Definition
Published aeronautical charts that depict the procedures, courses, altitudes, fixes, and minimums a pilot must follow to descend from en route altitude to a runway using instruments alone, without relying on outside visual references until the final portion of the approach.
Plain English
A printed or digital page showing the exact path, altitudes, and rules for landing at a specific airport when the pilot cannot see the ground until close to the runway.
Context Anchor
A pilot uses instrument approach charts during IFR flight planning, before starting an approach, and while flying the final portion of an arrival in low visibility or cloud.
Derivation
‘Instrument’ refers to flying by reference to cockpit instruments rather than by looking outside. ‘Approach’ comes from the Latin appropiare, meaning ‘to draw near’ — in this case, drawing near to the runway. The chart is the visual document that ties the procedure together.
Why Pilots Care
They supply the exact guidance needed to descend safely through clouds or low visibility to a landing.
Intuition Check
Do not think of an instrument approach chart as a general airport map. It is a step-by-step official procedure for approaching an airport when outside visual cues may be limited.
Example Sentence 1
Before descending into the overcast, the pilot pulled up the instrument approach chart for the ILS to Runway 27 and briefed the minimums.
Example Sentence 2
She cross-checked the missed approach instructions on the instrument approach charts before starting the procedure.