Definition
A standard descent or approach glidepath inclined at three degrees below the horizontal, used as the design angle for most instrument approach final segments and for stabilized descents into airports.
Plain English
A descent slope of three degrees down from level flight. It is the gentle, standard angle used for most approaches and final descents.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument descent planning, final approach planning, and discussions of staying on a stable descent toward the runway.
Derivation
Degree comes from a Latin word meaning “step.” In angle measurement, degrees are the small steps used to divide a circle. Here, “three-degree” tells you the steepness of the descent path, not the airplane’s nose position.
Why Pilots Care
Following a three-degree path produces a stabilized approach, consistent descent rate, and proper altitude at each fix, reducing the chance of being high or low on final.
Grounding Statement
Picture a long, shallow ramp in the air leading down toward the runway.
Intuition Check
Do not read “three-degree path” as “the airplane’s nose is pitched down three degrees.” It means the descent line through the air is angled 3 degrees downward relative to level, while the airplane’s pitch may be different.
Example Sentence 1
The crew planned the descent to intercept a three-degree path from the top of descent down to the final approach fix.
Example Sentence 2
Maintaining a three-degree path kept the aircraft on the proper vertical profile during the non-precision approach.