Contact Approaches/Visual Approaches

Visual Approaches

A visual approach can be assigned to you by an ATC controller which basically gives you a license to scud run (fly very near the clouds).  Once assigned a visual approach, you can fly visually, keeping clear of clouds and 3 miles visibility. 

Some basic rules:

  • The controller will vector you to an area where they are relatively sure that visual conditions exist
  • The pilot needs to affirm this when they receive the visual approach assignment
  • If visual conditions do not exist, decline the visual approach and ask for an IAP (instrument approach procedure)
  • Once a visual approach is assigned and the pilot has accepted, the pilot becomes responsible for terrain clearance.  A Visual approach doesn't' mean you can throw your approach plates in the back seat just yet, it just means you can start thinking about it.
  • The Controller can assign you a visual approach even if you only have the aircraft in front of you in site.  This can happen, but do you really want to rely on the pilot in front of you being able to see the runway or even worse, seeing another aircraft in front of them?
    • If you lose the aircraft you are monitoring, notify ATC immediately:  "Approcah, Cessna 21483 has lost the traffic on visual Approach".  They will clear you as appropriate
  • Once you see the runway, stay OUT of the clouds
  • If you can't land after assigned/accepted a visual approach, you will be treated like a VFR pilot - there is no such thing as a visual approach - missed approach

Contact Approaches

A contact approach is a little like a Visual Approach but has some very important differences

  • A controller MUST NOT and CAN NOT assign a contact approach
  • A contact approach means that the pilot has visual 'contact' with the runway (or portions of the runway system - lights, etc.) and can keep that visual contact
  • Requirements are 1 mile visibility and clear of clouds
  • DO NOT re-enter the clouds if you have requested/assigned a contact approach
  • Obstruction avoidance is the responsibility of the pilot
  • When you receive a contact approach you may be terminated from radar service
  • Notify ATC immediately if you lose visual contact of the runway or if visibility reduces below 1 statute mile

Details of who is responsible for what can be found in the AIM - Section 5-5.