To descend below ACA, what must be true according to SOPs?

To descend below ACA, what must be true according to SOPs?

• A. You must have clearance to land
• B. You may descend below ACA if you have the runway in sight
• C. You must have clearance to land to descend below ACA
• D. Descent below ACA is allowed if you are on a published approach

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is that certain protected approach/landing areas (the ACA) require explicit permission from ATC before you descend below them. Descending below ACA while you don’t have landing clearance could put you into a situation where you’re not yet cleared to land, increasing risk of conflicts or going beyond the scope of the approach clearance. So, to descend below the ACA you must have clearance to land. Simply having the runway in sight or being on a published approach does not automatically grant the permission to descend below that protected area. Landing clearance specifically authorizes you to complete the approach and land, which includes descent below the ACA.

The key idea here is that certain protected approach/landing areas (the ACA) require explicit permission from ATC before you descend below them. Descending below ACA while you don’t have landing clearance could put you into a situation where you’re not yet cleared to land, increasing risk of conflicts or going beyond the scope of the approach clearance.

So, to descend below the ACA you must have clearance to land. Simply having the runway in sight or being on a published approach does not automatically grant the permission to descend below that protected area. Landing clearance specifically authorizes you to complete the approach and land, which includes descent below the ACA.