Aeronautical Terms beginning with P
P-static
Precipitation Static.
PA
Precision Approach
PAPI
Precision Approach Path Indicator.
PAR
Precision Approach Radar.
Parallel ILS Approaches
Approaches to parallel runways by IFR aircraft which, when established inbound toward the airport on the adjacent final approach courses, are radar-separated by at least 2 miles.
Parallel MLS Approaches
Approaches to parallel runways by IFR aircraft which, when established inbound toward the airport on the adjacent final approach courses, are radar-separated by at least 2 miles.
Parasite drag
Drag caused by the friction of air moving over the aircraft structure; its amount varies directly with the airspeed.
PCG
Positive Course Guidance
PDC
Pre-Departure Clearance
PDR
Preferential Departure Route
PF
Pilot Flying
PFAST
Passive Final Approach Spacing Tool
PFD
Primary Flight Display.
PIC
Pilot-in-Command.
Pilot Briefing Information
The current format for charted IAPs issued by NACO. The information is presented in a logical order facilitating pilot briefing of the procedures. Charts include formatted information required for quick pilot or flight crew reference located at the top of the chart.
Pilot report (PIREP)
Report of meteorological phenomena encountered by aircraft.
Pilot’s Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM)
FAA-approved documents published by the airframe manufacturer that list the operating conditions for a particular model of aircraft.
PinS
Point-In-Space
PIREP
Pilot Report.
Pitch Point
A fix/waypoint that serves as a transition point from a departure procedure or the low altitude ground-based navigation structure into the high altitude waypoint system.
Pitot pressure
Ram air pressure used to measure airspeed.
Pitot-static head
A combination pickup used to sample pitot pressure and static air pressure.
Plan view
The overhead view of an approach procedure on an instrument approach chart. The plan view depicts the routes that guide the pilot from the en route segments to the IAF.
PM
Pilot Monitoring
POH/AFM
Pilots Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual.
Point-To-Point (PTP)
A level of NRR service for aircraft that is based on traditional waypoints in their FMSs or RNAV equipage.
Position error
Error in the indication of the altimeter, ASI, and VSI caused by the air at the static system entrance not being absolutely still.
Position report
A report over a known location as transmitted by an aircraft to ATC.
Positive Course Guidance (PCG)
A continuous display of navigational data that enables an aircraft to be flown along a specific course line, e.g., radar vector, RNAV, ground-based NAVAID.
Precession
The characteristic of a gyroscope that causes an applied force to be felt, not at the point of application, but 90° from that point in the direction of rotation.
Precipitation static (P-static)
A form of radio interference caused by rain, snow, or dust particles hitting the antenna and inducing a small radio-frequency voltage into it.
Precision approach
A standard instrument approach procedure in which both vertical and horizontal guidance is provided.
Precision approach path indicator (PAPI)
A system of lights similar to the VASI, but consisting of one row of lights in two- or four-light systems. A pilot on the correct glide slope will see two white lights and two red lights. See VASI.
Precision Approach Procedure
A standard instrument approach procedure in which an electronic glideslope/glidepath is provided; e.g., ILS, MLS, and PAR.
Precision Approach Radar
Radar equipment in some ATC facilities operated by the FAA and/or the military services at joint-use civil/military locations and separate military installations to detect and display azimuth, elevation, and range of aircraft on the final approach course to a runway. This equipment may be used to monitor certain nonradar approaches, but is primarily used to conduct a precision instrument approach (PAR) wherein the controller issues guidance instructions to the pilot based on the aircraft’s position in relation to the final approach course (azimuth), the glidepath (elevation), and the distance (range) from the touchdown point on the runway as displayed on the radar scope. Note: The abbreviation “PAR” is also used to denote preferential arrival routes in ARTCC computers.
Precision Runway Monitor (PRM)
Provides air traffic controllers with high precision secondary surveillance data for aircraft on final approach to parallel runways that have extended centerlines separated by less than 4,300 feet. High resolution color monitoring displays (FMA) are required to present surveillance track data to controllers along with detailed maps depicting approaches and a no transgression zone.
