Additional Event Information & Acknowledgement of Industry Sponsor(s):
You’ve reached minimum descent altitude (MDA), but are you actually in a position to make a normal, stabilized descent to the runway? How do you know when to begin that descent, and what should you do if the runway isn’t in sight?
That small, bold “V” on your instrument approach chart can provide valuable guidance when making these decisions.
Join EAA Chapter 129 IMC Club on Saturday, November 7, 2026, as CFI Will Eastman leads an interactive discussion titled “What Is That Dark V on My Approach Plate?” We’ll explore the Visual Descent Point (VDP), how it is established, its relationship to instrument approach design, and how pilots can use it to improve situational awareness and decision-making during the transition from instrument to visual flight.
Our discussion will address several important questions:
- What exactly is a VDP? How is it determined, and why is it published on some nonprecision approaches but not others?
- How can you calculate an estimated descent point? We’ll examine practical methods for estimating a point when no VDP is published, and why that calculation does not provide the same obstacle-clearance assurance as a published VDP.
- What if the runway isn’t visible at the VDP? Does reaching the VDP require an immediate missed approach, or are there other considerations?
- How does the VDP differ from the missed approach point (MAP)? We’ll discuss the distinct purposes of these two points and the decisions associated with each.
- When can you legally descend below MDA? We’ll review the requirements of 14 CFR § 91.175(c), including the necessary visual references, flight visibility, and position to make a normal descent to landing.
- How can the VDP help prevent an unstable approach? We’ll examine the risks of continuing at MDA beyond a reasonable descent point and attempting a steep or rushed descent to the runway.
Understanding the VDP is about much more than recognizing a symbol on an approach chart. It provides insight into how instrument approaches are designed and encourages pilots to make deliberate, informed decisions during one of the most demanding phases of instrument flight.
Whether you’re an experienced instrument pilot, working toward your instrument rating, or simply interested in improving your IFR knowledge, this discussion offers an opportunity to sharpen your understanding and learn from the experiences of fellow aviators.
Join us on November 7, 2026, for another engaging EAA Chapter 129 IMC Club discussion. Bring your questions, share your experiences, and bring a fellow pilot!