AIM 

4/20/23

 

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66

Arrival Procedures

1.

The contact approach is specifically requested 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.

EXAMPLE

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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 intended for an
aircraft to conduct an instrument approach to one airport and then, when “in the clear,” discontinue that approach
and proceed to another airport. In the execution of a contact approach, the pilot assumes the responsibility for
obstruction clearance. If radar service is being received, it will automatically terminate when the pilot is
instructed to change to advisory frequency.

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26. Landing Priority

A clearance for a specific type of approach (ILS, RNAV, GLS, ADF, VOR or Visual Approach) to an aircraft
operating on an IFR flight plan does not mean that landing priority will be given over other traffic. ATCTs handle
all aircraft, regardless of the type of flight plan, on a “first

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come, first

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served” basis. Therefore, because of local

traffic or runway in use, it may be necessary for the controller in the interest of safety, to provide a different
landing sequence. In any case, a landing sequence will be issued to each aircraft as soon as possible to enable
the pilot to properly adjust the aircraft’s flight path.

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27. Overhead Approach Maneuver

a.

Pilots operating in accordance with an IFR flight plan in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) may

request ATC authorization for an overhead maneuver. An overhead maneuver is not an instrument approach
procedure. Overhead maneuver patterns are developed at airports where aircraft have an operational need to
conduct the maneuver. An aircraft conducting an overhead maneuver is considered to be VFR and the IFR flight
plan is canceled when the aircraft reaches the initial point on the initial approach portion of the maneuver. (See
FIG 5

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34.) The existence of a standard overhead maneuver pattern does not eliminate the possible

requirement for an aircraft to conform to conventional rectangular patterns if an overhead maneuver cannot be
approved. Aircraft operating to an airport without a functioning control tower must initiate cancellation of an
IFR flight plan prior to executing the overhead maneuver. Cancellation of the IFR flight plan must be
accomplished after crossing the landing threshold on the initial portion of the maneuver or after landing.
Controllers may authorize an overhead maneuver and issue the following to arriving aircraft:

1.

Pattern altitude and direction of traffic. This information may be omitted if either is standard.

PHRASEOLOGY

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PATTERN ALTITUDE (altitude). RIGHT TURNS.

2.

Request for a report on initial approach.

PHRASEOLOGY

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REPORT INITIAL.

3.

“Break” information and a request for the pilot to report. The “Break Point” will be specified if

nonstandard. Pilots may be requested to report “break” if required for traffic or other reasons.