---
title: "NCO.OP.111 Aerodrome operating minima — 2D and 3D approach operations — Part-NCO · Avioverse"
description: "The decision height (DH) to be used for a 3D approach operation or a 2D approach operation flown with the continuous descent final approach (CDFA)…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-nco/subpart-b/nco-op-111"
---

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

ANNEX VII (Part-NCO) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

IR Implementing rule

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

(a) The decision height (DH) to be used for a 3D approach operation or a 2D approach operation flown with the [continuous descent final approach (CDFA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/continuous-descent-final-approach) technique shall not be lower than the highest of:

(1) the obstacle clearance height (OCH) for the category of [aircraft](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aircraft);

(2) the published approach procedure DH or minimum descent height (MDH), where applicable;

(3) the system minimum specified in Table 1;

(4) the minimum DH specified in the AFM or equivalent document, if stated.

(b) The MDH for a 2D approach operation flown without the CDFA technique shall 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 AFM, 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](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/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                |

IR · NCO.OP.111 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) 2021/2237 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

AMC Acceptable means of compliance

## AMC1 NCO.OP.111 Aerodrome operating minima — 2D and 3D approach operations

DETERMINATION OF DH/MDH FOR INSTRUMENT APPROACH OPERATIONS AND RUNWAY

When determining the DH/MDH in accordance with the obstacle clearance hight (OCH) for the category of [aircraft](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aircraft) and the published approach procedure DH or minimum descent height (MDH), the pilot should determine whether the obstacle limitation surface is appropriate for the type of instrument approach flown and runway as this matter may have an impact on the calculation of the OCH and DH/MDH. When this information is not available (e.g. not mentioned in the AIP, etc.), then the pilot should take into account Table 8 or 9 below, as applicable, when determining the DH/MDH:

Table 8

Runway type minima — aeroplanes

| Runway type           | Lowest DH/MDH (ft)                                                                                 |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| PA runway, category I | 200                                                                                                |
| NPA runway            | 250                                                                                                |
| Non-instrument runway | [Circling](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/circling) minima as shown in Table 1 in NCC.OP.112 |

Table 9

Type of runway/FATO minima — helicopters

| Type of runway/FATO                                    | Lowest DH/MDH (ft) |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------ |
| PA runway, category I NPA runway Non-instrument runway | 200                |
| Instrument FATO FATO                                   | 200 250            |

Table 8 does not apply to [helicopter](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/helicopter) PinS approaches with instructions to ‘proceed VFR’.

AMC · AMC1 NCO.OP.111 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2022/012/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GM Guidance material

## GM1 NCO.OP.111 Aerodrome operating minima — 2D and 3D approach operations

APPROACH OPERATIONS — VERTICAL PATH CONTROL FOR NPA

(a) During a 3D [instrument approach operation](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/instrument-approach-operation) (using both lateral and vertical navigation guidance), the displayed vertical path should be followed continuously. The approach may be continued to DA/H, at which point a missed approach must be initiated if visual reference is not acquired.

(b) During a 2D instrument approach operation (using lateral navigation guidance only) flown using the [continuous descent final approach (CDFA)](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/continuous-descent-final-approach) technique, the vertical path should be approximated continuously by:

(1) choosing an appropriate vertical speed;

(2) cross-checking level against position along the approach; and

(3) adapting the vertical speed as required.

The approach may be continued to DA/H or the missed approach point (MAPt) (whichever is reached first), at which point a missed approach must be initiated if visual reference is not acquired. There is no MDH for an NPA flown using the CDFA technique. An [aircraft](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aircraft) may descend briefly below the DH on an NPA flown using the CDFA technique, in the same way as it may on a PA or APV.

(c) During a 2D instrument approach operation (using lateral navigation guidance only) flown using the step-down (non-CDFA) technique, the vertical path consists of a sequence of one or more descents to the next published level (i.e. the MDA/H or height at the next stepdown fix). The aircraft may fly level at the MDA/H until reaching the MAPt, where a missed approach must be initiated if visual reference is not acquired.

The CDFA technique has substantially improved safety performance in commercial air transport operations with [complex motor-powered aircraft](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/complex-motor-powered-aircraft). In lighter, more manoeuvrable aircraft, operated by a single pilot, which may be accustomed to shorter and steeper visual approaches, there may sometimes be advantages to a step-down technique. Due consideration should be given to the choice of vertical path control at the planning stage of flight.

GM · GM1 NCO.OP.111 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2022/012/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GM Guidance material

## GM2 NCO.OP.111 Aerodrome operating minima — 2D and 3D approach operations

DH/MDH — CALCULATION OF DA/MDA

NCO.OP.111 refers to DH and MDH because the rule compares heights with other heights (system minima, minimum DH in the AFM, etc.). Usually, the DH or MDH will be converted to DA or MDA for operational use by adding the threshold elevation.

GM · GM2 NCO.OP.111 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2022/012/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GM Guidance material

## GM3 NCO.OP.111 Aerodrome operating minima — 2D and 3D approach operations

DH/MDH — PinS APPROACHES WITH VIRTUAL DESTINATION

For PinS approaches with instructions to ‘proceed VFR’ that are not associated with a runway/FATO/[operating site](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/operating-site), DH/MDH can be established with reference to the ground below the MAPt.

GM · GM3 NCO.OP.111 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2022/012/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

[All rules in SUBPART B: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-nco/subpart-b)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.