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Difference between 'Cleared Direct Approach' and 'Cleared Visual Approach'
arc0717
Topic Author
arc0717 created the topic: Difference between 'Cleared Direct Approach' and 'Cleared Visual Approach'
Hello,
Can anyone explain the fundamental difference between the two ATC instructions when approaching Class C?
It's the direct approach which I'm confused about. This I am assuming you should keep current altitude and heading whilst flying towards the airport until Tower instructs further as you close in to the airport. Would I be correct in thinking that after a 'cleared direct approach', within 5nm Tower must then state 'cleared visual approach for {Joining leg} {Runway xx}? If ATC forget, would I be correct in thinking that once within 5nm I should maneuver for visual approach or just call ATC with my call sign?
John.Heddles replied the topic: Difference between 'Cleared Direct Approach' and 'Cleared Visual Approach'
While there exist numerous references to "visual approach" in the AIP, there appears to be no reference to "direct approach" or "cleared direct approach". Whence comes your examples ?
Engineering specialist in aircraft performance and weight control.
stuart replied the topic: Difference between 'Cleared Direct Approach' and 'Cleared Visual Approach'
I think your getting your terminolgy mixed up Cleared direct is for IFR traffic to fly a straight-line route from your present position to the fix or navaid
arc0717 replied the topic: Difference between 'Cleared Direct Approach' and 'Cleared Visual Approach'
Flying visual yesterday in the training area, on inbound request, ATC definitely cleared me for a direct approach not above 2000 from my current position. Then when within 5nm of the airport, they then said 'cleared visual approach for left base 07'.
It seems strange and I don't know why they do that.
John.Heddles replied the topic: Difference between 'Cleared Direct Approach' and 'Cleared Visual Approach'
I suspect that Stuart has the situation identified. However, if we are to resolve your question, specifically, we need you to identify the particular clearance words used by ATC. So, for example and presuming you are not looking at CPDLC comms, can you have a look at the following references and comment regarding whether the ATC phrases were these ? -
(a) AIP GEN 3.4-50 h
(b) AIP GEN 3.4-50 i
Alternatively, can you recall, to the best of your ability, the actual words used by ATC in the clearance ?
Engineering specialist in aircraft performance and weight control.
bobtait replied the topic: Difference between 'Cleared Direct Approach' and 'Cleared Visual Approach'
I've never heard of a direct approach as a actual ATC procedure. Maybe it would be a good idea to jump on the phone and ask the guys in the tower. I suspect it meant track direct to the aerodrome and at some point you were told to make a visual approach to a particular runway. From that point you are cleared to leave the direct track and manoeuver as required for that runway.
