At MDA, if you see runway environment, what descent is permitted?

• A. Descend to a normal landing upon reaching the VDP.
• B. Descend to 100 feet above TDZE if only the approach lights are in sight.
• C. Descend below MDA immediately.
• D. Maintain MDA until touchdown.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that on a non-precision approach with an MDA, you stay at or above the MDA until you have the runway environment in sight and you reach the Visual Descent Point. The VDP marks where you’re cleared to begin a normal descent from the MDA to the runway, provided you can see the runway and the required cues. If you see the runway environment at that point, you’re allowed to transition to a normal landing by continuing the descent down to the threshold, rather than remaining level at MDA all the way to touchdown.

So the permitted action is to descend to a normal landing upon reaching the Visual Descent Point when the runway environment is in sight. Descending below MDA immediately isn’t allowed until you have the visual references, and simply aiming for the approach lights isn’t sufficient. Maintaining MDA all the way to touchdown isn’t correct either because you’re expected to descend to the runway as soon as you have the runway environment and the VDP reference. If the runway environment isn’t in sight, you must execute a missed approach.