Definition

Noun: - A precise aircraft landing procedure: An "instrument landing" is a type of aircraft landing conducted entirely by reference to onboard instruments and ground-based guidance systems, without external visual references from the pilot until very close to the runway. This is standard procedure in conditions of low visibility, such as fog, heavy rain, or cloud.

Usage

• Primary Context: Used specifically in aviation to describe a controlled, guided approach and landing.
  • The pilot executed a perfect instrument landing despite the thick fog.
  • Air traffic control cleared the flight for an instrument landing on runway 27L.

Advanced Usage

• "to perform/make/execute an instrument landing": The standard collocations for describing the action of carrying out this procedure.
  • The crew was trained to perform an instrument landing in all weather conditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Instrument Landing System (ILS): (noun phrase) The specific ground-based radio system that provides lateral and vertical guidance to aircraft during an instrument landing approach.
  • The airport's Instrument Landing System is being upgraded for greater precision.

Synonyms

• Blind landing: (noun) An older, less technical synonym for a landing made using instruments without visual contact.
• Precision approach: (noun) A broader category of guided landing procedures that includes the instrument landing.

Related Phrases

• Category III (CAT III) landing: (noun phrase) A specific, highly automated type of instrument landing allowing operations in extremely low visibility.
  • The aircraft is certified for Category III instrument landings.

Noun

1. an aircraft landing made entirely by means of instruments