Aeronautical Terms beginning with P
Parallels
Lines of latitude.
Parasite drag
Drag caused by the friction of air moving over the aircraft structure; its amount varies directly with the airspeed.
Payload (GAMA)
The weight of occupants, cargo, and baggage.
Personality
The embodiment of personal traits and characteristics of an individual that are set at a very early age and extremely resistant to change.
P-factor
A tendency for an aircraft to yaw to the left due to the descending propeller blade on the right producing more thrust than the ascending blade on the left. This occurs when the aircraft’s longitudinal axis is in a climbing attitude in relation to the relative wind. The P-factor would be to the right if the aircraft had a counterclockwise rotating propeller.
Phugoid oscillations
Long-period oscillations of an aircraft around its lateral axis. It is a slow change in pitch accompanied by equally slow changes in airspeed. Angle of attack remains constant, and the pilot often corrects for phugoid oscillations without even being aware of them.
Pilotage
Navigation by visual reference to landmarks.
Pilot in command (PIC)
The pilot responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft.
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.
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.
Planform
The shape or form of a wing as viewed from above. It may be long and tapered, short and rectangular, or various other shapes.
Pneumatic
Operation by the use of compressed air.
Point-in-space approach
A type of helicopter instrument approach procedure to a missed approach point more than 2,600 feet from an associated helicopter landing area.
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. ADM is intended to break the poor judgment chain before it can cause an accident or incident.
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 static stability
The initial tendency to return to a state of equilibrium when disturbed from that state.
Power
Implies work rate or units of work per unit of time, and as such, it is a function of the speed at which the force is developed. The term “power required” is generally associated with reciprocating engines.
Powerplant
A complete engine and propeller combination with accessories.
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
Any or all forms of water particles (rain, sleet, hail, or snow) that fall from the atmosphere and reach the surface.
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 glideslope will see two white lights and two red lights. See VASI.
Precision approach radar (PAR)
A type of radar used at an airport to guide an aircraft through the final stages of landing, providing horizontal and vertical guidance. The radar operator directs the pilot to change heading or adjust the descent rate to keep the aircraft on a path that allows it to touch down at the correct spot on the runway.
Precision runway monitor (PRM)
System allows simultaneous, independent instrument flight rules (IFR) approaches at airports with closely spaced parallel runways.
Preferred IFR routes
Routes established in the major terminal and en route environments to increase system efficiency and capacity. IFR clearances are issued based on these routes, listed in the A/FD except when severe weather avoidance procedures or other factors dictate otherwise.
Preignition
Ignition occurring in the cylinder before the time of normal ignition. Preignition is often caused by a local hot spot in the combustion chamber igniting the fuel-air mixture.
Pressure altitude
Altitude above the standard 29.92 "Hg plane.
Pressure demand oxygen system
A demand oxygen system that supplies 100 percent oxygen at sufficient pressure above the altitude where normal breathing is adequate. Also referred to as a pressure breathing system.
Prevailing visibility
The greatest horizontal visibility equaled or exceeded throughout at least half the horizon circle (which is not necessarily continuous).
Preventive maintenance
Simple or minor preservative operations and the replacement of small standard parts not involving complex assembly operation as listed in 14 CFR part 43, appendix A. Certificated pilots may perform preventive maintenance on any aircraft that is owned or operated by them provided that the aircraft is not used in air carrier service.
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, and rate of turn among other key relevant indications.
Procedure turn
A maneuver prescribed when it is necessary to reverse direction to establish an aircraft on the intermediate approach segment or final approach course.
Profile view
Side view of an IAP chart illustrating the vertical approach path altitudes, headings, distances, and fixes.
Prohibited area
Designated airspace within which flight of aircraft is prohibited.
Propeller
A device for propelling an aircraft that, when rotated, produces by its action on the air, a thrust approximately perpendicular to its plane of rotation. It includes the control components normally supplied by its manufacturer.
Propeller/rotor modulation error
Certain propeller RPM settings or helicopter rotor speeds can cause the VOR course deviation indicator (CDI) to fluctuate as much as ±6°. Slight changes to the RPM setting will normally smooth out this roughness.
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