Definition
A specific section of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), located in Chapter 5 (Air Traffic Procedures), Section 4 (Arrival Procedures), paragraph 7, subparagraph c. This paragraph contains FAA guidance on instrument approach procedures, specifically addressing pilot responsibilities and recommended actions related to instrument approach segments and procedures.
Plain English
A particular paragraph in the FAA's official guide for pilots (the AIM) that gives instructions on how to fly instrument approaches. The numbers and letter just point to where in the book to find it.
Context Anchor
A pilot may see this kind of reference in FAA handbooks, training material, or instructor notes when the text wants the reader to check the AIM for the full FAA guidance.
Derivation
AIM stands for Aeronautical Information Manual, the FAA's official publication explaining flight procedures and pilot responsibilities. The numbering system (5-4-7c) is a standard FAA reference format: chapter-section-paragraph-subparagraph. It is the FAA's way of letting pilots and instructors point to one exact spot in a long document.
Why Pilots Care
Following the referenced procedures reduces the chance of spatial disorientation and controlled flight into terrain during an unplanned transition to instrument conditions.
Analogy
It works like a street address in a large book: “5-4-7c” tells you the exact neighborhood, block, and spot to go to in the AIM.
Intuition Check
Do not read “AIM paragraph 5-4-7c” as a maneuver or checklist step. It is a reference location in the FAA guidance manual.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor told the student to read AIM paragraph 5-4-7c before their next lesson on instrument approaches.
Example Sentence 2
In the IIMC briefing the instructor pointed to AIM paragraph 5-4-7c as the primary reference for immediate recovery actions.