Civil aviation dictionary
Aviation glossary
Terms, abbreviations and procedures explained without unnecessary jargon, with English names and clear definitions.
- Total entries
- 2480
- Terms
- 435
- Abbreviations
- 2045
P
- Aircraft and systemsPressurized cabin
The aircraft space in which pressure is maintained for occupants at altitude.
- Abbreviationprimary radar
PRIRA stands for primary radar in FAA terminology.
- AbbreviationPrimary surveillance radar
PSR stands for Primary surveillance radar in FAA terminology.
- Abbreviationpriority delayed weather
PDW stands for priority delayed weather in FAA terminology.
- Abbreviationprivate line teletypewriter
PLT stands for private line teletypewriter in FAA terminology.
- Abbreviationprivately owned aircraft
POA stands for privately owned aircraft in FAA terminology.
- Flying skillsPRM APPROACH
An instrument approach procedure titled ILS PRM, RNAV PRM, LDA PRM, or GLS PRM conducted to parallel runways separated by less than 4,300 feet and at least 3,000 feet where independent closely spaced approaches are permitted.
- Flying skillsPROCEDURE TURN
The maneuver prescribed when it is necessary to reverse direction to establish an aircraft on the intermediate approach segment or final approach course.
- Flying skillsPROCEDURE 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.
- Abbreviationprocedures for air navigation services
PANS stands for procedures for air navigation services in FAA terminology.
- AbbreviationProduction Control System
PCS stands for Production Control System in FAA terminology.
- AbbreviationProfessional Aviation Safety Specialists
PASS stands for Professional Aviation Safety Specialists in FAA terminology.
- Flying skillsPROFILE DESCENT
An uninterrupted descent (except where level flight is required for speed adjustment; e.g., 250 knots at 10,000 feet MSL) from cruising altitude/level to interception of a glideslope or to a minimum altitude specified for the initial or intermediate approach segment of a nonprecision instrument approach.
- AbbreviationProject Control Number
PCN stands for Project Control Number in FAA terminology.
- EnginesPropeller
A rotating set of blades that converts engine power into thrust.
- OperationsPROPOSED BOUNDARY CROSSING TIME
Each center has a PBCT parameter for each internal airport.
- Abbreviationpseudo random noise
PRN stands for pseudo random noise in FAA terminology.
- Flying skillsPUBLISHED 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.
- Abbreviationpulsating visual approach slope indicators
PLASI stands for pulsating visual approach slope indicators in FAA terminology.
- Abbreviationpulsating/steady visual approach slope indicator
PVASI stands for pulsating/steady visual approach slope indicator in FAA terminology.