Off-Route Obstruction Clearance Altitude (OROCA). An off-route altitude that provides obstruction clearance with a 1,000-foot buffer in nonmountainous terrain areas and a 2,000-foot buffer in designated mountainous areas within the U.S. This altitude may not provide signal coverage from groundbased navigational aids, air traffic control radar, or communications coverage.

Operations Specifications (OpSpecs). A published document providing the conditions under which an air carrier and operator for compensation or hire must operate in order to retain approval from the FAA.

Pilot Briefing Information. The current format for charted IAPs issued by Aeronautical Information Services. The information is presented in a logical order facilitating pilot briefing of the procedures. Charts include formatted information required for quick pilot or flight crew reference located at the top of the chart.

Point-in-Space (PinS) Approach. An approach normally developed to heliports that do not meet the IFR heliport design standards but meet the standards for a VFR heliport. A helicopter PinS approach can be developed using conventional NAVAIDs or RNAV systems. These procedures have either a VFR or visual segment between the MAP and the landing area. The procedure specifies a course and distance from the MAP to the heliport(s) and includes a note to proceed VFR or visually from the MAP to the heliport, or conduct the missed approach.

Positive Course Guidance (PCG). The continuous display of accurate course and flight path data that enables a pilot to precisely fly along a specific track or course using RNAV, a ground-based NAVAID or a radar vector. For RNAV or a ground-based NAVAID, the guidance is displayed in the aircraft; for a radar vector, the guidance data is displayed in the radar facility

Precision Runway Monitor (PRM). Provides air traffic controllers with high precision secondary surveillance data for aircraft on final approach to parallel runways that have extended centerlines separated by less than 4,300 feet. High resolution color monitoring displays (FMA) are required to present surveillance track data to controllers along with detailed maps depicting approaches and a no transgression zone.

Preferential Departure Route (PDR). A specific departure route from an airport or terminal area to an en route point where there is no further need for flow control. It may be included in an instrument Departure Procedure (DP) or a Preferred IFR Route.

Preferred IFR Routes. A system of preferred IFR routes guides you in planning your route of flight to minimize route changes during the operational phase of flight, and to aid in the efficient orderly management of air traffic using federal airways.

Principal Operations Inspector (POI). Scheduled air carriers and operators for compensation or hire are assigned a POI who works directly with the company and coordinates FAA operating approval.

Record. See Database Record.

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM). RVSM airspace is where air traffic control separates aircraft by a minimum of 1,000 feet vertically between flight level (FL) 290 and FL 410 inclusive. RVSM airspace is special qualification airspace; the operator and the aircraft used by the operator must be approved by the Administrator. Air traffic control notifies operators of RVSM by providing route planing information.

Reference Landing Speed (VREF). The speed of the aircraft, in a specified landing configuration, at the point where it descends through the 50-foot height in the determination of the landing distance.

Remote Communications Outlet (RCO). An unmanned communications facility remotely controlled by air traffic personnel. RCOs serve FSSs and may be UHF or VHF. RCOs extend the communication range of the air traffic facility. RCOs were established to provide ground-to-ground communications between air traffic control specialists and pilots located at a satellite airport for delivering en route clearances, issuing departure authorizations, and acknowledging IFR cancellations or departure/landing times.

Reporting Point. A geographical location in relation to which the position of an aircraft is reported. (See Compulsory Reporting Points).

Required Navigation Performance (RNP). RNP is a statement of the navigation performance necessary for operation within a defined airspace. On-board monitoring and alerting is required.

RNAV DP. A Departure Procedure developed for RNAV-equipped aircraft whose ground track is based on satellite or DME/DME navigation systems.

Roll-Out RVR. The RVR readout values obtained from sensors located nearest the rollout end of the runway.

Runway Heading. The magnetic direction that corresponds with the runway centerline extended, not the painted runway numbers on the runway. Pilots cleared to “fly or maintain runway heading” are expected to fly or maintain the published heading that corresponds with the extended centerline of the departure runway (until otherwise instructed by ATC), and are not to apply drift correction (e.g., RWY 4, actual magnetic heading of the runway centerline 044.22°, fly 044°).