Under Part 121 rules, can you continue an approach if ceilings are below minimums but visibility remains above minimums before the FAF?

Under Part 121 rules, can you continue an approach if ceilings are below minimums but visibility remains above minimums before the FAF?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if ATC approves
• D. Only after passing the FAF

Answer: (A)

The weather minimums for an instrument approach are applied to different segments of the approach. Before you reach the Final Approach Fix, you’re in the initial or intermediate segments, which are governed by the segment minima that protect obstacle clearance along the published path. If the ceiling dips below the published ceiling minimum but the visibility still meets the required visibility minimum for that segment, you can continue toward the FAF because you’re still within the permitted constraints for those earlier segments. The important limit is what happens after the FAF: once you’re in the final approach segment, you must meet the final approach minimums (both ceiling and visibility) to descend and continue. If those final-segment minimums aren’t met, you’d need to go missed. ATC approval isn’t the deciding factor here; adherence to the published minimums for each segment is.

The weather minimums for an instrument approach are applied to different segments of the approach. Before you reach the Final Approach Fix, you’re in the initial or intermediate segments, which are governed by the segment minima that protect obstacle clearance along the published path. If the ceiling dips below the published ceiling minimum but the visibility still meets the required visibility minimum for that segment, you can continue toward the FAF because you’re still within the permitted constraints for those earlier segments. The important limit is what happens after the FAF: once you’re in the final approach segment, you must meet the final approach minimums (both ceiling and visibility) to descend and continue. If those final-segment minimums aren’t met, you’d need to go missed. ATC approval isn’t the deciding factor here; adherence to the published minimums for each segment is.