Aeronautical Terms beginning with C
Cabin Pressurization
A condition where pressurized air is forced into the cabin simulating pressure conditions at a much lower altitude and increasing the aircraft occupants comfort.
Calibrated Airspeed (CAS)
Indicated airspeed corrected for installation error and instrument error. Although manufacturers attempt to keep airspeed errors to a minimum, it is not possible to eliminate all errors throughout the airspeed operating range. At certain airspeeds and with certain flap settings, the installation and instrument errors may total several knots. This error is generally greatest at low airspeeds. In the cruising and higher airspeed ranges, indicated airspeed and calibrated airspeed are approximately the same. Refer to the airspeed calibration chart to correct for possible airspeed errors.
Camber
The camber of an airfoil is the characteristic curve of its upper and lower surfaces. The upper camber is more pronounced, while the lower camber is comparatively flat. This causes the velocity of the airflow immediately above the wing to be much higher than that below the wing.
Cambered
The camber of an airfoil is the characteristic curve of its upper and lower surfaces. The upper camber is more pronounced, while the lower camber is comparatively flat. This causes the velocity of the airflow immediately above the wing to be much higher than that below the wing.
CAMs
The manuals containing the certification rules under the Civil Air Regulations.
Canard
A horizontal surface mounted ahead of the main wing to provide longitudinal stability and control. It may be a fixed, movable, or variable geometry surface, with or without control surfaces.
Canard configuration
A configuration in which the span of the forward wings is substantially less than that of the main wing.
Cantilever
A wing designed to carry loads without external struts.
Carburetor
1. Pressure: A hydromechanical device employing a closed feed system from the fuel pump to the discharge nozzle. It meters fuel through fixed jets according to the mass airflow through the throttle body and discharges it under a positive pressure. Pressure carburetors are distinctly different from float-type carburetors, as they do not incorporate a vented float chamber or suction pickup from a discharge nozzle located in the venturi tube. 2. Float-type: Consists essentially of a main air passage through which the engine draws its supply of air, a mechanism to control the quantity of fuel discharged in relation to the flow of air, and a means of regulating the quantity of fuel/air mixture delivered to the engine cylinders.
Carburetor Ice
Ice that forms inside the carburetor due to the temperature drop caused by the vaporization of the fuel. Induction system icing is an operational hazard because it can cut off the flow of the fuel/air charge or vary the fuel/air ratio.
Center of Gravity (CG)
(GAMA) The point at which an airplane would balance if suspended. Its distance from the reference datum is determined by dividing the total moment by the total weight of the airplane. It is the mass center of the aircraft, or the theoretical point at which the entire weight of the aircraft is assumed to be concentrated. It may be expressed in percent of MAC (mean aerodynamic cord) or in inches from the reference Center of Lift. The location along the chord line of an airfoil at which all the lift forces produced by the airfoil are considered to be concentrated.
Center of gravity limits
The specified forward and aft points within which the CG must be located during flight. These limits are indicated on pertinent airplane specifications.
Center of gravity range
The distance between the forward and aft CG limits indicated on pertinent airplane specifications.
Center of pressure
A point along the wing chord line where lift is considered to be concentrated. For this reason, the center of pressure is commonly referred to as the center of lift.
Center-Of-Gravity Limits
The specified forward and aft points within which the CG must be located during flight. These limits are indicated on pertinent airplane specifications.
Center-Of-Gravity Range
The distance between the forward and aft CG limits indicated on pertinent airplane specifications.
Centroid
The distance in inches aft of the datum of the center of a compartment or a fuel tank for weight and balance purposes.
CG
Center Of Gravity.
CG Arm
(GAMA) The arm obtained by adding the airplane’s individual moments and dividing the sum by the total weight.
CG Limits
(GAMA) The extreme center of gravity locations within which the aircraft must be operated at a given weight. These limits are indicated on pertinent FAA aircraft type certificate data sheets, specifications, or weight and balance records.
CG Limits Envelope
An enclosed area on a graph of the airplane loaded weight and the CG location. If lines drawn from the weight and CG cross within this envelope, the airplane is properly loaded.
CG Moment Envelope
An enclosed area on a graph of the airplane loaded weight and loaded moment. If lines drawn from the weight and loaded moment cross within this envelope, the airplane is properly loaded.
Chord
A straight-line distance across a wing from leading edge to trailing edge.
Chord Line
An imaginary straight line drawn through an airfoil from the leading edge to the trailing edge.
Circuit Breaker
A circuit-protecting device that opens the circuit in case of excess current flow. A circuit breakers differs from a fuse in that it can be reset without having to be replaced.
Climb Gradient
The ratio between distance traveled and altitude gained.
Coefficient Of Lift
See Lift Coefficient.
Coffin Corner
The flight regime where any increase in airspeed will induce high speed mach buffet and any decrease in airspeed will induce low speed mach buffet.
Combustion Chamber
The section of the engine into which fuel is injected and burned.
Complex Aircraft
An aircraft with retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller, or is turbine powered.
Compression Ratio
1. In a reciprocating engine, the ratio of the volume of an engine cylinder with the piston at the bottom center to the volume with the piston at top center. 2. In a turbine engine, the ratio of the pressure of the air at the discharge to the pressure of air at the inlet.
Configuration
This is a general term, which normally refers to the position of the landing gear and flaps.
Consensus standard
For the purpose of certificating light-sport aircraft, an industry-developed consensus standard that applies to aircraft design, production, and airworthiness. It includes, but is not limited to, standards for aircraft design and performance, required equipment, manufacturer quality assurance systems, production acceptance test procedures, operating instructions, maintenance and inspection procedures, identification and recording of major repairs and major alterations, and continued airworthiness.
Constant Speed Propeller
A controllable pitch propeller whose pitch is automatically varied in flight by a governor to maintain a constant r.p.m. in spite of varying air loads.
Control pressures
The amount of physical exertion on the control column necessary to achieve the desired attitude.
Controllability
A measure of the response of an aircraft relative to the pilot’s flight control inputs.
Controllable Pitch Propeller
A propeller in which the blade angle can be changed during flight by a control in the cockpit.
Conventional Landing Gear
Landing gear employing a third rear-mounted wheel. These airplanes are also sometimes referred to as tailwheel airplanes.
Coordinated Flight
Application of all appropriate flight and power controls to prevent slipping or skidding in any flight condition.
Coupled ailerons and rudder
Rudder and ailerons are connected with interconnected springs in order to counteract adverse yaw. Can be overridden if it becomes necessary to slip the aircraft.
Cowl Flaps
Devices arranged around certain air-cooled engine cowlings which may be opened or closed to regulate the flow of air around the engine.
Crab
A flight condition in which the nose of the airplane is pointed into the wind a sufficient amount to counteract a crosswind and maintain a desired track over the ground.
Crazing
Small fractures in aircraft windshields and windows caused from being exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun and temperature extremes.
Critical Altitude
The maximum altitude under standard atmospheric conditions at which a turbocharged engine can produce its rated horsepower.
Critical Angle Of Attack
The angle of attack at which a wing stalls regardless of airspeed, flight attitude, or weight.
Critical Engine
The engine whose failure has the most adverse effect on directional control.
Current induction
An electrical current being induced into, or generated in, any conductor that is crossed by lines of flux from any magnet.
Current Limiter
A device that limits the generator output to a level within that rated by the generator manufacturer.
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