Part 121 Visual Descent Points

[AirVenture]

I'm a bit confused about the VDP portion of this regulation. Is it saying that you CAN or CANNOT legally descend below MDA prior to the VDP? Obviously waiting to the VDP would be preferred in order to be in a safe position to land. However, I'm researching the interview question, "Can you descend below MDA prior to reaching the VDP?"

121.651

(1) The aircraft is continuously in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made at a normal rate of descent using normal maneuvers, and where that descent rate will allow touchdown to occur within the touchdown zone of the runway of intended landing;

(2) The flight visibility is not less than the visibility prescribed in the standard instrument approach procedure being used;

(3) Except for Category II or Category III approaches where any necessary visual reference requirements are specified by authorization of the Administrator, at least one of the following visual references for the intended runway is distinctly visible and identifiable to the pilot:

(i) The approach light system, except that the pilot may not descend below 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation using the approach lights as a reference unless the red terminating bars or the red side row bars are also distinctly visible and identifiable.

(ii) The threshold.

(iii) The threshold markings.

(iv) The threshold lights.

(v) The runway end identifier lights.

(vi) The visual approach slope indicator.

(vii) The touchdown zone or touchdown zone markings.

(viii) The touchdown zone lights.

(ix) The runway or runway markings.

(x) The runway lights; and

(4) When the aircraft is on a straight-in nonprecision approach procedure which incorporates a visual descent point, the aircraft has reached the visual descent point, except where the aircraft is not equipped for or capable of establishing that point, or a descent to the runway cannot be made using normal procedures or rates of descent if descent is delayed until reaching that point.

 

[SIUav8er]

If the VDP is published, you cannot descend prior to reaching that point.

I think there may be confusion as to the difference between a VDP and a "planned descent point" The latter being just a quick way to determine where you have to descend if no VDP is published. In this case it is not necissarily regulatroy, but necissary to make a normal descent and landing in the landing zone or first 3rd of the runway (which is required regardless if a VDP is published or not)

 

[Orange Anchor]

IF the VDP forces you into an unstable approach as defined by your company/carrier, you CAN. (at least that was what was in our FOM)