Definition
An instrument approach conducted simultaneously by two or more aircraft to parallel runways at the same airport. Depending on runway separation and ATC procedures, parallel approaches are categorized as dependent (staggered separation between aircraft on adjacent finals) or independent (no required separation between aircraft on adjacent finals, with each aircraft monitored separately).
Plain English
Two or more aircraft flying instrument approaches to runways that sit side by side at the same airport, landing at roughly the same time on different runways.
Context Anchor
Seen in IFR approach planning, approach clearances, and FAA discussions of airports that use parallel runways for arrivals.
Derivation
Parallel comes from Greek roots meaning “beside one another.” Approach comes from older French words meaning “to come nearer.” Together, the term points to aircraft coming in to land on runways that sit beside one another.
Why Pilots Care
Increases airport landing capacity during busy periods while preserving safe separation between aircraft.
Grounding Statement
Picture two aircraft descending toward two side-by-side runways, each lined up with its own runway and kept apart by procedure and air traffic control.
Intuition Check
Do not read “parallel approach” as simply “an approach near another runway.” In this context, it means a controlled instrument arrival operation to parallel or nearly parallel runways, with specific separation requirements.
Example Sentence 1
Tower cleared us for a parallel approach to runway 35L while another aircraft flew the approach to 35R.
Example Sentence 2
During the parallel approach the pilot kept the traffic on the adjacent runway in sight as required by the approach clearance.