Instrument rating · ACS IR.VI.E
Landing from an Instrument Approach
The last part of an instrument approach is a visual landing, but it starts in the clouds and ends in low visibility, which makes it different from a normal VFR landing.
Why this one matters
Breaking out of the clouds close to the ground, pilots tend to look for the runway and lose the glidepath, landing short, long or off-center. Illusions from rain, haze and approach lights make it worse. A disciplined transition and a stabilized visual segment keep the last 200 feet as safe as the rest of the approach.
Can’t miss
- •The transition from instruments to visual is a high-risk moment: keep cross-checking the instruments as you look outside.(Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches)
- •Stay on the glidepath (VASI, PAPI or the electronic glidepath) all the way down; ducking under below it after breaking out is a known cause of landing short.(Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches)
- •Below the DA or MDA only with all three 91.175(c) conditions, continuously: in position for a normal descent with normal maneuvers, the required flight visibility, and a listed reference (approach lights within their limits, threshold, touchdown zone, runway and their markings or lights, REIL, VASI) distinctly visible and identifiable. Lose any one below DA or MDA: go missed immediately; on an MDA approach, no later than the MAP.(14 CFR 91.175(c), (e))
- •Land only from a stabilized approach; otherwise go around.(Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches)
- •Configure in stages as the POH directs: approach configuration by the FAF, final flaps when landing is assured (when circling, not until you leave the MDA); complete the landing checklist before the visual segment.(Your airplane's POH/AFM; Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.VI.E.S3)
- •Illusions in the visual segment: rain on the windscreen makes you seem higher, haze makes the runway look farther (both lead you to fly low); a narrow or upsloping runway looks high (you fly low); a dark approach over water or terrain (black hole) pulls you low. Defend with the PAPI, VASI or electronic glidepath.(Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches; AIM 8-1-5)
- •Land in the touchdown zone with normal maneuvering, and keep control through the rollout.(Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.VI.E.S1, S4)
What you should know
Responsibilities and conditions K1 · K3
- You decide whether you can land safely: the 91.175(c) conditions, the wind and runway condition, and a stable approach. Follow ATC's and the evaluator's advisories (NOTAMs, wind shear, wake turbulence, runway surface and braking), even if that means going around.(14 CFR 91.175; Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.VI.E.S2)
- On an MDA approach with a published VDP, don't leave the MDA before the VDP unless the 91.175 conditions are met from that position and a normal descent is possible.(Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches)
- Landing straight-in or from a circle, use the POH configuration and speeds, and a normal landing profile.(Your airplane's POH/AFM)
Lights and markings K2
- Approach light systems (such as ALSF or MALSR) extend from the threshold and help you transition; touchdown zone and centerline lights help in low visibility.(AIM, Chapter 2 (approach and runway lighting))
- The landing decision with only the approach lights in sight: they take you no lower than 100 feet above TDZE (work out TDZE + 100 from the chart before the approach). Going lower needs the red terminating or side-row bars (ALSF-1, ALSF-2; MALSR has none) or another listed reference such as the threshold, REIL, VASI, touchdown zone or runway, with normal descent and the flight visibility holding throughout. Otherwise, go missed at that floor; don’t level off.(14 CFR 91.175; AIM, Chapter 2 (approach and runway lighting))
- Runway centerline lights: white until 3,000 feet remain, alternating red and white from 3,000 to 1,000 feet remaining, then all red for the last 1,000 feet. Runway end lights are red.(AIM, Chapter 2 (approach and runway lighting))
- Markings confirm the runway: threshold markings, the runway number, touchdown zone markings and aiming point are 91.175(c)(3) references, and checking them against the chart confirms it's the runway you meant.(14 CFR 91.175; AIM, Chapter 2 (airport marking aids))
- VASI and PAPI give visual glidepath guidance: on a PAPI, two white and two red is on path.(AIM, Chapter 2 (approach and runway lighting))
The transition and the landing R1 · R2 · R3 · R4
- Don’t land from an unstable approach: if the speed, path or alignment is off, go around.(Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches)
- Stay on the glidepath after breaking out; dropping below it to land earlier is how airplanes hit approach lights and obstacles short of the runway.(Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches)
- Transition gradually: glance outside, cross-check inside, until the runway is clearly in sight and you’re stable.(Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches)
- Have the configuration settled and the landing checklist done before the visual segment, so you’re not making big changes at minimums.(Your airplane's POH/AFM)
On the flight
ACS standards
- Transition at the DA, MDA or VDP to visual flight allowing safe maneuvering and a normal landing.(Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.VI.E.S1)
- Maintain positive airplane control throughout the landing.(Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.VI.E.S4)
What your instructor is watching for
Your instructor watches whether you keep cross-checking during the transition, stay on the glidepath, land from a stable approach in the touchdown zone, and go around when it isn’t.
Scenarios
Decide what you would do first, then see the worked answer.
Rain on the windscreen at breakout makes the runway look strange.
What do you rely on? See the worked answer
The glidepath guidance (PAPI or electronic) and the instruments until you’re clearly stable.
Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches
A gusty crosswind at the DA.
How do you plan the landing? See the worked answer
Add half the gust factor, keep the crab until the flare, then sideslip; go around if not stable.
Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B), Approaches
Runway in sight at the MDA, but you’re high and close.
What do you do? See the worked answer
Go around: a steep, fast descent to land isn’t a normal descent with normal maneuvers.
14 CFR 91.175
Common mistakes
Looking outside and abandoning the scan.
Drift and sink unnoticed.
Instead: Keep cross-checking until stable visually.
Ducking under.
Obstacles short of the runway.
Instead: Stay on the glidepath.
Big reconfiguring at minimums.
Workload and pitch changes at the worst time.
Instead: Approach configuration by the FAF; only the final flaps when landing is assured.
Now train it
Say it out loud, hear it asked, and take the quick check in this lesson’s practice pack. It tracks your shaky spots.
Got it?
When it feels solid, practice landing from an instrument approach out loud with our examiner.
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Go to the source (free)
Teaching this? The instructor lesson plan →
Sources
- Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B): Approaches
- Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B): Navigation systems; IFR flight
- Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM): Chapters 1, 2 and 5
- 14 CFR: 91.175, 97.3
- Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C): Area VI
- Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP): the current chart for each approach
Study aid, not FAA guidance. Regulations change; check the current text at eCFR and the ACS. Checked against current sources 2026-11-13.