Jim Macklin wrote:



On a contact approach you do not follow anybody, you are the
only airplane and you navigate to the airport directly.

You got one out of three correct here and the navigation part depends on
the clouds.




A visual approach may be instigated by the controller if the
weather is good VFR.


Just VFR is all the controller needs.




At airports without official weather reporting,
the pilot can report to ATC that visibility is such and such
and he can maintain VMC and request a contact approach, the
pilot become the weather observer.

No, must have weather reporting on the ground. From the .65: 7-4-6


b. The reported ground visibility is at least 1 statute mile.

They make no exception for flight viz.