Circling, Landing & Approach Lighting
Key rules and visual cues for managing the visual segment, approach lights, and circling maneuvers under IFR.
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Questions Covered in This Set
11 cards to master
What three conditions must be met simultaneously to descend below DA/MDA under 91.175(c)?
(1) Position from which a normal descent to landing on the intended runway can be made, (2) flight visibility not less than prescribed for the approach, and (3) at least one required visual reference distinctly visible and identifiable.
Which visibility counts for descending below DA/MDA — reported or flight visibility?
Flight visibility, as judged by the pilot from the cockpit — not reported RVR (though reported values can prevent Part 121/135 from starting the approach).
If the approach light system is the ONLY visual reference you see, how low may you descend?
To 100 feet above touchdown zone elevation — no lower — unless you also see the red terminating bars or red side row bars.
List several items that satisfy the 91.175(c) visual reference requirement.
Approach light system, threshold, threshold markings, threshold lights, REIL, VASI/PAPI, touchdown zone or its markings/lights, runway, runway markings, or runway lights.
Which approach lighting system is CAT II/III capable?
ALSF-2 — 2,400 ft high intensity with sequenced flashers and red side row bars.
What is MALSR and what visibility benefit does it typically give?
A 2,400 ft medium-intensity ALS with runway alignment indicator lights, the workhorse for ILS runways at smaller fields; it typically buys a 1/2-mile visibility credit.
What does the decision bar tell you?
It's a wide crossbar 1,000 ft from the threshold — a visual altimeter cross-check; seeing it and nothing beyond means you're still 1,000 ft out.
How do you read a PAPI?
Four white = high, two red/two white = on path, four red = dangerously low ('dead red').
What does the chart note 'VGSI and descent angle not coincident' warn you about?
The PAPI/VASI glidepath does not match the published electronic/descent angle — don't blindly chase the lights while descending to MDA.
When must you circle, and what obstacle clearance do circling minimums provide?
When final course misalignment exceeds ~30° (15° for GPS/RNAV), the descent gradient is too steep, or winds require another runway; circling MDA provides only 300 feet of obstacle clearance within a radius based on approach category.
What does 91.176 EFVS allow?
Suitably equipped operators may use an enhanced (infrared) flight vision image to satisfy the visual reference requirement down to 100 feet above TDZE.
