Simviation Forums

Can anyone explain to me what minimums are and how to know what to set them to?

In what respect are you refering to "minimums" Gavin?

I think he's talking about when you are on your final and at about 350 feet you hear an aural warning 'minimums', this means (correct me if i'm wrong) that you can not go-around anymore because you are at too low an altitude
cheers
Antei

I think he's talking about when you are on your final and at about 350 feet you hear an aural warning 'minimums', this means (correct me if i'm wrong) that you can not go-around anymore because you are at too low an altitude
cheers
Antei

Ahhh. Certainly in my line of work the Minimum Descent Height for an instrument approach is dictated by the level of instrument rating of the pilot, and a margin is added for the class of IR above the published MDH in the aerodrome chart for the given runway.

From what you've said Antei, an aircraft should be able to go around at any stage in the approach until flare/touchdown (considering threshold speed should be about 1.3 x stalling speed in the landing config...). I'd imagine that it may refer to the minimum height the aircraft may descend to without landing clearance. Basically if the aircraft reaches that altitude (eg 350ft) and has not been cleared to land, then you are obliged to overshoot. For example when I fly, I have to have been cleared to land/roll by 200ft, or I must go around...

Charlie

That indeed could be it

Actually i think you might find its actually the minimum height you can go without seeing the runway before calling a go-around in bad weather. Or the decision to do a fully automatic landing. something close to that.

Actually i think you might find its actually the minimum height you can go without seeing the runway before calling a go-around in bad weather. Or the decision to do a fully automatic landing. something close to that.

(Minimum Descent Height!)

I should have mentioned that myself Craig - MDH is the point at which the pilot must go around if he is not visual with the runway (well, 2 bars of the runway extended centreline approach lighting)...

Whats minimums again ...LOL...

Whats minimums again ...LOL...

[quietly throttles Jimbo!]

Whats minimums again

What you get paid to say, "You want fries with that?"  ;).

best,

.................john

LOL good one J

[quote]

What you get paid to say, "You want fries with that?"

Okay, guys, here she is:  8)

[quote] minimums

OK cheers for that fella's. So minimums is the height where if the pilot hasn't been given landing clearance or can't see the runay he has to go around? How do you know what to set it to, is there some sort of reference or is it the pilot's desicion?

OK cheers for that fella's. So minimums is the height where if the pilot hasn't been given landing clearance or can't see the runay he has to go around? How do you know what to set it to, is there some sort of reference or is it the pilot's desicion?

On the aerodrome chart for each runway, and each approach aid on the runway, will have a published minimum descent height. It'll give the details (such as ILS frequency), and amongst those it'll mention MDH.