AIM

8/15/19

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62

Arrival Procedures

pilot responsibility for maintaining a safe approach
interval and adequate wake turbulence separation.

e.

A visual approach is not an IAP and therefore

has no missed approach segment. If a go around is
necessary for any reason, aircraft operating at
controlled airports will be issued an appropriate
advisory/clearance/instruction by the tower. At
uncontrolled airports, aircraft are expected to remain
clear of clouds and complete a landing as soon as
possible. If a landing cannot be accomplished, the
aircraft is expected to remain clear of clouds and
contact ATC as soon as possible for further clearance.
Separation from other IFR aircraft will be maintained
under these circumstances.

f.

Visual approaches reduce pilot/controller work-

load and expedite traffic by shortening flight paths to
the airport. It is the pilot’s responsibility to advise
ATC as soon as possible if a visual approach is not
desired.

g.

Authorization to conduct a visual approach is an

IFR authorization and does not alter IFR flight plan
cancellation responsibility.

REFERENCE

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AIM Paragraph 5

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15 , Canceling IFR Flight Plan

h.

Radar service is automatically terminated,

without advising the pilot, when the aircraft is
instructed to change to advisory frequency.

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24. Charted Visual Flight Procedure

(CVFP)

a.

CVFPs are charted visual approaches estab-

lished for environmental/noise considerations,
and/or when necessary for the safety and efficiency of
air traffic operations. The approach charts depict
prominent landmarks, courses, and recommended
altitudes to specific runways. CVFPs are designed to
be used primarily for turbojet aircraft.

b.

These procedures will be used only at airports

with an operating control tower.

c.

Most approach charts will depict some

NAVAID information which is for supplemental
navigational guidance only.

d.

Unless indicating a Class B airspace floor, all

depicted altitudes are for noise abatement purposes
and are recommended only. Pilots are not prohibited

from flying other than recommended altitudes if
operational requirements dictate.

e.

When landmarks used for navigation are not

visible at night, the approach will be annotated
“

PROCEDURE NOT AUTHORIZED AT NIGHT

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”

f.

CVFPs usually begin within 20 flying miles

from the airport.

g.

Published weather minimums for CVFPs are

based on minimum vectoring altitudes rather than the
recommended altitudes depicted on charts.

h.

CVFPs are not instrument approaches and do

not have missed approach segments.

i.

ATC will not issue clearances for CVFPs when

the weather is less than the published minimum.

j.

ATC will clear aircraft for a CVFP after the pilot

reports siting a charted landmark or a preceding
aircraft. If instructed to follow a preceding aircraft,
pilots are responsible for maintaining a safe approach
interval and wake turbulence separation.

k.

Pilots should advise ATC if at any point they are

unable to continue an approach or lose sight of a
preceding aircraft. Missed approaches will be
handled as a go

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around.

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25. Contact Approach

a.

Pilots operating in accordance with an IFR

flight plan, provided they are clear of clouds and have
at least 1 mile flight visibility and can reasonably
expect to continue to the destination airport in those
conditions, may request ATC authorization for a
contact approach.

b.

Controllers may authorize a contact approach

provided:

1.

The contact approach is specifically request-

ed by the pilot. ATC cannot initiate this approach.

EXAMPLE

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Request contact approach.

2.

The reported ground visibility at the

destination airport is at least 1 statute mile.

3.

The contact approach will be made to an

airport having a standard or special instrument
approach procedure.

4.

Approved separation is applied between

aircraft so cleared and between these aircraft and
other IFR or special VFR aircraft.