Definition
A category of instrument approach procedures that provide both lateral (left-right) and vertical (up-down) guidance to the runway, but do not meet the stricter accuracy and integrity standards required to be classified as a precision approach. Common examples include LNAV/VNAV and LPV approaches flown using GPS/WAAS. APV approaches use a Decision Altitude (DA) rather than a Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA).
Plain English
An instrument approach that guides you both side-to-side and up-and-down toward the runway, but isn't quite accurate enough to officially be called a precision approach. It sits between non-precision (lateral only) and precision approaches.
Context Anchor
Seen when reading instrument approach rules, weather minimums, and approach charts for procedures such as LPV or LNAV/VNAV.
Derivation
The phrase 'approach with vertical guidance' was introduced by ICAO and adopted by the FAA to fill the gap between non-precision approaches (lateral only) and precision approaches (lateral plus vertical, to a strict standard). The 'vertical guidance' part simply means the approach gives you a glidepath to follow down, not just a series of step-down altitudes.
Why Pilots Care
These approaches often permit lower landing minimums than lateral-only approaches when the aircraft has suitable vertical guidance equipment.
Grounding Statement
An APV gives you a guided path down toward the runway, instead of leaving you to manage the descent by altitude checks alone.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “vertical guidance” automatically means “precision approach.” APV approaches include vertical guidance, but they are still a separate type of instrument approach.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot briefed the LPV approach, noting that as an APV procedure it would use a Decision Altitude rather than an MDA.
Example Sentence 2
Weather minimums for the APV were lower than those listed for the non-precision option on the same chart.