5-4-24. Contact Approach

a. Pilots operating in accordance with an IFR flight
plan, provided they are clear of clouds and have at least 1
mile flight visibility and can reasonably expect to continue
to the destination airport in those conditions, may request
ATC authorization for a contact approach.

b. Controllers may authorize a contact approach
provided:

1. The contact approach is specifically requested by
the pilot. ATC cannot initiate this approach.

EXAMPLE-
Request contact approach.

2. The reported ground visibility at the destination
airport is at least 1 statute mile.

3. The contact approach will be made to an airport
having a standard or special instrument approach procedure.

4. Approved separation is applied between aircraft so
cleared and between these aircraft and other IFR or special
VFR aircraft.

EXAMPLE-
Cleared contact approach (and, if required) at or
below (altitude) (routing) if not possible (alternative
procedures) and advise.

c. A contact approach is an approach procedure that
may be used by a pilot (with prior authorization from ATC)
in lieu of conducting a standard or special IAP to an
airport. It is not intended for use by a pilot on an IFR
flight clearance to operate to an airport not having a
published and functioning IAP. Nor is it intended for an
aircraft to conduct an instrument approach to one airport
and then, when "in the clear," discontinue that approach and
proceed to another airport. In the execution of a contact
approach, the pilot assumes the responsibility for
obstruction clearance. If radar service is being received,
it will automatically terminate when the pilot is instructed
to change to advisory frequency.

Note that FLIGHT VISIBILITY of ONE MILE is required
and the pilot determines flught visibility.




--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their
rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and
duties.




"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in
message
nk.net...
|
| "Jim Macklin" wrote
in message
| news:4Tv%f.3147$8q.416@dukeread08...
|
| You can always request a contact approach and fly any
| altitude and path including the normal VFR pattern and
still
| be "on an IFR clearance."
|
|
| Well, you can always request a contact approach, but you
can't always get
| one. Clearance for a contact approach requires a reported
ground visibility
| of at least one mile. Not all airports have weather
reporting.
|
|
|
| If you are working for an
| operator who does not allow cancellation of IFR, then it
is
| up to the PIC to determine the method required to comply
| with IAP and VFR traffic pattern.
|
|
| Compliance with the "VFR traffic pattern" is not required
in this case.
| Review the regulation, before you get to " make all turns
of that airplane
| to the left", you have "unless otherwise authorized or
required." If you're
| on the VOR-A and intend to land on runway 16 compliance
with the restriction
| on circling east of the runway will require turns to the
right
|
|