Definition
A published arrival procedure used at certain busy airports that allows IFR aircraft, when in visual conditions and cleared for the procedure, to follow a specific visual route to the runway using prominent landmarks, charted altitudes, and tracks. It reduces controller workload and noise impact while keeping the flight under ATC control.
Plain English
A printed visual approach plate that shows pilots exactly how to fly into a busy airport by following named landmarks at set altitudes, instead of being given turn-by-turn instructions by ATC.
Context Anchor
You may see this on approach charts or hear it in an air traffic control clearance when arriving at a busy airport in good visibility.
Derivation
"Charted" means published on an official chart, "visual" means flown by looking outside at landmarks rather than by instruments alone, and "procedure" means a defined sequence of steps. Together: a published visual arrival route.
Why Pilots Care
Provides a standardized, low-workload path that also supports noise abatement over populated areas.
Grounding Statement
Picture following a published line on a map toward the airport while matching what you see outside to the landmarks printed on the chart.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “visual” means “make up your own route.” Here, “charted visual” means the route is published and must be flown using the visible landmarks and instructions shown for that procedure.
Example Sentence 1
After being cleared for the CVFP into Reagan National, the crew followed the Potomac River and crossed the charted landmark at the published altitude.
Example Sentence 2
Following the published altitudes on the charted visual flight procedure kept the aircraft clear of nearby noise-sensitive areas.