VISUAL APPROACHES

Visual Approaches Visual Approaches can expedite aircraft to an airport and occasionally get you out of a tough spot, but don’t bet on it! To learn the requirements and separation standards needed to run visual approaches in the terminal environment

Visual Approaches A visual approach is an approach conducted on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan that 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 ATC facility. Reported weather at the airport must be ceiling at or above 1,000 feet and visibility 3 miles or greater.

Vectors For A Visual A vector for a visual approach may be initiated at airports with a weather reporting service ceiling of at least 500 feet above MVA/MIA and visibility of 3 miles or more.

WEATHER REQUIREMENTS - VISUAL APPROACH @ FXE MVA – FIELD ELEVATION + 500 = VISUAL APPROACH CEILING MINIMUM VECTORING ALTITUDE (MVA) = 1,500 MSL AT LEAST 3 MILES VISIBILITY MVA 1,500 ELEVATION -13 1,487 +500 TOTAL 1,987 ROUND UP TO 2,000 EXECUTIVE AIRPORT FIELD ELEVATION 13 FEET MSL

Vectors For A Visual At airports WITHOUT a weather reporting service: There must be reasonable assurance from sources, such as area weather reports and PIREPs, that descent and flight to the airport can be made visually, and The pilot MUST be informed that weather information is NOT available

VECTORS FOR A VISUAL APPROACH “BONANZA NINER THREE ROMEO SIERRA, FLY HEADING TWO SIX ZERO, VECTOR FOR VISUAL APPROACH TO HOMESTEAD AIRPORT, WEATHER NOT AVAILABLE.”

QUESTION To vector an aircraft for a visual approach at an airport with a weather reporting service, the ceiling must be least _______ feet above the minimum vectoring altitude and visibility at least _______ miles. ANSWER: 500; 3

Visual Approach Clearance ARTCCs and approach controls may clear aircraft for visual approaches using the following procedures: Controllers may initiate, or pilots may request, a visual approach if an aircraft is being vectored for an instrument approach and subsequently reports the following: − At airports with operating control towers: → Airport in sight or → Runway in sight − At airports WITHOUT towers: → Airport in sight

Visual Approach Clearance Resolve potential conflicts with ALL other aircraft and ensure that: − You have advised an overtaking aircraft of the distance to the preceding aircraft and speed difference − Weather conditions at the airport are VFR, or the pilot has been informed that the weather is NOT available for the destination airport → Upon pilot request, advise the pilot of the frequency to receive weather information where AWOS/ASOS is available. − Additionally, ensure that the location of the destination airport is provided when the pilot is asked to report destination airport in sight. Where airports are located in close proximity, provide the location of the airport that may cause confusion.

“CESSNA ONE SIX TWO, AIRPORT IN SIGHT.” PHRASEOLOGY EXAMPLE “CESSNA ONE SIX TWO, AIRPORT THREE O’CLOCK FIVE MILES, REPORT IN SIGHT.” “CESSNA ONE SIX TWO, AIRPORT IN SIGHT.”

PHRASEOLOGY EXAMPLE At a controlled airport: “AMERICAN ONE FORTY-TWO, CLEARED VISUAL APPROACH RUNWAY TWO SIX RIGHT.”

PHRASEOLOGY EXAMPLE At an uncontrolled airport: “BONANZA TWO SIX LIMA, CLEARED VISUAL APPROACH TO BAYOU AIRPORT.”

Visual Approach Clearance Clear an aircraft for a visual approach when the: Aircraft is number one in the approach sequence, or Pilot reports that the preceding aircraft is in sight and is instructed to follow it, or Pilot reports the airport or the runway is in sight, but NOT the preceding traffic − Radar separation MUST be maintained until visual separation is provided.

Visual Approach Clearance All aircraft following a heavy jet/B757 must be informed of the airplane manufacturer and model. Issue wake turbulence cautionary advisories and the position, altitude if known, and direction of flight of heavy jet/B757 to: − IFR aircraft that accept a visual approach − VFR aircraft not being radar vectored but are behind heavy jets/B757 “CAUTION WAKE TURBULENCE (traffic information).”

“AMERICAN ONE FORTY-TWO, ROGER, IN SIGHT.” PHRASEOLOGY EXAMPLE “AMERICAN ONE FORTY-TWO, TRAFFIC TEN O’CLOCK FIVE MILES NORTHBOUND, A UNITED BOEING SEVEN THIRTY-SEVEN, REPORT IN SIGHT.” “AMERICAN ONE FORTY-TWO, ROGER, IN SIGHT.”

PHRASEOLOGY EXAMPLE “AMERICAN ONE FORTY-TWO, FOLLOW THE UNITED BOEING SEVEN THIRTY-SEVEN, CLEARED VISUAL APPROACH RUNWAY TWO EIGHT RIGHT.”

Visual Approach Clearance Prior to communications transfer at controlled airports, inform the tower of the aircraft’s position. ARTS/STARS functions may be used if specified in a Facility Directive or a Letter of Agreement (LOA).

