Contact approach
Encyclopedia
A Contact Approach is an approach available to aircraft
operating on an IFR
flight plan
, where the pilot
may deviate from the published instrument approach procedure (IAP) and proceed to the destination airport by visual reference to the surface.
Only pilots may initiate a request for this type of approach, as regulations prohibit air traffic control
(ATC) from asking pilots to perform them. A contact approach will only be issued if the aircraft is operating clear of clouds with at least 1-mile of flight visibility, with a reasonable expectation of continuing to the destination airport under those conditions. Additionally, the reported ground visibility at the destination airport must be at least 1 statute mile.
In the execution of a contact approach, the pilot is responsible for obstruction clearance, but ATC will still provide separation from other IFR or Special VFR traffic. If radar service is being received, it will automatically terminate when the pilot is instructed to change to the airport's advisory frequency.
The pilot must advise ATC immediately if unable to continue the contact approach or if s/he encounters less than 1-mile flight visibility; new instructions will then be provided by ATC. Also, ATC may issue alternative instructions if, in their judgment, weather conditions may make completion of the approach impracticable.
The contact approach is often used as time- and fuel-savings method of working the air traffic control system to a pilot's advantage. However, this shortcut comes with two important warnings:
Thus, most instrument pilots will not fly them as they can be scary for the inexperienced.
The Aeronautical Information Manual
(AIM), published by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), emphasizes that the contact approach is meant only as a substitute for a standard IAP. It is not intended to be used as a "poor man's" IFR approach to an airport not having a published approach procedure, nor is it to be used to approach one airport, break-off the approach in visual conditions, and then fly to another airport.
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
operating on an IFR
Instrument flight rules
Instrument flight rules are one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other are visual flight rules ....
flight plan
Flight plan
Flight plans are documents filed by pilots or a Flight Dispatcher with the local Civil Aviation Authority prior to departure...
, where the pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
may deviate from the published instrument approach procedure (IAP) and proceed to the destination airport by visual reference to the surface.
Only pilots may initiate a request for this type of approach, as regulations prohibit air traffic control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
(ATC) from asking pilots to perform them. A contact approach will only be issued if the aircraft is operating clear of clouds with at least 1-mile of flight visibility, with a reasonable expectation of continuing to the destination airport under those conditions. Additionally, the reported ground visibility at the destination airport must be at least 1 statute mile.
In the execution of a contact approach, the pilot is responsible for obstruction clearance, but ATC will still provide separation from other IFR or Special VFR traffic. If radar service is being received, it will automatically terminate when the pilot is instructed to change to the airport's advisory frequency.
The pilot must advise ATC immediately if unable to continue the contact approach or if s/he encounters less than 1-mile flight visibility; new instructions will then be provided by ATC. Also, ATC may issue alternative instructions if, in their judgment, weather conditions may make completion of the approach impracticable.
The contact approach is often used as time- and fuel-savings method of working the air traffic control system to a pilot's advantage. However, this shortcut comes with two important warnings:
- It is essentially a legalized form of scud-runningScud runningIn general aviation, scud running is a practice in which pilots lower their altitude to avoid clouds or Instrument meteorological conditions . The goal of scud running is to stay clear of weather to continue flying with visual, rather than instrument, references...
, a potentially very dangerous practice. - It works safely only if the pilot is completely familiar with local terrain.
Thus, most instrument pilots will not fly them as they can be scary for the inexperienced.
The Aeronautical Information Manual
Aeronautical Information Manual
In United States aviation, the Aeronautical Information Manual is the Federal Aviation Administration's official guide to basic flight information and ATC procedures....
(AIM), published by the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA), emphasizes that the contact approach is meant only as a substitute for a standard IAP. It is not intended to be used as a "poor man's" IFR approach to an airport not having a published approach procedure, nor is it to be used to approach one airport, break-off the approach in visual conditions, and then fly to another airport.