Definition
The descending flight path an aircraft follows during an instrument approach, typically defined by an electronic signal (such as the glide slope from an ILS or a vertical guidance signal from a GPS-based approach) that brings the aircraft from the final approach segment down to the runway touchdown zone at a published angle, usually around 3 degrees.
Plain English
The invisible downward sloping line an aircraft follows when descending toward a runway during landing. The aircraft's instruments show whether it is on, above, or below this line.
Context Anchor
Seen in approach procedures, instrument displays, and landing guidance discussions.
Derivation
From 'glide' (a smooth descent without engine power needed to stay aloft) and 'path' (a route to follow). Together: the route the aircraft glides down. The word originates from the era when aircraft on final approach were essentially gliding toward the runway at low power.
Why Pilots Care
Staying on the glide path produces a stable approach and safe landing; leaving it often forces a go-around or risks an unstabilized touchdown.
Grounding Statement
Picture an invisible downhill ramp leading to the runway; the glide path is the aircraft’s target path down that ramp.
Intuition Check
Glide path does not mean the airplane is gliding with the engine off. Here, it means the planned or indicated downward path to the runway.
Example Sentence 1
Tower cleared the aircraft for the ILS approach, and the pilot intercepted the glide path about five miles from the runway.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot corrected left to stay centered on the glide path during the ILS approach.