Definition
The published altitude assigned to an aircraft on the initial approach segment of an instrument approach procedure, flown after leaving the en route structure and before reaching the intermediate fix or final approach fix.
Plain English
The altitude you fly at when you first start the approach into an airport, after leaving your cruise altitude but before you begin the final descent to land.
Context Anchor
Seen during descent planning before an instrument approach, when checking whether the airplane can get down from cruise altitude in time to start the approach correctly.
Derivation
Initial comes from a Latin word meaning “beginning.” Approach means “coming nearer.” Altitude means “height.” Together, the phrase points to the beginning height for the final planned path toward landing.
Why Pilots Care
It ensures safe separation from terrain and obstacles while the aircraft is configured for the approach.
Grounding Statement
Before the approach begins, the airplane needs to be at a specific height so the rest of the descent can happen in an orderly way.
Intuition Check
Do not read “initial” as the first altitude of the whole flight. Here it means the altitude at the start of the instrument approach.
Example Sentence 1
ATC cleared us for the approach, so we descended to the initial approach altitude shown on the chart.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot leveled at the initial approach altitude and completed the before-landing checklist.