Glossary

Pilot in command (PIC). The pilot responsible for the Power. Implies work rate or units of work per unit of time, operation and safety of an aircraft. and as such, it is a function of the speed at which the force is developed. The term “power required” is generally associated Pilot report (PIREP). Report of meteorological phenomena with reciprocating engines. encountered by aircraft. Powerplant. A complete engine and propeller combination Pilot’s Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual with accessories. (POH/AFM). FAA-approved documents published by the airframe manufacturer that list the operating conditions for Precession. The characteristic of a gyroscope that causes an a particular model of aircraft. applied force to be felt, not at the point of application, but 90° from that point in the direction of rotation. PIREP. See pilot report. Precipitation. Any or all forms of water particles (rain, Pitot pressure. Ram air pressure used to measure airspeed. sleet, hail, or snow) that fall from the atmosphere and reach the surface. Pitot-static head. A combination pickup used to sample pitot pressure and static air pressure. Precipitation static (P-static). A form of radio interference caused by rain, snow, or dust particles hitting the antenna and Plan view. The overhead view of an approach procedure on inducing a small radio-frequency voltage into it. an instrument approach chart. The plan view depicts the routes that guide the pilot from the en route segments to the IAF. Precision approach. A standard instrument approach procedure in which both vertical and horizontal guidance Planform. The shape or form of a wing as viewed from is provided. above. It may be long and tapered, short and rectangular, or various other shapes. Precision approach path indicator (PAPI). A system of lights similar to the VASI, but consisting of one row of lights Pneumatic. Operation by the use of compressed air. in two- or four-light systems. A pilot on the correct glideslope will see two white lights and two red lights. See VASI. POH/AFM. See Pilot’s Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual. Precision approach radar (PAR). A type of radar used at an airport to guide an aircraft through the final stages of Point-in-space approach. A type of helicopter instrument landing, providing horizontal and vertical guidance. The approach procedure to a missed approach point more than radar operator directs the pilot to change heading or adjust 2,600 feet from an associated helicopter landing area. the descent rate to keep the aircraft on a path that allows it to touch down at the correct spot on the runway. Poor judgment chain. A series of mistakes that may lead to an accident or incident. Two basic principles generally Precision runway monitor (PRM). System allows associated with the creation of a poor judgment chain are: simultaneous, independent instrument flight rules (IFR) (1) one bad decision often leads to another; and (2) as a approaches at airports with closely spaced parallel runways. string of bad decisions grows, it reduces the number of subsequent alternatives for continued safe flight. ADM is Preferred IFR routes. Routes established in the major intended to break the poor judgment chain before it can terminal and en route environments to increase system cause an accident or incident. efficiency and capacity. IFR clearances are issued based on these routes, listed in the Chart Supplement U.S. except Position error. Error in the indication of the altimeter, ASI, when severe weather avoidance procedures or other factors and VSI caused by the air at the static system entrance not dictate otherwise. being absolutely still. Preignition. Ignition occurring in the cylinder before the time Position report. A report over a known location as of normal ignition. Preignition is often caused by a local hot transmitted by an aircraft to ATC. spot in the combustion chamber igniting the fuel-air mixture. Positive static stability. The initial tendency to return to a Pressure altitude. Altitude above the standard 29.92 "Hg state of equilibrium when disturbed from that state. plane. G-23