the Aviation Dictionary

cross-check . cruising level
cross-check - A systematic way of observing instrument
indications during attitude instrument flying. Also
called scanning, it requires logical and systematic
observation of the instrument panel. It saves time and
reduces the workload of instrument flying because [he
pertinent instruments are observed as needed.
cross-country flying - Flying from one airport to
another over a distance that requires some sort of
navigation.
crosscut saw - A saw with closely spaced teeth used for
cutting across the grain of wood.
crossed-control stall - A demonstration stall that a
flight instructor shows a student pilot. This type of stall
can occur during a skidding turn, and is most likely to
occur when a pilot tries to compensate for overshooting
a runway during a turn from base to final while on
landing approach.
cross-hatching - A series of parallel lines on a
mechanical drawing. Denotes a section of the drawing
has been removed. The style of the lines indicates the
type of material depicted in the drawing
crossover - A condition that exists in a helicopter rotor
system in which the climbing and diving blades cross.
crossover tubc - A small tube connecting multiple
burner cans together for the purpose of flame
propagation during starting.
cross-ply laminate - In composites, a Iaminate with
plies usually oriented at O0 and 90" only.
cross-sectional view - A view in a mechanical drawing
that depicts the shape of a cross-sectional area of the
object at an indicated point.
crosswind - Wind that is blowing across the flight or
taxi path of the aircraft. When used in conjunction with
traffic patterns, the term IS short for 'crosswind leg.'
crosswind component - Component of the wind (in
knots) perpendicular to flight or taxi path of aircraft.
crosswind landing - A landing where the wind is
blowing from other than parallel to the runway.
Landings with small crosswind angles or velocities are
of little consequence and are not usually considered to
be crosswind landings.
crosswind landing gear - Landing gear on an aircraft
that is specially adapted to landing in a crosswind.
They are spring loaded on pivots to allow the gear to
align with the runway when the aircraft is landed in a
crab.
crowfoot wrench - An open or box-end wrench with a
short extension and a square drive to be driven with a
ratchet and an extension bar. A crowfoot wrench
allows a fastener in a recess to be driven when a
normal ratchet or wrench would not work.
crucible steel - Steel made from heating iron and steel
in a crucible until impurities have been boiled off.
Alloying elements are then added and the resulting
high-grade - - steel is cast into ingots. -
crude petroleum - Unrefined petroleum, in a raw or
natural condition. before being refined for use.
cruise - 1. A moderate speed of travel at optimum speed
for sustained flight. 2. Used in an ATC 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 intermediate altitude within this block of
airspace. Climbldescent 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 ATC clearance. Further, it is approval for
thc pilot to proceed to and make an approach at
destination airport and can be used in conjunction with:
a. An airport clearance limit at locations with a
standardlspecial instrument approach procedure. The
FARs require that if an instrument letdown to an
airport is necessary, the pilot shall make the letdown in
accordance with a standardlspecial instrument
approach procedure for that airport, or
b. An airport clearance limit at locations that are within1
belowioutside controlled airspace and without a
standardlspecial instrument approach procedure. Such
a clearance is NOT AUTHORIZATION for the pilot to
descend under IFR conditions below the applicablc
minimum IFR altitude nor does it imply that ATC is
exercising control over aircraft in Class G airspace;
however, it provides a means for the aircraft to proceed
to destination airport, descend and land in accordance
with applicable FARs governing VFR flight operations.
Also, this provides search and rescue protection until
such time as the IFR flight plan is closed.
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.
cruise control - Engine operation procedures that allow
the best efficiency for power and fuel consumption
during cruising.
cruise power - Sixty percent to 70 percent of maximum
continuous power; used for fuel economy and engine
life during cruising.
cruise propellers - A fixed-pitch propeller that provides
the aircraft with the best performance during cruise
flight.
cruising altitude - An altitude or flight level maintained
during enroute level flight. This is a constant altitude
and should not be confused with a cruise clearance.
cruising level - See cruising altitude.
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