AIM ¶ 5-5-11 — Visual Approach
AIM 5-5-11 explains visual approach pilot/controller duties, weather minima, wake turbulence separation, and go-around responsibilities for checkride prep.
In Plain English
A visual approach is an ATC authorization for an IFR flight to proceed to the destination airport visually, expediting traffic flow. It's not an instrument approach — there's no published procedure — but you must remain on an IFR flight plan until canceled.
Pilot responsibilities:
- Have either the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight at all times.
- Remain clear of clouds throughout the approach.
- If following traffic, establish a safe landing interval and accept responsibility for wake turbulence separation.
- Advise ATC immediately if you lose sight of the airport/traffic, can't stay clear of clouds, or need to climb.
- On a go-around, you are responsible for terrain and obstruction avoidance until reaching any ATC-assigned altitude.
- Radar service automatically terminates when instructed to switch to advisory frequency.
Controller minima: Reported ceiling must be at least 1,000 feet and visibility 3 miles or greater to clear an aircraft for a visual approach. For vectors to a visual approach with weather available, ceiling must be 500 feet above the MVA and 3 miles visibility. Controllers must inform you when the preceding aircraft is a heavy, or when you (a small aircraft) are following a B757. Visual separation behind super aircraft is prohibited.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 5-5-115-5-11. 5-5-11. Visual Approach
Pilot. If a visual approach is not desired, advises ATC. Complies with controller's instructions for vectors toward the airport of intended landing or to a visual position behind a preceding aircraft. The pilot must, at all times, have either the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight. After being cleared for a visual approach, proceed to the airport in a normal manner or follow the preceding aircraft. Remain clear of clouds while conducting a visual approach. If the pilot accepts a visual approach clearance to visually follow a preceding aircraft, you are required to establish a safe landing interval behind the aircraft you were instructed to follow. You are responsible for wake turbulence separation. Advise ATC immediately if the pilot is unable to continue following the preceding aircraft, cannot remain clear of clouds, needs to climb, or loses sight of the airport. In the event of a go-around, the pilot is responsible to maintain terrain and obstruction avoidance until reaching an ATC assigned altitude if issued. Be aware that radar service is automatically terminated, without being advised by ATC, when the pilot is instructed to change to advisory frequency. Be aware that there may be other traffic in the traffic pattern and the landing sequence may differ from the traffic sequence assigned by approach control or ARTCC. Controller. Do not clear an aircraft for a visual approach unless reported weather at the airport is ceiling at or above 1,000 feet and visibility is 3 miles or greater. When weather is not available for the destination airport, inform the pilot and do not initiate a visual approach to that airport unless there is reasonable assurance that descent and flight to the airport can be made visually. Issue visual approach clearance when the pilot reports sighting either the airport or a preceding aircraft which is to be followed. Provide separation except when visual separation is being applied by the pilot. Continue flight following and traffic information until the aircraft has landed or has been instructed to change to advisory frequency. For all aircraft, inform the pilot when the preceding aircraft is a heavy. Inform the pilot of a small aircraft when the preceding aircraft is a B757. Visual separation is prohibited behind super aircraft. When weather is available for the destination airport, do not initiate a vector for a visual approach unless the reported ceiling at the airport is 500 feet or more above the MVA and visibility is 3 miles or more. If vectoring weather minima are not available but weather at the airport is ceiling at or above 1,000 feet and visibility of 3 miles or greater, visual approaches may still be conducted.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What are the pilot's responsibilities after accepting a visual approach clearance to follow a preceding aircraft?
Per AIM 5-5-11, the pilot must keep either the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight at all times, remain clear of clouds, establish a safe landing interval behind the traffic, and accept responsibility for wake turbulence separation. The pilot must advise ATC immediately if unable to continue following the traffic, cannot remain clear of clouds, needs to climb, or loses sight of the airport.
Q2What weather minima must exist before a controller can clear you for a visual approach?
Per AIM 5-5-11, the reported weather at the destination airport must be a ceiling at or above 1,000 feet and visibility of 3 miles or greater. For a vector to a visual approach when weather is available, the ceiling must be at least 500 feet above the MVA with 3 miles visibility.
Q3Who is responsible for terrain and obstruction clearance if you go around from a visual approach?
Per AIM 5-5-11, the pilot is responsible for maintaining terrain and obstruction avoidance during a go-around until reaching an ATC-assigned altitude, if one is issued. Pilots should also be aware that radar service is automatically terminated without notification when instructed to switch to advisory frequency.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 5