Plain English Meaning

A step-by-step set of instructions a pilot follows on the flight instruments to safely descend through clouds or low visibility and line up with a runway for landing.

Full Definition

Published procedures that guide an aircraft from the en route environment down to a position from which a landing can be made, using cockpit instruments and ground- or satellite-based navigation aids rather than visual reference to the ground. Each procedure specifies courses to fly, altitudes to descend to, and minimum visibility and cloud- values required to to landing.