IAP
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | In-app purchase |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Technology & Computing, Government & Politics, Transportation & Travel |
IAP has three meanings. The most common are In-app purchase (software) and Incident action plan (emergency services); it can also stand for Instrument approach procedure.
Meanings of IAP at a glance
| # | IAP stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | In-app purchase | Technology & Computing › Software |
| 2 | Incident action plan | Government & Politics › Emergency Services |
| 3 | Instrument approach procedure | Transportation & Travel › Aviation |
1. In-app purchase
Technology & Computing · Software Abbreviations
Payment made inside a mobile or desktop app for digital goods such as extra features, subscriptions, game currency or content, processed through the platform's billing system. Apple's App Store and Google Play take a commission on most IAPs.
Example: The app is free to download but unlocks offline maps through an IAP.
Both stores historically charged 30 percent, later reduced to 15 percent for small developers and many subscriptions. Epic Games' lawsuit led a US court in 2025 to bar Apple from blocking links to outside payment options, and the EU's Digital Markets Act forced similar changes in Europe. IAP is distinct from in-app advertising, the other main way free apps earn money.
2. Incident action plan
Government & Politics · Emergency Services Abbreviations
Written or oral plan that sets the objectives, strategies, assignments and safety measures for an incident for a set operational period, usually 12 or 24 hours. Larger incidents produce printed IAPs using standard ICS forms.
Example: The morning briefing reviewed the IAP and new division assignments for the fire.
Standard ICS forms include the ICS 201 incident briefing and ICS 202 incident objectives. Planning sections assemble IAPs on large wildfires and disasters. In aviation, IAP means instrument approach procedure.
3. Instrument approach procedure
Transportation & Travel · Aviation Abbreviations
Published series of maneuvers, fixes and altitudes that guides an aircraft under IFR from the en-route phase to a point where it can land or begin a missed approach. Each IAP is depicted on an approach chart, or "plate," with minimums for different aircraft categories.
Example: The airport has three IAPs: an ILS to runway 9, an RNAV approach to runway 27 and a VOR circling approach.
Approach types range from precision (ILS, GLS) through approaches with vertical guidance (LPV, LNAV/VNAV) to nonprecision (VOR, LOC, NDB, LNAV). US approach charts are published by the FAA in the Terminal Procedures Publication on a 56-day cycle. Aircraft approach categories A through E, based on speed, determine which minimums apply.
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