Got a question for you guys about VDP's. The question is can you descend below the MDA before the VDP if you have the airport in sight. I have conflicting information on this answer. Everything Explained says a pilot may descend below the MDA prior to the VDP only where a descent to the runway can not be made using normal procedures or rates of descent if the final descent is delayed until reaching that point. The other source is the King Jeppeson chart review. It says that the VDP is not mandatory and you can descend below the MDA as long as you have the airport in sight.
Can anyone clarify this for me, thanks
VDP's are not regulatory for Part 91 operations. However, the AIM says that if you can detect it, then you should use it. It says:
1. VDPs are intended to provide additional guidance where they are implemented. No special technique is required to fly a procedure with a VDP. The pilot should not descend below the MDA prior to reaching the VDP and acquiring the necessary visual reference.
2. Pilots not equipped to receive the VDP should fly the approach procedure as though no VDP had been provided.
Again, this is not regulatory.
For Part 121, it is regulatory:
14 CFR 121.651(c)
...
Upon reaching DH or at MDA, and at any time before the missed approach point, the pilot may continue the approach below DH or MDA if either the requirements of § 91.175(l) of this chapter, or the following requirements are met:
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.
