Readback: July 2022

Frank Bowlin

Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 10:59 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots should proactively cancel IFR clearances earlier, especially for visual approaches to non-towered airports, to reduce frequency congestion and ensure proper communication, being mindful of changing circumstances like tower closures.
An instrument approach that is not authorized at night cannot be legally initiated, even if the pilot intends to cancel IFR upon reaching visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
The 75-foot altimeter tolerance and biennial inspection requirements (§91.411) apply specifically to IFR flight and the accuracy of a single altimeter against a known elevation, not the discrepancy between two altimeters or to VFR flight.
Pilots must always check NOTAMs, especially when an instrument approach procedure seems incomplete or unusual, as critical operational information (like speed-time tables) may be published there.

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Just Cancel

As a retired Center controller with significant airport control experience, I cringe every time I hear the following on ATC frequencies at non-towered airports, ATC: “Report airport in sight for visual approach.” Pilot: “Airport in sight.” ATC: “Cleared visual approach to (XXX) airport. No traffic observed between you and the airport. Change to advisory frequency approved. Report cancellation of IFR this frequency or down time with (XXX) FSS (or by telephone).” Pilot: “Cancel IFR.”