Which term is defined as the altitude, charted as height above threshold, at which a decision must be made to continue or go missed on a precision approach?

• A. Decision altitude
• B. Final approach altitude
• C. Minimum descent altitude
• D. Decision Height

Answer: (D)

On a precision approach, the point at which you must decide to continue or go missed is stated as a height above the threshold. This is called decision height. It’s the altitude, charted as height above the threshold (TDZE), where you must have the required visual references to land; if you don’t, you initiate the missed approach.

This differs from other terms. Decision altitude is a label used for some non-precision approaches and is not tied to a height above the threshold. Final approach altitude isn’t a standard published minimum. Minimum descent altitude is the lowest altitude you may descend to on a non-precision approach, not the specific decision point on a precision approach. So the height above the threshold used for the decision point on a precision approach is correctly called decision height.