GLIDEPATH Meaning and
Definition
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Glidepath is a term commonly used in aviation and engineering, referring to the trajectory followed by an aircraft or a vehicle as it descends towards a landing zone or a specified target. It defines the precise path and angle the aircraft or vehicle must follow to ensure a safe and controlled descent.
In aviation, glidepath often refers to the instrumental guidance system employed during the approach and landing phase. It guides aircraft to maintain a precise angle and vertical descent rate, aligning them with the runway's centerline. This guidance system, often referred to as Instrument Landing System (ILS) or Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), assists pilots in maintaining a consistent glidepath to avoid obstacles and smoothly touch down on the runway.
In a broader context, glidepath can also be applied in engineering, specifically in the design and construction of roads, highways, and railways. Engineers carefully determine the optimal glidepath for these transportation systems to ensure smooth transitions, minimize steep grades, and control the overall trajectory of vehicles during descents or ascents.
Overall, glidepath refers to both the intended trajectory and the systems utilized to guide vehicles during their descent. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a controlled and accurate path to achieve a safe and successful landing or descent while considering various factors such as obstacles, terrain, and ideal angles of approach.
Common Misspellings for GLIDEPATH
- flidepath
- vlidepath
- blidepath
- hlidepath
- ylidepath
- tlidepath
- gkidepath
- gpidepath
- goidepath
- gludepath
- gljdepath
- glkdepath
- glodepath
- gl9depath
- gl8depath
- glisepath
- glixepath
- glicepath
- glifepath
- glirepath
Etymology of GLIDEPATH
The word "glidepath" is a compound of two separate parts: "glide" and "path".
The term "glide" comes from the Middle English word "gliden", which means "to slide, move smoothly". It can be traced back to the Old English word "glīdan" and the Proto-Germanic word "glīdaną", both with the same meaning.
The word "path" comes from the Old English word "paþ", which means "track, way". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "paþaz" with the same meaning.
By combining these two words, "glidepath" was formed to describe the intended trajectory or course taken by an aircraft during its approach and landing, maintaining a controlled descending path.
