Definition
A visual glideslope aid mounted near the runway threshold that projects a single beam of light visible to a pilot on final approach, with the color of the light indicating the aircraft's vertical position relative to the correct approach path: red for below path, green for on path, and amber for above path.
Plain English
A single light near the runway that changes color to tell you whether you are too low, on the correct descent angle, or too high. Red means low, green means on the right path, amber means high.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts in the airport or runway information, especially where runway lighting and visual approach aids are listed.
Derivation
Tri-color' simply means three colors. The name is descriptive: one light source, three possible colors, each signaling a different position on the approach.
Why Pilots Care
Provides immediate visual confirmation of glide path position, helping prevent controlled flight into terrain or unstable landings.
Intuition Check
Do not read TRCV as cockpit instrument guidance. It is a visual runway light system outside the aircraft, and it only helps after you can see the light.
Example Sentence 1
On short final, the pilot saw the TRCV showing green and held the descent steady to the threshold.
Example Sentence 2
When the TRCV showed red, the pilot added power to regain the proper glide path.