i. Descent Notification. Issue an advance notice where descent begins. Issue the minimum descent
altitude (MDA) before issuing a final descent.
PHRASEOLOGY: SIX MILES FROM RUNWAY; PREPARE TO DESCEND IN ONE .MILE;
PUBLISHED MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE SIX-ZERO-ZERO.
j. Wheels-Down Check. Before the aircraft starts the descent on a final approach, remind the pilot
that the aircraft wheels should be down. (This is not required for civil aircraft.) Normally, this reminder
is coupled with the descent notification.
PHRASEOLOGY: SIX MILES FROM RUNWAY; PREPARE TO DESCEND IN ONE MILE;
PUBLISHED MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE SIX-ZERO-ZERO; WHEELS
SHOULD BE DOWN.
k. Descent Instructions. When an aircraft reaches the descent point, advise the pilot to descend to
his MDA.
PHRASEOLOGY: FIVE MILES FROM RUNWAY; DESCEND TO YOUR MINIMUM DESCENT
ALTITUDE; REPORT RUNWAY IN SIGHT.
l. Recommended Altitudes. Provide recommended altitudes on the final approach if the pilot
requests this service. Recommended altitudes are determined locally. For instance, with a gradient of
300 feet per mile, add the values in Figure 2-7 to the airport elevation, then round out the sum to the
nearest hundred feet. The MDA published for the approach procedures is applicable in determining the
point at which recommended altitudes will be discontinued. For instance, if the published MDA is
1,290 feet at an airport with an elevation of 970 feet mean sea level (MSL), altitude information is not
given for the last mile because the recommended altitude of 1,270 feet MSL (970 + 300 = 1,270) is
below the MDA of 1,290 feet.
PHRASEOLOGY: FOUR MILES FROM RUNWAY;
ALTITUDE
SHOULD
BE
ONE
THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED.
Figure 2-7. Example of a Recommended Altitude Chart.
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AV0914
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