Private Pilot Private Exam

What altitude should a pilot maintain while approaching to land in class D airspace served by a VASI?

1. At or above the glide slope

2. At or below the glide slope

3. Only below the glide slope

4. At a constant altitude regardless of glide slope

The correct answer is: At or above the glide slope

In the context of approaching to land in Class D airspace with a Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) system, maintaining an altitude at or above the glide slope is crucial for a safe landing. The VASI provides pilots with visual cues to aid in maintaining the correct approach path. When a pilot is at or above the glide slope, it indicates that they are on a proper descent path towards the runway, reducing the risk of being too low on approach, which can lead to hazardous situations such as tail strikes or runway excursions. The VASI systems typically show a red glow when you are too low and a white glow when you are at an appropriate height. Therefore, being on the glide slope or above ensures a safe approach trajectory. On the other hand, if a pilot were to fly at or below the glide slope, they risk descending too low, potentially leading to an uncontrolled descent into obstacles or the runway threshold. The indication of "only below the glide slope" would also be dangerous as it implies that the pilot would be disregarding the recommended approach path. Lastly, maintaining a constant altitude, regardless of glide slope, would not be appropriate as it does not take into account the required descent to the runway, which is essential for a