Definition
The phase of flight in which the airplane descends from the traffic pattern or final approach fix toward the runway, following a defined path that aligns the aircraft with the landing surface and stabilizes airspeed, configuration, and descent rate for touchdown.
Plain English
The part of the flight where the pilot lines the airplane up with the runway and descends toward it, getting the aircraft into the right speed and configuration to land.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in landing discussions, traffic pattern work, instrument flying, and any situation where the airplane is being set up to land.
Derivation
From the Latin 'appropiare' meaning 'to draw near.' In flying, the approach is literally the drawing-near phase before landing.
Why Pilots Care
A well-flown approach makes the landing easy; a poorly flown one makes the landing difficult or unsafe. Most landing accidents trace back to an unstable approach, which is why pilots are trained to fly stabilized approaches and go around if the approach is not working out.
Intuition Check
Approach does not mean simply getting closer to something. In aviation, it means the organized, controlled setup for landing.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, the pilot reduced power, extended full flaps, and aimed for the touchdown zone.
Example Sentence 2
During the instrument approach the crew followed the guidance to decision height.