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constant-energy line
ground transponder beacon has *** behaving as though
continuously interrogated by 100 aircraft.
constant-energy line Plots taken in steep dive at terminal
velocity, when increase in dive angle has no effect on V.
constant-flow oxygen Crew-breathing system in which
gox is fed at steady rate, in contrast to demand-type
supply.
constant-g re-entry RV uses aerodynamic lift in skip
trajectory to impose constant total acceleration down to
relatively low velocity.
constant-heading square Helicopter pilot training
manoeuvre: large square described at low level with helicopter
constantly facing into wind (so one leg forwards,
one backwards and two sideways).
constant-incidence cruise Transport aircraft flight plan
calculated on basis of constant angle of attack over major
portion, angle being chosen for best L/D or other optimised
point between time and fuel consumption.
constant-level balloon Designed to float at constant
pressure level.
constant of gravitation See gravitational constant.
constant-pressure chart Plot of contours showing height
above MSL of selected isobaric surfaces.
constant-speed drive CSD, infinitely-variable-ratio gear
between two rotating systems, esp. variable speed aircraft
engine and constant-frequency alternator; output maintained
invariant despite variation in input speed and
output torque.
constant-speed propeller, c/s propeller Propeller whose
control system incorporates governor and feedback which
automatically adjusts pitch to maintain selected rpm.
constant speed unit CSU, engine-driven governor
controlling c/s propeller, maintaining rotational speed by
varying pitch according to airspeed and engine power.
constant torque on takeoff Turboprop electronic unit
which modifies DECU voltage according to pilot’s torque
command.
constant-volume combustion Super-rapid burning of
stoichiometric mixture [i.e. detonation] in one or more aftfacing
tubes. Also called pulse detonation, Humphrey
cycle.
constant wind 1 W/V assumed for navigational
purposes, until updated or refined.
2 Used in contradistinction to gust (2).
constellation 1 Traditional conspicuous group of fixed
stars having supposed resemblance to Earth object.
2 Arbitrary portion of celestial sphere containing a * (1)
bounded by straight lines, whole sphere being thus
divided for use as reference index.
constituent day Period of Earth rotation with respect to
hypothetical fixed star.
constrictor 1 Obstruction in pipe or other fluid flow
constraint pierced by small hole giving precisely known
mass flow per unit pressure difference.
2 Annular or distributed constriction in nozzle of airbreathing
jet engine, esp. ramjet or pulsejet.
consumables Materials aboard spacecraft which must
undergo once-only irreversible change during mission, eg
propellants, foods (in present state of art) and some other
chemicals such as in SPS.
consumables update Regular housekeeping chore,
reporting to Earth mission control exact quantities
(usually masses) remaining.
Consuta Method of making boat, later marine-aircraft,
container
hulls from mahogany ply sewn with copper wire (S.E.
Saunders, 1898–).
cont Continuous, continuously, continued or continue.
contact 1 Visual link between pilot (rarely, other
aircrew) and ground or other external body. Thus, in * =
seen, * flying = by reference to ground.
2 Unambiguous radar link (radar *).
3 Single positive mechanical hook-up between FR
tanker and receiver aircraft (dry * if no fuel to be transferred).
4 Shouted by pilot of simple aircraft to person swinging
propeller of piston engine, indicating ignition about to be
switched on.
5 Unidentified target appearing on radar or other
surveillance system (rarely, seen visually).
contact altimeter See contacting altimeter.
contact approach Visual approach to airfield requested
by, and granted to, pilot making IFR flight.
contact-burst preclusion Nuclear-weapon fuzing system
which, in the event of failure of desired air burst, prohibits
unwanted surface burst.
contact car Front-line vehicle, usually AFV, housing
local tactical air controller and army liaison officer, plus
multiservice radio (1943–).
contact flying Aircraft attitude and navigation
controlled by pilot looking at Earth’s surface. (Certain
authorities, questionably, include clouds as source of
visual cues.)
contact height That at which runway is first glimpsed
during landing approach.
contacting altimeter Makes or breaks electrical circuit
(eg warning or radio transmission) at chosen reading(s).
contact ion engine Space thruster stripping electrons
from caesium or other supply material infiltrated in
substrate (eg tungsten). Bombardment ion engine more
common.
Contact Judy AAM firing mode: target is within correct
parameters.
contact lights White lights on either side of runway in
use, parallel to centreline (obsolescent, see runway edge
lights).
contact lost Situation in which contact (5) can no longer
be seen, though target believed still present.
contactor Electric switch having remote (usually electromagnetic)
control.
contact patrol Patrol beyond front line with intention of
encountering hostile a/c (WW1).
contact point In CAS (3), geographical or time point at
which leader established R/T contact with FAC or ground
ATC.
contact print Photograph made from negative or
diapositive in contact with sensitised material; optical,
radar or IR.
contact race Competitors are required to land at several
intermediate points where their logbooks are signed by a
marshal.
contact ratio The number of points or lines at which
intermeshing gearteeth touch each other.
contagious failure One likely to transmit to an adjacent
item.
container 1 Standard rigid box for baggage or cargo:
maindeck *, ISO 96 in 96 in 10, 20, 30 or 40 ft; SAE
10, 96 in 96 in 125 in; SAE 20, 96 in 96 in 238.5 in;
161