Definition
The arrangement of an airplane's flaps, landing gear, and other variable surfaces or systems set up for the approach phase of flight. This typically involves a partial flap setting, gear extension at the appropriate point, and a target airspeed and power setting that prepare the airplane for a stabilized descent toward the runway.
Plain English
The way the airplane is set up — flaps, gear, speed, and power — when getting ready to land.
Context Anchor
Used during landing preparation, especially before the final part of the approach when the pilot wants the airplane stable and ready to land.
Derivation
"Configuration" comes from the Latin configurare, meaning to shape or form together. In aviation, it refers to how the airplane's adjustable parts are 'shaped' for a particular phase of flight. "Approach" is the phase of flight leading to landing, so approach configuration is the airplane shaped for that phase.
Why Pilots Care
Correct configuration keeps the aircraft stable at the proper descent rate and speed for touchdown.
Intuition Check
Approach configuration does not mean the route to the airport. It means how the airplane itself is set up while approaching to land.
Example Sentence 1
On the downwind leg, the pilot reduced power, extended the gear, and selected approach flaps to establish the approach configuration.
Example Sentence 2
Holding the approach configuration through the final segment avoids an unstable descent.