Definition
The end of a runway toward which an aircraft is flying when landing. It is the threshold the aircraft crosses first on the landing approach, opposite the departure end used during takeoff roll completion.
Plain English
The end of the runway you are aimed at when coming in to land — the first part of the runway you fly over.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport traffic pattern and runway marking discussions, especially when describing where an airplane is on final approach or where runway numbers are located.
Derivation
Approach means to come nearer to something. In aviation, an approach is the part of flight where the airplane is coming in to land, so the approach end is the runway end the airplane comes toward first.
Why Pilots Care
Runways have two ends, and which one is the approach end depends on the direction of landing. Identifying the correct approach end matters for lining up the traffic pattern, judging wind, and avoiding the wrong-way runway hazard.
Intuition Check
Do not think of the approach end as one permanent physical side of the airport. It depends on the landing direction: the approach end is the end you reach first as you land.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot turned final and crossed the approach end of Runway 27 at 50 feet above the threshold.
Example Sentence 2
Wind direction decides which runway's approach end will be used for landing.