Stabilized Approach, No lower than 1,000' AFE: which criteria?

• A. Fully configured; stabilized descent rate, no more than 1,000 fpm; Aligned w/ intended runway
• B. On target speed; engines stabilized
• C. Fully configured only
• D. Descent rate 2,000 fpm

Answer: (A)

Stabilized approach means you arrive at a safe, controlled flight condition by a specified point on the approach. By the time you reach 1,000 feet above the field elevation, you should be fully configured for landing, maintain a descent rate that stays within a stable range (not more than 1,000 feet per minute), and be aligned with the runway. This combination ensures energy, configuration, and flight path are appropriate for a safe landing.

The best choice matches all three criteria: full landing configuration, a stabilized descent rate within the limit, and alignment with the intended runway. It’s not enough to just be at the right speed or to have the engines stabilized, or to be fully configured alone, because without the proper descent rate and alignment, the approach isn’t truly stabilized. And a descent rate of 2,000 fpm is too steep to be considered stabilized and would violate the requirement.