Roberta Aguirre
Pilots are responsible for determining if the weather and visibility are adequate for landing. When landing at an airport with approach control services, pilots will be informed in advance of the type of approach to expect. Pilots must also be particularly alert for other aircraft operating in the local traffic pattern or in proximity to the airport. When operating within a Class B, C, and D surface area, a pilot intending to make a low approach should contact the tower for approval before starting the final approach.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to contact the airport | Pilots should contact the tower for approval prior to starting the final approach |
| Visual contact | Pilots must maintain visual contact with the ground when executing the "Fly Visual to Airport" segment |
| Weather conditions | The pilot is responsible for determining if weather/visibility is adequate for landing |
| Approach procedure | ATC may not specify a particular approach procedure in the clearance, but may state "CLEARED APPROACH" |
| Ground control frequencies | Used for issuance of taxi information, clearances, and other necessary contacts between the tower and aircraft |
| Low approaches | A low approach with an altitude restriction of no less than 500 feet above the airport may be authorized |
| Busy airports | ATC can help find routes that will keep you clear of heavy traffic and warn you of approaching traffic |
| Busy airports advice | Keep your speed up, anticipate a long or short approach, and ask for help if needed |
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What You'll Learn
- Pilots must contact the tower when intending to make a low approach
- ATC helps pilots with traffic, weather, and airspace avoidance
- Pilots are responsible for determining if weather/visibility is adequate for landing
- Pilots are provided with the type of approach to expect in advance
- Pilots must maintain the tower frequency until instructed to change by the controller
Pilots must contact the tower when intending to make a low approach
Pilots must receive clearance from the tower before landing. This is especially important when operating within a Class B, Class C, and Class D surface area. In such cases, a pilot intending to make a low approach should contact the tower for approval. This request should be made prior to starting the final approach. When operating to an airport, not within a Class B, Class C, and Class D surface area, a pilot intending to make a low approach should, prior to leaving the final approach fix inbound (non-precision approach) or the outer marker or fix used in lieu of the outer marker inbound (precision approach), advise the FSS, UNICOM, or make a broadcast as appropriate.
Pilots must advise ATC when intending to apply cold temperature compensation and of the amount of compensation required. Pilots will not apply altitude compensation, unless authorized, when assigned an altitude if provided an initial heading to fly or radar vectors in lieu of published missed approach procedures. Controllers may delay the issuance of an approach clearance to comply with approved separation requirements when informed that a pilot will apply cold temperature compensation (CTC).
Pilots conducting practice instrument approaches should be particularly alert for other aircraft operating in the local traffic pattern or in proximity to the airport. Before practicing an instrument approach, pilots should inform the approach control facility or the tower of the type of practice approach they desire to make and how they intend to terminate it, i.e., full-stop landing, touch-and-go, or missed or low approach maneuver.
When landing at airports with approach control services and where two or more IAPs are published, pilots will be provided in advance of their arrival with the type of approach to expect or that they may be vectored for a visual approach.
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ATC helps pilots with traffic, weather, and airspace avoidance
Air Traffic Control (ATC) plays a crucial role in ensuring safe and efficient air travel by assisting pilots with traffic, weather, and airspace avoidance.
Traffic
The primary function of ATC is to prevent collisions and organise air traffic flow. Controllers monitor aircraft locations within their assigned airspace using radar and maintain communication with pilots via radio. They enforce traffic separation rules, ensuring each aircraft maintains a minimum distance from other aircraft at all times. This includes providing speed adjustments to achieve and maintain appropriate spacing. In certain situations, ATC may "HOLD" an aircraft before the runway to create spacing between arriving and departing flights.
Weather
ATC provides pilots with crucial weather information. While pilots are responsible for determining if weather and visibility conditions are suitable for landing, ATC offers current weather updates and, in the case of uncontrolled airports, long-term weather trends for planning purposes.
Airspace Avoidance
ATC guides pilots through controlled airspace, providing instructions and advisory services. They may vector aircraft to the appropriate final approach course or provide clearance for specific procedures, such as "CLEARED APPROACH," indicating authorisation for the pilot to execute any of the approved Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) for that airport.
ATC also assists with visual approaches, such as the "Fly Visual to Airport" procedure, where pilots must maintain visual contact with the ground and stay clear of clouds. In some cases, ATC may not specify a particular approach procedure but will communicate any unreliable or inoperative components of the approach aid.
Additionally, ATC helps pilots navigate complex airspace by providing traffic information to pilots operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). This includes radar services to separate aircraft at the same altitude, with minimum separation distances varying based on the distance from the radar antenna site.
