On a precision approach, what is the term for the altitude at which a missed approach must be initiated if the required visual reference hasn't been established, charted in feet MSL?

• A. Decision Height
• B. Minimum Descent Altitude
• C. Decision Altitude
• D. Final Approach Altitude

Answer: (C)

On a precision approach the moment you must decide to land or go around is fixed by a specific height. This altitude, published on the approach plate in feet MSL, is the point at which you must initiate the missed approach if you have not established the required visual references. That altitude is called the Decision Altitude. It uses the vertical guidance of the precision approach to determine a precise height above mean sea level for making the go/no-go decision; if you reach it and the runway environment isn’t in sight, you execute the missed approach.

This differs from non-precision approaches, where you descend to the Minimum Descent Altitude and may continue the approach visually if you have the required references. The term you might hear for some other approach contexts is Decision Height, but for this scenario and charting in feet MSL, the correct label is Decision Altitude. Final Approach Altitude isn’t a standard term used for this purpose.