Definition
A method of flying the final approach in which the airplane is established on the proper flightpath, at the proper airspeed, in the proper landing configuration, with the proper power setting, and with a constant rate of descent leading to a normal touchdown -- all achieved before reaching a defined point on final (commonly 500 feet above the runway in visual conditions, 1,000 feet in instrument conditions). If any of these parameters cannot be maintained within tolerance, a go-around is executed.
Plain English
By the time you're on short final, the airplane should already be doing everything it needs to do for landing: pointed at the runway, at the right speed, flaps and gear set, power set, and coming down steadily. Nothing should still need fixing. If something is off and you can't quickly correct it, you go around.
Context Anchor
You will use this idea during every landing approach, especially as you turn onto final and decide whether the airplane is in a safe, controlled condition to continue landing.
Derivation
Stabilized' comes from the Latin stabilis, meaning steady or fixed. The idea is that the approach is no longer changing -- the airplane is settled into a single steady picture from a defined point all the way to the flare.
Why Pilots Care
Unstabilized approaches are a leading factor in runway excursions and landing accidents; committing to stabilization early reduces workload and leaves margin for small corrections.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane already lined up with the runway, descending smoothly, and needing only small control inputs before it gets low over the ground.
Intuition Check
“Stabilized” does not mean the airplane is motionless or that nothing changes. It means the airplane is steady enough that the remaining changes are small, planned, and under control.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor reminded the student that if the airplane wasn't on speed and on glidepath by 500 feet, the stabilized approach concept called for a go-around.
Example Sentence 2
Instructors stress the stabilized approach concept during pattern work so students learn to avoid last-second corrections on short final.