Powered Parachute Flying Handbook
 

Glossary "G8"

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 15şC) equals 29.92 in. 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 aeronautical 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.

PROFICIENCY CHECK
An evaluation of aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency. Reference part 61. Upon successful completion of the proficiency check the authorized instructor will endorse the applicant’s logbook indicating the added category/class of equipment that the applicant is authorized to operate.

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 BLAST
The volume of air accelerated behind a propeller producing thrust.

PTS
See PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS.

PUBLIC AIRPORT
Airport that is available to the aviation public.

PUSHER CONFIGURATION
Propeller configuration where the propeller shaft faces the rear of the aircraft. Thrust produced by the propeller pushes the aircraft, rather than pulling it.

RAM-AIR WING
Also known as a parafoil. An airfoil designed with an aerodynamic cell structure which is inflated by the wind, forming a classic wing cross-section that generates lift.

RECIPROCATING ENGINE
An engine that converts the heat energy from burning fuel into the reciprocating movement of the pistons. This movement is converted into a rotary motion by the connecting rods and crankshaft.

REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
A federal certificate that documents aircraft ownership.

RELATIVE WIND
The direction the wind strikes an airfoil.

RIBS
The parts of an aircraft wing structure that give the wing its aerodynamic cross section. Fabric covers the ribs and gives the PPC wing its airfoil shape.

RISERS
One of several straps that attach the cart to the suspension lines. Sometimes referred to as “V lines,” risers are the intermediate link between the suspension lines and the aircraft.

RISK ELEMENTS
The four fundamental areas of exposure to risk: the pilot, the aircraft, the environment, and the type of operation that comprise any given aviation situation.

RISK MANAGEMENT
The part of the decision making process which relies on situational awareness, problem recognition, and good judgment to reduce risks associated with each flight.

ROLL
The rotation of an aircraft about its longitudinal axis.

ROUNDOUT (FLARE)
A pitch-up during landing approach to reduce rate of descent and forward speed prior to touchdown.

RPM
Revolutions per minute. A measure of rotational speed. One RPM is one revolution made in one minute.

RUNWAY
A defined rectangular area on a land airport prepared for the landing and takeoff run of aircraft along its length. Runways are normally numbered in relation to their magnetic direction rounded off to the nearest 10 degrees; e.g., Runway 1, Runway 25.

 

 
 
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