Definition
A cockpit instrument that displays the temperature of the air and fuel mixture inside the carburetor, allowing the pilot to detect conditions where carburetor ice is likely to form and to verify the effect of applying carburetor heat.
Plain English
A small gauge in the cockpit that shows how warm or cold it is inside the carburetor, so the pilot can tell when ice might form there and whether the carburetor heat is working.
Context Anchor
Seen on some aircraft with carbureted engines, especially when discussing carburetor heat and carburetor icing.
Derivation
Carburetor comes from an older word meaning to combine fuel vapor with air. Gauge means an instrument used to measure something. Together, the term points to an instrument that measures temperature at the carburetor.
Why Pilots Care
Early detection of falling temperatures allows timely use of carburetor heat to prevent power loss from ice buildup.
Grounding Statement
If the gauge shows the carburetor area is in the icing range, the engine may be at risk even if the outside air does not feel extremely cold.
Intuition Check
Do not assume this gauge shows outside air temperature or general engine temperature. It shows the temperature at the carburetor area, where ice can form under the right conditions.
Example Sentence 1
While cruising in humid air, the pilot glanced at the carburetor temperature gauge and saw the needle drop into the icing range, so she pulled the carburetor heat on.
Example Sentence 2
Before takeoff in humid air, the student pilot confirmed the carburetor temperature gauge was outside the yellow arc.