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8. Glossary for Pilots and Air Traffic Services Personnel (TP 11958E)
9. C

C

CA

Abbreviation for: conflict alert

Fr: CA

CAE

Abbreviation for: control area extension

Fr: CAE

Canada Air Pilot

A document in which the Minister may establish standard procedures for air operations at specific aerodromes.

Fr: Canada Air Pilot

Canada Flight Supplement

A joint civil/military publication, containing information on aerodromes, that is used as a reference for the planning and safe conduct of air operations. This document is issued every 56 days.

Fr: Supplément de vol — Canada

Canada Water Aerodrome Supplement

A joint civil/military publication concerning water aerodromes that is intended to be used to supplement en route charts and the Canada Air Pilot (CAP). This document is issued once a year.

Fr: Supplément hydroaérodromes — Canada

Canadian aircraft

An aircraft registered in Canada.

Fr: aéronef canadien

Canadian aviation document

Any licence, permit, accreditation, certificate or other document issued by the Minister under Part I of the Aeronautics Act to or with respect to any person, or in respect of any aeronautical product, aerodrome, facility or service.

Fr: document d’aviation canadien

Canadian Aviation Regulations

The rules, enacted under the Aeoronautics Act, that govern civil aviation in Canada. Replacing the Air Regulations and the Air Navigation Orders, the CARs and their associated standards came into force on October 10, 1996, after a comprehensive consultation process between Transport Canada and the aviation community. This co-operative and partnership approach to rule-making continues within the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC), which discusses proposed amendments to the CARs and their associated standards.

Fr: Règlement de l’aviation canadien

Canadian Domestic Airspace

As geographically delineated in the Designated Airspace Handbook (DAH), all airspace over the Canadian land mass, the Canadian Arctic and the Canadian archipelago, and over areas of the high seas.

Fr: espace aérien intérieur canadien

Canadian minimum navigation performance specifications

Specifications relating to the navigation performance capability of aircraft operating in a specified portion of the Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA). To comply with CMNPS, navigation performance must be such that:

(a) the standard deviation of lateral track deviations is less than 6.3 NM;

(b) the proportion of total flight time spent by aircraft 30 NM or more off the cleared track is less than 5.3 X 10^-4 (i.e. less than 1 hr in about 2000 flight hours); and

(c) the proportion of total flight time spent by aircraft at or between 50 and 70 NM off the cleared track is less than 13 X 10^-5 (i.e. less than 1 hr in about 8000 flight hours).

Fr: spécifications canadiennes de performances minimales de navigation

Canadian Runway Friction Index

The average of the runway friction as measured by a mechanical or electronic decelerometer and reported through the Aircraft Movement Surface Condition Report (AMSCR).

Fr: coefficient canadien de frottement sur piste

“Cancelling IFR”

Canada: An expression used by a pilot, when flying on an IFR flight plan (FP) or flight itinerary (FI), to change flight rules from IFR to VFR. As a result, ATC will discontinue providing IFR separation, but will not close the IFR FP or FI or open a VFR FP or FI.

Fr: « J’annule IFR »

“Cancel my IFR flight plan”

U.S.: An expression used by a pilot when flying on an IFR flight plan (FP) in the U.S. or landing at a Canadian airport that underlies airspace delegated to the control of the FAA, to discontinue providing IFR separation and close the FP.

CANPASS

The expression used to denote a Canada Border Services Agency program for the telephone clearance of travellers on a Canadian- or U.S.-registered private aircraft, company aircraft, or small charter aircraft carrying no more than 15 passengers and arriving directly from the U.S.

Note: Other civil aircraft and military aircraft require direct coordination with the Canada Border Services Agency.

Fr: CANPASS

CAP

Abbreviation for: Canada Air Pilot

Fr: CAP

CARF

U.S.: Abbreviation for: Central Altitude Reservation Function

CARs

Abbreviation for: Canadian Aviation Regulations

Note: This abbreviation is not to be confused with “CARS.”

Fr: RAC

CARS

Abbreviation for: community aerodrome radio station

Note: This abbreviation is not to be confused with “CARs.”

Fr: CARS

CAT

Abbreviation for: clear air turbulence

Fr: CAT

cautionary

With respect to wake turbulence, information transmitted to an aircraft on one of the following:

(a) the possible location of wake turbulence; or

(b) the location of a heavy or medium aircraft behind which it will pass or follow.

