One In or One Out

Before I can clear an airplane for a visual approach, I have to ensure the pilot has either the landing runway, the airport, or preceding aircraft in sight. Obvious, right? If youre landing on it or following it, ATC must ensure you can see it. For instance, if there are clouds in the way or the preceding aircraft gets lost in ground clutter or weather, theres no guarantee youll be able to safely navigate visually to the runway.

tkarmer

Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Visual approaches for IFR aircraft to non-towered airports require ATC to clear to the "airport" (not a specific runway), and communication is transferred to an advisory frequency, terminating radar separation and control.
To maintain IFR separation without specific runway control or continuous ATC communication, only one IFR aircraft is permitted in or out of a non-towered airport at a time ("one in or one out").
Pilot-applied visual separation is not allowed, and if a landing cannot be accomplished on a visual approach, the IFR pilot must remain clear of clouds and contact ATC for further clearance.
Pilots can help alleviate IFR delays at non-towered airports by canceling their IFR clearance as soon as it is safe and legal, but safety must always be the top priority.

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The Beechcraft Baron was descending out of 4000 for 3000. “I’ve got the airport in sight.” All the weather displays in my approach control radar room showed beautiful VMC everywhere. The Baron was on a vector for a visual approach to one of our local airports.

“Roger,” I said. “Fly heading 270 for sequence. Expect about a five-minute delay. I’m awaiting IFR cancellation from a King Air who appears to be on a four-mile final for Runway Niner, descending out of 2000.”