Definition
A descent flown on a constant, predetermined glidepath from the final approach fix to the runway, with the aircraft configured for landing, on speed, in trim, with a steady descent rate and minimal power and pitch adjustments required to maintain the path.
Plain English
A smooth, steady descent toward the runway where the aircraft is set up for landing early and stays on a constant slope, at a constant speed, all the way down — no big corrections, no chasing the path.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach profile views and in approach planning, especially when deciding how to descend from the final approach fix toward the runway environment.
Derivation
Stabilized comes from the Latin stabilis, meaning steady or firmly fixed. In approach terms it captures the idea that everything — path, speed, configuration, power — is locked in and unchanging through the descent.
Why Pilots Care
Allows the pilot to assess the approach early, make small corrections if needed, and avoid the high workload and risk associated with last-minute adjustments near the ground.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane already set up and descending smoothly toward the runway, rather than staying high and then trying to lose altitude all at once.
Intuition Check
Stabilized does not mean the airplane is locked in place or that nothing changes. Here it means the descent is controlled, predictable, and not requiring large corrections.
Example Sentence 1
We briefed a stabilized approach descent at 500 feet per minute on a 3-degree path from the final approach fix to the runway.
Example Sentence 2
During the instrument approach briefing the instructor stressed that any delay in setting power or flaps would prevent a stabilized approach descent.