Visual approach
Encyclopedia
The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), defines a visual approach as one conducted under instrument flight rules
(IFR), which authorizes the pilot to proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport. The pilot must, at all times, have either the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight. This approach must be authorized and under the control of the appropriate air traffic control
(ATC) facility. Reported weather at the airport must be ceiling at or above 1,000 feet and visibility of 3-miles or greater.
The International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) definition adds that the visual approach can commence when, “either part or all of an instrument approach is not completed,” varying only slightly from the FAA regulation and is essentially identical.
Controllers also benefit from visual approaches, for whom a visual approach is an essential tool in the effort to maximize traffic flow (especially at busier airports). Visual approaches dramatically reduce controller workload -- ATC's IFR separation requirements are eliminated which relieves controllers of the burden.
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA), defines a visual approach as one conducted under instrument flight rules
Instrument flight rules
Instrument flight rules are one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other are visual flight rules ....
(IFR), which authorizes the pilot to proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport. The pilot must, at all times, have either the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight. This approach must be authorized and under the control of the appropriate air traffic control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
(ATC) facility. Reported weather at the airport must be ceiling at or above 1,000 feet and visibility of 3-miles or greater.
The International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
(ICAO) definition adds that the visual approach can commence when, “either part or all of an instrument approach is not completed,” varying only slightly from the FAA regulation and is essentially identical.
Purpose
The visual approach allows a pilot to fly to the runway without having to perform an instrument approach. This can greatly reduce pilot and controller workload, and expedite traffic by shortening flight paths to the airport. Taking a shorter route to the airport in lieu of flying a complicated instrument approach procedure (IAP) can increase pilot safety, as the critical tasks of approach and landing occur when pilots are most fatigued, and act as lifesavers when the chips are down and a pilot needs to legally cut some corners.Controllers also benefit from visual approaches, for whom a visual approach is an essential tool in the effort to maximize traffic flow (especially at busier airports). Visual approaches dramatically reduce controller workload -- ATC's IFR separation requirements are eliminated which relieves controllers of the burden.
See also
- Controlled Visual Flight Rules (CVFR)
- Special visual flight rulesSpecial visual flight rulesSpecial visual flight rules are a set of aviation regulations under which a pilot may operate an aircraft. It's a special case of operating under visual flight rules .- Use in different regions :...
(SVFR) - Night visual flight rules (NVFR)
- Instrument approach procedure (IAP)
- Contact approachContact approachA Contact Approach is an approach available to aircraft operating on an IFR flight plan, where the pilot may deviate from the published instrument approach procedure and proceed to the destination airport by visual reference to the surface....