| P3I |
Pre-planned product improvement |
| PA |
Public address system; also:
passenger address system |
| PACAF |
Pacific Air Forces (USAF) |
| PAH |
PanzerAbwehrHubschrauber (German);
anti-tank helicopter |
| PAPI |
Precision Approach Path Indicator |
| PAR |
Precision approach radar |
| passenger load factor |
Seat-kilometres used divided by seat-kilometres
available; expressed as percentage |
| Pax |
Passengers |
| payload |
Commercial aircraft: revenue generating load |
|
Military aircraft: total load of armament, cargo
and mission equipment |
| PBW |
Power-by-wire; uses electrical power to move
control surfaces or perform other |
|
mechanical tasks |
| PCN |
Pavement classification number |
| PCU |
Power control unit |
| PDF |
Precision direction finder |
| PDR |
Preliminary design review |
| PDU |
Power distribution unit |
| PF |
Pilot flying |
| PFA |
Popular Flying Association (UK) |
| PFCS |
Primary flight control system;
also: primary flight computer system |
| PFD |
Primary flight display; shows all data for
aircraft flight path control |
| PFP |
Partnership For Peace (NATO) |
| PGM |
Precision guided munition |
| phased array |
Radar which scans the beam electronically in 1
or 2 axis while the antenna remains |
| |
stationary |
| PHI |
Precision heading indicator
also: precision homing indicator |
| PI |
Practice interception |
| PIC |
Pilot in command |
| PICUS |
Pilot in command under supervision |
| PLC |
Public limited company |
| PMFD |
Primary multi-function display |
| pneumatic de-icing |
Method of shedding ice accretion by pumping in
and out a flexible surface coating |
| PNF |
Pilot not flying |
| PNVS |
Pilot night vision system |
| point defence |
Defence of a specific area, city, installation |
| POL |
Petroleum, oil, lubricants |
| port |
Left side, while looking forward |
| power loading |
MTOGW of aircraft divided by total thrust or
total horsepower at take-off |
| power train |
A complete mechanical drive system |
| PPI |
Plan position indicator |
| PPL |
Private pilot's licence |
| PPV |
Pre-production verification |
| PR |
Photo-reconnaissance; also:
public relations |
| PRF |
Pulse repetition frequency (for radar) |
| proprotor |
Large propeller capable of tilting, used for
both vertical and forward flight |
| psi |
Pounds per square inch (1 psi = 0.069 bar) |
| PSR |
Post-strike reconnaissance |
| PV |
Private venture |
| PWR |
Passive warning receiver |