Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH).  A document developed by the aircraft manufacturer and contains the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) information or Aircraft Operating Instructions (AOI) information. 

Pitch. The rotation of a WSC about its lateral axis. 

Pitch angle.  The angle between the wing and the horizontal plane of the earth. 

Pitch attitude.  The angle of the longitudinal axis relative to the horizon. Pitch attitude serves as a visual reference for the pilot to maintain orchange airspeed. 

Placards.  Small statements or pictorial signs permanently fixed in the cockpit and visible to the pilot. Placards are used for operating limitations (e.g., weight or speeds) or to indicate the position of an operating lever (e.g., landing gear retracted or down and locked). 

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. 

POH.  See Pilot's Operating Handbook. 

Positive Dynamic Stability. The tendency over time for an aircraft to return to a predisturbed state. 

Position lights.  Lights on an aircraft consisting of a red light on the left wing, a green light on the right wing, and a white light on the tail. The Code of Federal Regulations requires that these lights be displayed in flight from sunset to sunrise. 

Positive static stability. The initial tendency to return to a state of equilibrium when disturbed from that state. 

Porpoising. Oscillating around the lateral axis of the aircraft during landing. 

Powered parachute (PPC). A powered aircraft comprised of a flexible or semi-rigid wing connected to a fuselage (cart) so that the wing is not in position for flight until the aircraft is in motion. The fuselage of a powered parachute contains the aircraft engine, a seat for each occupant and is attached to the aircraft’s landing gear. 

Power-off descent.  Aircraft configuration where a descent occurs with power at idle. 

Powerplant.  A complete engine and propeller combination with accessories. 

PPC.  See powered parachute. 

PPCL.  Powered parachute land. 

PPCS.  Powered parachute sea. 

Practical test.  Flight test administered by an FAA examiner or designated examiner as a prerequisite for pilot certification. Successful completion of the practical test is required to earn a pilot certificate or rating. Commonly known as a checkride. 

Practical Test Standards (PTS). An FAA published document of standards that must be met for the issuance of a particular pilot certificate or rating. FAA inspectors and designated pilot examiners use these standards when conducting pilot practical tests, and flight instructors use the PTS while preparing applicants for practical tests. 

Preflight inspection. Aircraft inspection conducted to determine if an aircraft is mechanically and legally airworthy. 

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.  The altitude indicated when the altimeter setting window (barometric scale) is adjusted to 29.92. This is the altitude above the standard datum plane, which is a theoretical plane where air pressure (corrected to 15 ºC) equals 29.92 "Hg. Pressure altitude is used to compute density altitude, true altitude, true airspeed, and other performance data. 

Private airport. Airport that is privately owned and not available to the public without prior permission. They are depicted on sectional charts for emergency and landmark purposes. 

Private Pilot Certificate.  An FAA-issued pilot certificate permitting carriage of passengers on a not-for-hire basis. Reference 14 CFR part 61. 

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. 

