visual approach

visual approach

An approach by an IFR flight when either part or all of an instrument approach procedure is not completed and the approach is executed in visual reference to terrain (ICAO). A pilot, when authorized to proceed visually, must remain clear of clouds and be in visual contact with either the aircraft ahead or the airport at all times. The reported weather must be visibility 3 miles (5 km) or greater and the ceiling above 1000 ft (300 m). When flying to an airport with an operating control tower, aircraft may be authorized to conduct a visual approach to a runway while other aircraft are conducting IFR (instrument flight rules) or VFR (visual flight rules) approaches to another parallel, intersecting, or converging runway. The separation minimums, in this case, will depend on the distances between the centerlines of the runways.