Definition
A series of predetermined maneuvers, published in chart form, that guide an aircraft from the en route environment down to a point near the runway from which a landing can be made visually. Each procedure specifies courses, altitudes, fixes, descent gradients, and minimums based on the navigation aids and equipment available, and is approved by the FAA for use under instrument flight rules.
Plain English
A printed step-by-step path that takes a pilot flying in cloud or low visibility safely down toward a specific runway, telling them exactly where to fly, how low to descend, and when they must be able to see the airport to land.
Context Anchor
A pilot encounters instrument approach procedures on approach charts, in arrival planning, during instrument training, and before beginning the final part of an instrument flight.
Derivation
"Instrument" refers to flying by reference to cockpit instruments rather than by looking outside. "Approach" means moving toward the runway for landing. "Procedure" means a fixed sequence of steps. Together: a fixed sequence for getting to the runway when you can't rely on outside visual cues.
Why Pilots Care
They provide the safe, standardized path for landing in poor visibility and reduce the risk of controlled flight into terrain.
Analogy
It is like following a carefully written set of directions into a hard-to-see driveway at night: each turn, distance, and stopping point matters because you may not be able to rely on what you see outside.
Intuition Check
Do not read “approach procedures” as simply “ways to get near the airport.” In this context, it means specific FAA-published instructions with required paths, altitudes, limits, and missed-landing guidance.
Example Sentence 1
Before starting the descent, the crew briefed the instrument approach procedure for Runway 27, including the final approach course, the minimum descent altitude, and the missed approach instructions.
Example Sentence 2
In low clouds the instrument approach procedures guided the aircraft safely down to the runway.