AIM 

4/20/23 

3. 

Ensures acknowledgement by the pilot for issued information, clearances, or instructions. 

4. 

Ensures that readbacks by the pilot of altitude, heading, or other items are correct. If incorrect, distorted, 

or incomplete, makes corrections as appropriate. 

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5

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3.  Contact Approach 

a.  Pilot. 

1. 

Must request a contact approach and makes it in lieu of a standard or special instrument approach. 

2. 

By requesting the contact approach, indicates that the flight is operating clear of clouds, has at least one 

mile flight visibility, and reasonably expects to continue to the destination airport in those conditions. 

3. 

Assumes responsibility for obstruction clearance while conducting a contact approach. 

4. 

Advises ATC immediately if unable to continue the contact approach or if encounters less than 1 mile 

flight visibility. 

5. 

Is aware that if radar service is being received, it may be automatically terminated when told to contact 

the tower. 

REFERENCE

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Pilot/Controller Glossary Term

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 Radar Service Terminated. 

b.  Controller. 

1. 

Issues clearance for a contact approach only when requested by the pilot. Does not solicit the use of this 

procedure. 

2. 

Before issuing the clearance, ascertains that reported ground visibility at destination airport is at least 1 

mile. 

3. 

Provides approved separation between the aircraft cleared for a contact approach and other IFR or special 

VFR aircraft. When using vertical separation, does not assign a fixed altitude, but clears the aircraft at or below 

an altitude which is at least 1,000 feet below any IFR traffic but not below Minimum Safe Altitudes prescribed 

in 14 CFR Section 91.119. 

4. 

Issues alternative instructions if, in their judgment, weather conditions may make completion of the 

approach impracticable. 

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4.  Instrument Approach 

a.  Pilot. 

1. 

Be aware that the controller issues clearance for approach based only on known traffic. 

2. 

Follows the procedure as shown on the IAP, including all restrictive notations, such as: 

(a) 

Procedure not authorized at night; 

(b) 

Approach not authorized when local area altimeter not available; 

(c) 

Procedure not authorized when control tower not in operation; 

(d) 

Procedure not authorized when glide slope not used; 

(e) 

Straight-in minimums not authorized at night; etc. 

(f) 

Radar required; or 

(g) 

The circling minimums published on the instrument approach chart provide adequate obstruction 

clearance and pilots should not descend below the circling altitude until the aircraft is in a position to make final 

descent for landing. Sound judgment and knowledge of the pilot’s and the aircraft’s capabilities are the criteria 

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Pilot/Controller Roles and Responsibilities