Charted Visuals

Recently, as is customary when I give an instrument proficiency check (IPC), before the flight I review en route and approach charts with the pilot. While randomly going through the Florida approach book, we saw the North Bay Visual RWY 18L charted visual flight procedure (CVFP) at the St Pete-Clearwater airport (KPIE) and a couple questions came up.

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Monday, January 08, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Charted Visual Flight Procedures (CVFPs) are specific visual flight paths, primarily for jet aircraft at busy airports, designed for noise abatement, efficiency, and safety, utilizing charted landmarks and recommended altitudes rather than being instrument approaches.
These procedures, found at airports like JFK and Boston Logan, require clear visual conditions and often pilot familiarity with ground references; they do not include published missed approach segments.
Modern GPS navigators (e.g., Garmin GTN) offer non-FAA-approved "visual procedures" that provide supplemental guidance for runways, enhancing situational awareness but without guaranteeing obstacle clearance.
The article advocates for more charted visual procedures for general aviation to improve safety and integrate traffic flow in visual conditions, mirroring the benefits CVFPs offer.

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What is a CVFP?

Can a pilot in a Cessna 172 fly a CVFP? Yes, but approaching KPIE from the north, the Cessna will most probably be in TAMPA Class B airspace (depending on the altitude) and hopefully will have a VFR clearance through the Class B. Chances are that vectors will be given to stay west of KTPA, possibly outside the Class B. This might be a great excuse for the proverbial $300 hamburger. Of course, if you’re entering Tampa Class B you need to talk with Tampa Approach—it is a busy airspace.