Plain English Meaning

A change from one stage of flight to another, or a published path used to move between en route flying and an approach or departure.

Full Definition

The general term for the act of changing from one phase of flight or flight condition to another, such as moving from cruise to approach, from VFR to IFR conditions, or from en route airspace to a terminal area. In ATC usage, transition also refers to a published procedure that connects an en route route structure to an instrument approach or departure procedure, or to a defined route segment used to enter or leave a terminal area.

Context Anchor

You may see this term in , instructions, training , and discussions of changing from one part of a flight to the next.