What is a Contact Approach?

What is a Contact Approach?

• A. An approach that uses radar vectors only.
• B. A procedure to depart before landing.
• C. Procedure that results from an instrument approach when the visibility is greater than one mile.
• D. A visual maneuver to land without radios.

Answer: (C)

Contact approach is an ATC-cleared method that lets you fly to the airport using visual reference to the ground while still under an instrument approach clearance. You must be able to maintain visual contact with the airport or the preceding aircraft and stay clear of clouds, with at least one mile of flight visibility. This option describes taking a path that originates from an instrument approach but is completed visually when visibility meets the minimum, which is why it’s the best choice. It’s not simply radar vectors, not a departure procedure, and not a visual maneuver to land without radios.

Contact approach is an ATC-cleared method that lets you fly to the airport using visual reference to the ground while still under an instrument approach clearance. You must be able to maintain visual contact with the airport or the preceding aircraft and stay clear of clouds, with at least one mile of flight visibility. This option describes taking a path that originates from an instrument approach but is completed visually when visibility meets the minimum, which is why it’s the best choice. It’s not simply radar vectors, not a departure procedure, and not a visual maneuver to land without radios.