PITCH The rotation of a PPC 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 or change 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.

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

PORPOISING EFFECT The rapid increase in throttle resulting in a rapid initial pitch up, which results in the pendulum effect that dampens out into a steady state climb.

POSITIVE DYNAMIC STABILITY The tendency over time for an aircraft to return to a predisturbed state.

POSITIVE STATIC STABILITY The initial tendency to return to a state of equilibrium when disturbed from that state.

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.

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.

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 15ºC) equals 29.92 in. Hg. Pressure altitude is used to compute density altitude, true altitude, true airspeed, and other performance data.