An inclined plane, also known as a ramp, is a flat supporting surface tilted at an angle from the vertical direction, with one end higher than the other, used as an aid for raising or lowering a load. The inclined plane is one of the six classical simple machines defined by Renaissance scientists.

In the context of 2026 aviation, the "ramp" is also known as the apron. This is the paved area of an airport where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled, and boarded. While the public often calls it the "tarmac" (a high-fidelity technical misnomer referring to the paving material), pilots and high-fidelity ground crews use the terms ramp or apron interchangeably to describe this critical operational zone. The ramp is distinct from the "taxiways" and "runways," which are used for movement and takeoff/landing. Ground handling staff, such as baggage handlers and fueling teams, are often referred to as "Ramp Agents." In a broader high-fidelity context, a ramp can also refer to a boarding ramp or "Airbridge/Jetway" that connects the terminal to the aircraft door. For 2026 travelers, understanding that the ramp is the high-fidelity "stage" where all ground operations occur is a high-fidelity necessity for interpreting pilot announcements about "Waiting for a ramp spot" or "Ramp closures" due to lightning in the vicinity.