"Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

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Rocinante
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"Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by Rocinante »

Regardless of which airport, if you are cleared for either one of the above, since you are not shooting a "published approach", would you still be subject to the PUBLISHED speeds?

Note: I'm talking about published speeds at IAF/FAF, **NOT** CARS speeds.

Appreciate!
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Scuderia
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by Scuderia »

No, you aren't subject to the speed limits from an approach that you are not flying.

However, some airports do have a CAP plate for visual approaches, so be sure to adhere to any restrictions in those.
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Rocinante
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by Rocinante »

I didn't think so, but wanted to confirm without asking over the radio like a putz. Appreciate it, thanks Scuderia.
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Cessna 180
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by Cessna 180 »

Scuderia wrote: Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:56 pm No, you aren't subject to the speed limits from an approach that you are not flying.

However, some airports do have a CAP plate for visual approaches, so be sure to adhere to any restrictions in those.
are there any airports in Canada that have a charted visual?
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ToolShed
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by ToolShed »

Rocinante wrote: Sun Oct 31, 2021 8:23 pm I didn't think so, but wanted to confirm without asking over the radio like a putz. Appreciate it, thanks Scuderia.
Ask over the radio if you are not sure. You will not be a PUTZ.

Your question will take 5 seconds.

Your paperwork if you're wrong will take......
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Scuderia
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by Scuderia »

Cessna 180 wrote: Mon Nov 01, 2021 8:32 pm
Scuderia wrote: Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:56 pm No, you aren't subject to the speed limits from an approach that you are not flying.

However, some airports do have a CAP plate for visual approaches, so be sure to adhere to any restrictions in those.
are there any airports in Canada that have a charted visual?
Victoria comes to mind, just checked and they're still in the current CAP (09 and 27).

Don't know of any others.
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16SidedOffice
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by 16SidedOffice »

YVR used to have published visuals way back when they had LAHSO's onto 12. Now you'd commonly get something like "not below 2000 until final" for the VFR aircraft underneath and a speed restriction so that you don't slow down too much too soon.
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Cessna 180
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by Cessna 180 »

Scuderia wrote: Tue Nov 02, 2021 11:35 am
Cessna 180 wrote: Mon Nov 01, 2021 8:32 pm
Scuderia wrote: Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:56 pm No, you aren't subject to the speed limits from an approach that you are not flying.

However, some airports do have a CAP plate for visual approaches, so be sure to adhere to any restrictions in those.
are there any airports in Canada that have a charted visual?
Victoria comes to mind, just checked and they're still in the current CAP (09 and 27).

Don't know of any others.
Thanks! Didn't know that. They're everywhere in the US.
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VSF
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by VSF »

Certain airports (YWG for instance) list restrictions in the CAP on speed / where to join final / altitude when performing a visual approach. "Unrestricted visual" would, in theory, waive those restrictions.
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Rocinante
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by Rocinante »

VSF wrote: Wed Nov 03, 2021 5:13 am Certain airports (YWG for instance) list restrictions in the CAP on speed / where to join final / altitude when performing a visual approach. "Unrestricted visual" would, in theory, waive those restrictions.
We usually get "Join final at, or outside <FAF>" when we're visual into YWG. My understanding is it's a timing thing for controllers/landing separation, I'm also only in a King air. 140-130kts on approach, depending if icing or not.

The unrestricted, from how I've always flown it, is "present position direct field".
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EPR
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by EPR »

And as an additional question in regards to being cleared the visual..unrestricted....should you go missed, for whatever reason...my understanding is that, unless you cancelled your IFR.., ATC will be expecting you to fly the published missed approach procedure, as per an AIC I read, but can no longer find??
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Last edited by EPR on Mon Nov 15, 2021 4:19 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Scuderia
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Re: "Unrestricted Visual" vs "Visual"

Post by Scuderia »

EPR wrote: Sun Nov 14, 2021 8:41 pm And as an additional question in regards to being cleared the visual..unrestricted....should you go missed, for whatever reason...my understanding is that, unless you cancelled your IF...., ATC will be expecting you to fly the published missed approach procedure, as per an AIC I read, but can longer find??

Yes, AIC 11/20 which I also can't find but here's the text from an old e-mail I have. I bolded the relevant part.

