Definition
An air traffic control procedure in which two or more aircraft conduct instrument approaches at the same time to parallel runways at the same airport. Depending on the spacing between the runway centerlines and the equipment available, these operations are categorized as simultaneous independent approaches (where the aircraft are not required to be radar-monitored against each other) or simultaneous dependent approaches (where staggered spacing between aircraft on adjacent finals is required). Specific procedures, runway spacing minimums, and monitoring requirements are published for each airport that supports them.
Plain English
Two or more planes flying instrument approaches at the same time to runways that sit side by side at the same airport, under rules that keep them safely apart.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in instrument approach procedure discussions, approach clearances, airport arrival planning, and charts or briefings for airports with parallel runways.
Derivation
Simultaneous comes from a Latin word meaning at the same time. Parallel comes from Greek roots meaning beside one another. Together, the phrase points to aircraft approaching separate side-by-side runways at the same time.
Why Pilots Care
Allows busy airports to handle more arrivals without excessive delays while preserving safety through strict coordination.
Analogy
It is like two cars entering separate lanes of a wide highway at the same time. The movement is safe because each car has its own lane and follows the lane rules.
Intuition Check
Do not read simultaneous as meaning the aircraft are doing the same thing freely or without coordination. Here it means the approaches happen at the same time under ATC control and published safety rules.
Example Sentence 1
Approach advised us to expect simultaneous approaches to parallel runways 17L and 17R, so we briefed the breakout procedure before starting down.
Example Sentence 2
The procedure for simultaneous approaches to parallel runways requires continuous radar monitoring until both aircraft have landed.