1 This actually refers to whether a specific aircraft can automatically follow the localizer and glideslope. General aviation in Europe frequently utilizes ILS and MLS, but many older aircraft may not have an autopilot capable of automatically following them.

2 An instrument approach performed by the aircraft autopilot, which is receiving position information and/or steering commands from onboard navigation equipment.

In general, coupled non-precision approaches must be discontinued and flown manually at altitudes lower than 50 ft below the minimum descent altitude, and coupled precision approaches must be flown manually below 50 ft AGL (above ground level).

Coupled and autoland approaches are flown in VFR (visual flight rules) and IFR (instrument flight rules). It is common for carriers to require their crews to fly coupled approaches and autoland approaches (if certified) when the weather conditions are less than approximately 4000 RVR (runway visual range).

3 In aviation-speak, a “coupled approach” is one that utilizes the aircraft’s autopilot to navigate the aircraft in the approach phase right down to the approach minimums, and, in some cases, on to the Runway itself.

Source 1 美女商业飞行员

2 http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/coupled+approach

3 FLYING THE COUPLED APPROACH