The collaboration between ATC and pilots ensures safe and efficient air travel, with pilots retaining final authority for the safe operation of their aircraft, including the ability to deviate from ATC instructions in emergencies.
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Pilots are responsible for determining if weather/visibility is adequate for landing
Pilots are responsible for determining if the weather and visibility are adequate for landing. They must be mindful that nearly half the area around an airport may have lower conditions than the reported prevailing visibility. Atmospheric phenomena resulting in reduced visibility include rain, drizzle, thunderstorms, snow, blowing snow, ice pellets/crystals/ice fog, volcanic ash, fog, smoke, haze, and airborne dust and sand.
Pilots can obtain weather information from several sources. The National Weather Service (NWS) National Centers for Environmental Production (NCEP) provide aviation-specific weather forecasts, while the Aviation Weather Center (AWC) displays a variety of domestic and international aviation forecast products over the internet. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issues tornado and severe weather watches, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues forecasts on tropical weather systems. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) provides alerts, watches, warnings, and forecasts for space weather events affecting or expected to affect Earth's environment.
Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides the Flight Service program, which serves the weather needs of pilots through its flight service stations (FSS) and the internet. The FAA also operates two Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC) that issue forecasts of ash clouds following volcanic eruptions.
Pilots can also use Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) receivers to access free traffic, weather, and flight information. When receiving Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) services, the pilot is responsible for determining if the weather and visibility are adequate for landing. They should be particularly alert for other aircraft when conducting practice instrument approaches.
In terms of visibility requirements for landing, one mile forward visibility is usually the standard minimum. However, there are other factors that contribute to landing minimums, such as aircraft performance, operator certification, and obstacle clearance. For Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations, the technical legal minimum visibility requirement is 1000 feet/3 miles. Night VFR is more challenging than day VFR due to the difficulty in seeing clouds and ground details.
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Pilots are provided with the type of approach to expect in advance
Pilots are also responsible for determining if the weather and visibility are adequate for approach and landing. When making an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) approach to an airport without a tower or Flight Service Station (FSS), pilots should broadcast their intentions, including the type of approach being executed, their position, and when over the final approach fix inbound (non-precision approach) or when over the outer marker or fix used in lieu of the outer marker inbound (precision approach).
Pilots are also expected to maintain a certain speed and anticipate flying either a long or short approach to landing. They should also be proactive when working with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and ask for help if needed. ATC can assist with traffic, weather, and airspace avoidance, and can suggest routes that avoid heavy traffic.
Additionally, pilots intending to make a low approach should contact the tower for approval before starting the final approach. This is particularly important when operating within a Class B, Class C, and Class D surface area. Pilots should also be cautious when operating to an airport without a functioning control tower and must cancel their IFR flight plan before executing an overhead maneuver or after landing. Furthermore, specific instructions and procedures are in place to guide pilots during arrival and landing.
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Pilots must maintain the tower frequency until instructed to change by the controller
Pilots are required to maintain radio communication with air traffic control (ATC) throughout the descent and landing process. This is to ensure that ATC can provide essential information and instructions to the pilot, such as weather and traffic updates, and to enable the pilot to request any necessary clearances.
ATC will often instruct the pilot to change frequencies during the approach to an airport. This is done to eliminate frequency congestion on the tower frequency, which is reserved for communications with aircraft on the ground or conducting low approaches. The pilot should not change frequencies until instructed to do so by the controller, as this could result in a loss of critical information or instructions.
In some cases, a pilot may be instructed to "contact clearance delivery" and switch to a designated frequency when approaching a busy airport. This is done to streamline the flow of incoming and outgoing aircraft. Even in these cases, the pilot must wait for the instruction from the controller before switching frequencies.
Additionally, when making an instrument approach to an airport not served by a tower, pilots are advised to broadcast their intentions, position, and approach type after receiving approval to change to the advisory frequency. This is crucial for maintaining safety and awareness in the airspace around uncontrolled airports.
Maintaining communication with ATC until instructed to change frequencies is a critical aspect of flight operations. It ensures that pilots receive the necessary information and clearances for a safe and efficient landing, while also allowing ATC to effectively manage the flow of air traffic.
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Frequently asked questions
Pilots should contact the landing airport when they are cleared for landing. They should also contact the airport when they are cleared for a low approach.
When cleared for landing, the pilot must continue to monitor the radio and listen for any traffic information that may be broadcast. They must also be prepared to hold short of a runway or taxiway if required for traffic.
A low approach is when a pilot wishes to go around to expedite a particular operation. This could be a series of practice instrument approaches.
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