What is the appropriate action if you are at ACA and you are not cleared to descend below ACA?

What is the appropriate action if you are at ACA and you are not cleared to descend below ACA?

• A. Descend below ACA to reach the runway
• B. Continue the approach and land without clearance
• C. Hold at ACA until clearance is received
• D. Go around at ACA and not below ACA

Answer: (D)

The main idea is you must not descend below a published altitude unless ATC has cleared you to do so. If you’re at the ACA and you haven’t been cleared to descend beneath that level, you cannot continue toward the runway. The correct action is to initiate a go-around from that point and not descend below the ACA. This safely aborts the approach, puts you on the published missed-approach path, and preserves obstacle clearance while you await new clearance or rejoin via the missed procedure. Descending below the ACA or landing without clearance would violate the clearance and altitude restrictions, and simply holding at ACA wouldn’t advance you toward a safe resolution—going around is the properly prescribed response in this situation.

The main idea is you must not descend below a published altitude unless ATC has cleared you to do so. If you’re at the ACA and you haven’t been cleared to descend beneath that level, you cannot continue toward the runway. The correct action is to initiate a go-around from that point and not descend below the ACA. This safely aborts the approach, puts you on the published missed-approach path, and preserves obstacle clearance while you await new clearance or rejoin via the missed procedure. Descending below the ACA or landing without clearance would violate the clearance and altitude restrictions, and simply holding at ACA wouldn’t advance you toward a safe resolution—going around is the properly prescribed response in this situation.