Definition
A shorthand notation for 'Approach,' used on charts, flight plans, and instrument procedure documents to refer to the segment of an IFR flight in which the aircraft transitions from the en route or arrival phase down toward the runway, following a published instrument approach procedure.
Plain English
A short way of writing 'Approach' — the part of the flight where you fly a published procedure to line up with and descend toward the runway.
Context Anchor
Seen in IFR handbook figures, instrument procedures, avionics labels, and short written notes where there is limited space.
Derivation
Appr is a shortened written form of approach. Approach comes from an older French word meaning “to come nearer,” which fits the aviation meaning: the aircraft is coming nearer to the airport and runway in an organized way.
Why Pilots Care
Correct execution of the approach segment determines whether the aircraft lands safely or executes a missed approach.
Intuition Check
Do not read Appr as a separate technical word. It is simply a space-saving abbreviation for approach, and in IFR context approach usually means a planned, charted path toward landing—not just casually getting closer.
Example Sentence 1
The chart legend listed the 'Appr' frequency for the destination airport in the communications panel.
Example Sentence 2
During the Appr the crew configured the aircraft for landing and monitored the glidepath.