Contact approach
A contact approach is an approach available to
Overview
Only pilots may initiate a request for this type of approach; regulations prohibit air traffic control (ATC) from asking pilots to perform them.[2] A contact approach will only be issued if the aircraft is operating clear of clouds with at least 1 statute mile (1.6 km) of flight visibility, with a reasonable expectation of continuing to the destination airport under those conditions.[3] Additionally, the reported ground visibility at the destination airport must be at least 1 statute mile (1.6 km).[1]
In the execution of a contact approach, the pilot is responsible for obstruction clearance, but ATC will still provide separation from other IFR or
Purpose
The contact approach can be a time- and fuel-savings method of working the air traffic control system to a pilot's advantage. However, executing a contact approach in marginal visibility is similar to scud running–a dangerous practice–and can be frightening for inexperienced pilots; under such conditions, it should only be attempted by pilots who are intimately familiar with the destination airport, surrounding terrain, and prevailing weather, and whose experience suggests that the approach can be completed safely. Also, as a contact approach involves deviation from an IAP, standard missed approach procedures from the IAP do not apply, and the flight may be extensively rerouted by ATC if the contact approach is broken off; this may negate its potential advantages.[2]
The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), emphasizes that the contact approach is meant only as a substitute for an IAP where one exists.[3] A contact approach may not be used as an improvised IFR approach to an airport that lacks an IAP entirely, nor to approach one airport, break off the approach in visual conditions, and then fly to another airport.[2]
See also
- Visual approach
- Instrument approach
- Night VFR(NVFR)
- Special visual flight rules (SVFR)
- Visual flight rules § Controlled visual flight rules (CVFR)
References
- ^ a b c "Contact Approach" (PDF). Pilot/Controller Glossary (P/CG). Federal Aviation Administration. 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
- ^ a b c d e Thomas, Horne (1988-08-01). "Instrument Insights Part 8 of 12: Tricks of the Trade". AOPA Pilot Magazine. 41 (8). Archived from the original on 2010-05-21. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
- ^ a b c d Federal Aviation Administration, ed. (2019-08-15). "Contact Approach". Aeronautical Information Manual. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Transportation. pp. 5–4–24. Retrieved 2019-09-27.