Anflughöhe

Anflughöhe is a term used in German aviation to denote the altitude at which an aircraft enters the final phase of an instrument approach to a specific aerodrome. The word combines Anflug (approach) and Höhe (height) and is commonly found on approach charts and in ATC instructions as a vertical constraint for the transition from the initial or intermediate segment to the final approach.

In instrument approach procedures, flight paths are typically divided into initial, intermediate, and final approach segments. The Anflughöhe marks the altitude where the aircraft is established on the published final approach course and begins the final descent toward the runway. The exact value depends on the airport, terrain, obstacle clearance, and the design of the procedure, and it is published on charts as part of the final approach segment, often at the Final Approach Fix or another defined point.

Operationally, pilots descend to the Anflughöhe according to the published vertical profile, configure the aircraft for landing, and continue the descent in accordance with minima such as minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA). If air traffic control requires a different height for safety reasons, a clearance is issued and must be followed.

The concept is specific to German-speaking contexts; English-language equivalents on charts may refer to the final approach altitude or FAF altitude. Anflughöhe is a key element for ensuring obstacle clearance and orderly sequencing during the approach, and it is one of several fixed constraints that guide the landing phase. See also IFR approaches, FAF, ILS, and RNAV approaches.