Coordination With Tower NORTH PERRY TOWER… NORTH PERRY TOWER, APPROACH N-P PIPER FOUR FIVE YANKEE ONE TWO MILES NORTH, B-A

Multiple Runways ALL aircraft MUST be informed that approaches are being conducted to parallel/converging/intersecting runways. This may be accomplished through the ATIS. When conducting visual approaches to multiple runways: − DO NOT permit respective aircraft’s primary radar targets to merge UNLESS visual separation is being applied. − When the aircraft flight paths intersect, ensure standard separation is maintained until visual separation is provided.

Multiple Runways For operations on parallel runways less than 2,500 feet apart: 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. To apply visual separation: You MUST advise the succeeding aircraft to maintain visual separation. Do NOT permit a heavy/B757 aircraft to overtake another aircraft. Do NOT permit a large aircraft to overtake a small aircraft.

PARALLEL RUNWAYS LESS THAN 2,500 FEET APART SWA252 030 18 UAL166 020 18 N N

Multiple Runways For operations on parallel runways at least 2,500 feet apart BUT less than 4,300 feet apart: Provide standard separation until: − The aircraft are established on a heading to intercept the extended centerline of the runway at an angle NOT greater than 30 degrees, − Each aircraft has been issued and the pilot has acknowledged receipt of the visual approach clearance

Multiple Runways Provide standard separation until visual approaches may be conducted to one runway while visual or instrument approaches are conducted simultaneously to the other runway, provided the conditions of 7110.65, par. 7-4-4c2(a) are met. Provided aircraft flight paths DO NOT intersect, and when provisions of 7-4-4c2(a) and (b) are met, it is NOT necessary to apply any other type of separation with aircraft on the adjacent final approach course.

PARALLEL RUNWAYS AT LEAST 2,500 FEET APART, LESS THAN 4,300 FEET APART AAL364 030 17 UAL142 020 17 N N

Multiple Runways For operations on parallel runways separated by 4,300 feet or more: When aircraft flight paths DO NOT intersect: − Visual approaches may be conducted simultaneously provided standard separation is maintained until one of the aircraft receives and the pilot acknowledges receipt of clearance for a visual approach. Visual approaches may be conducted to one runway while visual or instrument approaches are conducted simultaneously to the other runway provided conditions of 7110.65, subparagraph 7-4-4c3(a) are met. Provided aircraft flight paths DO NOT intersect, and when provisions of 7-4-4c3(a) and (b) are met, it is NOT necessary to apply any other type of separation with aircraft on the adjacent final approach course.

CROSSING, CONVERGING, AND PARALLEL RUNWAYS SEPARATED BY 4,300 FEET OR MORE UAL12 030 21 N AAL344 020 17 N N TWA662 020 17

Multiple Runways Visual approaches may be conducted simultaneously with visual or instrument approaches to another runway. Standard separation must be maintained until the aircraft conducting the visual approach has been issued and the pilot has acknowledged receipt of the visual approach clearance. When aircraft flight paths intersect, radar separation MUST be maintained until visual separation is provided. Separation requirements may require staggered approaches.

INTERSECTING AND CONVERGING RUNWAYS 9 4 3 Miles or 1,000 Feet N5112 RY4 BE20 N N737PW RY9 C172 N When aircraft flight paths intersect, radar separation MUST be maintained until visual separation is provided.

QUESTION When vectoring aircraft simultaneously on visual approaches to parallel runways separated by less than 2,500 feet, you must maintain standard separation between IFR aircraft until _________. ANSWER the pilot has reported sighting the preceding aircraft making an approach to the other runway and has been instructed to maintain visual separation from that aircraft.

CVFP Clear an aircraft for a Charted Visual Flight Procedure (CVFP) ONLY when the following conditions are met: There is an operating control tower. The published name of the CVFP and landing runway are specified in the approach clearance. The reported ceiling is at least 500 feet above MVA/MIA. The visibility is 3 miles or more UNLESS higher minimums are published.

CHARTED VISUAL FLIGHT PROCEDURES (CVFP) “AMERICAN ONE FORTY-TWO, CLEARED TIPP TOE VISUAL RUNWAY TWO EIGHT LEFT.”

CVFP (Cont’d) When using intersecting/converging or parallel runways, the criteria specified in 7110.65, par. 7-4-4 are applied. An aircraft NOT following another aircraft on the approach reports sighting a: − Charted visual landmark, or − Preceding aircraft landing on the same runway and has been instructed to follow that aircraft

Contact Approach Clear an aircraft for a contact approach ONLY if the following conditions are met: The pilot has requested it. The reported ground visibility is at least 1 statute mile. A standard or special instrument approach procedure has been published and is functioning for the airport of intended landing.

Contact Approach (Cont’d) Approved separation is applied between contact approach aircraft and other IFR or SVFR 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 (MSA). You have issued alternative clearance when weather conditions may make contact approach impracticable.

CONTACT APPROACHES “CLEARED CONTACT APPROACH.” and if required, “AT OR BELOW (altitude) (routing).” “IF NOT POSSIBLE, (alternative procedures), AND ADVISE.”

QUESTION Under what conditions may an aircraft be cleared for a contact approach? ANSWER 1. The pilot must request it. 2. Ground visibility must be at least 1 statute mile. 3. The airport of intended landing must have a functioning published instrument approach procedure. 4. Approved separation must be applied between other IFR or SVFR aircraft. 5. If weather conditions may make a contact approach impracticable, an alternative clearance must be issued.

The End