Definition
A published instrument flight procedure used in the terminal phase of flight — that is, departing from, arriving at, or approaching an airport. Terminal procedures include Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs), Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs), and Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs), each charted with specific routes, altitudes, courses, and minimums.
Plain English
A pre-designed, published flight path used near an airport for taking off, arriving, or landing under instrument flight rules. Pilots fly these set procedures rather than navigating freely in busy airspace.
Context Anchor
Seen on published instrument departure, arrival, and approach charts, especially when discussing how changes in magnetic variation can require charted courses to be updated.
Derivation
‘Terminal’ comes from the Latin terminus, meaning ‘end’ or ‘boundary.’ In aviation, the terminal area is the airspace at the beginning or end of a flight — close to the airport — so a terminal procedure is one designed for that phase rather than for the en route portion.
Why Pilots Care
They give pilots safe, predictable routes through busy terminal airspace and keep everyone separated from terrain and other traffic.
Intuition Check
Do not read “terminal” as the passenger building at the airport, and do not read “procedure” as just any checklist. Here, a terminal procedure is a published instrument-flying path and set of instructions used near an airport.
Example Sentence 1
Before starting the descent, the crew briefed the terminal procedure they expected ATC to assign for the arrival.
Example Sentence 2
Terminal procedures must be flown exactly as published unless ATC issues a different clearance.