The Contact Approach

There are three ways to arrive at an airport when operating under IFR: a standard instrument approach procedure (IAP), a visual approach and a contact approach. A great way to bring hangar flying to a screeching halt is to ask about a contact approach. A lot of IFR pilots know that it is some sort of visually-flown maneuver, but when asked how it differs from a visual approach, blank stares often ensue. Lets fix that.

Key Takeaways:

• A visual approach is conducted to an airport reporting Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), requiring the pilot to remain clear of clouds, whereas a contact approach is for airports reporting Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).
• Pilots must *request* a contact approach, maintain at least one-mile flight visibility clear of clouds, and are solely responsible for terrain and obstruction clearance to landing, though the IFR flight plan remains active.
• For a contact approach, the destination airport must have an instrument approach procedure (IAP) and report at least one statute mile ground visibility, with ATC providing separation from other IFR traffic.
• Due to the high degree of pilot responsibility and inherent risks, commercial operators often impose severe restrictions on contact approaches, and ATC cannot suggest them, emphasizing the need for careful pilot discretion.

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