Definition
Instrument approach procedures aligned with, or nearly aligned with, the runway centerline, allowing the pilot to descend on the final approach course and land on that runway without first executing a circling maneuver. An approach is generally classified as straight-in when the final approach course is within 30 degrees of the runway heading and the descent gradient permits a normal landing.
Plain English
An instrument approach that lines you up with the runway so you can fly straight down the final approach path and land, instead of having to circle around to a different runway.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts and in approach planning, especially when deciding whether the approach leads directly to a runway landing or requires extra maneuvering near the airport.
Why Pilots Care
Allows a more direct and efficient path to the runway, saving time and fuel while reducing cockpit workload.
Grounding Statement
On a straight-in procedure, the published path is meant to leave the airplane pointed at the landing runway as it gets close to the airport.
Intuition Check
Straight-in does not simply mean “fly a straight line from wherever you are.” Here it means the published instrument approach is aligned to take you directly toward a specific runway for landing.
Example Sentence 1
The ILS to Runway 27 is a straight-in procedure, so we briefed the straight-in minimums and planned to land on 27.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot requested straight-in procedures to avoid the published course reversal and shorten the approach.