Minimums/Minima

Minimums or minima refer to the lowest meteorological conditions (ceiling and visibility) prescribed for the commencement or continuation of an instrument approach procedure, or for VFR flight. Each approach procedure has specific published minimums for each type of approach (precision and non-precision) and each runway.

Approach Minimums Format

On Canadian instrument approach plates, minimums are listed as: “DH/MDA (HAT/HAA) – Visibility”. For example: “DH 320 (200-½)” means the Decision Height is 320 ft MSL, the HAT is 200 ft, and the required visibility is ½ SM. The decision whether to commence or continue an approach depends on the reported conditions versus the published minimums.

Below Minimums

If the destination is reporting below published minimums at the time of the missed approach point or decision height, a landing is not permitted. The pilot must execute a missed approach and divert to the alternate (which must be above alternate minimums). Filing an alternate is mandatory in IFR planning precisely for this scenario.

Related Terms

See also: Decision Height, MDA, Alternate Aerodrome.