Definition
A standard instrument approach procedure that provides lateral course guidance to a runway or airport but does not provide vertical (glidepath) guidance meeting the standards of a precision approach.
Plain English
An instrument approach that tells the pilot which way to fly toward the runway, but does not give an electronic glide path down to it. The pilot manages the descent themselves, using published step-down altitudes.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts, in instrument training, and when flying to an airport in low visibility or low clouds.
Derivation
"Nonprecision" simply means "not precision." A precision approach gives both lateral and vertical guidance to tight tolerances; removing the vertical guidance makes the approach "nonprecision." The word does not imply the approach is sloppy or inaccurate — only that it lacks the electronic glidepath component.
Why Pilots Care
Sets the minimum descent altitude and visibility needed, directly affecting whether the approach can be completed in current weather.
Grounding Statement
On a nonprecision approach, the procedure shows you the path toward the runway, but you are responsible for managing the descent step by step.
Intuition Check
Nonprecision does not mean sloppy or inaccurate. It means the approach does not provide approved vertical guidance all the way down to the runway.
Example Sentence 1
Because the airport had no ILS, the crew briefed the VOR approach as a nonprecision approach procedure and reviewed the step-down altitudes.
Example Sentence 2
Because the airport offered only a nonprecision approach procedure, the crew planned to level off at the published minimum descent altitude.