Civil aviation dictionary
Aviation glossary
Terms, abbreviations and procedures explained without unnecessary jargon, with English names and clear definitions.
- Total entries
- 2480
- Terms
- 435
- Abbreviations
- 2045
C
- AbbreviationController–Pilot Data Link Communications
Digital communication between controllers and pilots using defined messages.
- AbbreviationControllers' Operations and Procedures Committee
COPCOM stands for Controllers' Operations and Procedures Committee in FAA terminology.
- OperationsCONVECTIVE SIGMET
A weather advisory concerning convective weather significant to the safety of all aircraft.
- AbbreviationConverging Runway Display Aid
CRDA stands for Converging Runway Display Aid in FAA terminology.
- AbbreviationCoordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time, the common time reference used in aviation.
- OperationsCOORDINATION FIX
The fix in relation to which facilities will handoff, transfer control of an aircraft, or coordinate flight progress data.
- Abbreviationcorridor assignment
CORAS stands for corridor assignment in FAA terminology.
- AbbreviationCorridor Integrated Weather System
CIWS stands for Corridor Integrated Weather System in FAA terminology.
- Flying skillsCOUPLED APPROACH
An instrument approach performed by the aircraft autopilot, and/or visually depicted on the flight director, which is receiving position information and/or steering commands from onboard navigational equipment.
- OperationsCOUPLED SCHEDULING (CS)/ EXTENDED METERING (XM)
Adds additional Constraint Satisfaction Points for metered aircraft along their route.
- Abbreviationcourse line
CL stands for course line in FAA terminology.
- Abbreviationcrash locator beacon
CLBN stands for crash locator beacon in FAA terminology.
- Abbreviationcrew chief
CRCHF stands for crew chief in FAA terminology.
- AbbreviationCrew Resource Management
Crew resource management: effective use of people, information and equipment.
- OperationsCREWMEMBER (UAS)
A person assigned to perform an operational duty.
- AerodynamicsCritical angle of attack
The angle beyond which the wing's airflow separates sufficiently to cause a stall.
- MeteorologyCrosswind
The component of wind acting across a runway or intended track.
- Flying skillsCruise
The main flight phase between climb and descent.
- Flying skillsCruise speed
The speed selected for the main part of a flight, considering range, fuel use and conditions.
- Abbreviationcruise well to right
CRZWTR stands for cruise well to right in FAA terminology.
- NavigationCRUISING ALTITUDE
An altitude or flight level maintained during en route level flight.
- OperationsCT MESSAGE
An EDCT time generated by the ATCSCC to regulate traffic at arrival airports.
- MeteorologyCumulonimbus
A towering thunderstorm cloud associated with strong air movements, precipitation and possible turbulence.
- Abbreviationcumulonimbus mamma
CBMAM stands for cumulonimbus mamma in FAA terminology.