approach
uh-PROHCH
/əˈprəʊtʃ/
The phase of flight in which an aircraft descends and maneuvers toward landing on a runway.
Refers specifically to the structured navigation phase immediately preceding touchdown.
The story behind the word. Derived from Late Latin 'appropinquare' (to draw near), built from 'ad-' (to) and 'prope' (near). It passed into Old French as 'aprochier' and English in the 14th century.
Word relationships
- descent: Descent is any loss of altitude; approach is the specific structured flight path toward landing.
- arrival: Arrival is the broad stage of reaching an airport area; approach is the specific landing maneuver.
- departure: The phase of flight following takeoff when leaving an airport area.
Commonly confused with
- holding: Holding keeps a plane waiting in a circle; approach moves the plane directly down toward touchdown.
Word family
- approaching (verb): Nearing a location or runway.
- approached (verb): Came near to landing.
Collocations
- instrument approach
- final approach
- approach control
- missed approach
- cleared for approach
Example sentences
- "The pilot initiated the final instrument approach as the aircraft passed through three thousand feet." Landing Phase
- "Handing off from center, the flight established radio communication with radar approach control." ATC Communication
Memory hook
APPROACHing the runway for landing. The final descent path to touchdown.
When not to use
Do not use for general movement toward something when referring to specific ATC approach procedures.
Fun facts
- If a landing cannot be completed safely during an approach, pilots execute a missed approach and go around.
Related words
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