Pilot/Controller Glossary

8/15/19

PCG C

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2

CENTRAL EAST PACIFIC

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 An organized route

system between the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii.

CEP

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(See CENTRAL EAST PACIFIC.)

CERAP

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(See COMBINED CENTER-RAPCON.)

CERTIFIED TOWER RADAR DISPLAY (CTRD)

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An FAA radar display certified for use in the NAS.

CFR

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(See CALL FOR RELEASE.)

CHAFF

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 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.

CHART SUPPLEMENT U.S.

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 A publication

designed primarily as a pilot’s operational manual
containing all airports, seaplane bases, and heliports
open to the public including communications data,
navigational facilities, and certain special notices and
procedures. This publication is issued in seven
volumes according to geographical area.

CHARTED VFR FLYWAYS

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 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

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 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

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An aircraft flown in proximity to another

aircraft normally to observe its performance during
training or testing.

CHASE AIRCRAFT

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(See CHASE.)

CHOP

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 A form of turbulence.

a.

Light Chop– Turbulence that causes slight,

rapid and somewhat rhythmic bumpiness without
appreciable changes in altitude or attitude.

b.

Moderate Chop– Turbulence similar to Light

Chop but of greater intensity. It causes rapid bumps
or jolts without appreciable changes in aircraft
altitude or attitude.

(See TURBULENCE.)

CIRCLE-TO-LAND MANEUVER

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 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)

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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

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(See CIRCLE-TO-LAND MANEUVER.)

CIRCLING MANEUVER

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(See CIRCLE-TO-LAND MANEUVER.)

CIRCLING MINIMA

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(See LANDING MINIMUMS.)

CLASS A AIRSPACE

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(See CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.)

CLASS B AIRSPACE

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(See CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.)

CLASS C AIRSPACE

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(See CONTROLLED AIRSPACE.)