Definition
The lowest altitude (MDA or DH) and visibility values published on an instrument approach chart that authorize a pilot to descend and land directly on the runway aligned with the final approach course, without performing a circling maneuver.
Plain English
The minimum altitude and visibility you need to fly an instrument approach straight to the runway and land on it, without circling around to a different runway.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts, usually in the minimums section for a specific runway.
Derivation
"Straight-in" describes the flight path -- straight ahead onto the landing runway. "Minimums" refers to the lowest altitude and visibility legally allowed for that approach. Together they describe the limits for a direct, no-maneuvering landing.
Why Pilots Care
Tells the pilot whether conditions allow a direct landing or require a circling maneuver that uses more fuel and adds workload.
Intuition Check
“Straight-in” does not mean the whole flight path has to be perfectly straight from far away. It means the approach is authorized to end in a landing on the runway named on the chart, instead of circling to land on another runway. “Minimums” does not mean recommended comfort limits; it means the lowest legal limits for that approach.
Example Sentence 1
The straight-in minimums for the ILS Runway 27 approach were a decision height of 200 feet and visibility of half a mile.
Example Sentence 2
Because the reported visibility was below straight-in minimums, the crew circled to land on the opposite runway.