In aviation, if you can understand the differences between a visual approach and a contact approach, then you know how it can affect how your landings in different weather conditions.
If you're flying in IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) or transitioning to VFR (Visual Flight Rules), you'll need to know about these approaches. In this guide we'll walk you through this process.
Let's get into it!
SUMMARY
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Pilots can request a visual approach when they have the airport in sight and are operating under IFR with ATC’s clearance.
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This approach is used when a pilot can see the ground but not the airport, proceeding visually while still under IFR.
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Visual and contact approaches have specific weather minimums, including reported ceiling and visibility.
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Pilots must follow ATC instructions, establish a stabilized approach, and maintain awareness of preceding aircraft during both approaches.
Visual Approach Overview
A visual approach is used when the pilot has the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight, typically under VFR conditions, though you may still be operating under an IFR flight plan.
When you receive a visual approach clearance, you no longer need to follow an instrument approach procedure, but you still remain in communication with air traffic control (ATC).
The advantage here is that it can greatly reduce the complexity of the landing and speed up the process.
Requesting the Visual Approach
To request a visual approach, you need to make sure that the reported ceiling at the airport is at least 1,000 feet, and you must have at least three miles of visibility.
Once you're cleared, you'll rely on visual references for the rest of your landing. Stay clear of clouds and maintain the proper separation from other aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires pilots to have either the airport or preceding aircraft in sight before granting clearance for a visual approach.
The visual approach also lowers ATC workload by letting pilots proceed without following the more stringent IFR guidelines.
But this freedom comes with a responsibility: as the pilot, it's up to you to avoid obstacles and maintain a stabilized approach.
You’ll also want to be sure you have the appropriate approach plate ready, since FAA guidance recommends using available navigation aids like VOR or RNAV to help with your descent.
Contact Approach Overview
The contact approach is a bit different from a visual one, and tends to be used less frequently. This approach is unique because it allows you to deviate from a published instrument approach procedure and proceed by visual reference to the ground, even if you can't see the airport.
Requesting a Contact Approach
Keep in mind that the contact approach can only be requested by the pilot, not offered by ATC. You must request it when you have at least one mile of visibility and are clear of clouds.
Unlike a visual approach, where you must have the airport in sight, a contact approach allows you to navigate based on ground references, which can be pretty helpful when weather conditions are marginal but still VFR.
According to FAA guidelines, you’ll need to maintain separation from obstacles and make sure you're flying clear of terrain at all times. If at any point you're unable to continue the approach, you need to inform ATC immediately so they can provide alternate instructions.
One of the main benefits of the contact approach is that it offers flexibility in areas with low visibility or low ceilings, but remember that it comes with risks, especially in unfamiliar terrain or poor visibility.
Our article about Contact Approaches provides an excellent breakdown of how to request and execute a contact approach and why it’s typically recommended only for experienced pilots.
Weather and Visibility Minimums
Weather is an important factor in both visual and contact approaches.
For a visual approach:
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The ceiling must be 1,000 feet or more.
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Your visibility needs to be at least 3 miles.
This way you can keep sight of the airport or other aircraft while avoiding obstacles along the way.
A contact approach requires:
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1 mile of visibility.
The 1 mile of visibility makes a contact approach useful in situations where you can't see the airport but can still navigate safely to the runway based on ground references.
When you request a contact approach, you should fully understand that it’s your responsibility to avoid all obstacles and terrain. ATC will help you avoid other IFR traffic, but since there’s no official missed approach procedure for a contact approach, once you begin, you’ll need to be confident that you can safely reach your intended destination airport.
Stabilized Approach and Safety Considerations
A stabilized approach means keeping a constant rate of descent and a consistent airspeed as you approach the runway.
Keeping a stabilized approach means that you’re ready to land when you reach the final approach phase, and you avoid the need for sudden corrections.
With a visual approach, its your job to keep separation from other aircraft, especially if you're following another aircraft to the same runway. ATC will usually provide instructions for spacing, but it's up to you to keep a safe distance and follow the prescribed flight path.
In the case of a contact approach, you won't have the benefit of seeing other aircraft ahead of you, so situational awareness is even more important.
Instrument Approaches
Most of the time that you fly IFR, it will end with a visual approach.
Differences Between Visual and Contact Approaches
The main difference between the two approaches is visibility.
With a visual approach, you must have the airport or the aircraft in front of you in sight. A contact approach lets you to proceed based on ground references even if you can't see the airport.
A visual approach usually requires better weather conditions (ceiling of 1,000 feet and visibility of three miles), where the contact approach only requires one mile of visibility and doesn't need you to see the airport.
Another important difference is that a contact approach can’t be used at airports without published instrument approach procedures, so it’s not as versatile as the visual approach. Also, ATC will never initiate a contact approach; it must always be requested by the pilot.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What’s the difference between a visual and contact approach?
A visual approach allows pilots to fly visually with the airport in sight, while a contact approach requires the pilot to proceed visually with the ground in sight but not the airport.
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Can a pilot cancel IFR during a contact approach?
Yes, once the pilot has the airport in sight and can safely proceed visually, they can cancel IFR with ATC approval.
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What are the weather minimums for a contact approach?
A contact approach requires at least one mile of visibility and allows for cloud clearance, but the pilot must be able to see the ground.
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How does ATC handle preceding aircraft during a visual approach?
ATC provides separation, but it’s the pilot’s responsibility to maintain safe spacing and follow ATC’s clearance instructions.
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When should I request a visual approach?
Request a visual approach when weather conditions allow you to see the airport and proceed safely without relying on instruments.
Takeaway
Both visual and contact approaches have their purposes and come with their own sets of challenges.
Visual approaches are more common and offer the benefit of speeding up landings while reducing ATC workload, but they rely on clear weather conditions and visible landmarks.
Contact approaches, though useful in marginal visibility, are riskier and demand a high level of situational awareness from the pilot.
As you gain more experience you'll understand when to request each approach.
In the end, your choice of approach should be guided by weather conditions, visibility, and your comfort with the surrounding terrain.
Fly safely!
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