Definition
An aircraft's predicted future location, calculated by extending its current position forward along its present track and groundspeed over a short time interval. In the Precision Runway Monitor (PRM) system, controllers see each aircraft's projected position displayed on the radar scope so they can detect a developing track deviation before it becomes a separation problem.
Plain English
Where the aircraft will be a few seconds from now if it keeps doing what it's doing right now. The radar shows controllers not just where you are, but where you're heading next.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of PRM approaches, where controllers closely monitor aircraft flying near parallel runway approach paths.
Derivation
From the Latin proicere, meaning to throw forward. A projected position is the current position thrown forward in time along the aircraft's track.
Why Pilots Care
Gives controllers time to spot a blunder and issue a correction before separation is lost.
Grounding Statement
Think of it as a short look-ahead point: the aircraft’s current motion is used to show where it is likely to be in a few moments.
Intuition Check
Projected position does not mean the aircraft’s exact present location. It means a calculated future location based on how the aircraft is moving now.
Example Sentence 1
The PRM controller issued an early breakout because the aircraft's projected position showed it crossing into the No Transgression Zone within seconds.
Example Sentence 2
Controllers use the projected position to decide whether to issue a breakout instruction.