10/5/23 

Pilot/Controller Glossary 

PRIMARY RADAR TARGET

−

 An analog or digital target, exclusive of a secondary radar target, presented on 

a radar display. 
PRM

−

 

(See AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV) GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) PRECISION RUNWAY 

MONITORING (PRM) APPROACH.) 

(See PRM APPROACH.) 
(See PRECISION RUNWAY MONITOR SYSTEM.) 

PRM APPROACH

−

 An instrument approach procedure titled ILS PRM, RNAV PRM, LDA PRM, or GLS PRM 

conducted to parallel runways separated by less than 4,300 feet and at least 3,000 feet where independent closely 

spaced approaches are permitted.  Use of an enhanced display with alerting, a No Transgression Zone (NTZ), 

secondary monitor frequency, pilot PRM training, and publication of an Attention All Users Page are required 

for all PRM approaches.  Depending on the runway spacing, the approach courses may be parallel or one 

approach course must be offset. PRM procedures are also used to conduct Simultaneous Offset Instrument 

Approach (SOIA) operations.  In SOIA, one straight

−

in ILS PRM, RNAV PRM, GLS PRM, and one offset LDA 

PRM, RNAV PRM or GLS PRM approach are utilized.  PRM procedures are terminated and a visual segment 

begins at the offset approach missed approach point where the minimum distance between the approach courses 

is 3000 feet. Runway spacing can be as close as 750 feet. 

(Refer to AIM.) 

PROCEDURAL CONTROL [ICAO]– Term used to indicate that information derived from an ATS surveillance 

system is not required for the provision of air traffic control service. 
PROCEDURAL SEPARATION [ICAO]– The separation used when providing procedural control. 
PROCEDURE TURN

−

 The maneuver prescribed when it is necessary to reverse direction to establish an aircraft 

on the intermediate approach segment or final approach course. The outbound course, direction of turn, distance 

within which the turn must be completed, and minimum altitude are specified in the procedure. However, unless 

otherwise restricted, the point at which the turn may be commenced and the type and rate of turn are left to the 

discretion of the pilot. 

(See ICAO term PROCEDURE TURN.) 

PROCEDURE TURN [ICAO]

−

 A maneuver in which a turn is made away from a designated track followed by 

a turn in the opposite direction to permit the aircraft to intercept and proceed along the reciprocal of the 

designated track. 

Note 1: Procedure turns are designated “left” or “right” according to the direction of the initial turn. 
Note 2: Procedure turns may be designated as being made either in level flight or while descending, according 

to the circumstances of each individual approach procedure. 

PROCEDURE TURN INBOUND

−

 That point of a procedure turn maneuver where course reversal has been 

completed and an aircraft is established inbound on the intermediate approach segment or final approach course. 

A report of “procedure turn inbound” is normally used by ATC as a position report for separation purposes. 

(See FINAL APPROACH COURSE.) 
(See PROCEDURE TURN.) 
(See SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE.) 

PROFILE DESCENT

−

 An uninterrupted descent (except where level flight is required for speed adjustment; 

e.g., 250 knots at 10,000 feet MSL) from cruising altitude/level to interception of a glideslope or to a minimum 

altitude specified for the initial or intermediate approach segment of a nonprecision instrument approach. The 

profile descent normally terminates at the approach gate or where the glideslope or other appropriate minimum 

altitude is intercepted. 
PROGRESS REPORT

−

 

(See POSITION REPORT.) 

PROGRESSIVE TAXI

−

 Precise taxi instructions given to a pilot unfamiliar with the airport or issued in stages 

as the aircraft proceeds along the taxi route. 

PCG P

−

5