Plain English Meaning

A step-by-step path the pilot flies, using only the aircraft's instruments, to safely descend through clouds or low visibility and line up with the runway for landing.

Full Definition

A series of predetermined maneuvers, flown by reference to cockpit instruments, that guides an aircraft from the en route environment down to a point near the runway from which a landing can be made visually, or to a missed approach point if the runway environment is not in sight. Instrument approach procedures are published by the FAA and must be flown in accordance with the procedure depicted on the approach .