Fr: avertissement

CAVOK

A term (pronounced “KAV-OH-KAY”), derived from the words “ceiling and visibility OK,” that may be used in air-ground communication when meteorological information is being transmitted to aircraft. CAVOK refers to the simultaneous occurrence, at an airport, of the following meteorological conditions:

(a) no cloud below 5000 ft, or below the highest minimum sector altitude (MSA), whichever is higher, and no cumulonimbus;

(b) a visibility of 6 SM or more; and

(c) no precipitation, thunderstorm, shallow fog or drifting snow.

Fr: CAVOK

CDA

Abbreviation for: Canadian Domestic Airspace

Fr: CDA

ceiling

(1) Canada: The lesser of:

(a) the height above ground or water of the base of the lowest layer of cloud covering more than half the sky; or

(b) the vertical visibility in a surface-based layer which completely obscures the sky.

Fr: plafond

(2) ICAO: The height above the ground or water of the base of the lowest layer of cloud below 6000 m (20 000 ft) covering more than half the sky.

Fr: plafond

(3) U.S.: The heights above the earth’s surface of the lowest layer of clouds or obscuring phenomena that is reported as “broken,” “overcast,” or “obscuration,” and not classified as “thin” or “partial.”

Center Weather Advisory

U.S.: An unscheduled weather advisory issued by Center Weather Service Unit meteorologists for ATC use to alert pilots of existing or anticipated adverse weather conditions within the next 2 hours. A CWA may modify or redefine a SIGMET.

Central Altitude Reservation Function

U.S.: Expression for: altitude reservation service

Central Flow Control Function

U.S.: Unit that is responsible for the coordination and approval of all major intercenter [sic] flow control restrictions on a system basis in order to obtain maximum utilization of the airspace.

centreline fix

Other expression for: final approach course fix (FACF)

CFCF

U.S.: Abbreviation for: Central Flow Control Function

CFIT

Abbreviation for: controlled flight into terrain

Fr: CFIT

CFS

Abbreviation for: Canada Flight Supplement

Fr: CFS

CH

Abbreviation for: channel

Fr: CH

chaff

Radar confusion reflectors, which consist of thin, narrow metallic strips of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect echoes for confusion purposes.

Fr: plaquettes de brouillage

“Chaff burst”

An expression used in radiocommunication to inform ATC of chaff drops at intervals short enough to appear on radar displays as an individual target.

Fr: « Chaff burst »

change-over point

A point along the route or airway segment between two adjacent navigation facilities where the change-over in navigation guidance should occur.

Fr: point de changement

channel

A single means of direct fixed-service communication between two points.

Fr: canal

charted visual approach

An approach wherein a radar-controlled aircraft on an IFR flight plan (FP), operating in VFR conditions and having an ATC authorization, may proceed to the airport of intended landing via visual landmarks and altitudes depicted on a published visual approach chart.

Fr: approche visuelle publiée

charted visual flight procedure approach

U.S.: Expression for: charted visual approach (CVA)

chase

Other expression for: chase aircraft

chase aircraft

An aircraft flown in proximity to another aircraft, normally to observe its performance during training or testing.

Fr: aéronef d’observation

circling minimums

The minimum descent altitude (MDA) and visibility required for the circling procedure.

Fr: minimums d’approche indirecte

circuit

(1) A communication system that includes all the direct system channels between two points.

Fr: circuit

(2) Other expression for: aerodrome traffic circuit

CIRVIS

A plan developed for the reporting of vital intelligence sightings to extend the early-warning coverage of the North American continent.

Note: This term is derived from the words “Communication Instructions for Reporting Vital Intelligence Sightings.”

Fr: CIRVIS

Class A, B, C, D, E, F or G airspace

Fr: espace aérien de classe A, B, C, D, E, F ou G

clear air turbulence

Turbulence encountered in air where no clouds are present. This expression is commonly applied to high-level turbulence associated with wind shear (WS). CAT is often encountered in the vicinity of the jet stream.

Fr: turbulence en air clair

clearance

Other expression for: air traffic control clearance

“Clearance cancelled . . .”

