Charted Visual Flight Procedure (CVFP)

Charted Visual Flight procedures are established for environmental considerations, permitting the safety and efficiency of air traffic operations.




Introduction

Introduction
  • A visual approach is an approach to a runway at an airport conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), but where the pilot proceeds by visual reference and clear of clouds to the airport
  • Charted Visual Flight Procedures (CVFP) are published by the Federal Aviation Administration for environmental/noise considerations and/or when necessary for the safety and efficiency of air traffic operations
    • Designed primarily for turbojet aircraft
  • These procedures depict recommended procedures for pilots to follow
  • CVFPs are not instrument approaches and do not have a Missed Approach Points (MAP)
  • Unless indicating a class Bravo airspace floor all depicted altitudes are for noise abatement purposes and recommended only
    • Pilots may fly other than recommended altitudes if operational requirements dictate
    • ATC may assign additional restrictions



Charted Visual Approach Procedure Purpose

Charted Visual Approach Procedure Purpose
  • A CVFP may be developed when the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility manager, in coordination with airport management, determines that the procedure would mitigate aircraft noise or improve safety and efficiency
  • Development of a CVFP should only be considered after PBN approach options are exhausted



Locating Charted Visual Approach Procedures

Locating Charted Visual Approach Procedures



Charted Visual Approach Procedure Depiction

Charted Visual Approach Procedure Depiction
  • Charted Visual Flight Procedure (CVFP)
    North Bay Visual Runway 17L
  • Depict prominent landmarks, courses, and recommended altitudes to specific runways
  • Most charts depict some Navigational Aid (NAVAID) information for supplemental navigation guidance, beginning within 20 Nautical Miles (NM) from the airport



Charted Visual Approach Procedure Requirements

Charted Visual Approach Procedure Requirements
  • There is an operating control tower
  • ATC will not issue clearances for CVFPs when the weather is less than the published minimum
    • Federal Aviation Regulation Part 91.155/157, visibility is determined by the PIC
    • Published weather minimums are based on minimum vectoring altitudes rather than recommended altitudes depicted on charts
  • When using parallel or intersecting/converging runways, the criteria specified in JO 7110.65 (7-4-4), Approaches to Multiple Runways, are applied
  • An aircraft not following another aircraft on the approach reports sighting a charted visual landmark, or reports sighting a preceding aircraft landing on the same runway and has been instructed to follow that aircraft
    • If instructed to follow a preceding aircraft, pilots are responsible for maintaining a safe approach interval and wake turbulence separation
  • When landmarks used for navigation are not visible at night, the approach will be annotated "procedure not authorized at night"



Charted Visual Approach Procedure Clearance

Charted Visual Approach Procedure Clearance
  • ATC: "[Callsign], cleared [Approach] approach"
  • Pilots should advise ATC if at any point they are unable to continue an approach or lose sight of a preceding aircraft
    • Missed approaches will be handled as a go-around
    • Have pre-planned climb-out options based on aircraft performance and terrain features
  • When conducting visual approaches, pilots are encouraged to use other available navigational aids to assist in positive lateral and vertical alignment with the assigned runway



Conclusion

Conclusion
  • To learn more about instrument procedures, be sure to check out the Instrument Procedures Handbook online or in paperback
  • Pilots can visit the FAA's Instrument Flight Procedures Information Gateway to review and submit questions related to the how and why certain procedures are as they are
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References

References