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commutator
2 Transfer of current between elements of polyphase
rectifier to produce unidirectional output.
commutator Typically, radially separated series of
conductors forming ring round rotating generator shaft,
opposite pairs of which are touched by brushes in external
circuit to give d.c. output by commutation (1).
commuter aircraft See feederliner.
commuter airline In theory, air carrier operating
between outlying regions and major hub(s). In practice,
applied to anything from air-taxi operator to – in undeveloped
regions – national carrier (see third-level).
com/nav Communications and navigation aids; usually
means complete avionic fit.
Comlo Compass locator (usually comlo).
COMNA Commodore Naval Aviation.
Comos Common Mode S (Eur ATC).
comp 1 Component of W/V along Tr (strictly, along
flight-plan track between check points).
2 Compressor.
compact airborne early warning AEW platform without
a rotodome.
Compacta tyre Landing wheel tyre of reduced diameter
and greater than normal width (Dunlop).
companion body Hardware from launch system accompanying
space vehicle or satellite on its final trajectory.
comparative cover Reconnaissance coverage of same
scene at different times.
comparative vacuum monitoring Potentially very
important method of detecting even the smallest cracking
in structures by measuring any flow of air into a volume
maintained as partial vacuum.
compartment marking Stencilled subdivisions of cargo
aircraft interior to assist compliance with floor loading
and c.g. position limits.
Compas Computer-oriented metering, planning and
advising system.
Compass Compact multipurpose advanced stabilized
system.
compass acceleration error See acceleration errors.
compass base Area on airfield, usually paved disc, on
which aircraft can conveniently be swung.
compass calibration pad Compass base.
compass compensation See compensating magnets.
compass course See heading.
compass deviation Deviation (2).
compass error 1 Vector sum of variation E plus variation
W.
2 Sum of deviation, variation and northerly turning
error.
compass heading See heading.
compass locator Low-power beacon used with ILS,
2-letter ident.
compass points 32 named directions comprising cardinal
points, quadrantal points and 24 intermediate points.
compass rose Disc divided into 360°, either on simple
magnetic compass or on compass base.
compass swing See swing.
compass testing platform See compass base.
compass variation See variation.
compatibility Ability of materials (solids, liquids and
gases) and dynamic operating systems to interface for
prolonged periods without interference under prescribed
environmental conditions.
component efficiency
compatible 1 Colour TV transmission capable of being
received as monochrome by monochrome receiver.
2 Language and software capable of being used in given
computer.
compensated gyro Incorporates correction for apparent
wander.
compensating magnets Two pairs of bar magnets carried
on arms rotatable about axis of magnetic compass to
correct or minimise deviation.
compensation manoeuvres Aircraft manoeuvres required
for accurate use of compensator (2), always involving four
orthogonal headings, and sometimes circle or cloverleaf.
compensator 1 Instrument for measuring phase difference
between components of elliptically polarised light
(Babinet * has pair of quartz wedges with optical axes
perpendicular).
2 Device, manually or computer-controlled, carried in
ASW aircraft to eliminate false readings caused by permanent
(airframe and equipment hardware), induced and
eddy-current interference signals.
Compglas Low-density composite of graphite fibres in
ceramic matrix, offering strength at very high temperatures
(United Technologies).
compiler ECP (1) program more powerful than assembler
for translating and expanding input instructions into
correctly assembled sub-routines.
complementary shear Induced in tension field (eg
aircraft skin) at right angles to applied shear, in plane of
field.
completion business Process of taking green airframes
from manufacturer and equipping and furnishing to each
customer’s specification (principally in field of executive
or commuter transports). Hence, a completion = one
aircraft ready for customer.
complex See launch complex.
compliance Demonstrated fulfilment of requirements or
certificating authority.
compliance limit Time (usually GMT) by which compliance
must be demonstrated.
compliant member Capable of substantial elastic or
otherwise recoverable deflection.
compliant volume Trapped body of fluid, usually oil,
having predetermined stiffness resulting from fluid’s bulk
modulus. Often sealed by diaphragm or piston having
small bleed, to even out pressures over a period (see stiffness).
component 1 One of assemblage of structural members.
2 One of assemblage of parts used to build hardware
system.
3 Major subdivision of prime mover, esp. gas turbine
(eg fan, compressor, combustor, turbine, afterburner,
nozzle); hence * efficiency.
4 Force, velocity or other vector quantity along reference
axis, such that components along two mutually
perpendicular axes sum vectorially to actual vector. Thus,
crosswind * on landing.
5 Major portion of aircraft that can be separated in
flight, esp. if this leaves two complete aircraft able to
proceed independently.
component efficiency Measure of performance of part of
machine, normally on basis of energy output 100
divided by energy input. Thus overall efficiency of gas
turbine is product of ** of each part, considered on both
mechanical and thermodynamic basis.
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