Takeoff and landing under IFR

In plain English

On an instrument approach you may not descend below the DA/MDA unless you have the required flight visibility, you’re in a position to land normally, and you can see one of the listed visual references (such as the approach lights, runway, threshold, or markings). If you can’t, fly the missed approach.

Key points

• Need: visibility, a normal-landing position, and a required visual reference.
• You may descend to 100 ft above TDZE on approach lights alone (then need the red terminating/side-row bars or the runway).
• Otherwise execute the published missed approach.

Common pitfalls

• "Diving for the runway" below DA/MDA without the required references.
• Mistaking ground lights or another airport for the runway environment.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation.*