Sitting in Limbo

Air traffic control has its challenges. Thats obvious when we controllers are working heavy traffic that tests our planning, reflexes, and intestinal fortitude. However, even off position, were sometimes put on the spot about our aviation knowledge.

tkarmer

Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

For IFR pilots vectored for a visual approach, an explicit "cleared visual approach" is mandatory; proceeding without this clearance, even after sighting the airport/traffic and being told to contact Tower, constitutes a pilot deviation.
Pilots are solely responsible for ensuring all required clearances are obtained and must notify ATC if an instruction or omission would violate regulations or compromise safety.
If a visual approach clearance is missing, pilots must maintain their last assigned heading/altitude and immediately inform ATC (Approach or Tower) of the discrepancy, requesting clarification, an amended clearance, or maneuvers for a safe approach.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Air traffic control has its challenges. That’s obvious when we controllers are working heavy traffic that tests our planning, reflexes, and intestinal fortitude. However, even off position, we’re sometimes put on the spot about our aviation knowledge.

And so it was the other day when a pilot friend called me out of the blue with an ATC question. I like fielding questions from pilots. They make me dig deep into my understanding of our rules and procedures. It’s always worthwhile to challenge any previously held assumptions and revisit exactly what the regulations say.