FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)IFR Procedures and ApproachesEasy
An instrument student is flying an ILS approach in actual IMC. Upon arriving at the decision altitude (DA) published for the approach, the required visual references are not in sight. At what point must the pilot initiate the missed approach?
- AAfter descending 100 feet below DA to confirm the runway is not visible
- BWhen the aircraft crosses the final approach fix inbound
- COnly after reaching the missed approach point charted for nonprecision approaches
- DImmediately upon reaching DA
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Immediately upon reaching DA
On a precision approach the missed approach segment begins at the Decision Altitude (DA); the pilot must begin the missed approach climb immediately upon reaching DA if the required visual references are not in sight. Descending below DA without the runway environment in sight is a violation of 14 CFR 91.175.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Descending below DA to look is prohibited and unsafe.
- B. The FAF is the start of the final approach segment, not the missed approach trigger.
- C. MAP applies to nonprecision approaches, not this ILS scenario.
Missed Approach Initiation Point
The point at which a pilot must execute the missed approach procedure if landing criteria are not met — DA for precision approaches, MAP for nonprecision approaches.
- DA = precision approach decision point
- MAP = nonprecision approach decision point
- Missed approach segment begins here per TERPS
- 14 CFR 91.175 governs required visual references
Memory trick: I Impress Fans Mightily — Initial, Intermediate, Final, Missed