In Summary: Listen to ATC… Most of the Time

In light of several recent blunders, the FAA has published a new Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO) regarding risks associated with visual approaches. It aims to remind carriers and pilots of how important it is to listen to ATC when it’s possible, and speak up when it’s not.

The agency published a similar SAFO back in 2021. It cited an uptick in airspace excursion and wrong surface events found in a 2017-2018 risk assessment. The study revealed that these events were more likely to occur when pilots accepted visual approach clearances. At the time, the FAA suggested that pilots consider requesting instrument approaches or simply stating “unable” to ATC if it seems that accepting a visual approach could compromise safety.

“To expedite traffic, Air Traffic Control (ATC) may clear pilots for a visual approach in lieu of the published instrument approach procedure. Visual approaches reduce pilot/controller workload and expedite traffic by shortening flight paths to the airport,” the 2021 SAFO explained. However, this expediency must be balanced with safety.”

The more recent SAFO looks a little different. The FAA stated that, in the last few months, “several notable and high visibility events have occurred in the National Airspace System (NAS) and the severity of these events is concerning.” Especially as air traffic, and aviation as a whole, continue to grow in the US, the agency needs to mitigate safety gaps wherever possible.

So, as much as we’d all love for air traffic to flow a little quicker sometimes, the FAA wants to ensure that operators are prioritizing risk management over unquestioned compliance with ATC. This includes exercising pilot-in-command rights to deny clearances for vectors, speeds, intersection takeoffs, shorter runways, and altitudes when they would create additional workload in the cockpit or disturb safety in any way.

The FAA recommends that all operational personnel review their Safety Management Systems (SMS), change procedures, and provide additional training where necessary. The agency also restated parts of the 2021 SAFO, clarifying that pilots always have the right to request instrument approaches or tell ATC that they are unable to comply without compromising the approach. Asking for more information about nearby aircraft to help maintain proper separation is another helpful option.

FMI: https://www.faa.gov/media/92656