Plain English Meaning

TERPS is the rulebook the FAA uses when designing the instrument procedures pilots fly, such as approaches into airports in low visibility. It sets the safety margins that keep aircraft clear of terrain and obstacles while flying these procedures.

Full Definition

TERPS is the FAA's official document of design criteria used to build instrument flight procedures in U.S. airspace, including instrument approaches, departures, and arrivals. It specifies the obstacle clearance, descent gradients, turn radii, and protected airspace dimensions that every published must meet before it can be flown by aircraft operating under .