Which statement best defines the purpose of MDA on a non-precision approach?

Which statement best defines the purpose of MDA on a non-precision approach?

• A. It is the minimum altitude at which you can descend before the runway in a precision approach
• B. It is the minimum descent altitude for non-precision approaches
• C. It is the altitude where you must initiate the missed approach
• D. It is the decision altitude for ILS

Answer: (B)

MDA is the lowest altitude you may descend to on a non-precision approach without vertical guidance. Since there’s no glideslope or vertical guidance, you descend to a fixed level (the MDA) and then level off, continuing the approach with only horizontal flight cues until you reach the point where you must decide to land or go missed. If the runway environment isn’t in sight by the missed approach point, you execute a missed approach from that point; if you do have the runway in sight, you can complete the landing by continuing visually from the MDA. This differs from a precision approach, which provides vertical guidance and uses a decision altitude for the point at which you must decide to land or go missed. The other options describe features of precision approaches or the missed-approach point, not the purpose of MDA on a non-precision approach.

MDA is the lowest altitude you may descend to on a non-precision approach without vertical guidance. Since there’s no glideslope or vertical guidance, you descend to a fixed level (the MDA) and then level off, continuing the approach with only horizontal flight cues until you reach the point where you must decide to land or go missed. If the runway environment isn’t in sight by the missed approach point, you execute a missed approach from that point; if you do have the runway in sight, you can complete the landing by continuing visually from the MDA.

This differs from a precision approach, which provides vertical guidance and uses a decision altitude for the point at which you must decide to land or go missed. The other options describe features of precision approaches or the missed-approach point, not the purpose of MDA on a non-precision approach.