NCO.OP.111 Aerodrome operating minima — NPA, APV, CAT I operations

SI No. 1290/2024

Text in magenta in force from 30 October 2025

  1. The decision height (DH) to be used for a non-precision approach (NPA) flown with the continuous descent final approach (CDFA) technique, approach procedure with vertical guidance (APV) or category I (CAT I) operation shall not be lower than the highest of:

    1. the minimum height to which the approach aid can be used without the required visual reference;

    2. the obstacle clearance height (OCH) for the category of aircraft;

    3. the published approach procedure DH where applicable;

    4. the system minimum specified in Table 1; or

    5. the minimum DH specified in the AFM or equivalent document, if stated.

  2. The minimum descent height (MDH) for an NPA operation flown without the CDFA technique shall not be lower than the highest of:

    1. the OCH for the category of aircraft;

    2. the system minimum specified in Table 1; or

    3. the minimum MDH specified in the AFM, if stated.

Table 1 System minima

Facility Lowest DH/MDH (ft)
Instrument landing system (ILS) 200
Global navigation satellite system (GNSS)/Satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) (Lateral precision with vertical guidance approach (LPV)) 200
GNSS (Lateral Navigation (LNAV)) 250
GNSS/Baro-vertical navigation (VNAV) (LNAV/VNAV) 250
Localiser (LOC) with or without distance measuring equipment (DME) 250
Surveillance radar approach (SRA) (terminating at ½ NM) 250
SRA (terminating at 1 NM) 300
SRA (terminating at 2 NM or more) 350
VHF omnidirectional radio range (VOR) 300
VOR/DME 250
Non-directional beacon (NDB) 350
NDB/DME 300
VHF direction finder (VDF) 350

 

The title and text below will replace the text above on 30 October 2025:

NCO.OP.111 Aerodrome operating minima – 2D and 3D approach operations

  1. The DH to be used for a 3D approach operation or 2D approach operation flown with the CDFA technique must not be lower than the highest of:

    1. the OCH for the category of aircraft;

    2. the published approach procedure DH or MDH, where applicable;

    3. the system minimum specified in Table 1; or

    4. the minimum DH specified in the aircraft flight manual or equivalent.

  2. The MDH for a 2D approach operation flown without the CDFA technique must not be lower than the highest of:

    1. the OCH for the category of aircraft;

    2. the published approach procedure MDH, where applicable;

    3. the system minimum specified in Table 1; or

    4. the minimum MDH specified in the aircraft flight manual, if stated.

Table 1

System Minima

Facility Lowest DH/MDH (ft)
ILS/MLS/GLS 200
GNSS/SBAS (LPV) 200
Precision approach radar (PAR) 200
GNSS/SBAS (LP) 250
GNSS (LNAV) 250
GNSS/Baro-VNAV (LNAV/VNAV) 250
Helicopter point-in-space approach 250
LOC with or without DME 250
SRA (terminating at ½ NM 250
SRA (terminating at 1 NM) 300
SRA (terminating at 2 NM or more) 350
VOR 300
VOR/DME 250
NDB 350
NDB/DME 300
VDF 350