Pilot/Controller Glossary
DECISION ALTITUDE (DA)
This reproduces published FAA reference text for study. It does not replace the current official FAA publication or regulation.
A specified altitude (mean sea level (MSL)) on an instrument approach procedure (ILS, GLS, vertically guided RNAV) at which the pilot must decide whether to continue the approach or initiate an immediate missed approach if the pilot does not see the required visual references.
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 18, 2026.