A visual approach is an ATC authorization for an aircraft on an IFR flight plan to proceed visually to the airport of intended landing; it is not an instrument approach procedure. Also, there is no missed approach segment. An aircraft unable to complete a visual approach shall be handled as any go around and appropriate separation must be provided.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Wake Turbulence Cautionary Advisories, paragraph 2-1-20.
FAAO 7110.65, Forwarding Approach Information by NonApproach Control
Facilities, paragraph 3-10-2.
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Separation, paragraph 7-2-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Approaches to Multiple Runways, paragraph 7-4-4.
7-4-2 Vectors for Visual Approach
A vector for a visual approach may be initiated if the reported ceiling at the airport of intended landing is at least 500 feet above the MVA/MIA and the visibility is 3 miles or greater. At airports without weather reporting service there must be reasonable assurance (e.g. area weather reports, PIREPs etc.) that descent and flight to the airport can be made in visually, and the pilot must be informed that weather information is not available.
PHRASEOLOGY -
(Ident) FLY HEADING or TURN RIGHT/LEFT HEADING (degrees) VECTOR FOR
VISUAL APPROACH TO (airport name);
(if appropriate)
WEATHER NOT AVAILABLE.
NOTE -
At airports where weather information is not available, a pilot request
for a visual approach indicates that descent and flight to the airport
can be made in visually and clear of clouds.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Vectors to Final Approach Course, paragraph 5-9-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Separation, paragraph 7-2-1.
FAAO 7110.65, Clearance for Visual Approach, paragraph 7-4-3.
FAAO 7110.65, Approaches to Multiple Runways, paragraph 7-4-4.
FAAO 7110.65, Sequencing, paragraph 7-6-7.
FAAO 7110.65, Separation, paragraph 7-7-3.
7-4-3 Clearance for Visual Approach
ARTCCs and approach controls may clear aircraft for visual approaches using the following procedures:
NOTE -
Towers may exercise this authority when authorized by a letter of agreement
with the facility that provides the IFR service, or by a facility directive
at collocated facilities.
a. Controllers may initiate, or pilots may request, a visual approach even when an aircraft is being vectored for an instrument approach and the pilot subsequently reports:
1. The airport or the runway in sight at airports with operating
towers.
2. The airport in sight at airports without a control tower.
{New-98-3 Revised February 26, 1998}
b. Resolve potential conflicts with all other aircraft, advise an overtaking aircraft of the distance to the preceding aircraft and speed difference, and ensure that weather conditions at the airport are VFR or that the pilot has been informed that weather is not available for the destination airport. Advise the pilot of the frequency to receive weather information where AWOS/ASOS is available.
PHRASEOLOGY -
(Ident) (instructions) CLEARED VISUAL APPROACH RUNWAY (number);
or
(ident) (instructions) CLEARED VISUAL APPROACH TO (airport name)
(and if appropriate)
WEATHER NOT AVAILABLE OR AWOS/ASOS WEATHER AVAILABLE ON FREQUENCY
(freq) MHZ.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Visual Separation, paragraph 7-2-1.
c. Clear an aircraft for a visual approach when:
1. The aircraft is number one in the approach sequence, or
2. The aircraft is to follow a preceding aircraft and the pilot
reports the preceding aircraft in sight and is instructed to follow it,
or
NOTE -
The pilot need not report the airport/runway in sight.
3. The pilot reports the airport or runway in sight but not the preceding aircraft. Radar separation must be maintained until visual separation is provided.
{New-98-3 Added February 26, 1998}
d. All aircraft following a heavy jet/B757 must be informed of the airplane manufacturer and model.
{New-98-3 Added February 26, 1998}
EXAMPLE -
"Cessna Three Four Juliet, following a Boeing 757, 12 o'clock,
six miles."
{New-98-3 Redesignated February 26, 1998. Was d.}
e. Inform the tower of the aircraft's position prior to communications transfer at controlled airports. ARTS functions may be used provided a facility directive or a LOA specifies control and communication transfer points.
PHRASEOLOGY -
(ident) (instructions) CLEARED VISUAL APPROACH RUNWAY (number);
or
(ident) (instructions) CLEARED VISUAL APPROACH TO (airport name);
(and if appropriate)
WEATHER NOT AVAILABLE or AWOS/ASOS WEATHER AVAILABLE ON FREQUENCY
(frequency) MHz.
{New-98-3 Revised & Redesignated February 26, 1998. Was e.}
f. In addition to the requirements of paragraph 7-4-2, Vectors for Visual Approach, and subparagraphs a, b, c, d, and e, ensure that the location of the destination airport is provided when the pilot is asked to report the destination airport in sight.
{New-98-3 Redesignated February 26, 1998. Was f.}
g. In those instances where airports are located in close proximity, also provide the location of the airport that may cause the confusion.
EXAMPLE -
"Cessna Five Six November, Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport is at
12 o'clock, 5 miles. Cleveland Hopkins Airport is at 1 o'clock 12 miles.
Report Cleveland Hopkins in sight.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Approaches to Multiple Runways, paragraph 7-4-4.
7-4-4 Approaches to Multiple Runways
a. All aircraft must be informed that approaches are being conducted
to parallel/intersecting/converging runways. This may be accomplished through
use of the ATIS.
b. When conducting visual approaches to multiple runways ensure
the following:
1. Do not permit the respective aircrafts' primary radar returns
to merge unless visual separation is being applied.
