Reference
Aviation glossary
Concise definitions for aviation terminology — from METAR and NOTAM to aerodynamics and airline operations. Search directly or scan alphabetically.
C
Cabin AltitudeCabin altitude is the air pressure inside an aircraft cabin expressed as an equivalent altitude in feet above sea level. It is maintained between 6,000 and 8,000 feet on most commercial flights to keep passengers and crew safe and comfortable at... Cabin PressureThe air pressure maintained inside an aircraft's sealed cabin, kept artificially high through compressed air systems so occupants can breathe safely at high cruising altitudes. Cabin PressurizationCabin pressurization is the process of maintaining safe, breathable air pressure inside an aircraft cabin during high-altitude flight, where outside air is too thin to sustain human life. CamberCamber is the curvature of an airfoil's surface from leading edge to trailing edge. Greater camber produces more lift at a given airspeed, and can be increased in flight by extending flaps. Cargo HoldThe cargo hold is the pressurized compartment beneath an aircraft's main deck that stores checked baggage, freight, and mail during flight. It directly affects the aircraft's weight distribution and center of gravity. CAVOKCAVOK (Ceiling And Visibility OK) is an ICAO METAR abbreviation indicating visibility exceeds 10 km, no significant weather exists, and no clouds are present below 1,500 m above aerodrome elevation. CeilingCeiling is the height above ground level of the lowest cloud layer covering more than half the sky. Pilots use it to determine how much usable vertical space exists between terrain and cloud cover. Center of GravityThe center of gravity (CG) is the single point where an aircraft's total weight acts downward. It shifts with loading changes and must remain within the manufacturer's approved envelope for safe flight. CG EnvelopeThe CG envelope defines the forward and aft limits within which an aircraft's center of gravity must remain during all phases of flight for safe and legal operation. Clear Air TurbulenceClear air turbulence (CAT) is sudden, invisible turbulence that occurs in cloudless sky, typically near the jet stream at high altitudes where wind shear creates unstable air motion. Clearance DeliveryClearance delivery is a ground-based ATC function that issues IFR route clearances to departing aircraft before they begin taxiing, confirming routing, altitude, frequency, and transponder assignments. Code-sharing agreementA commercial arrangement where one airline sells seats on a flight operated by a partner airline under its own flight number, allowing carriers to expand their networks without owning additional aircraft or routes. CodeshareA codeshare is a commercial agreement where two or more airlines sell seats on the same flight under different flight numbers. The operating airline flies the aircraft while marketing partners sell seats under their own codes. Codeshare flightA codeshare flight is a commercial arrangement where two or more airlines sell seats on the same physical flight under their own flight numbers, with one airline operating the aircraft while partner airlines market and ticket the service. Cold FrontA cold front is the leading edge of an advancing cold air mass that undercuts and rapidly lifts warmer air, creating steep atmospheric instability and intense weather. Combustion ChamberThe combustion chamber is the section of a gas turbine engine where compressed air and fuel mix and burn to produce the hot, high-pressure gases that drive the turbine and generate thrust. CompressibilityThe phenomenon where air can no longer flow smoothly around an aircraft as it approaches the speed of sound, causing shock waves, increased drag, and potential loss of aerodynamic control. CompressorA compressor is the component of a gas turbine engine that pressurizes incoming air before it enters the combustion chamber. Higher-pressure air produces more efficient and powerful combustion. Connecting PassengerA connecting passenger is a traveler who arrives at an intermediate airport on one flight and boards a separate onward flight to reach their final destination. Control SurfacesMovable surfaces on an aircraft's wings and tail that pilots manipulate to rotate the plane around its three axes of motion, enabling climb, descent, banking, and directional control. ConvectionConvection is the vertical movement of air created when warm air rises and cooler air sinks to replace it. In aviation, this process generates thermals, turbulence, and thunderstorms that pilots must understand and anticipate. Coordinated FlightCoordinated flight is the condition in which an aircraft moves cleanly through the air with balanced inputs to all three primary controls, keeping the slip/skid indicator centered and preventing sideways drift. Crab AngleCrab angle is the angle between an aircraft's nose and its actual ground track, used to compensate for crosswind drift during flight. Pilots point the nose into the wind to maintain their desired course. CrabbingCrabbing is a flight technique where a pilot angles the aircraft's nose into the wind to maintain a straight ground track and compensate for crosswind drift. Credential Authentication TechnologyCredential Authentication Technology (CAT) is an automated digital scanning system that verifies the authenticity of government-issued ID documents at airport security checkpoints by reading encoded data and cross-referencing it against secure... Crew Duty TimeCrew duty time is the continuous period from when a crew member reports for work until released from all duties, including preflight, flight, delays, and post-flight tasks. It is tracked separately from flight time and regulated under FAA 14 CFR... Crew PositioningCrew positioning is the movement of pilots and flight attendants to a location where they will operate a scheduled flight. Airlines use positioning to ensure the right crews are available when and where needed across their route network. Critical Angle of AttackThe critical angle of attack is the maximum angle between a wing's chord line and oncoming airflow before the wing stalls. Beyond this point, smooth airflow separates from the upper surface and lift collapses. Cross-ControlCross-control is the simultaneous application of aileron in one direction and rudder in the opposite direction, a dangerous control input that can trigger a stall at low altitude. CrosswindA crosswind is a wind blowing across a runway at an angle rather than aligned with it, requiring pilots to correct their flight path during takeoff and landing. Crosswind ComponentThe portion of wind blowing perpendicular to the runway centerline. It is the sideways wind component that pilots must actively manage during takeoff and landing. Crosswind LimitThe maximum wind component perpendicular to the runway that an aircraft is certified to safely land and take off in, based on manufacturer testing and published in the aircraft's flight manual.
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