Definition
A condition placed on the use of certain airports or facilities that requires a pilot to obtain authorization from the airport operator, owner, or controlling authority before landing or operating there. Often abbreviated PPR in aeronautical publications and chart supplements.
Plain English
You must call ahead and get permission before you fly into this airport. Just showing up is not allowed.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport information listings, flight notices, and instructions for private, military, or restricted-use airports.
Why Pilots Care
Landing without the required permission can lead to being turned away, regulatory violations, or compromising safety at sensitive locations.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a polite suggestion or a heads-up. It means approval is required before the operation.
Example Sentence 1
The chart supplement listed the airfield as PPR, so the pilot phoned the base operations office the day before to arrange landing approval.
Example Sentence 2
Reviewing the sectional chart supplement revealed that Prior Permission Required applied to all civilian operations at the joint-use airfield.