Definition
The angle of descent flown visually from the final approach point to the touchdown point at a heliport or landing area, judged by the pilot using outside visual references rather than instrument guidance. For helicopter VFR approaches, this angle is typically shallower than a normal airplane glidepath and is selected to keep the landing area in sight, clear obstacles, and allow a controlled deceleration to a hover or touchdown.
Plain English
The slope you fly down on when approaching a helipad by eye. You pick an angle steep enough to clear obstacles and keep the pad in view, but shallow enough to control your speed and stop where you want.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter instrument procedures, especially point-in-space approaches or other procedures that end with a visual segment to a VFR heliport.
Derivation
Visual comes from Latin words meaning “to see.” Approach means coming nearer to a place. Angle comes from a word meaning “corner” or “bend.” Together, the term points to the seeing-and-flying part of the approach, with the descent path described as an angle.
Why Pilots Care
A proper visual approach angle keeps the helicopter clear of obstacles and on a stabilized path to the intended touchdown point on a small or confined heliport.
Grounding Statement
Picture leaving the instrument procedure, seeing the heliport area, and following a steady downhill path instead of diving or staying too high.
Intuition Check
Do not read “visual approach angle” as permission to descend whenever you want. It is a planned visual descent path, and you still need the required visual conditions and references before using it.
Example Sentence 1
After breaking out of the cloud base, the pilot established a shallow visual approach angle to keep the rooftop helipad in sight and clear the building's edge.
Example Sentence 2
A slightly steeper visual approach angle let the helicopter land directly on the small pad without hovering first.