What does APPR mode signify during an instrument approach?

What does APPR mode signify during an instrument approach?

• A. Cleared for the approach
• B. In hold pattern
• C. Approach in progress but not cleared
• D. Approach aborted

Answer: (A)

APPR mode is the aircraft’s autopilot/flight director setting to fly the instrument approach guidance. When ATC clears you for the approach, arming APPR tells the system to automatically intercept and follow the published approach path (the localizer and glideslope on an ILS, or the RNAV path) toward the runway. This lets the autopilot manage the descent and alignment for a stabilized approach. If you’re not cleared for the approach, APPR isn’t active for this phase, and you’d be flying in another mode or awaiting clearance. The other options describe holding, proceeding without clearance, or aborting, none of which define what APPR signifies.

APPR mode is the aircraft’s autopilot/flight director setting to fly the instrument approach guidance. When ATC clears you for the approach, arming APPR tells the system to automatically intercept and follow the published approach path (the localizer and glideslope on an ILS, or the RNAV path) toward the runway. This lets the autopilot manage the descent and alignment for a stabilized approach.

If you’re not cleared for the approach, APPR isn’t active for this phase, and you’d be flying in another mode or awaiting clearance. The other options describe holding, proceeding without clearance, or aborting, none of which define what APPR signifies.