Definition
A final approach flown below the proper glidepath, in which the airplane arrives at the runway threshold lower than the normal descent profile would place it. The condition typically results from beginning the descent too late, descending too steeply and then leveling off, allowing airspeed to decay so that descent continues without enough thrust, or misjudging the visual approach picture. A low final approach reduces obstacle clearance on short final and often requires the addition of power to recover the proper glidepath before reaching the threshold.
Plain English
An approach where the airplane is too low for where it is on final, putting it under the normal descent path to the runway.
Context Anchor
Encountered during landing practice, especially while judging whether the airplane is on the proper path from the turn onto final until touchdown.
Why Pilots Care
Raises the risk of hitting obstacles or terrain short of the runway and often requires an immediate power increase or go-around decision.
Grounding Statement
On a low final approach, the runway may look higher in the windshield because the airplane is below the intended path to it.
Intuition Check
Low does not just mean the airplane is close to the ground. Here it means the airplane is below the intended path during the last straight-in part of the landing approach.
Example Sentence 1
Noticing he was on a low final approach, the pilot added power to regain the normal glidepath before crossing the threshold.
Example Sentence 2
A low final approach on a short runway left little room to recover before reaching the threshold.