Approach Visualiser

About

See the geometry behind an instrument approach. Approach Visualiser is an interactive educational tool designed to help pilots, student pilots, instructors and aviation enthusiasts understand the geometry of instrument approaches and their relationship to the runway environment. Rather than interpreting approach figures in isolation, explore how decision altitude, visibility, glide path angle and threshold crossing height relate to one another in a detailed, configurable side-profile diagram. VISUALISE APPROACH MINIMA See where an aircraft reaches decision altitude relative to the runway threshold, and how far the specified visibility extends from that position. Explore how changes to decision altitude, visibility, glide path angle and threshold crossing height affect the relationship between the aircraft and the runway. EXPLORE PAPI GEOMETRY Investigate how Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPIs) relate to the nominal approach path. Visualise PAPI positioning, angular colour sectors and the indications presented to an approaching aircraft. Explore how pilot eye height and runway slope influence the geometry. UNDERSTAND ATMOSPHERIC EFFECTS Explore how temperature and QNH differences can influence indicated altitude and approach geometry. The app illustrates the distinction between ground-referenced precision approaches and barometrically derived non-precision approaches, helping demonstrate the effects of atmospheric conditions on vertical positioning. COMPARE APPROACH SCENARIOS Display two approach configurations simultaneously. Compare different minima, visibility requirements, glide path angles, PAPI installations or atmospheric conditions. Change individual parameters to see how the resulting geometry differs. CONFIGURE THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT Customise runway length, threshold elevation, approach lighting, touchdown-zone lighting, runway markings and other visual elements. Tap diagram labels to adjust values directly. Pinch to zoom, drag to pan and toggle individual display layers on or off to examine the details. SAVE AND SHARE YOUR WORK Save approach configurations for future reference, organise them by airport and reload them whenever needed. Import and export saved approaches, or save a diagram as an image for study notes, classroom presentations and discussion. Two example approaches are included to help you get started. These are provided for illustration only and are not maintained as current aeronautical data. DESIGNED FOR AVIATION LEARNING Approach Visualiser is particularly suited to instrument-rating study, flight instruction, technical discussion and exploring the relationships between approach parameters. The app works offline, requires no account and does not collect personal data. Aircraft position is displayed in nautical miles, with metric distances for visibility and runway geometry and feet for altitude. Additional distance-unit options are planned for a future update. IMPORTANT Approach Visualiser is an educational tool only. It is not intended for navigation, flight planning, determining authorised minima or operational use in flight. Always refer to current authorised aeronautical publications, approved aircraft documentation, applicable regulations and certified navigation equipment for flight operations.