An expression used in radiocommunication to indicate a time specified by an ATC unit at which a clearance ceases to be valid unless the aircraft concerned has already taken action to comply therewith.

Note: This expression is used in conjunction with a time.

Fr: « Autorisation annulée... »

clearance limit

The point to which an aircraft is granted an ATC clearance.

Fr: limite d’autorisation

“Clearance valid . . .”

An expression used in radiocommunication to indicate a departure time restriction issued to a pilot by ATC (either directly or through an authorized relay) when it is necessary to separate a departing aircraft from other traffic.

Note: This expression is used in conjunction with a time.

Fr: « Autorisation valide à... »

“Clearance void . . .”

ICAO and U.S.: Expression for: “Clearance cancelled . . .”

“Cleared as filed”

Other expression for: “Cleared via flight-planned route”

“Cleared for takeoff”

An expression used to indicate ATC authorization for an aircraft to depart. It is predicated on known aircraft and known physical airport conditions.

Fr: « Autorisé à décoller »

“Cleared for the option”

(1) Canada:

(a) For an arriving aircraft: An expression used to indicate ATC authorization for an aircraft to make a touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach (MA), stop-and-go, or full-stop landing, at the discretion of the pilot.

(b) For a departing aircraft: An expression used to indicate ATC authorization for an aircraft to execute manoeuvres other than a normal takeoff (e.g. an aborted takeoff). After such a manoeuvre, the pilot is expected to exit the runway by the most expeditious way rather than backtrack the runway.

Fr: « Autorisé pour option »

(2) U.S.: For an arriving aircraft: An expression used to indicate ATC authorization for an aircraft to make a touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop-and-go, or full-stop landing, at the discretion of the pilot.

“Cleared through”

U.S.: An expression used to indicate ATC authorization for an aircraft to make intermediate stops at specified airports without refiling a flight plan (FP) while en route to the clearance limit.

“Cleared to land”

An expression used to indicate ATC authorization for an aircraft to land. It is predicated on known aircraft and known physical airport conditions.

Fr: « Autorisé à atterrir »

“Cleared via flight-planned route”

An expression indicating that the aircraft is cleared to proceed in accordance with the route of flight filed in the flight plan (FP). This clearance does not include the altitude, standard instrument departure (SID), or SID transition.

Fr: « Autorisé via la route prévue au plan de vol »

“Clear of runway”

In ground control, an expression indicating that a vehicle or an aircraft is at least 200 ft clear of the nearest edge of the runway in use, wherever practicable.

Fr: « À l’écart de la piste »

climb

The portion of flight operation between takeoff and the initial cruising altitude.

Fr: montée

climb-out

Other expression for: climb

closed runway

A runway that is unusable for aircraft operations. Only airport management or the military operations office can close a runway.

Fr: piste fermée

clutter

In radar operations, the reception and visual display of radar echoes caused by precipitation, chaff, terrain, numerous aircraft, or other phenomena. Such echoes may limit or preclude ATC from providing services based on radar.

Fr: échos indésirables

CMNPS

Abbreviation for: Canadian minimum navigation performance specifications

Fr: CMNPS

CMNPSA

Abbreviation for: CMNPS airspace

Fr: CMNPSA

CMNPS airspace

As geographically delineated in the Designated Airspace Handbook (DAH), designated airspace within the Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA) in which the conduct of flight is limited to aircraft certified as having Canadian minimum navigation performance specifications (CMNPS) capability, unless the appropriate ATC unit is satisfied that a non-CMNPS-certified aircraft can be accommodated without penalizing CMNPS-certified aircraft.

Fr: espace aérien CMNPS

CMNPS transition area

The area within the Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA) extending upwards from FL 280, underlying the designated CMNPS airspace.

Fr: zone de transition CMNPS

CNS

Abbreviation for: Communications/Navigation/Surveillance

Fr: CNS

coastal fix

A NAVAID or position indicating the transition point between the domestic route structure and the oceanic route structure.

Fr: repère côtier

commercial air service

Any use of aircraft for hire or reward.

Fr: service aérien commercial

common point

A single fix, whether a NAVAID, a fix derived from NAVAIDs, or geographical coordinates expressed in degrees of latitude and longitude, over which two or more aircraft will pass, or have passed, before proceeding on the same track or diverging tracks.

