Definition
An instrument approach in which a controller uses airport surveillance radar to provide the pilot with heading instructions to align the aircraft with the final approach course, along with advisory altitude information at each mile from the runway. The pilot flies the headings given, descends using published minimum descent altitudes, and is told when to begin descent and when the aircraft reaches the missed approach point.
Plain English
A radar-guided approach where a controller talks the pilot down to the runway by telling them what heading to fly and when to descend, based on what the controller sees on radar.
Context Anchor
Used in instrument flying when a pilot flies an approach based on controller radar instructions instead of using onboard course guidance.
Derivation
Surveillance comes from French sur- (over) and veiller (to watch), meaning 'to watch over.' The radar 'watches over' the airspace and the controller uses that view to guide the aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Provides a safe way to reach the runway when weather prevents a visual approach and no ILS or other precision aid is available.
Intuition Check
Do not read “approach” here as simply getting near an airport. In this context, an approach is a controlled instrument procedure for lining up with a runway and descending only as allowed.
Example Sentence 1
With the ILS out of service and weather deteriorating, the pilot requested an airport surveillance radar approach to runway 27.
Example Sentence 2
ATC issued vectors and altitudes throughout the airport surveillance radar approach until the pilot reported the runway in sight.