Aeronautical Terms beginning with P

Perceptions

The basis of all learning, perceptions result when a person gives meaning to external stimuli or sensations. Meaning derived from perception is influenced by an individual’s experience and many other factors.

Personality

The embodiment of personal traits and characteristics of an individual that are set at a very early age and extremely resistant to change.

Pilot error

Pilot action/inaction or decision/indecision causing or contributing to an accident or incident.

Poor judgment chain

A series of mistakes that may lead to an accident or incident. Two basic principles generally associated with the creation of a poor judgment chain are: (1) one bad decision often leads to another; and (2) as a string of bad decisions grows, it reduces the number of subsequent alternatives for continued safe flight. Aeronautical decision- making is intended to break the poor judgment chain before it can cause an accident or incident.