If you are at the DA and see flashing lights coming toward you, what are they and can you continue?

• A. They are the runway edge lights; you may continue normally.
• B. They are VASI/PAPI lights; you must stop descent.
• C. They are taxiway lights; they have no bearing on continuation.
• D. They are the approach light system; you may continue provided the red terminating bars or red side row bars are visible and identifiable.

Answer: (D)

At the decision altitude, you must have the right visual cues in sight to continue. The flashing lights you’re seeing coming toward you are the approach light system. Their purpose is to guide you to the runway and help confirm you’re in the final approach. You may continue the approach only if you can see and clearly identify the red terminating bars or red side row bars within that lighting system. If those red bars aren’t visible or identifiable, you should go around. Other lights, like runway edge lights, VASI/PAPI, or taxiway lights, don’t by themselves provide the required confirmation to continue from the DA.