Plain English Meaning

When you fly through a patch of rising air on final approach, the airplane gets pushed up higher than you wanted, putting you above your normal path to the runway.

Full Definition

An unintended upward movement of an aircraft caused by encountering rising air, most often when crossing from a cooler surface (such as vegetation or water) onto a warmer surface (such as a paved runway) on final approach. The warmer surface heats the air above it, producing an updraft that lifts the aircraft above the intended glide path.

Context Anchor

Seen in weather and landing discussions, especially when flying low over sun-heated ground, pavement, or other warm surfaces.