Vertical guidance is typically provided by which type of approach?

The correct choice is precision approach, which is designed to provide both horizontal and vertical guidance to pilots during the final approach phase of landing. This approach is characterized by the use of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) or a similar system that enables the aircraft to be guided accurately to the runway through both lateral and vertical signals. This vertical guidance is critical for maintaining the correct descent path, particularly in low visibility situations where visual references may be limited.

In contrast, a visual approach relies on the pilot's ability to see the runway and navigate visually without the aid of instruments, so it does not provide vertical guidance. A non-precision approach, while offering horizontal guidance, does not have the capability to provide the precise vertical information that a precision approach does. Lastly, a circling approach is used when an aircraft must transition from one runway to another in a visual maneuver; it does not provide dedicated instrument guidance, especially for vertical descent. Thus, precision approaches are defined specifically by their ability to provide essential vertical guidance.