Definition
An instrument approach procedure that provides lateral guidance (left/right alignment to the runway) but does not provide electronic vertical guidance to a decision altitude. The pilot descends in steps to a Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA), levels off, and continues to that altitude until the runway environment is in sight or the missed approach point is reached.
Plain English
An instrument approach that tells you whether you are lined up with the runway, but does not give you a glide path to follow down. You descend in stages to a minimum altitude, level off, and look for the runway.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts and in final approach segment discussions, especially when planning descent, minimum altitude, and what to do if the runway is not in sight.
Derivation
"Non-precision" here does not mean sloppy or inaccurate. In approach terminology, "precision" refers specifically to approaches that include electronic vertical guidance meeting defined performance standards. "Non-precision" simply means that vertical guidance element is absent, not that the approach itself lacks precision.
Why Pilots Care
Determines the minimum descent altitude the pilot may use and requires visual contact with the runway environment by that point or a missed approach must be executed.
Grounding Statement
On an NPA, the procedure can guide you toward the airport horizontally, but you are responsible for managing the descent to the allowed altitude.
Intuition Check
Do not read “non-precision” as “rough” or “unreliable.” In FAA use, it means the approach lacks approved vertical glidepath guidance.
Example Sentence 1
With the glideslope out of service, the crew briefed the localizer-only procedure as a non-precision approach down to the published MDA.
Example Sentence 2
Non-precision approaches require the pilot to level off at the minimum descent altitude until the runway is in sight.