Definition
A series of predetermined maneuvers, published by the FAA, for the orderly transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from the beginning of the initial approach to a landing or to a point from which a landing may be made visually. Instrument approach procedures are classified as precision (vertical guidance provided), non-precision (no vertical guidance), or approaches with vertical guidance, and are flown using published charts that specify courses, altitudes, fixes, and minimums.
Plain English
A step-by-step published path that guides a pilot down from cruising flight to the runway when they cannot see the ground, using their instruments instead of their eyes.
Context Anchor
Seen on approach charts, in instrument flight planning, and when air traffic control clears a pilot for an instrument approach.
Derivation
Instrument' refers to flying by reference to cockpit instruments rather than outside visual cues. 'Approach' is the segment of flight leading to landing. 'Procedure' signals that the steps are fixed and published, not improvised — the pilot follows a specific sequence designed and tested by the FAA.
Why Pilots Care
Enables safe arrival and landing when visual references are unavailable, directly reducing the chance of controlled flight into terrain or runway misalignment.
Grounding Statement
A pilot follows a published path of altitudes, headings, and fixes using instruments to reach the runway even when clouds or darkness block any view outside.
Intuition Check
Do not read “approach” here as simply flying toward an airport. In this FAA meaning, it is a specific published path with required altitudes, courses, and decision points.
Example Sentence 1
After receiving the weather, the crew briefed the ILS instrument approach procedure for runway 27.
Example Sentence 2
Before starting the instrument approach procedure, the crew briefed the missed approach instructions on the chart.