the Aviation Dictionary

capacitor-start induction motor. carbon microvhone
parallel with the rectifier output, and an inductor is
installed in series with the rectifier output.
capacitor-start induction motor - An AC motor whose
rotor is excited by voltage induced from the field
windings. A second winding whose phase is shifted by
a capacitor is used to provide a rotating field for
starting. When the motor gets up to speed, a centrifugal
switch opens the circuit in which the capacitor is
situated.
capacitor-type ignition system - An ignition system
consisting of two identical independent ignition units
operating From a common low-voltage DC electrical
power source, the aircraft battery. A high voltage,
supplied by the ignition exciter unit, charges a storage
capacitor with a charge, up to four joules, which
generates an arc across a wide igniter spark gap to
ignite the fuel.
cape chisel - A cold chisel used when cutting square
comers or slots.
capillary action - An action causing a liquid to be
drawn up into extremely tiny tubes or between closefitting
parts.
capillary tube - A tube with a very small bore used to
meter a fluid or transmit pressure bf fluid or gas to an
indicating gauge.
capping stable layer - The elevated stable layer found
on top of a convective boundary layer. Usually marks a
sharp transition between smooth air above and
turbulent air below.
capstan - A spool-shaped device in the control system
of an aircraftsimilar to a grooved drum-like wheel. A
control cable is wound around the capstan, and the
ends of the guide are attached to the aileron, the
elevator, or the rudder control cable.
capstan screw - A special purpose machine screw with
holes across the head to accommodate a bar that can be
passed through these holes to turn the screw.
captive balloon - An aerial platform anchored to the
ground.
captive screw - A fastener that has the ability to turn in
the body in which it is mounted, but which will not
drop out when it is unscrewed from the part it is
holding.
capture - The process by which small droplets are
swept up by faster-falling large droplets. Also called
coalescence.
carbide drill - A specially manufactured cutting drill
that has a cutting edges surfaced with tungsten carbide,
tantalum carbide, or titanium carbide.
carbide tool - A metal-cutting machine tool that has
cutting faces surfaced with either tungsten carbide,
tantalum carbide, or titanium carbide.
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carbo-blast - A grit blast. Field cleaning agent, a
lignocellulose material consisting of ground up walnut
shells and apricot pits.
Carboloy - A brand name of certain cutting tools and
dies having tungsten carbide bonded to their cutting
surface.
carbon - Nonmetallic element with a symbol of C and
an atomic weight of 6. Carbon is a part of all organic
compounds. [t ranges in appearance from black, fluffy
soot, to hard, transparent diamond.
carbon arc - An electric arc, produced by a welding
machine, that jumps between two carbon electrodes or
from a carbon electrode to a metal electrode. A carbon
arc makes an intensely bright light and produces
enough heat (approximately 10,00O0F) to melt metals
for welding or cutting.
carbon arc lamp - An electrical lamp in which an
electric arc between carbon electrodes produces a highintensity
- light. -
carbon black - A soft and fluffy carbon deposit. Carbon
black is produced by the incomplete burning of
acetylene - gas when the flame does not have enough -
oxygen
. - for complete combustion.
carbon brake - An aircraft brake required for extremely
high energy dissipation. Both the rotating and
stationary discs are made of pure carbon.
carbon composition resistor - A resistor formed by
embedding wire leads in a cylindrical slug of carbon
and filler material. IJsually covered with an epoxy - - or
other plastic insulating jacket.
carbon deposits - Residue from overheated oil or
incompletely burned gasoline. It forms as a hard, black
crust inside the engine.
carbon dioxide (C02) - A colorless, odorless,
nonflammable gas often used as a fire extinguishing
agent in aircraft.
carbon fiber - Produced by placing carbon (an element)
in an inert atmosphere at temperatures above 1,80OoF.
Used as a reinforcing material. Carbon fiber is a
lightweight, high strength and high stiffness fiber. The
material can be graphitized by heat-treating at a very
high temperature.
carbon fouling - A carbon deposit that forms as a result
of overly rich, idle fuellair mixtures. The carbon forms
on the inside of combustion chambers and spark plugs.
carbon knock - The pre-ignition of the hellair charge
inside the cylinder of a reciprocating engine before the
engine is ready for ignition to occur. Caused by the
glowing of carbon deposits.
carbon microphone - A microphone used in telephones
and some types of radio transmitters. It consists of a
flexible diaphragm of carbon granules. Sound waves