Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

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Aero-Tips 01.12.06

You’re completing an IFR flight when you get this call: “November 329PT, you’re cleared for the visual approach.” What are the implications of the visual clearance?

Going visual

A visual approach is an instrument procedure, and accepting “the visual” does not cancel your instrument clearance or flight plan. If conditions are right, replacing a sometimes-ponderous instrument approach with a quick, visual landing frees up controlled airspace quicker by expediting your arrival. Here are the requirements for ATC to assign a visual approach:

• Conditions at the arrival airport must be VFR, meaning at least three miles visibility and a ceiling no lower than 1000 feet.
• The pilot must report either the airport or an aircraft preceding him/her to the airport in sight.

Once you accept a visual approach clearance, you’re responsible for terrain separation and traffic avoidance. (Note: if you do not report seeing a preceding aircraft, ATC retains responsibility for separation and wake turbulence avoidance). You may descend to traffic pattern altitude at your discretion. You still need to (eventually) “cancel IFR” at nontowered airports.

A visual approach is not an “instrument approach procedure,” and therefore does not have a stipulated missed approach. Remember, you’re in good VFR conditions “on the visual” -- if you need to go around you must to remain in visual conditions until receiving an updated clearance.

If you feel at all uncomfortable with terrain separation or any other aspect of a visual clearance, especially at night, or if you simply want to fly the instrument approach, you can always decline the visual clearance.

For more see www.faa.gov/ATPubs/AIM/Chap5/aim0504.html#5-4-21.

Aero-tip of the day: Understand and observe the nuances of accepting a visual approach

FMI: Aero-Tips