Definition
Simultaneous instrument landing system (ILS) approaches conducted to two parallel runways at the same airport, where each aircraft tracks its own ILS to its own runway. Depending on runway separation and ATC procedures, the approaches may be flown as independent parallel approaches (no required radar monitoring of the other aircraft) or as dependent parallel approaches (aircraft are staggered along the final approach courses by a specified distance).
Plain English
Two aircraft flying ILS approaches at the same time to two side-by-side runways at the same airport. Each aircraft follows its own approach to its own runway.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in instrument approach procedures, approach briefings, and air traffic control operations at airports with parallel runways.
Derivation
Parallel comes from the Greek parallelos, meaning 'beside one another.' The runways run side by side in the same direction, so the two ILS approaches are flown on parallel paths.
Why Pilots Care
Increases airport arrival capacity while preserving strict safety separation during instrument conditions.
Grounding Statement
Picture two aircraft lining up with two side-by-side runways, each using its own guidance path to stay aimed at the correct runway.
Intuition Check
Parallel does not mean the aircraft are simply flying next to each other without control. Here it means the approach paths serve side-by-side runways and are managed by specific procedures to keep aircraft safely separated.
Example Sentence 1
Approach control cleared us for parallel ILS approaches to runways 28L while another jet was vectored to 28R.
Example Sentence 2
Parallel ILS approaches were suspended when the required radar separation could no longer be maintained.