What does VNAV Instrument Approach Procedures authorization permit?

• A. Authorization to use MDA as a DA
• B. Authorization to use DA as MDA
• C. Do not use MDA as DA
• D. Only use DA with LPV minima

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how VNAV authorization changes the decision point on an RNAV approach with vertical guidance. When you have VNAV Instrument Approach Procedures authorization, you’re permitted to treat the published minimum descent altitude as the decision altitude. In other words, the point at which you decide to continue the approach visually and land, or execute a missed approach, is effectively the MDA itself. This aligns the decision point with the VNAV profile and the way the approach is designed, so you don’t need a separate DA value for these procedures. You descend along the VNAV path to the MDA, and if the required visual references are present you can land; if not, you go around.