Definition
The descending flight track an aircraft follows from the final approach segment to the runway touchdown point. It has a specific angle (typically about 3 degrees) and alignment with the runway centerline, and pilots judge it visually using runway perspective cues, visual glideslope aids (such as VASI or PAPI), or electronic guidance (such as an ILS glideslope).
Plain English
The angled line through the air that an aircraft flies down to reach the runway. The pilot tries to stay on this line so the aircraft arrives at the right spot on the runway at the right speed and height.
Context Anchor
Used when judging whether the airplane is coming in too high, too low, left, right, or correctly lined up with the runway, especially during landing and when visual illusions may affect what the pilot sees.
Why Pilots Care
Runway width illusions can make the approach path appear higher or lower than it is, leading to unstable approaches.
Intuition Check
Do not read “approach path” as just any route to the airport. In this context, it means the specific line and descent the aircraft follows toward the runway for landing.
Example Sentence 1
A narrower-than-usual runway can make the pilot feel high on the approach path, tempting them to descend below it.
Example Sentence 2
A narrower runway made the approach path look higher than it actually was.