Preferential Arrival Route PAR
A specific arrival route from an appropriate en route point to an airport or terminal area. It may be included in a Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) or a Preferred IFR Route. The abbreviation “PAR” is used primarily within the ARTCC and should not be confused with the abbreviation for Precision Approach Radar.
Preferential Departure And Arrival Route (PDAR)
A route between two terminals which are within or immediately adjacent to one ARTCC’s area. PDARs are not synonymous with Preferred IFR Routes but may be listed as such as they do accomplish essentially the same purpose.
Preferential Departure Route (PDR)
A specific departure route from an airport or terminal area to an en route point where there is no further need for flow control. It may be included in an Instrument Departure Procedure (DP) or a Preferred IFR Route.
Preferential Routes
Preferential routes (PDRs, PARs, and PDARs) are adapted in ARTCC computers to accomplish inter/intrafacility controller coordination and to assure that flight data is posted at the proper control positions. Locations having a need for these specific inbound and outbound routes normally publish such routes in local facility bulletins, and their use by pilots minimizes flight plan route amendments. When the workload or traffic situation permits, controllers normally provide radar vectors or assign requested routes to minimize circuitous routing. Preferential routes are usually confined to one ARTCC’s area and are referred to by the following names or acronyms: Preferential Departure Route (PDR), Preferential Arrival Route (PAR), and Preferential Departure and Arrival Route (PDAR).
Preferred IFR Routes
Routes established between busier airports to increase system efficiency and capacity. They normally extend through one or more ARTCC areas and are designed to achieve balanced traffic flows among high density terminals. IFR clearances are issued on the basis of these routes except when severe weather avoidance procedures or other factors dictate otherwise. Preferred IFR Routes are listed in the Airport/Facility Directory. If a flight is planned to or from an area having such routes but the departure or arrival point is not listed in the Airport/Facility Directory, pilots may use that part of a Preferred IFR Route which is appropriate for the departure or arrival point that is listed. Preferred IFR Routes are correlated with DPs and STARs and may be defined by airways, jet routes, direct routes between NAVAIDs, Waypoints, NAVAID radials/DME, or any combinations thereof.
Prevailing visibility
The greatest horizontal visibility equaled or exceeded throughout at least half the horizon circle (which is not necessarily continuous).
Primary and supporting
A method of attitude instrument flying using the instrument that provides the most direct indication of attitude and performance.
Primary flight display (PFD)
A display that provides increased situational awareness to the pilot by replacing the traditional six instruments used for instrument flight with an easy-to-scan display that provides the horizon, airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, trend, trim, rate of turn among other key relevant indications.
PRM
ILS PRM Approach and Precision Runway Monitor.
Procedure Turn
The maneuver prescribed when it is necessary to reverse direction to establish an aircraft on the intermediate approach segment or final approach course. The outbound course, direction of turn, distance within which the turn must be completed, and minimum altitude are specified in the procedure. However, unless otherwise restricted, the point at which the turn may be commenced and the type and rate of turn are left to the discretion of the pilot.
Procedure Turn Inbound
That point of a procedure turn maneuver where course reversal has been completed and an aircraft is established inbound on the intermediate approach segment or final approach course. A report of “procedure turn inbound” is normally used by ATC as a position report for separation purposes.
Profile view
Side view of an IAP chart illustrating the vertical approach path altitudes, headings, distances, and fixes.
Progress Report
Position Report.
Prohibited Area
Airspace designated under 14 CFR Part 73 within which no person may operate an aircraft without the permission of the using agency.
PT
Procedure Turn
PTP
Point-To-Point
Published Instrument Approach Procedure Visual Segment
A segment on an IAP chart annotated as “Fly Visual to Airport” or ”Fly Visual.” A dashed arrow will indicate the visual flight path on the profile and plan view with an associated note on the approximate heading and distance. The visual segment should be flown as a dead reckoning course while maintaining visual conditions.
Published Route
A route for which an IFR altitude has been established and published; e.g., Federal Airways, Jet Routes, Area Navigation Routes, Specified Direct Routes.
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