IR.VI.B.K4FAA-S-ACS-8C · Nov 2023Knowledge
A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.
Bottom line
A stabilized approach means maintaining a constant approach speed, descent rate, vertical flight path, and configuration during the final stages of an approach. The stabilized approach conditions must be maintained throughout the approach until touchdown for the approach to be considered stabilized.
Key numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| 500 ft above airport elevation for visual approaches and straight-in instrument approaches in VFR conditions | VFR stabilize by |
| 500 ft above airport elevation or at the MDA, whichever is lower | Circling |
| planned descent in thousands of feet times 3, plus distance for speed reductions | TOD rule |
FAA references
- IPH ch. 4 (p. 4-37) — FAA-H-8083-16B
- AFH ch. 16 (p. 16-18) — FAA-H-8083-3C
- IPH ch. 4 (p. 4-19) — FAA-H-8083-16B
- AFH ch. 5, Stall Recognition (p. 5-13) — FAA-H-8083-3C
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