glide slope

noun

1
: the proper path of descent for an aircraft preparing to land
especially : such a path indicated by a radio beam
2
: the radio beam that marks a glide slope

Examples of glide slope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That is where the glide slope should be centered, resulting in the airplane being on a standard descent path. John Cox, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2021 Is there a standard glide slope that is supposed to be used? John Cox, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2021 Aircraft typically arrive into airports using a flight path that is on a 3-degree glide slope — so as to apply minimal power to their engines, according to Landrum & Brown. Priscella Vega, latimes.com, 28 June 2019 This glide slope analysis must be done and submitted to the FAA before changes can be made to arrival patterns, according to a city staff report. Priscella Vega, latimes.com, 28 June 2019 The city believes keeping aircraft arriving into Long Beach Airport at the 3-degree glide slope may result in reduced noise for its residents. Priscella Vega, latimes.com, 28 June 2019 Another possibility is raising the glide slope slightly for planes landing from the south. Dominic Gates, The Seattle Times, 25 Oct. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of glide slope was circa 1949

Dictionary Entries Near glide slope

Cite this Entry

“Glide slope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glide%20slope. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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