In a PAR approach, how is the DA/DH determined?

In a PAR approach, how is the DA/DH determined?

• A. An altitude shown on your altimeter, or ATC advice, whichever occurs first
• B. The published barrier altitude for the sector
• C. The candidate altitude from the ILS minimums
• D. The altitude of the destination field

Answer: (A)

In a PAR approach, the point at which you must decide to continue descent and land is set by the first event that lowers your allowable altitude: the altitude shown on your altimeter (set to the local QNH) or an ATC descent clearance. The idea is that you monitor both sources as you approach the runway. If your altimeter reaches the published decision altitude/height before ATC provides a lower descent clearance, you use that altitude. If ATC issues a descent to a lower level before your altimeter reaches the DA/DH, that ATC clearance effectively becomes the limiting altitude. Whichever occurs first determines the DA or DH you must use to decide whether you have the required visual references to land. The barrier altitude for the sector, the ILS minimums, or the destination field’s altitude are not used to determine DA/DH in this context.

In a PAR approach, the point at which you must decide to continue descent and land is set by the first event that lowers your allowable altitude: the altitude shown on your altimeter (set to the local QNH) or an ATC descent clearance. The idea is that you monitor both sources as you approach the runway. If your altimeter reaches the published decision altitude/height before ATC provides a lower descent clearance, you use that altitude. If ATC issues a descent to a lower level before your altimeter reaches the DA/DH, that ATC clearance effectively becomes the limiting altitude. Whichever occurs first determines the DA or DH you must use to decide whether you have the required visual references to land. The barrier altitude for the sector, the ILS minimums, or the destination field’s altitude are not used to determine DA/DH in this context.