Definition
The final two phases of flight in which the aircraft transitions from cruise or arrival altitude down to the runway and then touches down. The approach is the descending, configured flight path that aligns the aircraft with the landing runway; the landing is the touchdown and rollout that follows. In instrument operations, the approach is flown using a published procedure (such as an ILS, RNAV, or VOR approach) that specifies the route, altitudes, and minimums required to safely arrive at the runway environment.
Plain English
The part of the flight where the pilot lines the aircraft up with the runway, descends toward it, and then lands.
Context Anchor
Seen in radio altimeter discussions because height above the ground becomes especially important close to the runway.
Why Pilots Care
Radio altimeters supply precise height-above-ground data that prevents controlled flight into terrain during this critical phase.
Grounding Statement
During approach and landing, the aircraft is close to the ground and small height errors matter more.
Intuition Check
Do not read “approach” here as just “getting near” something in a casual sense. In aviation, approach and landing means a specific flight phase: lining up, descending toward the runway, touching down, and beginning the landing roll.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot briefed the approach and landing before beginning the descent into the destination airport.
Example Sentence 2
During the approach and landing, accurate height calls from the radio altimeter helped maintain safe terrain clearance.