Plain English Meaning

Instruments that tell the pilot whether they are too high, too low, or right on the correct descent path to the runway during an instrument approach.

Full Definition

Cockpit instruments or display elements that show the aircraft's vertical position relative to the published glide path during an instrument approach, typically the glide slope component of an Instrument Landing System (ILS). The indicator displays a horizontal needle or bar that moves up when the aircraft is below the glide path and down when above it, allowing the pilot to fly a stable descent to the runway.