7110.65R

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-
AIM Paragraph 5-1-15, Canceling IFR Flight Plan.

h. Radar service is automatically terminated,
without advising the pilot, when the aircraft is
instructed to change to advisory frequency.

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-around.
l. When conducting visual approaches, pilots are
encouraged to use other available navigational aids to
assist in positive lateral and vertical alignment with
the assigned runway.
5-4-25. Contact Approach

5-4-24. 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."
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.

5-4-62

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-
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.
EXAMPLE-
Cleared contact approach (and, if required) at or below
(altitude) (routing) if not possible (alternative procedures)
and advise.

c. A contact approach is an approach procedure
that may be used by a pilot (with prior authorization
from ATC) in lieu of conducting a standard or special
IAP to an airport. It is not intended for use by a pilot
on an IFR flight clearance to operate to an airport not
having a published and functioning IAP. Nor is it

Arrival Procedures