Definition
An instrument approach procedure that provides lateral guidance to a runway but no electronic vertical (glideslope) guidance, and whose final approach course is aligned within 30 degrees of the runway centerline so the pilot can land straight ahead from the final approach segment without circling. Examples include LOC, VOR, NDB, LNAV, and LP approaches when published with straight-in minimums.
Plain English
An instrument approach that lines you up directly with the runway and gives you side-to-side guidance, but does not give you an electronic up-and-down path. You manage the descent yourself using published step-down altitudes.
Context Anchor
Seen when reviewing instrument approach procedures and alternate airport requirements, especially when deciding whether an alternate has an approach that meets the required weather minimums.
Derivation
"Straight-in" means aligned with the runway so no circling maneuver is needed. "Nonprecision" means the approach lacks the precise vertical guidance that defines a precision approach (such as an ILS glideslope). Together: lined up with the runway, but without an electronic glidepath.
Why Pilots Care
Affects the visibility and ceiling requirements a commercial operator must meet to list an airport as an alternate.
Intuition Check
Do not read “straight-in” as simply “flying straight for a while.” Here it means the published approach is aligned with a runway for landing without circling. Do not read “nonprecision” as “careless” or “less accurate flying.” It means the procedure does not provide approved electronic vertical guidance.
Example Sentence 1
Because the destination forecast was marginal, the dispatcher applied 800-2 alternate minimums based on the available straight-in nonprecision approach.
Example Sentence 2
Alternate minimums for a straight-in nonprecision approach are higher than those required for a precision approach to the same runway.