Upon reaching the DA/MDA, what is required to continue the descent to landing?

To continue the descent to landing upon reaching the Decision Altitude (DA) or Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA), the requirement for "required flight visibility" is crucial. This means that the pilot must ensure that the visibility conditions meet the minimum standards set for the approach they are conducting.

Flight visibility provides essential information to the pilot about how well they can see the runway and surrounding environment, which is key for safely completing the landing phase. If flight visibility is below the required minimum for the specific approach procedure being used, continuing the descent may lead to unsafe conditions, such as insufficiently recognizing the runway environment or obstacles, even if visual contact with the runway is not yet established. Thus, ensuring that visibility meets required standards is a critical safety measure.

The other options emphasize various important aspects of landing but do not directly address the mandatory requirement for descent continuation at DA/MDA. Visual contact with the runway is necessary for a safe approach, but if visibility is inadequate, a pilot cannot continue safely. The need for approval from air traffic control is generally part of procedural adherence but does not specifically pertain to descent continuation once the pilot has determined that they can proceed based on visibility. Additionally, while the availability of landing aids supports the approach, they