A visual approach is an air traffic control (ATC) procedure that authorizes an aircraft to proceed to land at an airport under visual flight rules (VFR) while operating in controlled airspace that is normally governed by instrument flight rules (IFR). The approach is conducted without the use of instrument navigation procedures for the final segment; instead, the pilot maintains visual contact with the runway environment and follows ATC instructions to align with the runway and descend to a safe landing.
Regulatory framework
In the United States, the visual approach is defined in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 91.175 and Part 91.179, as well as in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Section 5‑2‑7. Internationally, the procedure is described in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 11 and associated procedures manuals. These regulations stipulate the conditions under which an ATC controller may issue a visual approach clearance.
Eligibility and requirements
A pilot may be cleared for a visual approach when the following criteria are typically met:
- The reported weather at the destination airport meets or exceeds the VFR minima for the applicable runway, including visibility and cloud clearance.
- The pilot has the runway or its environment in sight and can maintain visual reference to it throughout the approach.
- The aircraft is capable of complying with any ATC instructions for the approach, including heading, altitude, and speed restrictions.
- The pilot declares to ATC that the runway environment is in sight and that the aircraft will maintain visual reference.
If any of these conditions cannot be satisfied, the controller must issue an instrument approach clearance instead.
Procedure
Upon receiving a visual approach clearance, the pilot typically follows these steps:
- Maintain current altitude until reaching a point where a safe descent can be initiated without violating obstacle clearance requirements.
- Establish a visual reference to the runway, its threshold lights, or other visual cues.
- Descend in a controlled manner, aligning the aircraft with the runway centerline and adjusting speed as required.
- Communicate with ATC as needed, confirming runway in sight and any changes in altitude or heading.
- Land the aircraft, completing the approach under visual control.
ATC retains responsibility for separation from other aircraft and may provide additional instructions, such as traffic advisories or speed adjustments, even after a visual approach clearance is issued.
Advantages
Visual approaches can reduce controller workload, increase airport capacity, and shorten the time required for aircraft to transition from en‑route to landing phases when weather conditions permit. They also allow pilots to select a more direct path to the runway, potentially reducing fuel consumption.
Limitations
The procedure is dependent on adequate weather and daylight (or appropriate runway lighting) conditions. In marginal visibility, reliance on visual cues may increase the risk of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) if the pilot loses visual reference before reaching a safe landing configuration. Consequently, pilots and controllers must be prepared to revert to an instrument approach if visual contact is lost.
Related concepts
- Instrument approach – a procedure using navigational aids to guide an aircraft to landing when visual references are unavailable.
- VFR (Visual Flight Rules) – regulatory framework governing flight when visual reference to the ground is sufficient.
- IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) – regulatory framework governing flight when navigation is based on instruments.
References
- Federal Aviation Administration, Aeronautical Information Manual, Section 5‑2‑7.
- Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 91.175, Part 91.179.
- International Civil Aviation Organization, Annex 11 – Air Traffic Services.