Final answer:
A pilot can descend lower than the MDA or DA/DH only when visual contact with the runway environment is established and can be maintained, the aircraft is in a position to make a safe landing, and the flight visibility meets or exceeds the minimum visibility required by the approach procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
You can descend lower than the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) or Decision Altitude (DA)/Decision Height (DH) only when certain conditions established by aviation regulations are met. In non-precision approaches, once the aircraft reaches the MDA, it must remain at or above this altitude until these specific requirements are satisfied. For precision approaches, the DA or DH is the point at which a missed approach must be initiated if the necessary visual references to continue the landing have not been established.
The correct answer to the question is B) When visual contact with the runway is established. More specifically, according to regulations such as those outlined by the FAA, a pilot can only continue to descend below the MDA or DA/DH if:
- Visual contact with the runway environment (e.g., approach lighting system, threshold markings, the runway itself) is clearly established and can be maintained.
- The aircraft is in a position to execute a safe landing.
- The flight visibility meets or exceeds the minimum visibility required by the approach procedure being used.
It is important that pilots comply with these regulations to ensure the safety of flight operations.