Definition
The portion of an instrument approach procedure between the published Visual Descent Point (or the Missed Approach Point, where no VDP is published) and the runway threshold, flown visually after the pilot has acquired the required visual references and elected to continue the approach to landing.
Plain English
The last part of an instrument approach, flown by looking outside, from the point where you leave the instrument procedure down to the runway.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts, usually in the notes or profile view, when the final path to the airport or runway must be flown visually.
Derivation
"Visual" comes from Latin visus, meaning sight. "Segment" comes from Latin segmentum, a piece cut off. Together they describe the cut-off piece of the approach that is flown by sight rather than by instruments.
Why Pilots Care
It marks the exact point at which visual contact with the runway must be established; failure to see the required references requires an immediate missed approach to maintain safety.
Grounding Statement
It is the planned handoff point between following the instrument procedure and finishing the approach by sight.
Intuition Check
Do not read “visual segment” as any part of the approach where you happen to see the runway. Here it means a specific, published part of the instrument approach that may be used only when the required visual conditions exist.
Example Sentence 1
After identifying the runway environment at the Visual Descent Point, the pilot continued the published instrument approach procedure visual segment to landing.
Example Sentence 2
The approach chart showed the published instrument approach procedure visual segment beginning at the MAP and extending to the threshold with a note requiring runway environment in sight.