At the Decision Altitude/Decision Height (DA/DH) or Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA), when may a pilot continue descending?

At the Decision Altitude/Decision Height (DA/DH) or Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA), a pilot may continue descending when visibility minimums are met and the airport area is in sight. This is based on the principle that pilots need to have visual reference to the runway environment to safely land an aircraft.

In this context, the ability to see the runway or the approach lights allows the pilot to determine whether it's safe to proceed with the landing. If the visibility requirements specified in the approach procedure are met and the pilot can visually identify the airport, they can safely continue their descent and prepare to land. This ensures that the pilot is making an informed decision based on actual visual conditions rather than solely on instruments or air traffic control instructions.

Meeting visibility minimums is a critical aspect of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations, as it protects the pilot from continuing to a landing in inadequate conditions that could lead to unsafe situations.