Decision altitude (DA) is defined as which of the following on a precision approach?

• A. A specified altitude in the precision approach at which you must begin the missed approach after a go-around.
• B. An altitude used to determine speed restrictions on approach.
• C. The altitude at which you decide to continue the approach if the runway visual reference is established.
• D. A specified altitude in the precision approach, charted in feet MSL, at which a missed approach must be initiated if the required visual reference to continue the approach has not been established.

Answer: (D)

On a precision approach, the important point is the decision altitude—the published altitude in feet MSL at which you must decide whether to continue the approach visually or execute a missed approach. This altitude is charted on the approach procedure, and if the required visual references to continue the approach are not established by the time you reach it, you must initiate the missed approach. If you do have the runway environment and required visibility by that point, you may continue to land. It’s not about speed restrictions, and it’s not simply the point you reach to decide to continue only if you already have the visual reference earlier—the official decision point is the published DA used to determine whether to land or go around.