NAV CANADA 26 MAR 20

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION CIRCULAR 11/20

VISUAL APPROACH EXPECTATIONS
(Replaces AIC 29/19)

Purpose of the Circular
This circular is to provide clarity to both pilots and air traffic services (ATS) on visual approach procedures to
harmonize expectations.

Background
The use of visual approaches can increase airport throughput and capacity, and permits aircraft to manage
their lateral and vertical flight profiles to the runway.

The following aligns NAV CANADA direction to air traffic controllers (ATC) and Transport Canada
Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM – TP14371E) guidance information pertaining to visual approaches.
Existing guidance is clear except for navigation to final and missed approach expectations. The following
information provides further guidance and considerations regarding visual approach and missed approach
expectations.

Weather
When the ceiling is at least 500 feet above the minimum instrument flight rules (IFR) altitude and visibility is
3 statute miles (SM) or greater, ATC may issue a visual approach clearance.

Navigation to Final
Pilots may anticipate the following methods for visual approach clearances:

• ATC will inform the pilot of the airport or preceding aircraft’s position in preparation for a
visual approach. The visual approach clearance will be issued following the pilot’s
confirmation of visual contact with the airport or preceding traffic as applicable. If the visual
approach clearance includes an instruction to follow the sighted traffic ahead, the pilot will be
responsible for wake turbulence separation.
• ATC will issue a visual approach clearance and, as required, supplement with additional
instructions such as:
− Heading assignment:
 To ensure the aircraft stays separated from preceding or succeeding traffic.
ATC will consider the aircraft’s altitude and remaining distance to the airport
when using this technique.
 To comply with parallel runway operation rules that require a 30-degree
intercept heading to final prior to issuing the visual approach clearance.
− Final intercept distance and/or altitude to establish separation from traffic under the
control tower’s responsibility using references to:
 Published navigational aid (NAVAID)/fix/waypoint;
 Distance from the runway; and
 Prominent landmark on the final approach course.

Note: Cette information est aussi disponible dans l’autre langue officielle. Page 1 of 3
26 MAR 20

ATC may anticipate pilots to navigate to the final approach course by using the following methods depending
on the aircraft’s altitude and distance from the airport:

• Fly the shortest distance to the airport while complying with ATC and noise abatement
restrictions; or
• Use the onboard navigation guidance to follow a lateral profile reflecting any remaining
portion of the standard terminal arrival (STAR) and the previously planned published
instrument approach procedure. This provides the following benefits:
− Enhanced aircraft energy management;
− Predictability;
− Reduced flight deck workload;
− Flexibility in meeting stabilized approach criteria; and
− Adherence to altitude restrictions during nighttime conditions.
As both methods differ in terms of flying distance, it is good airmanship for pilots to advise ATC of the planned
flight path, especially if it is likely to be unexpected or unpredictable, such as the widening of the base leg or
the inability to shorten the flying distance as anticipated by ATC.

Missed Approach
Pilots should anticipate ATC to issue missed approach instructions when a pilot initiates a go-around. It is
understood that the execution of a missed approach maneuver involves critical internal flight deck
communications and high pilot workload. If required for planning, pilots may request these instructions in
advance of the approach clearance or any time prior to initiating the missed approach. ATC instructions will
guide the pilot to:

• Continue flying the issued IFR clearance; or
• Integrate into the airport visual flight rules (VFR) circuit.
Until missed approach instructions are issued, ATC should anticipate pilots conducting a go-around from a
visual approach to:

• Initially fly runway heading;
• Follow the published missed approach instructions of the instrument approach procedure
requested by the pilots and acknowledge by ATC; or
• Follow the published missed approach instructions of the instrument approach procedure
advertised on the automatic terminal information service (ATIS).


Other considerations
• A visual approach is an IFR approach when the aircraft is on an IFR flight plan.
• When cleared for an instrument approach procedure, regardless of the visibility or cloud
conditions, at no time does the approach revert to a “visual approach” without a specific ATC
clearance.

Page 2 of 3 AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION CIRCULAR 11/20
26 MAR 20

Further Information
For further information, please contact:

NAV CANADA
77 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa ON K1P 5L6
Attn: Vanessa Robertson, Manager
ATS Standards and Procedures

Tel.: 613-563-3359
E-mail: Vanessa.Robertson@navcanada.ca

Jeff Dawson
Director, ATS Standards

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION CIRCULAR 11/20 Page 3 of 3
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