Definition
A symbol displayed on a Head-Up Display (HUD) that marks the intended touchdown point on the runway during an approach and landing. The runway target appears overlaid on the pilot's forward view and shows where the aircraft will actually touch down if the current flight path is maintained.
Plain English
A small marker shown on the HUD that points to the spot on the runway where the airplane will land if the pilot keeps flying the way they are flying right now.
Context Anchor
Seen on a head-up display during an instrument approach or landing, especially when HUD landing guidance is being used.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains precise runway alignment and situational awareness without requiring the pilot to look down at instruments.
Grounding Statement
On final approach, the runway target gives the pilot a visual reference on the HUD for where the aircraft should be headed on the runway.
Intuition Check
A runway target is not a physical target painted on the runway. In this context, it is a HUD symbol that represents the runway reference point the pilot is using for landing guidance.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, the captain monitored the runway target on the HUD to confirm the aircraft would touch down within the intended landing zone.
Example Sentence 2
As visibility decreased, the runway target on the HUD provided a stable reference for the flare and touchdown.