Questions pondered at 6500 feet

We enjoyed a 45 knot tailwind all the way to our favorite fly-in restaurant
today (The CAVU Cafe, in Janesville, WI [KJVL]).

This blessing naturally switched to a 45 knot curse on the way home.

Droning along has its advantages. The headwind gave my kids ample time for
a nap, and gave Mary and me plenty of time to ponder the following questions
for the group:

1. Airports were originally huge grass fields that allowed arrivals and
departures in any direction, on any heading. Are there any airports left
that provide 360 degrees of access?

2. We often hear commercial airliners "cleared for the visual approach" into
thus-and-such an airport. However, we *also* often hear commercial
airliners "cleared for the ILS Rwy 14 approach" (for example) -- even though
conditions in the area are perfectly CAVU.

Since we haven't heard the airliner SAY they wanted an instrument approach,
how/why does the controller know to clear them for anything other than the
visual approach?

Inquiring minds, doncha know?

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"