A popular word for streamlined, non-load bearing fairings to cover landing wheels. Also sometimes called Spats or, when fully enclosing the wheel struts, Skirts.

Precision Approach Radar, a ground-radar-based instrument approach providing both horizontal and vertical guidance

The path of aircraft traffic around an airfield, at an established height and direction. At tower-controlled fields the pattern is supervised by radio (or, in non-radio or emergency conditions by red and green light beams) by air traffic controllers.

Anything that an aircraft carries beyond what is required for its operation during flight, theoretically that from which revenue is derived, such as cargo and passengers.

SEE ALPHABET

The pilot responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft during flight time.

(1) Of the three axes in flight, this specifies the vertical action, the up-and-down movement. Compare ROLL and YAW. (2) The angle of a propeller or rotor blade in relation to its arc; also the distance advanced by a blade in one full rotation.

More accurately but less popularly used, Pitot-Static Tube, a small tube most often mounted on the outward leading edge of an airplane wing (out of the propeller stream) that measures the impact pressure of the air it meets in flight, working in conjuction with a closed, perforated, coaxial tube that measures the static pressure. The difference in pressures is calibrated as airspeed by a panel instrument. Named after French scientist Henri Pitot (1695-1771).

The separation of all air traffic within designated airspace by air traffic control.

The Gross Weight of an airplane divided by the rated horsepower, computed for Standard Air density.

A propeller mounted in back of its engine, pushing an aircraft through the air, as opposed to a TRACTOR configuration.