Definition
The last segment of the final approach to landing, typically beginning when the airplane is within roughly a quarter mile of the runway threshold and continuing until the landing flare. During short final, the airplane is aligned with the runway centerline, configured for landing, and stabilized on the desired approach path and airspeed.
Plain English
The very last part of the approach, just before the airplane crosses the runway threshold and lands. The airplane is lined up, slowed down, and ready to touch down.
Context Anchor
Used during landing practice, traffic pattern work, and instructor comments near the end of an approach to a runway.
Derivation
"Final" comes from the Latin finalis, meaning "last" or "end." In the traffic pattern, the final approach is the last leg before landing. "Short" indicates the closest portion of that leg — close to the runway, with little distance left to fly.
Why Pilots Care
Announcing short final alerts other traffic that the aircraft is very close to landing and helps coordinate spacing on the runway.
Intuition Check
Short-final approach does not mean a rushed or cut-short procedure. It means the airplane is on the final path and close to the runway.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot announced "Cessna 12345, short final, runway 27" as the airplane crossed the last few hundred feet before the threshold.
Example Sentence 2
On short final the pilot maintained airspeed and prepared for the flare.