landing approach
Loading your saved state.
landing approach
The final phase of a flight, in which an airplane or another flying object deliberately loses altitude in order to touch down on a runway or landing site.
Während des Landeanflugs auf Hamburg konnten wir den Hafen gut erkennen.
During the landing approach to Hamburg, we could clearly see the harbor.
The word is made up of the verb 'landen' (to land, in the form 'Lande-') and the noun 'der Anflug' (approach). So it literally describes the approach for landing.
Der Pilot begann den Landeanflug auf den Flughafen München.
The pilot began the landing approach to Munich Airport.
The phrase 'im Landeanflug sein' (to be on landing approach) or 'sich im Landeanflug befinden' (to be on landing approach) is used very frequently to express that this phase of flight is currently taking place.
Das Flugzeug aus New York befindet sich bereits im Landeanflug.
The plane from New York is already on landing approach.
In the context of aviation, 'Landeanflug' (landing approach) is often combined with specific verbs, for example 'den Landeanflug einleiten' (to initiate the landing approach) or 'den Landeanflug abbrechen' (to abort the landing approach and try again).
Wegen starken Windes musste der Pilot den Landeanflug abbrechen.
Because of strong winds, the pilot had to abort the landing approach.
landing
'die Landung' and 'der Landeanflug' both belong to the final phase of a flight. The difference is the timing: 'der Landeanflug' is the phase before touchdown, when the airplane descends and flies toward the runway. 'die Landung' is the actual touching down on the ground. The words can be confused because both happen shortly before the end of a flight. As a practical rule: during the landing approach, the airplane is still in the air; during the landing, it touches the ground.
Beim Landeanflug sahen wir schon die Lichter der Stadt.
During the landing approach, we could already see the city lights.
Wegen des starken Windes war die Landung etwas unruhig.
Because of the strong wind, the landing was a bit rough.