Definition
An instrument approach procedure flown to a runway where the final approach course is aligned within 30 degrees of the runway centerline, allowing the pilot to descend and land without first executing a circling maneuver. The term also refers to landing minimums published for such an approach, listed on the approach chart as 'S-' followed by the runway number (e.g., S-17).
Plain English
A type of instrument approach where you fly almost directly toward the runway and land on it, without having to circle around to line up. The approach chart shows separate minimums for this kind of straight-in landing.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts in the landing minimums section, usually as straight-in minimums for a specific runway.
Derivation
Straight comes from Old English streht meaning direct or without deviation; in indicates movement toward a point. The combination highlights a direct path with no turns around the field.
Why Pilots Care
Straight-in approaches frequently allow lower visibility and ceiling minimums than circling approaches to the same runway.
Intuition Check
Straight-in does not mean the entire flight path is perfectly straight from far away. It means the approach is intended to continue to the runway it serves for landing, instead of circling to another runway.
Example Sentence 1
With the final approach course only 10 degrees off the runway heading, the pilot used the straight-in minimums published on the approach chart.
Example Sentence 2
When the ceiling is 800 feet, straight-in minimums may be usable while circling minimums are not.