9/5/24 

Pilot/Controller Glossary 

POINT

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TO

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POINT (PTP)

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 A level of NRR service for aircraft that is based on traditional waypoints in their 

FMSs or RNAV equipage. 
POLAR TRACK STRUCTURE

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A system of organized routes between Iceland and Alaska which overlie 

Canadian MNPS Airspace. 
POSITION REPORT

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 A report over a known location as transmitted by an aircraft to ATC. 

(Refer to AIM.) 

POSITION SYMBOL

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A computer-generated indication shown on a radar display to indicate the mode of 

tracking. 
POSITIVE CONTROL

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

PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACH

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 An instrument approach procedure conducted by a VFR or an IFR 

aircraft for the purpose of pilot training or proficiency demonstrations. 
PRE

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DEPARTURE CLEARANCE

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 An application with the Terminal Data Link System (TDLS) that provides 

clearance information to subscribers, through a service provider, in text to the cockpit or gate printer. 
PRE

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DEPARTURE REROUTE (PDRR)

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 A capability within the Traffic Flow Management System that 

enables ATC to quickly amend and execute revised departure clearances that mitigate en route constraints or 

balance en route traffic flows. 
PREARRANGED COORDINATION

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 A standardized procedure which permits an air traffic controller to enter 

the airspace assigned to another air traffic controller without verbal coordination. The procedures are defined 

in a facility directive which ensures approved separation between aircraft. 
PREARRANGED COORDINATION PROCEDURES

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 A facility’s standardized procedure that describes the 

process by which one controller shall allow an aircraft to penetrate or transit another controller’s airspace in a 

manner that assures approved separation without individual coordination for each aircraft. 
PRECIPITATION

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 Any or all forms of water particles (rain, sleet, hail, or snow) that fall from the atmosphere 

and reach the surface. 
PRECISION APPROACH

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(See PRECISION APPROACH PROCEDURE.) 

PRECISION APPROACH PROCEDURE

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 A standard instrument approach procedure in which an electronic 

glideslope or other type of glidepath is provided; e.g., ILS, PAR, and GLS. 

(See INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM.) 
(See PRECISION APPROACH RADAR.) 

PRECISION APPROACH RADAR

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 Radar equipment in some ATC facilities operated by the FAA and/or the 

military services at joint-use civil/military locations and separate military installations to detect and display 

azimuth, elevation, and range of aircraft on the final approach course to a runway. This equipment may be used 

to monitor certain nonradar approaches, but is primarily used to conduct a precision instrument approach (PAR) 

wherein the controller issues guidance instructions to the pilot based on the aircraft’s position in relation to the 

final approach course (azimuth), the glidepath (elevation), and the distance (range) from the touchdown point 

on the runway as displayed on the radar scope. 

(See GLIDEPATH.) 
(See PAR.) 
(See ICAO term PRECISION APPROACH RADAR.) 
(Refer to AIM.) 

PRECISION APPROACH RADAR [ICAO]

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 Primary radar equipment used to determine the position of an 

aircraft during final approach, in terms of lateral and vertical deviations relative to a nominal approach path, and 

in range relative to touchdown. 
PRECISION OBSTACLE FREE ZONE (POFZ)

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 An 800 foot wide by 200 foot long area centered on the 

runway centerline adjacent to the threshold designed to protect aircraft flying precision approaches from ground 

PCG P

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