FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)IFR Procedures and ChartsMedium
ATC clears a pilot for a visual approach to the destination airport. Which condition must exist for ATC to issue this clearance?
- AThe airport must be reporting at least basic VFR ceiling and visibility, regardless of what the pilot actually sees
- BA visual approach may be issued only to aircraft operating under 14 CFR Part 121
- CThe pilot must cancel the IFR flight plan before accepting a visual approach clearance
- DThe pilot must have the airport or the preceding aircraft to be followed in sight and be able to proceed to the airport in VFR conditions
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The pilot must have the airport or the preceding aircraft to be followed in sight and be able to proceed to the airport in VFR conditions
A visual approach clearance requires the pilot to have either the airport or the preceding aircraft to follow in sight, with the ability to proceed to the airport and land visually; the IFR flight plan remains active until landing, and there is no Part 121-only restriction.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Reported weather alone does not satisfy the requirement; the pilot's own sighting of the airport/traffic is required.
- B. Visual approaches are available to any IFR aircraft, not restricted to Part 121 operators.
- C. IFR clearance remains in effect through a visual approach; cancellation is not required or typical.
Visual Approach
An ATC authorization for an IFR aircraft to proceed visually to the airport, requiring the pilot to have the airport or the aircraft to follow in sight and remain clear of clouds.
- IFR flight plan remains active during a visual approach
- Requires reported ceiling ≥1,000 ft and visibility ≥3 SM at the airport, or pilot reports the airport in sight
- Not an instrument approach procedure; no missed approach segment is flown
Memory trick: See it, follow it, land it — visually