"Going for the Visual"

Newps wrote in message news:0jTdc.112869$K91.324392@attbi_s02...

You don't take a visual approach until you're sure you can find the
airport visually.

You don't accept a visual until you can actually see the aiport.

That constitutes being sure you can find it, UNLESS you can also see
that you won't be able to see the airport between "now" and the time
you land (e.g. you can see it through a hole in the overcast). Being
able to see the aiport isn't enough. You need to be sure you can find
it and land at it.

It's very unusual, and not a good idea, to accept or request a visual
approach if you're not already sure you can make it.

No it's not. There's no reason to be sure you'll get the visual to
request to go have a look see at the MVA.

Going lower is not the same as accepting a visual approach.

Newps wrote in message news:0jTdc.112869$K91.324392@attbi_s02...

You don't take a visual approach until you're sure you can find the
airport visually.

You don't accept a visual until you can actually see the aiport.

That constitutes being sure you can find it, UNLESS you can also see
that you won't be able to see the airport between "now" and the time
you land (e.g. you can see it through a hole in the overcast). Being
able to see the aiport isn't enough. You need to be sure you can find
it and land at it.

It's very unusual, and not a good idea, to accept or request a visual
approach if you're not already sure you can make it.

No it's not. There's no reason to be sure you'll get the visual to
request to go have a look see at the MVA.

Going lower is not the same as accepting a visual approach.

Newps wrote in message news:0jTdc.112869$K91.324392@attbi_s02...

You don't accept a visual until you can actually see the aiport. You
can be vectored for a visual because you don't yet see the airport but
reasonably expect you might if you can get closer.

Scott,

I'm finding this very confusing. Can you direct me to where it says
I must actually see the airport to accept a visual approach?

We've been cleared for a visual approach many times when more
than 10 miles from a non-towered airport w/out an IAP. The
airport was definately not in sight. No vectoring was involved.

Cheers,
Sydney

I don't know about the rest of ye all, but the real world out here is to be
vectored as low as the controller can give you, get the airport in sight, and
"cancelling IFR". That way the 1000 & 3 does not apply.

Jim




Roy Smith
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

-
-The MSA has little to do with it. The MSA is an emergency altitude with
-no regulatory meaning (at least in the US). What's important is that
-you've got the weather minimums for a visual approach (1000 & 3) and
-that ATC can issue you a clearance to descend low enough that you can
-see the airport (or the aircraft you're following).

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

"Jim Weir" wrote in message
...

I don't know about the rest of ye all, but the real world out here is to
be
vectored as low as the controller can give you, get the airport in sight,
and
"cancelling IFR". That way the 1000 & 3 does not apply.


It does if your destination is in a surface area.

On Fri, 09 Apr 2004 11:33:20 -0700, Jim Weir wrote:

I don't know about the rest of ye all, but the real world out here is to be
vectored as low as the controller can give you, get the airport in sight, and
"cancelling IFR". That way the 1000 & 3 does not apply.

Jim

Yes, but you have to maintain VMC, whereas on a visual approach under IFR,
that is not a requirement, so long as you maintain the field in sight. In
other words, you don't have to maintain VFR cloud clearance requirements
while enroute from your present position to the field.


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)

Ron Rosenfeld wrote in
:

On Fri, 09 Apr 2004 11:33:20 -0700, Jim Weir wrote:

I don't know about the rest of ye all, but the real world out here is
to be vectored as low as the controller can give you, get the airport
in sight, and "cancelling IFR". That way the 1000 & 3 does not apply.

Jim

Yes, but you have to maintain VMC, whereas on a visual approach under
IFR, that is not a requirement, so long as you maintain the field in
sight. In other words, you don't have to maintain VFR cloud clearance
requirements while enroute from your present position to the field.


Or you can have the preceding aircrat in sight.

On 10 Apr 2004 03:18:21 GMT, Andrew Sarangan wrote:

Or you can have the preceding aircrat in sight.

Exactly. IOW, you don't have to be in VMC.


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)

Careful on that one.

"Jim Weir" wrote in message
...

I don't know about the rest of ye all, but the real world out here is to
be
vectored as low as the controller can give you, get the airport in sight,
and
"cancelling IFR". That way the 1000 & 3 does not apply.

Jim




Roy Smith
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

-
-The MSA has little to do with it. The MSA is an emergency altitude with
-no regulatory meaning (at least in the US). What's important is that
-you've got the weather minimums for a visual approach (1000 & 3) and
-that ATC can issue you a clearance to descend low enough that you can
-see the airport (or the aircraft you're following).

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

Uhh, I'd check that one. A year or two ago there was an article in IFR or IFR
Refresher about this subject. FAA busted some guy who cancelled when clear of
the clouds because he was not legal for VFR. IIRC, the guy busted had like 750
and 6+. The gist of the article was that unless you were in legal VFR you can't
cancel in the air.

Otis Winslow wrote:

Careful on that one.

"Jim Weir" wrote in message
...

I don't know about the rest of ye all, but the real world out here is to
be
vectored as low as the controller can give you, get the airport in sight,
and
"cancelling IFR". That way the 1000 & 3 does not apply.

Jim


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President, the Andraka Consulting Group, Inc.
401/884-7930 Fax 401/884-7950
email
http://www.andraka.com

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