What is necessary to establish before descending below MDA?

To safely descend below the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA), it is crucial to have visual reference with the runway environment. This means that the pilot must visually identify aspects of the airport or runway, such as the runway lights, markings, or other cues, allowing them to continue the descent and approach for landing safely.

If a pilot does not have this visual reference, they could risk an unsafe approach, possibly leading to a collision with terrain or obstacles. Therefore, confirming a visual reference with the runway environment is a fundamental safety requirement that enables the pilot to make informed decisions as they approach landing.

While visibility requirements, level flight status, and flight conditions approval are important aspects of flying and might contribute to the overall operational safety, they are secondary to the critical necessity of visual confirmation with the runway when transitioning below MDA.