2. When the aircraft flight paths intersect, ensure standard
separation is maintained until visual separation is provided.
c. In addition to the requirements in paragraph 7-2-1, paragraph 7-4-1, paragraph 7-4-2 and paragraph 7-4-3, the following conditions apply to visual approaches being conducted simultaneously to parallel, intersecting, and converging runways, as appropriate:
{New-98-3 Revised February 26, 1998}
1. Parallel runways separated by less than 2,500 feet. Unless
standard separation is provided by ATC, an aircraft must report sighting
a preceding aircraft making an approach (instrument or visual) to the adjacent
parallel runway. When an aircraft reports another aircraft in sight on
the adjacent final approach course and visual separation is applied, controllers
must advise the succeeding aircraft to maintain visual separation. However,
do not permit a heavy/B757 aircraft to overtake another aircraft. Do not
permit a large aircraft to overtake a small aircraft.
2. Parallel runways separated by at least 2,500 feet, but less
than 4,300 feet.
(a) Standard separation is provided until the aircraft
are established on a heading which will intercept the extended centerline
of the runway at an angle not greater than 30 degrees, and each aircraft
has been issued and the pilot has acknowledged receipt of the visual approach
clearance.
NOTE -
The intent of the 30 degree intercept angle is to reduce the potential
for overshoots of the final, and preclude side by side operations with
one or both aircraft in a "belly up" configuration during the turn. Aircraft
performance, speed, and the number of degrees of the turn to the final
are factors to be considered by the controller when vectoring aircraft
to parallel runways.
(b) Visual approaches may be conducted to one runway while
visual or instrument approaches are conducted simultaneously to the other
runway, provided the conditions of subparagraph c2(a) are met.
(c) Provided aircraft flight paths do not intersect, and
when the provisions of subparagraphs c2(a) and (b) are met, it is not necessary
to apply any other type of separation with aircraft on the adjacent final
approach course.
3. Parallel runways separated by 4,300 feet or more.
(a) When aircraft flight paths do not intersect, visual
approaches may be conducted simultaneously, provided standard separation
is maintained until one of the aircraft has been issued and the pilot has
acknowledged receipt of the visual approach clearance.
(b) Visual approaches may be conducted to one runway while
visual or instrument approaches are conducted simultaneously to the other
runway, provided the conditions of subparagraph c3(a) are met.
(c) Provided the aircraft flight paths do not intersect,
when the provisions of subparagraphs c3(a) and (b) are met it is not necessary
to apply any other type of separation with aircraft on the adjacent final
approach course.
4. Intersecting and converging runways. Visual approaches may
be conducted simultaneously with visual or instrument approaches to another
runway, provided:
(a) Standard separation is maintained until the aircraft
conducting the visual approach has been issued and the pilot has acknowledged
receipt of the visual approach clearance.
(b) When aircraft flight paths intersect, radar separation
must be maintained until visual separation is provided.
NOTE -
Although simultaneous approaches may be conducted to intersecting runways,
staggered approaches may be necessary to meet the airport separation requirements
specified in paragraph 3-10-4.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.79, Charted Visual Flight Procedures.
FAAO 7110.65, Charted Visual Flight Procedures (CVFP). USA/USN Not
Applicable, paragraph 7-4-5.
FAAO 7110.65, Separation, paragraph 7-7-3.
7-4-5 Charted Visual Flight Procedures (CVFP). USA/USN NOT APPLICABLE.
Clear an aircraft for a CVFP only when the following conditions are met:
{New-98-3 Redesignated February 26, 1998. Was b.}
a. There is an operating control tower;
{New-98-3 Redesignated February 26, 1998. Was c.}
b. The published name of the CVFP and the landing runway are specified in the approach clearance, the reported ceiling at the airport of intended landing is at least 500 feet above the MVA/MIA, and the visibility is 3 miles or more, unless higher minimums are published for the particular CVFP;
{New-98-3 Redesignated February 26, 1998. Was d.}
c. When using parallel or intersecting/converging runways, the criteria specified in paragraph 7-4-4 are applied.
{New-98-3 Redesignated February 26, 1998. Was e.}
d. An aircraft not following another aircraft on the approach reports sighting a charted visual landmark, or reports sighting a preceding aircraft landing on the same runway and has been instructed to follow that aircraft.
PHRASEOLOGY -
(Ident) CLEARED (name of CVFP) APPROACH.
Clear an aircraft for a contact approach only if the following
conditions are met:
a. The pilot has requested it.
NOTE -
When executing a contact approach, the pilot is responsible for maintaining
the required flight visibility, cloud clearance, and terrain/obstruction
clearance. Unless otherwise restricted, the pilot may find it necessary
to descend, climb, and/or fly a circuitous route to the airport to maintain
cloud clearance and/or terrain/obstruction clearance. It is not in any
way intended that controllers will initiate or suggest a contact approach
to a pilot.
b. The reported ground visibility is at least 1 statute mile.
c. A standard or special instrument approach procedure has been
published and is functioning for the airport of intended landing.
d. Approved separation is applied between aircraft so cleared
and other IFR or Special VFR aircraft. When applying vertical separation,
do not assign a fixed altitude but clear the aircraft at or below an altitude
which is at least 1,000 feet below any IFR traffic but not below the minimum
safe altitude prescribed in CFR Part 91.119.
NOTE -
CFR Part 91.119 specifies the minimum safe altitude to be flown
(a) anywhere;
(b) over congested areas;
(c) other than congested areas; To provide for an emergency landing
in the event of power failure and without undue hazard to persons or property
on the surface.
(d) Helicopters; may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed
in paragraph b and c of FAR Part 91.119 if the operation is conducted without
hazard to persons or property on the surface.
e. An alternative clearance is issued when weather conditions
are such that a contact approach may be impracticable.
PHRASEOLOGY -
CLEARED CONTACT APPROACH,
and if required,
AT OR BELOW (altitude) (routing).
IF NOT POSSIBLE, (alternative procedures), AND ADVISE.