Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

On approach charts, youll usually see both the decision height (DH) and the decision altitude (DA). Theyre pretty much the same thing, but heres the difference: DH is measured above the ground (AGL). The image at the beginning of this section is an example of an RNAV approach plate for Monterey Regional, California.

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Descent Airplanes 52

Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

Our NIFA team of pilots would travel to other colleges and compete in sanctioned competition involving precise navigation, pre-flight inspections, accuracy landings, and simulated bomb drops into a barrel from 100 AGL feet using bean bags as bombs. How can this be? There was absolutely no forecast for freezing rain this far north!

VOR 52

VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

” As I broke out of the clouds on the final approach course, I flew about 1.5 I immediately leveled off at around 650’ AGL, and began slowing down. The approach end of runway 24 came into view, followed by the rest of the airport as we entered the left downwind to runway 6. The little voice agreed.

Descent 98

Descent Approach Weather AGL 98