The Visual Descent Point (VDP) is best described as?

• A. A point where you must begin the final descent on a precision approach.
• B. A defined point on a non-precision approach where it's appropriate to begin a stabilized descent.
• C. The altitude at which you must start descent before reaching the runway.
• D. A checkpoint for instrument alignment.

Answer: (B)

Visual Descent Point is about where you can start a normal, stabilized descent on a non-precision approach once the required visual references are in sight. It marks a defined point along the final approach course from which you may descend from the minimum descent altitude to the runway using a constant, visual descent angle. This allows a smooth, continuous descent rather than staying level at the MDA and then dropping straight down at the end. The key is having the runway environment and required visibility in sight and continuing the descent visually to the runway. On precision approaches, you follow the glideslope, so there isn’t a VDP to start a descent. The other options don’t fit because they either misplace the concept (altitude or instrument alignment) or apply to a different type of approach.