Fr: point commun

Communications/Navigation/Surveillance

The basic elements of future air navigation systems (FANS).

Fr: Communications/Navigation/Surveillance

community aerodrome radio station

An aeronautical radio station established to provide aviation support services at certain isolated aerodromes in the Arctic and northern Quebec, in accordance with the provisions contained in the “Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Services” (RAC) section of the Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM).

Fr: station radio d’aérodrome communautaire

company frequency

An air-ground frequency assigned to an air operator for use by its aircraft or ground stations.

Fr: fréquence de compagnie

company route

A route, exclusive of an airway or air route, for the specific use of an operator or a number of operators.

Fr: route compagnie

compass rose

(1) Canada: A circle, graduated in degrees, used as a reference to true, magnetic or grid direction.

Fr: rose des vents

(2) U.S.: A circle, graduated in degrees, printed on some charts or marked on the ground at an airport. It is used as a reference to either true or magnetic direction.

composite flight plan

A flight plan (FP) that specifies VFR operation for one portion of the flight and IFR for another portion.

Fr: plan de vol composite

composite route system

An organized oceanic route structure that incorporates reduced lateral spacing between routes and in which composite separation is authorized.

Fr: système de routes composites

composite separation

A method of separating aircraft in a composite route system where, through the management of route and altitude assignments, a combination of half the lateral minimum and half the vertical minimum specified for the area concerned is applied.

Fr: espacement composite

compulsory reporting point

A reporting point over which an aircraft must report to ATC. Such points are designated on aeronautical charts by solid triangles or filed in a flight plan (FP) as fixes selected to define direct routes. These points are geographical locations that are defined by NAVAIDs or fixes.

Fr: point de compte rendu obligatoire

conflict

The actual or predicted convergence of aircraft that violates one or more separation minima.

Fr: conflit

conflict alert

A function of certain ATC automated systems that is designed to alert radar controllers to existing or pending situations that are recognized by the program parameters and require immediate attention or action.

Fr: alerte de conflit

conflict detection

The discovery of a conflict as a result of a conflict search.

Fr: détection de conflit

conflict resolution

The resolution of potential conflicts between IFR/VFR and VFR/VFR aircraft that are radar-identified and in communication with ATC.

Fr: résolution de conflit

conflict search

The computation and comparison of the predicted flight paths of two or more aircraft for the purpose of determining conflicts.

Fr: recherche de conflit

“Contact . . .”

An expression used in radiocommunication to establish communication with a facility (which is given, along with the frequency to be used, if appropriate).

Fr: « Contactez... »

“Contact”

An expression used in radiocommunication meaning “Visual contact has been established.”

Fr: « Contact visuel »

contact approach

An approach wherein an aircraft on an IFR flight plan (FP), having an ATC authorization and operating clear of clouds with at least 1 mi. flight visibility and a reasonable expectation of continuing to the destination airport in those conditions, may deviate from the instrument approach procedure (IAP) and proceed to the destination airport by visual reference to the surface of the earth.

Fr: approche contact

contact point

A specified position, time or level at which an aircraft is required to establish radio communication with an ATC unit.

Fr: point de contact

control area

A controlled airspace extending upwards vertically from a specified height above the surface of the earth.

Fr: région de contrôle

control area extension

A controlled airspace of defined dimensions within the low level airspace (LLA), extending upwards from 2200 ft AGL unless otherwise specified.

Fr: prolongement de région de contrôle

controlled aerodrome

An aerodrome at which an ATC unit is in operation.

Fr: aérodrome contrôlé

controlled airspace

An airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC service is provided.

Fr: espace aérien contrôlé

controlled flight into terrain

An occurrence in which an aircraft, under the control of the crew, is flown into terrain, water or an obstacle with no prior awareness on the part of the crew of the impending disaster.

Fr: impact sans perte de contrôle

controlled VFR flight

A flight conducted under VFR within Class B airspace and in accordance with an ATC clearance.

Fr: vol VFR contrôlé

controller

Other expression for: air traffic controller

controller-pilot data link communications

A means of direct electronic communication between controller and pilot using data link instead of voice. These communications may include clearances, requests, reports, or any related ATS information.

