Which action is required by SOPs when you are at ACA and not cleared to land?

Which action is required by SOPs when you are at ACA and not cleared to land?

• A. Descend below ACA to land
• B. Continue the approach and land if runway appears clear
• 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 continue the approach as if you were cleared. The standard procedure is to execute a go-around from the approach at the point you would otherwise land, which means initiating a missed approach and climbing away to the prescribed altitude. You do not descend below your current altitude or below any published minimums while awaiting clearance. This is why going around at the ACA and not below is the correct action: it ensures you comply with the clearance requirement and follow the safe missed‑approach procedure before attempting another landing. Descending to land without clearance or continuing the approach without explicit clearance would violate SOPs and ATC instructions.

When you’re on an instrument approach and you haven’t been cleared to land, you must not descend to land or continue the approach as if you were cleared. The standard procedure is to execute a go-around from the approach at the point you would otherwise land, which means initiating a missed approach and climbing away to the prescribed altitude. You do not descend below your current altitude or below any published minimums while awaiting clearance. This is why going around at the ACA and not below is the correct action: it ensures you comply with the clearance requirement and follow the safe missed‑approach procedure before attempting another landing. Descending to land without clearance or continuing the approach without explicit clearance would violate SOPs and ATC instructions.