Plain English Meaning

The invisible sloping line in the sky that guides an aircraft down to the runway at the correct angle for landing.

Full Definition

The descending flight path an aircraft follows from the final approach segment down to the runway touchdown zone, typically defined by a precision approach aid such as an ILS glide slope, PAPI/VASI, or RNAV vertical guidance, and usually angled at about 3 degrees above horizontal.

Context Anchor

You will see this term in approach and landing discussions, especially when using cockpit guidance or runway landing aids that show whether the aircraft is too , too , or on the correct .