background image

Pilot/Controller Glossary

4/20/23

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.)

CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER OR AUTHORIZATION (COA)

 An FAA grant of approval for a specific flight

operation or airspace authorization or waiver.

CERTIFIED TOWER RADAR DISPLAY (CTRD)

 An FAA radar display certified for use in the NAS.

CFR

(See CALL FOR RELEASE.)

CHA

(See CONTINGENCY HAZARD AREA)

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.

CHART SUPPLEMENT U.S.

 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

 Charted VFR Flyways 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.)

CHOP

 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

 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.)