When flying GPS approaches, which minimums may be used?

When flying GPS approaches, which minimums may be used?

• A. LNAV MDA
• B. LPV DA
• C. LNAV/VNAV DA
• D. Circling minimums

Answer: (A)

GPS approaches come with different minima depending on the level of guidance you have from your equipment. The most universally available minimum is the LNAV minimum, which uses an MDA for non-precision guidance based on lateral navigation alone. If your system and the procedure support vertical guidance, you may also use LPV DA or LNAV/VNAV DA, which provide a decision altitude and typically lower than the LNAV minimum, but these options only exist on procedures that publish them and require appropriate WAAS-enabled equipment. Circling minimums are a separate set of minima used when you plan to circle rather than fly straight-in, and they may or may not be published for a given approach. So the general, always-available minimum for GPS approaches is LNAV MDA.

GPS approaches come with different minima depending on the level of guidance you have from your equipment. The most universally available minimum is the LNAV minimum, which uses an MDA for non-precision guidance based on lateral navigation alone. If your system and the procedure support vertical guidance, you may also use LPV DA or LNAV/VNAV DA, which provide a decision altitude and typically lower than the LNAV minimum, but these options only exist on procedures that publish them and require appropriate WAAS-enabled equipment. Circling minimums are a separate set of minima used when you plan to circle rather than fly straight-in, and they may or may not be published for a given approach. So the general, always-available minimum for GPS approaches is LNAV MDA.