Contents
Is a VDP regulatory?
Because the VDP isn’t regulatory, however, pilots can choose to go beyond the VDP, while remaining at the MDA, to extract more use from their airplanes—important to those who fly small aircraft that don’t particularly need to follow a three-degree glideslope to make a stabilized approach.
How do you calculate VDP?
A Visual Descent Point is found by subtracting the touchdown zone from the Minimum Descent Altitude and dividing the result by 300.
Do you go missed at the VDP?
The VDP is a great way to fly a stabilized approach from MDA to the runway, but it’s not a legal requirement for going missed.
Why does stall speed increase with altitude?
As air density decreases with increasing altitude, more lift must be generated by an aerofoil to sustain flight and so the true air speed at which an aerofoil will stall will increase.
What does a VDP mean on a runway?
As discussed in the AIM, VDPs allow descent from the MDA “provided the approach threshold of that runway, or approach lights, or other markings identifiable with the approach end of that runway are clearly visible to the pilot.” The VDP is also a hint that the 20:1 slope to the runway is clear of obstacles; otherwise there wouldn’t be a VDP.
Where is the VDP on the approach course?
“The VDP is a defined point on the final approach course of a non-precision straight-in approach procedure from which normal descent from the MDA to the runway touchdown point may be commenced, provided visual reference is established.”.
What does the VDP stand for in Terps?
Looking at the Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) definition: “The VDP is a defined point on the final approach course of a non-precision straight-in approach procedure from which normal descent from the MDA to the runway touchdown point may be commenced, provided visual reference is established.”
Why is this VDP not authorized in flight?
Using the charted VDP is specifically not authorized in this case because the nominal descent angle you will have passing through it counts on your altimeter being accurate and your aircraft being at the MDA. Since the MDA has changed and we’re using a remote altimeter setting the location of the VDP isn’t going to be what’s shown on the chart.