For visual and non-precision approaches, what is the minimum height for autopilot use?

• A. 400 ft AGL
• B. 600 ft AGL
• C. 80 ft AGL
• D. 1000 ft AGL

Answer: (A)

The main idea is the altitude threshold where you must be back in manual control during approaches that don’t provide vertical guidance. For visual and non-precision approaches, autopilot can be used to fly the approach, but you should disengage and take manual control by about 400 feet AGL. This gives you enough room to visually verify the runway environment and complete the landing safely without relying on automatic systems in the critical final phase. Other options are generally too high or too low for this approach type, and 400 ft AGL is the conventional limit that aligns with needing to hand-fly the last part of the approach.