instrument landing

American  

noun

1. an aircraft landing accomplished by use of gauges on the instrument panel and ground-based radio equipment, with limited reference to outside visual signals.

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instrument landing British  

noun

1. an aircraft landing relying only upon instruments and ground radio devices, usually made when visibility is very poor

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Etymology

Origin of instrument landing

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

instrument landing

"Aircraft follow a beam from the instrument landing system. This beam must not be broken, which could happen when it's foggy," he tells the BBC.

From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2025

Among the targets of EMP weapons are air traffic control systems, instrument landing and navigation systems and communications systems.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 6, 2023

Katz said the clouds were low enough that the pilot had to use an instrument landing system while approaching.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 12, 2021

Whenever he could, he ran down the country club road to Latrobe's tiny airport with its grass runway, no control tower, no instrument landing, no radio direction.

From Golf Digest ● Sep. 25, 2016

Equipment failure also could close runways, or even airports, if instrument landing systems were affected.

From Reuters ● Oct. 10, 2013