Definition
Instrument approach procedures conducted simultaneously to two or more parallel runways at the same airport. Depending on the spacing between the runway centerlines and the equipment and procedures in use, these are categorized as parallel (dependent) approaches, simultaneous parallel (independent) approaches, or simultaneous close parallel approaches, each with specific separation standards and pilot/controller requirements.
Plain English
When an airport has two or more runways that run side by side, controllers can land aircraft on both at the same time. There are different rules and procedures depending on how far apart the runways are and what equipment is being used.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach training, approach briefings, and air traffic control clearances at airports with runways labeled left, right, or center, such as 18L and 18R.
Derivation
Approach comes from an older word meaning to come nearer. Parallel comes from Greek roots meaning beside one another. Together, the phrase points to aircraft coming nearer to the airport while using runways that lie side by side in the same direction.
Why Pilots Care
These procedures raise airport arrival capacity in poor weather while keeping aircraft separated.
Analogy
Think of two cars exiting a highway in side-by-side lanes. Each car can head toward its own exit safely, but only if both drivers stay in the correct lane.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “parallel” means the approaches are automatically simple or fully independent. In aviation, approaches to parallel runways depend on runway spacing, assigned paths, controller instructions, and required separation.
Example Sentence 1
Approach told us to expect simultaneous parallel approaches to runways 27L and 27R, so we briefed the localizer frequency carefully to avoid tuning the wrong one.
Example Sentence 2
Approach control cleared the flight for approaches to parallel runways 18L and 18R with appropriate spacing.