What is the Missed Approach Point (MAP) defined as?

• A. A point prescribed in each instrument approach at which a missed approach procedure shall be executed if the required visual reference has not been established.
• B. The altitude at which the aircraft begins the missed approach.
• C. The location where the approach plate lists the minimums.
• D. A point used to determine when to switch radio frequency.

Answer: (D)

Missed Approach Point is the point on the instrument approach where, if you don’t have the required visual reference to continue the landing, you must initiate the missed approach procedure. On each approach plate, the MAP is defined to tell you exactly when that decision must be made. For non-precision approaches, the MAP is a designated point along the final approach course—often at a specific distance from the runway or at the runway threshold. For precision approaches, the point to make the decision is tied to the decision altitude/height; if you don’t have the runway environment at that altitude, you execute the missed approach. This concept is about where along the approach you switch from attempting to land to going around, not simply about the altitude to begin a missed approach or where minimums are listed, or about changing radio frequencies.