CRUISE - Used in an Air Traffic Control clearance to authorize a pilot to conduct flight at any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including the altitude specified in the clearance. The pilot may level off at any intermediary altitude within this block of airspace. Climb/descent within the block is to be made at the discretion of the pilot. However, once the pilot starts descent and verbally reports leaving an altitude in the block he may not return to that altitude without additional Air Traffic Control clearance. Further, it is approval for the pilot to proceed to and make an approach at destination airport and can be used in conjunction with:
(1)
An airport clearance limit at locations with a standard/special instrument approach procedure. The Federal Air Regulations require that if an instrument letdown to an airport is necessary the pilot shall make the letdown in accordance with a standard/special instrument approach procedure for that airport, or
(2)
An airport clearance limit at locations that are within/below/outside controlled airspace and without a standard/special instrument approach procedure. Such a clearance is not authorization for the pilot to descend under IFR conditions below the applicable minimum IFR altitude nor does it imply that Air Traffic Control is exercising control over aircraft in uncontrolled airspace; however, it provides a means for the aircraft to proceed to destination airport, descend and land in accordance with applicable Federal Air Regulations governing VFR flight operations. Also, this provides Search And Rescue protection until such time as the IFR flight plan is closed. (See Instrument Approach Procedure)
CRUISE CLIMB - A climb technique employed by aircraft, usually at a constant power setting, resulting in an increase of altitude as the aircraft weight decreases.
CRUISING ALTITUDE/LEVEL (P/CG) - An altitude or Flight Level maintained during enroute level flight. This is a constant altitude and should not be confused with a cruise clearance. (See Altitude)
CRUISING ALTITUDE (JCS, NATO) - A level determined by vertical measurement from Mean Sea Level, maintained during a flight or portion thereof.
CRUISING LEVEL (JCS, NATO, ICAO) - A level maintained during a significant portion of a flight.
CURRENT FLIGHT PLAN (ICAO) - The Flight plan, including changes, if any, brought about by subsequent clearances.
DANGER AREA (ICAO) - An airspace of defined dimensions within which activities dangerous to the flight of aircraft may exist at specified times.
NOTE: The term Danger Area is not used in reference to areas within the United States or any of its possessions or territories.
DECISION ALTITUDE/DA (JCS, NATO) - An altitude related to the highest elevation in the Touchdown Zone, specified for a glide slope approach, at which a missed-approach procedure must be initiated if the required visual reference has not been established. (See Decision Height)
DECISION ALTITUDE/HEIGHT/DA/DH (ICAO) - A specified altitude or height (A/H) in the precision approach at which a missed approach must be initiated if the required visual reference to continue the approach has not been established.
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