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
Two of the field’s approach lighting systems for the runway, which help to direct a pilot on the correct glide slope and to line up with the runway, were also down, and had been since October.
—
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
From the late 1940s, ground stations began broadcasting omnidirectional VHF signals that planes could lock on to, while shorter-range systems indicated safe glide slopes to help pilots land.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Jan. 2021
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
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Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
From the late 1940s, ground stations began broadcasting omnidirectional VHF signals that planes could lock on to, while shorter-range systems indicated safe glide slopes to help pilots land.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Jan. 2021
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
Cite this Entry
“Glide slope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glide%20slope. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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