Visual approaches offer pilots an opportunity to remain within the IFR system but fly direct to the airport on their own. Once ATC issues a visual approach, however, responsibility for navigation and terrain clearance is transferred from the ground to the cockpit. Avionics manufacturers recently began adding visual-approach capabilities to their navigation suites to create an extended runway centerline and an imaginary final approach fix. Unfortunately, computer-drawn visuals do not provide terrain or obstacle clearance. This month’s approach, Aspen’s Roaring Fork visual, does provide terrain and obstacle clearance, assuming, of course, the pilot adheres to the recommended altitudes.
Chart Wise: Training and Technique
Key Takeaways:
- While most visual approaches transfer navigation and terrain clearance responsibility to the pilot and avionics-drawn visuals lack terrain protection, Aspen's Roaring Fork visual is an exception that provides terrain and obstacle clearance if recommended altitudes are followed.
- This specific visual approach has stringent operational requirements, including high weather minimums (6,000-foot ceiling, 10 miles visibility), mandatory active radar assistance, and is strictly limited to daylight hours due to challenging terrain.
- The Roaring Fork visual lacks initial/final approach fixes, relying on a radar controller for its beginning point, and offers no official vertical guidance until the pilot can establish a visual lock on the Runway 15 PAPI.
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