AA.VI.D.S9
Non-precision Approaches
What does AA.VI.D.S9 mean?
Maintain altitude ±100 feet, selected heading ±5°, airspeed ±10 knots, and accurately track radials, courses, and bearings, prior to beginning the final approach segment..
- Area of Operation
- VI. Instrument Procedures
- Task
- D. Non-precision Approaches
- Element type
- A Skill element — something you must physically demonstrate to your examiner on the practical test (checkride), not the written.
What you need to know
For non-precision approaches, you must correctly select and identify the required nav source (VOR, NDB, GPS, etc.), verify it's operating properly, and confirm the autoflight/FMS is configured and coupled to fly the correct procedure—catching any discrepancy between what's armed/engaged and what the approach actually requires. Since there's no glidepath, you manage descent manually through a series of stepdown fixes to the MDA, and you must never descend below MDA unless you have the required visual references and are in a position to land normally; if weather deteriorates or references aren't there at the missed approach point, you execute the missed approach promptly and correctly. Throughout, you're expected to keep the aircraft stabilized (proper configuration, airspeed, and descent rate—no excessive rates of descent), recognize and cross-check for unreliable or failed instruments and take appropriate backup action, and maintain clear, correct ATC communication and full compliance with clearances. The examiner is really testing your judgment and situational awareness: can you fly the procedure precisely, adapt to changes or malfunctions, and know exactly when to continue versus go missed.
Why students miss this
Students often confuse the mechanics of MDA with DA/DH, assuming they can descend below MDA the same way they might momentarily dip below a decision altitude, when in fact MDA is a hard floor that requires the required visual references before any further descent, no matter how close to the missed approach point you are. The other common trap is treating the missed approach point as optional if the runway isn't in sight, rather than recognizing that time/distance or navigation fix defines exactly when the missed approach must begin.
Focus on: Study the legal and procedural distinction between MDA and DA/DH, and drill exactly what visual references must be present before descending below MDA, plus when the missed approach point mandates going missed.
Drill this area until it sticks
AA.VI.D.S9 came from a question you missed on the FAA Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine Airplane knowledge test. Drill ACS-aligned practice questions with AI explanations and the cited FAA handbook reference behind every answer — free to start.
Missing it isn't a verdict on you — it's a sign your prep skipped the why behind it. Memorizing answer letters is exactly what leaves gaps like this. Here, every answer explains the reasoning and cites the FAA source it comes from, so the concept holds on test day and at the checkride oral.
Study this concept
Plain-English explanations of the key ideas behind AA.VI.D.S9, grounded in the FAA handbooks.
Related ACS codes in D. Non-precision Approaches
Other elements the FAA tests under this same Task — review them together.
- AA.VI.D.R1Deviating from the assigned approach procedure.
- AA.VI.D.R2Selecting a navigation frequency.
- AA.VI.D.R3Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
- AA.VI.D.R4Aircraft configuration during an approach and missed approach.
- AA.VI.D.R5An unstable approach, including excessive descent rates.
- AA.VI.D.R6Deteriorating weather conditions on approach.
- AA.VI.D.R7Operating below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) without proper visual references.
- AA.VI.D.S1Accomplish the non-precision instrument approaches selected by the evaluator.
+ 12 more elements in this Task.
Common question
Can I level off at MDA and then descend later if I get a partial glimpse of the runway environment?
Only if you have the required visual references and are in a position to make a normal descent to landing at that point; a fleeting glimpse without meeting those conditions does not authorize further descent below MDA.
What is an FAA ACS code?
The FAA's Airman Certification Standards (ACS) break each certificate into Areas of Operation, Tasks, and specific Knowledge (K), Risk Management (R), and Skill (S) elements. Every knowledge-test question maps to one code like AA.VI.D.S9. When you miss a question, your Airman Knowledge Test Report lists its code so you know exactly what to review.
Have a whole list of codes from your report? Paste them all into our free ACS code lookup to see every weak area at once — or browse the aviation glossary for plain-English definitions.