Visual Approach/Go Around

atcguruaf Rico Suave AZ

1. If a visual approach goes around, can he be kept in the pattern?

2. Can a visual appraoch (going around) be kept in the pattern if the pattern is below the MVA?

I guess the question arises because of what the book says about providing IFR services and all that hoop-la.



Please no "my technique is..." or "what I do is..." etc. Read the book (don't assume you know it) and please post your interpretations of the black and white. References a plus!

djmodifyd Senior Member

Yes, if the field is VFR
the pilot is doing it all visually, ask the pilot if they want to do it..some will say yes, some will say no.

and yes you can do it below the mva..the v stands for vectoring..if they are in the pattern you are not vectoring.

im too lazy to look up references

garlandatc Junior Member

Yes. I’m going to take the commonsense approach. Requirements are met to clear the aircraft for a visual approach hence the aircraft should be in VMC. The tower controller will be required to make this determination and shall apply separation requirements. This includes passing wx information to approach.

Per REFERENCE FAA JO 7110.65,

Para 2-1-20, Wake Turbulence Cautionary Advisories.
Para 3-10-2, Forwarding Approach Information by Nonapproach Control Facilities.
Para 7-2-1, Visual Separation.
Para 7-4-4, Approaches to Multiple Runways.

pigbenis Rookie

well that depends on your SOP's. if the sop's don't specify otherwise, and the field is VFR(ifr he wouldnt be cleared for the vis), then yes i'd say you could keep the plane in the pattern. however, our sop's state that the automatic uncoordinated missed approach is runway heading and 020.

since visual approaches have no published missed, and are specified by the controller upon the plane saying "i'm going missed" then you'd need to coordinate(as a tower) the airplane staying in the pattern, since the airplane is still ifr and approach has ownership of the plane and appropriate separation must then be provided.

A visual approach is an ATC authorization for an aircraft on an IFR flight plan to proceed visually to the airport of intended landing; it is not an instrument approach procedure. Also, there is no missed approach segment. An aircraft unable to complete a visual approach shall be handled as any go-around and appropriate separation must be provided.