Landing approach (/ˈlændɪŋ əˈprəʊtʃ/) refers to the path that an aircraft follows when preparing to land. The word 'landing' is spelled with the letter 'a' following the letter 'n' to represent the short vowel sound /æ/. The word 'approach' is spelled with 'oa' to represent the diphthong /əʊ/. The stress is placed on the second syllable, indicated by the apostrophe in the IPA transcription. Knowing the correct spelling of landing approach is important in aviation as it helps pilots and air traffic controllers communicate effectively.
A landing approach refers to the procedure followed by aircraft during the final stages of a flight, when it is descending towards an airport runway in order to land safely. This critical phase involves a carefully coordinated series of actions and maneuvers that ensure a controlled descent and alignment with the runway.
During a landing approach, the pilot skillfully adjusts the aircraft's altitude, airspeed, and attitude to establish a stable trajectory towards the landing zone. The approach generally begins with a descent from a higher altitude and involves a gradual reduction in engine power while simultaneously adjusting the aircraft's pitch and flaps. This process allows the aircraft to lose altitude and airspeed in a controlled manner.
The landing approach also includes communication with air traffic control, who may provide instructions and guidance to the pilot to ensure separation from other aircraft in the vicinity. Furthermore, pilots rely on navigational aids such as instrument landing systems or visual references like runway lights or landmarks to guide them.
The ultimate goal of a landing approach is to establish a stabilized approach, where the aircraft's vertical and horizontal dimensions are aligned with the runway. Proper execution of the landing approach is crucial for a successful touchdown, ensuring the aircraft lands within the designated landing zone, on a suitable section of the runway, and at an appropriate airspeed. A well-executed landing approach minimizes the risk of accidents or incidents during the critical phase of landing and contributes to the overall safety and efficiency of airport operations.
The term "landing approach" has a straightforward etymology. It is a compound word composed of "landing" and "approach".
The word "landing" originated from the Old English word "landian", which means "to make land" or "to come to shore". It originally referred to the action of bringing a boat or a ship to the shore. Over time, the meaning extended to include the act of an aircraft touching down on a runway or helipad.
The word "approach" comes from the Old French word "aprocher", meaning "to come closer". It entered the English language in the 14th century. In aviation terminology, an approach refers to the path followed by an aircraft as it descends towards a landing.
When these two words are combined, "landing approach" refers to the specific path or trajectory that an aircraft takes during its descent towards landing.