"Greg Esres" wrote in message
...

Perhaps the visual approach and cruise clearance fall into the same
category?

Almost for sure these fall into the same categories.

If you are cleared for an approach into an airport without radar approach
service, the entire airport get shut down to IFR traffic until you cancel
IFR, so spacing is a non-issue.

If you are cleared for an approach into an airport with radar approach
service, you will probably be vectored for an instrument approach or
visually separated by a tower. If you conduct a visual approach into a
non-towered field and do not cancel IFR, again the airport remains shut down
so spacing is a non-issue.

--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com