Definition 1 of 2
Definition
An instrument approach procedure that provides both lateral (left/right) and vertical (up/down) guidance to the runway, but does not meet the stricter performance standards required to be classified as a precision approach. APV approaches include procedures such as LNAV/VNAV and LPV minima on RNAV (GPS) approaches and on certain heliport approaches.
Plain English
An instrument approach that gives the pilot guidance for staying on course and on a steady descent path down to the runway, but is not held to the highest accuracy standards used for full precision approaches like an ILS.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument procedure charts and in IFR heliport discussions, especially when comparing approaches that provide only course guidance with approaches that also provide descent guidance.
Why Pilots Care
Provides a stable, protected descent path that reduces the chance of flying too low or too high in poor visibility.
Grounding Statement
Picture the procedure giving you a line to follow across the ground and a planned downhill path to follow toward the landing area.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “vertical guidance” means air traffic control is talking you down. Here it means the procedure provides a descent path for the pilot to follow. Do not assume it is automatically a precision approach. It provides vertical guidance, but it does not meet the full requirements for a precision approach.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot briefed the RNAV (GPS) approach to the heliport and noted that LPV minimums made it an approach with vertical guidance.
Example Sentence 2
Approaches with vertical guidance are preferred when weather is marginal because they give a clear path all the way to the surface.