---
title: "Decision altitude (DA) or decision height (DH) — EASA Definition · Avioverse"
description: "Annex I — Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IX, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012: ‘decision altitude (DA) or decision height (DH)’ means a specified…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/decision-altitude-or-decision-height"
---

# decision altitude (DA) or decision height (DH)

EASA defines “decision altitude (DA) or decision height (DH)” in 2 regulations, worded for each regulation's scope. The wording below is reproduced verbatim from the EASA Easy Access Rules, with a link to the paragraph it comes from.

> ‘decision altitude (DA) or decision height (DH)’ means a specified altitude or height in a 3D instrument approach operation at which a missed approach procedure must be initiated if the required visual reference to continue the approach has not been established;
>
> (36) ‘de-icing’, in the case of ground procedures, means a procedure by which frost, ice, snow or slush is removed from an aircraft in order to provide uncontaminated surfaces;

Annex I — Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IX · Air Operations · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Easy Access Rules, 27 Mar 2026 revision · [Read the article](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/definitions/powers-and-recitals#annex-i-definitions-for-terms-used-in-annexes-ii-to-ix)

> ‘decision altitude’ (‘DA’) or ‘decision height’ (‘DH’) means a specified altitude or height in a 3D instrument approach operation at which a missed approach procedure must be initiated if the required visual reference to continue the approach has not been established;

Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to IV · Aerodromes · Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 · Easy Access Rules, 13 Mar 2026 revision · [Read the article](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/aerodromes/definitions/powers-and-recitals#definitions-for-terms-used-in-annexes-ii-to-iv)

## Defined in the same article

- [\[aerodrome\] traffic density](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-traffic-density)
- [accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/accelerate-stop-distance-available)
- [acceptable means of compliance (AMC)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/acceptable-means-of-compliance)
- [acceptance checklist](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/acceptance-checklist)
- [adequate aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adequate-aerodrome)
- [adequate vertiport](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adequate-vertiport)
- [adult](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/adult)
- [aerodrome control service](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aerodrome-control-service)