Visual approach

[1] The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) definition adds that the visual approach can commence when "either part or all of an instrument approach is not completed", varying only slightly from the Federal Aviation Administration regulation and is essentially identical.[2] This can greatly reduce pilot and controller workload, and expedite traffic by shortening flight paths to the airport.[1] Taking a shorter route to the airport in lieu of flying a complicated instrument approach procedure (IAP) can increase pilot safety, as the critical tasks of approach and landing occur when pilots are most fatigued.[6][7] Particularly in congested airspace, visual approaches can increase pilot workload due to the high situational awareness required.The pilot shall maintain visual reference to terrain and the reported ceiling shall be at or above the approved initial approach level.
Approach plate for the river visual 19 into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport . Pilots fly above the Potomac River until over the Rochambeau Memorial Bridge at which time they line up for their final approach .
Approach plateRonald Reagan Washington National AirportPotomac RiverRochambeau Memorial Bridgefinal approachaviationrunwayairportinstrument flight rulesair traffic controlInternational Civil Aviation Organizationinstrument approachFederal Aviation Administrationinstrument approach procedureAtlas AirBoeing 747 LCFColonel James Jabara AirportMcConnell Air Force BaseContact approachNight VFRSpecial visual flight rules