Anflug

Anflug is a German noun with several related meanings. It denotes the act of approaching a place or target, the onset of a phenomenon, or a preliminary phase in a process. Etymologically, it stems from the prefix an- together with Flug (flight) or from the verb anfliegen, meaning to fly toward. In non-aviation usage it often describes the initial onset or hint of something, a touch or sign of an event.

In aviation, Anflug refers to the phase of flight in which an aircraft approaches a runway for landing. The term appears in phrases such as Landeanflug (landing approach) and Anflugverfahren (approach procedure), which encompass instrument approaches (ILS, RNAV) and visual approaches. The approach culminates in the final approach segment leading to the runway threshold and landing.

Beyond aviation, Anflug describes the early stage of events or sensations, such as "Anflug von Müdigkeit" or "Anflug einer Erkältung," indicating that symptoms or effects are beginning. It is also used in meteorology to denote the approach of weather phenomena toward a region, for example the approach of a storm or rain. The term is neutral and versatile, suitable for technical, medical, meteorological, and everyday usage.