7-4-1. VISUAL APPROACH

7-4-1. VISUAL APPROACH

A visual approach is an ATC authorization for an aircraft on an IFR flight plan to proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport of intended landing. A visual approach is not a standard instrument approach procedure and has no missed approach segment. An aircraft unable to complete a landing from a visual approach must be handled as any go-around and appropriate IFR separation must be provided until the aircraft lands or the pilot cancels their IFR flight plan.

1. At airports with an operating control tower, aircraft executing a go-around may be instructed to enter the traffic pattern for landing and an altitude assignment is not required. The pilot is expected to climb to pattern altitude and is required to maintain terrain and obstruction clearance. ATC must maintain applicable separation from other aircraft.
   1. Enter the traffic pattern for landing. An altitude assignment is not required. The pilot is expected to climb to pattern altitude and is responsible to maintain terrain and obstruction avoidance. ATC must provide approved separation or visual separation from other IFR aircraft, or
   2. Proceed as otherwise instructed by ATC. The pilot is expected to comply with assigned instruc- tions, and responsible to maintain terrain and obstruction avoidance until reaching an ATC assigned altitude. ATC is responsible to provide instructions to the pilot to facilitate a climb to the minimum altitude for instrument operations. ATC must provide approved separation or visual separation from other IFR aircraft.

   NOTE: The pilot is responsible for their own terrain and obstruction avoidance during a go-around after conducting a visual approach. The facility can assign headings towards the lowest terrain and obstructions.

2. At airports without an operating control tower, aircraft executing a go-around are expected to complete a landing as soon as possible or contact ATC for further clearance. ATC must maintain separation from other IFR aircraft.

• REFERENCE
• FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-4, Operational Priority.
• FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-20, Wake Turbulence Cautionary Advisories.
• FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 3-10-2, Forwarding Approach Information by Nonapproach Control Facilities.
• FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 7-2-1, Visual Separation.
• FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 7-4-4, Approaches to Multiple Runways.
• FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 10-3-15, Go-around/Missed Approach.
• P/CG Term - Go-around.
• AIM, Para 5-4-23, Visual Approach.