used for navigation at

distances of approximately 15 miles or as authorized

in the approach procedure.

a.

Outer Compass Locator (LOM)− A compass

locator installed at the site of the outer marker of an

instrument landing system.

(See OUTER MARKER.)