MDA stands for what in instrument approach terminology?

• A. Minimum Descent Altitude
• B. Maximum Descent Altitude
• C. Mean Descent Altitude
• D. Minimum Descent Approach

Answer: (A)

Minimum Descent Altitude is the altitude you may descend to on a non-precision instrument approach. Because these approaches don’t provide vertical guidance like a glideslope, you descend to this fixed level and then hold at or above it while you establish the required visual references. If you don’t have the runway environment and required visibility by the time you reach that altitude (or the published missed approach point), you must abort the approach and execute a missed approach. You can only descend below this altitude after you have the runway in sight and can safely land. The other terms aren’t used in standard instrument flight terminology.