Fr: communications contrôleur-pilote par liaison de données

controlling agency

The ATC unit that normally exercises ATC or provides advisory service in a given airspace.

Fr: organisme de contrôle

control sector

A subdivision of a designated control area within which responsibility is assigned to one controller or to a small group of controllers.

Fr: secteur de contrôle

control tower

A unit established to provide ATC service to aerodrome traffic.

Fr: tour de contrôle

control zone

A controlled airspace of defined dimensions extending upwards from the surface of the earth up to and including 3000 ft AAE unless otherwise specified.

Fr: zone de contrôle

convective SIGMET

U.S.: A weather advisory concerning convective weather significant to the safety of all aircraft. Convective SIGMETs are issued for tornadoes, lines of thunderstorms, embedded thunderstorms of any intensity level, areas of thunderstorms greater than or equal to VIP level 4 with an area coverage of 4/10 (40%) or more, and hail 3/4 in. or greater.

converging runway display aid

A radar software that permits the sequencing and spacing of aircraft by terminal controllers.

Fr: aide d’affichage de pistes convergentes

Coordinated Universal Time

The time system used in aviation operations and given to the nearest minute, except when the pilot requests a time check. Time checks are given to the nearest 15 s. The day begins at 0000 and ends at 2359.

Note: The expression “zulu” is pronounced “ZOO loo.”

Fr: temps universel coordonné

coordinates

The intersection of lines of reference, usually expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds of latitude and longitude, used to determine position or location.

Fr: coordonnées

coordinating controller

A duty controller assigned to coordinate flight data between two or more control positions.

Fr: contrôleur de coordination

COP

Abbreviation for: change-over point

Fr: COP

co-pilot

A licensed pilot assigned to duty as a pilot in an aircraft during flight time, other than as

(a) a pilot-in-command; or

(b) a pilot receiving flying instruction.

Fr: copilote

“Correction”

An expression used in radiocommunication meaning “An error has been made in this transmission (or in the message indicated). The correct version is . . .”

Fr: « Correction »

CPDLC

Abbreviation for: controller-pilot data link communications

Fr: CPDLC

crash locator beacon

NATO: Expression for: emergency locator transmitter (ELT)

CRDA

Abbreviation for: converging runway display aid

Fr: CRDA

crew member

A person assigned to duty on an aircraft during flight time.

Fr: membre d’équipage

CRFI

Abbreviation for: Canadian Runway Friction Index

Fr: CRFI

CRFI reading

Other expression for: Canadian Runway Friction Index

critical engine

The engine the failure of which would most adversely affect the performance or handling qualities of an aircraft.

Fr: moteur le plus défavorable

crossing tracks

An expression used in the application of separation indicating tracks that converge or diverge at an angle of 45° to 135° inclusive.

Fr: routes sécantes

crosswind

When referring to wind conditions, a wind not parallel to the runway or the path of an aircraft.

Fr: vent de travers

crosswind component

The wind component measured in knots at 90° to the longitudinal axis of the runway.

Fr: composante de vent de travers

crosswind leg

A flight path extending from the extended centreline of the departure end of the departure runway (or departure path) to the beginning of the downwind leg.

Fr: étape vent de travers

cruise climb

A cruising technique resulting in a net increase in altitude as the aircraft mass decreases. A clearance or instruction to carry out a cruise climb authorizes temporary levelling at intermediate altitudes and climb at any given rate.

Fr: montée en croisière

cruising altitude

The altitude, as shown by a constant altimeter indication in relation to a fixed and defined datum, maintained during a flight or portion thereof.

Fr: altitude de croisière

CTA

Abbreviation for: control area

Fr: CTA

CTR

ICAO: Abbreviation for: control zone

Fr: CTR

customs notification service

U.S.: The service provided by ATS to Customs officials at certain “ports of entry” for advance notification of transborder flights.

CVA

Abbreviation for: charted visual approach

Fr: CVA

CVFP

U.S.: Abbreviation for: charted visual flight procedure approach

CVFR flight

Other expression for: controlled VFR flight

CWA

U.S.: Abbreviation for: Center Weather Advisory

CWAS

Abbreviation for: Canada Water Aerodrome Supplement

Fr: CWAS

CZ

Abbreviation for: control zone

Fr: CZ

Date modified:

2012-03-16

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