Definition
The final portion of an instrument approach, beginning at the Decision Altitude or Missed Approach Point, during which the pilot transitions from flying solely by reference to instruments to using outside visual references — primarily the approach lighting system, runway environment, and runway itself — to complete the landing.
Plain English
The last part of an instrument approach where the pilot looks up from the instruments and finishes the landing by looking outside at the lights and the runway.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of approach lighting systems, which help the pilot find the runway environment during the last part of an instrument approach.
Derivation
‘Stage’ comes from the Latin ‘stare’ (to stand) and later Old French ‘estage,’ meaning a step or phase in a sequence. In aviation it marks a distinct phase of the approach — the one flown by sight rather than by instruments.
Why Pilots Care
Allows safe alignment and touchdown in reduced visibility by bridging the gap between instrument guidance and runway contact.
Grounding Statement
In low visibility, the visual stage begins when the runway area becomes clear enough to guide the last part of the approach by sight.
Intuition Check
Do not read visual stage as simply “the part where visibility is good.” In this context, it means the specific final phase of an instrument approach where outside visual cues are used to continue toward landing.
Example Sentence 1
As the aircraft reached decision altitude, the captain called the approach lights in sight and continued into the visual stage of the approach.
Example Sentence 2
Approach lighting systems lengthen the visual stage so pilots can establish the correct landing path earlier.