AIM
11/3/22
b. Controller.
1.
Do not clear an aircraft for a visual approach
unless reported weather at the airport is ceiling at or
above 1,000 feet and visibility is 3 miles or greater.
When weather is not available for the destination
airport, inform the pilot and do not initiate a visual
approach to that airport unless there is reasonable
assurance that descent and flight to the airport can be
made visually.
2.
Issue visual approach clearance when the
pilot reports sighting either the airport or a preceding
aircraft which is to be followed.
3.
Provide separation except when visual
separation is being applied by the pilot.
4.
Continue flight following and traffic in-
formation until the aircraft has landed or has been
instructed to change to advisory frequency.
5.
For all aircraft, inform the pilot when the
preceding aircraft is a heavy. Inform the pilot of a
small aircraft when the preceding aircraft is a B757.
Visual separation is prohibited behind super aircraft.
6.
When weather is available for the destination
airport, do not initiate a vector for a visual approach
unless the reported ceiling at the airport is 500 feet or
more above the MVA and visibility is 3 miles or more.
If vectoring weather minima are not available but
weather at the airport is ceiling at or above 1,000 feet
and visibility of 3 miles or greater, visual approaches
may still be conducted.
5
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5
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12. Visual Separation
a. Pilot.
1.
Acceptance of instructions to follow another
aircraft or to provide visual separation from it is an
acknowledgment that the pilot will maneuver the
aircraft as necessary to avoid the other aircraft or to
maintain in-trail separation. Pilots are responsible to
maintain visual separation until flight paths (altitudes
and/or courses) diverge.
2.
If instructed by ATC to follow another aircraft
or to provide visual separation from it, promptly
notify the controller if you lose sight of that aircraft,
are unable to maintain continued visual contact with
it, or cannot accept the responsibility for your own
separation for any reason.
3.
The pilot also accepts responsibility for wake
turbulence separation under these conditions.
b. Controller.
Applies visual separation only:
1.
Within the terminal area when a controller
has both aircraft in sight or by instructing a pilot who
sees the other aircraft to maintain visual separation
from it.
2.
Pilots are responsible to maintain visual
separation until flight paths (altitudes and/or courses)
diverge.
3.
Within en route airspace when aircraft are on
opposite courses and one pilot reports having seen the
other aircraft and that the aircraft have passed each
other.
5
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5
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13. VFR-on-top
a. Pilot.
1.
This clearance must be requested by the pilot
on an IFR flight plan, and if approved, allows the pilot
the choice (subject to any ATC restrictions) to select
an altitude or flight level in lieu of an assigned
altitude.
NOTE
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VFR
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on
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top is not permitted in certain airspace areas,
such as Class A airspace, certain restricted areas, etc.
Consequently, IFR flights operating VFR
−
on
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top will
avoid such airspace.
REFERENCE
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AIM, Paragraph 4
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4
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8, IFR Clearance VFR
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on
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top.
AIM, Paragraph 4
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4
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11, IFR Separation Standards.
AIM, Paragraph 5
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3
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2, Position Reporting.
AIM, Paragraph 5
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3
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3, Additional Reports.
2.
By requesting a VFR-on-top clearance, the
pilot assumes the sole responsibility to be vigilant so
as to see and avoid other aircraft and to:
(a)
Fly at the appropriate VFR altitude as
prescribed in 14 CFR Section 91.159.
(b)
Comply with the VFR visibility and
distance from clouds criteria in 14 CFR Sec-
tion 91.155,
Basic VFR Weather Minimums
.
(c)
Comply with instrument flight rules that
are applicable to this flight; i.e., minimum IFR
altitudes, position reporting, radio communications,
course to be flown, adherence to ATC clearance, etc.
3.
Should advise ATC prior to any altitude
change to ensure the exchange of accurate traffic
information.
5
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5
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6
Pilot/Controller Roles and Responsibilities