Under SOPs, if you are at ACA and not cleared to land, which action is prescribed?

Under SOPs, if you are at ACA and not cleared to land, which action is prescribed?

• A. Descend and land if able
• B. Continue approach and attempt to land
• C. Hold altitude and await clearance
• D. Go around at ACA and not below

Answer: (D)

When you’re on an instrument approach and you haven’t been cleared to land, you must not descend to land or try to complete the approach without clearance. The safe, correct action is to execute a go-around (missed approach) from the approach, starting at the ACA point and continuing the maneuver while staying at or above the published altitude for the missed approach. This ensures obstacle clearance and proper sequencing with ATC. Descending and landing without clearance is unsafe, continuing the approach in hopes of being cleared later isn’t compliant, and simply holding without initiating the missed approach isn’t the immediate required action when not cleared to land.

When you’re on an instrument approach and you haven’t been cleared to land, you must not descend to land or try to complete the approach without clearance. The safe, correct action is to execute a go-around (missed approach) from the approach, starting at the ACA point and continuing the maneuver while staying at or above the published altitude for the missed approach.

This ensures obstacle clearance and proper sequencing with ATC. Descending and landing without clearance is unsafe, continuing the approach in hopes of being cleared later isn’t compliant, and simply holding without initiating the missed approach isn’t the immediate required action when not cleared to land.