Definition
A defined volume of airspace, with specified vertical and lateral limits, in which an approach control facility provides air traffic control services to arriving, departing, and transiting IFR aircraft, and to participating VFR aircraft. It typically extends outward and upward from one or more airports and connects with the surrounding en route (Center) airspace.
Plain English
It is the chunk of sky around an airport (or group of airports) where the approach controllers are in charge, rather than the en route center controllers. When you are in this airspace, you talk to Approach instead of Center.
Context Anchor
Seen in Tower En Route Control discussions, where an instrument flight may stay within one or more approach control areas instead of entering the larger en route system.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must establish radio contact with approach control before entering this airspace to receive separation, sequencing, and clearance instructions.
Intuition Check
Do not read “approach” as only the final part of landing. Here it means the larger area handled by approach control for arrivals, departures, and nearby instrument traffic.
Example Sentence 1
After being handed off from Center, the pilot checked in with Socal Approach upon entering their approach control airspace.
Example Sentence 2
Tower En Route Control hands off aircraft to approach control airspace near the destination airport.