Abstract: A method and system for determining a desired altitude for an aircraft during descent toward a runway is provided. The method and system utilize latitude and longitude data provided by a global positioning system (GPS) as well as coordinate data concerning the location of a touchdown point. Elevation data concerning the elevation above mean sea level of the touchdown zone of a runway on which the aircraft is to land is utilized in the exemplary embodiment. The method and system of the invention determine a desired altitude for the aircraft without regard to the actual altitude of the aircraft. Instead, the data utilized provide a pilot with recommended altitude data that can be used to maintain a course of approach to the runway at a prescribed angle.