Definition
Standardized, published methods for operating an aircraft by reference to cockpit instruments rather than outside visual cues, used for departure, en route flight, holding, and approach to landing in the National Airspace System.
Plain English
A set of agreed, written steps pilots follow when they are flying by their instruments — covering how they take off, navigate, hold, and land — so that every pilot in the system does the same thing in the same situation.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying, airspace discussions, airport approach charts, departure procedures, arrival procedures, and air traffic control clearances.
Derivation
‘Instrument’ comes from the Latin instrumentum, meaning a tool or means of doing something — here, the cockpit gauges and displays the pilot uses to fly. ‘Procedure’ comes from the Latin procedere, ‘to go forward,’ and refers to a set ordered way of doing a task. Together: the ordered methods for going forward by reference to cockpit tools.
Why Pilots Care
They provide the exact guidance needed to navigate safely when clouds or darkness block outside references.
Intuition Check
Do not read procedures here as casual habits or personal techniques. In aviation, instrument procedures are specific approved instructions a pilot must follow when flying by instruments.
Example Sentence 1
Before the flight, she reviewed the instrument procedures for the destination airport, including the expected approach and missed approach.
Example Sentence 2
Reviewing the instrument procedures helped the crew plan a safe arrival in low visibility.