Definition
The pilot's management of the airplane's descent angle on final approach so that it arrives at the intended touchdown point at the correct height and speed. It is achieved by coordinating pitch and power: pitch primarily controls airspeed on the approach, and power primarily controls the rate of descent, with both adjusted together to hold the desired path to the runway.
Plain English
Keeping the airplane on the right downward slope toward the runway. The pilot uses small pitch and power changes together to stay on that slope all the way to touchdown.
Context Anchor
Used during approaches and landings, especially when judging whether the airplane will reach the runway or selected landing spot from its current height and distance.
Derivation
Glidepath combines glide (a controlled descent without climbing) and path (the line the airplane follows through the air). Together they describe the sloped line down to the runway that the pilot is trying to track.
Why Pilots Care
Poor glidepath control can result in landing short, long, or too fast, increasing the chance of a runway excursion or hard landing.
Grounding Statement
From the cockpit, glidepath control is the ongoing judgment of whether the intended landing spot is staying steady in the windscreen, moving up, or moving down.
Intuition Check
Do not assume glidepath control means only pointing the nose at the runway. It means managing the airplane’s whole descent path while also keeping the airspeed safe.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach the instructor reminded the student that smooth, small corrections give better glidepath control than large, late inputs.
Example Sentence 2
Good glidepath control allowed the aircraft to cross the threshold at the recommended height and airspeed for a smooth touchdown.