Definition
Instrument approach procedures that provide horizontal (lateral) course guidance to a runway or landing area but do not provide electronic vertical guidance. The pilot uses published step-down altitudes and a minimum descent altitude (MDA) to descend toward the runway, rather than following an electronic glide path.
Plain English
An instrument approach that tells you which way to fly toward the runway but does not give you an electronic up-and-down path to follow. You manage the descent yourself using published altitudes.
Context Anchor
Seen when flying or briefing instrument approaches, including helicopter procedures, where the approach chart does not provide an approved glide path to follow.
Derivation
Precision' here refers to the approach providing precise vertical guidance from a ground- or satellite-based system. 'Non-precision' simply means that vertical guidance is absent — it does not mean the approach itself is sloppy or inaccurate.
Why Pilots Care
Determines the minimum descent altitude and visibility required, directly affecting whether the approach can be completed safely.
Grounding Statement
A non-precision approach gets you pointed in the right direction, but you must manage the descent and altitude limits carefully.
Intuition Check
Do not read “non-precision” as “less careful” or “rough.” It means the procedure does not provide approved vertical guidance all the way down.
Example Sentence 1
Because the airport had no ILS, the crew briefed the VOR approach as a non-precision approach and confirmed the MDA before starting down.
Example Sentence 2
Helicopter crews often train on non-precision approaches before attempting more complex procedures.