Page 16 - Volume 17 Number 11

assignment doesn’t always equal the actual conditions. If ATC queries you as to which arrival you want, visual or the IAP, take that as a sign that not all aircraft have been making it in on a visual. Prepare accordingly.Visual Approach RequirementsA visual approach is flown visually, but the IFR flight plan and radar service are retained until you are handed over to the local control frequency. While the weather must be at least Class E VMC, the distance-from-cloud requirements for VFR flight do not apply. In addition, when radar vectors are used, the reported ceiling must be 500 feet or more above the minimum vectoring altitude, in order for the visual approach to be assigned.Because following another aircraft on the visual approach is often necessary, in addition to watching for the airport to show up, you will have to keep the preceding airplane in sight. If you report the traffic in sight, separation and wake turbulence avoidance become your responsibility. This means that if contact is lost, ATC must be notified immediately, so the controller can resume the task of separation. Otherwise, it is assumed that you are maintaining your own separation.Bear in mind that multiple runways can be in use at the destination, so merely seeing the airport environment is not enough. You also need to sort out the runway assigned and keep competing traffic in sight, without electronic assistance. If closely-spaced parallel runways are in use, expect a shallow vector of 30 degrees or less to the runway direction, to facilitate keeping paralleling traffic in sight.During a visual approach, it’s the pilot’s responsibility to have either the airport or the preceding traffic in sight, and to keep clear of clouds. Bear in mind that there can be VFR traffic in the vicinity that is not under ATC control.MADE IN THE USA$1370 $17855614 SW 25 St., Hollywood, FL 33023 web: www.survivalproductsinc.com email: sales@survivalproductsinc.com14 • TWIN & TURBINENOVEMBER 2013