Plain English Meaning

A type of instrument approach where the equipment tells the pilot which direction to fly to line up with the runway, but does not give a precise up-and-down path to follow. The pilot descends to a fixed minimum altitude and then has to see the runway to land.

Full Definition

An instrument approach procedure that provides lateral course guidance to a runway or airport but does not provide vertical (glidepath) guidance certified to precision standards. The pilot descends in steps to a published minimum descent altitude (MDA) and must visually acquire the runway environment before descending below it.

Context Anchor

Seen on instrument approach charts and in instrument training, especially when discussing the from flying by instruments to by outside .