AINsight: Watch Out Below the Minimum Descent Altitude | Aviation International News

AINsight: Watch Out Below the Minimum Descent Altitude

LNAV+V advisory glide paths can be helpful but do not guarantee obstacle clearance

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

April 3, 2026

Every instrument-rated pilot knows that you are not allowed to descend below the decision altitude on a precision approach or minimum descent altitude (MDA) on a non-precision approach unless certain elements of the airport environment are in sight.

A recent accident highlighted an issue that might catch pilots who aren’t aware that their avionics may provide an advisory glide path that goes below the MDA on a nonprecision lateral navigation (LNAV) GPS approach. This advisory glide path is designed to give vertical guidance from the final approach fix to the touchdown point on the runway. The idea is for the pilot to be able to fly a smooth, continuous descent instead of the so-called “dive and drive” maneuver, where the pilot descends quickly to the MDA, then levels off, then descends again when the runway environment is in sight.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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