7-2-1 Visual Separation
Aircraft may be separated by visual means, as provided in this paragraph, when other approved separation is assured before and after the application of visual separation. To ensure that other separation will exist, consider aircraft performance, wake turbulence, closure rate, routes of flight, and known weather conditions. Reported weather conditions must allow the aircraft to remain within sight until other separation exists. Do not apply visual separation between successive departures when departure routes and/or aircraft performance preclude maintaining separation.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Wake Turbulence Cautionary Advisories, paragraph 2-1-20.
FAAO 7110.65, Traffic Advisories, paragraph 2-1-21.
FAAO 7110.65, Use of Tower Radar Displays, paragraph 3-1-9.
FAAO 7110.65, Approach Separation Responsibility, paragraph 5-9-5.
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Approach, paragraph 7-4-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Vectors for Visual Approach, paragraph 7-4-2.
FAAO 7110.65, Approaches to Multiple Runways, paragraph 7-4-4.
P/CG Terms - Visual Approach, Visual Separation.
a. TERMINAL: Visual separation may be applied between aircraft
under the control of the same facility within the terminal area, provided:
1. Communication is maintained with at least one of the aircraft
involved or the capability to communicate immediately as prescribed in
3-9-3 is available, and:
2. The aircraft are visually observed by the tower and visual
separation is maintained between the aircraft by the tower. The tower shall
not provide visual separation between aircraft when wake turbulence separation
is required or when the lead aircraft is a B-757.
3. A pilot sees another aircraft and is instructed to maintain
visual separation from the aircraft as follows:
(a) Tell the pilot about the other aircraft including
position, direction and, unless it is obvious, the other aircraft's intention.
(b) Obtain acknowledgment from the pilot that the other
aircraft is in sight.
(c) Instruct the pilot to maintain visual separation from
that aircraft.
(d) Advise the pilot if the radar targets appear likely
to converge.
NOTE -
Issue this advisory in conjunction with the instruction to maintain
visual separation, or thereafter if the controller subsequently becomes
aware that the targets are merging.
(e) If the aircraft are on converging courses, inform
the other aircraft of the traffic and that visual separation is being applied.
PHRASEOLOGY -
TRAFFIC, (clock position and distance), (direction)-BOUND, (type of
aircraft), (intentions and other relevant information).
If applicable,
ON CONVERGING COURSE.
DO YOU HAVE IT IN SIGHT?
If the answer is in the affirmative,
MAINTAIN VISUAL SEPARATION FROM THAT TRAFFIC.
If aircraft are on converging courses, advise the other aircraft:
TRAFFIC, (clock position and distance), (direction)-BOUND, (type of
aircraft). HAS YOU IN SIGHT AND WILL MAINTAIN VISUAL SEPARATION.
b. EN ROUTE: You may use visual separation in conjunction with visual approach procedures. Visual separation may also be used up to but not including FL180 when the following conditions are met:
1. Direct communication is maintained with one of the aircraft
involved and there is an ability to communicate with the other.
2. A pilot sees another aircraft and is instructed to maintain
visual separation from it as follows:
(a) Tell the pilot about the other aircraft including
position, direction and unless it is obvious, the other aircraft's intentions.
(b) Obtain acknowledgement from the pilot that the other
aircraft is in sight.
(c) Instruct the pilot to maintain visual separation from
that aircraft.
(d) Advise the pilot if the radar targets appear likely
to converge.
(e) If the aircraft are on converging courses, inform
the other aircraft of the traffic and that visual separation is being applied.
(f) Advise the pilots if either aircraft is a heavy.
(g) Traffic advisories and wake turbulence cautionary
advisories shall be issued in accordance with FAAO 7110.65, paragraphs
2-1-20 and 2-1-21.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Approach, paragraph 7-4-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Vectors for Visual Approach, paragraph 7-4-2.
c. Nonapproach control towers may be authorized to provide visual separation between aircraft within surface areas or designated areas provided other separation is assured before and after the application of visual separation. This may be applied by the nonapproach control tower providing the separation or by a pilot visually observing another aircraft and being instructed to maintain visual separation with that aircraft.
PHRASEOLOGY -
VISUAL SEPARATION APPROVED BETWEEN (identification) AND (identification),
and for departing aircraft,
(departing/ succeeding aircraft) RELEASED YOUR DISCRETION.
NOTE -
Separation of IFR aircraft before and after application of visual separation
is an IFR control function (approach/departure/en route). A nonapproach
control tower by accepting authorization for visual separation becomes
responsible for ensuring that separation. Separation requirements also
apply to VFR aircraft when IFR, Class B, Class C or TRSA separation is
prescribed.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Practice Approaches, paragraph 4-8-11.
FAAO 7110.65, Application, paragraph 5-6-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Vectors for Visual Approach, paragraph 7-4-2.
FAAO 7110.65, Application, paragraph 7-6-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Application, paragraph 7-7-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Issuance of EFC, paragraph 7-7-2.
FAAO 7110.65, Separation, paragraph 7-7-3.
FAAO 7110.65, Helicopter Traffic, paragraph 7-7-4.
FAAO 7110.65, Altitude Assignments, paragraph 7-7-5.
FAAO 7110.65, Approach Interval, paragraph 7-7-6.
FAAO 7110.65, TRSA Departure Information, paragraph 7-7-7.
FAAO 7110.65, Class C Services, 7-8-2.
FAAO 7110.65, Separation, paragraph 7-8-3.
FAAO 7110.65, Establishing Two-Way Communications, paragraph 7-8-4.
FAAO 7110.65, Altitude Assignments, paragraph 7-8-5.
FAAO 7110.65, Exceptions, 7-8-6.
FAAO 7110.65, Application, paragraph 7-9-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Methods, paragraph 7-9-3.
FAAO 7110.65, Separation, 7-9-4.
FAAO 7110.65, Helicopter Traffic, 7-9-6.
FAAO 7110.65, Altitude Assignments, 7-9-7.