Definition
An approach conducted on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan which authorizes the pilot to proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport. The pilot must, at all times, have either the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight. This approach must be authorized and controlled by the appropriate air traffic control facility. Reported weather at the airport must have a ceiling at or above 1,000 feet and visibility of 3 miles or greater.
Plain English
A way for an IFR flight to finish its trip by flying to the airport using outside visual references rather than instrument procedures. The pilot has to keep the airport or the airplane ahead in sight, stay out of the clouds, and get permission from air traffic control. The weather has to be reasonably good for it to be allowed.
Context Anchor
You will hear this from air traffic control during the arrival phase, usually when the weather is good enough for you to see the airport or the traffic ahead.
Derivation
Visual comes from a Latin word meaning “to see.” Approach means “to come nearer.” Together, the words point to the key idea: coming in to land by seeing the airport or traffic ahead, rather than relying only on instruments.
Why Pilots Care
It shortens the arrival, reduces controller and pilot workload, and increases airport arrival rates when visual conditions exist.
Intuition Check
A visual approach is not simply any landing where you look outside. In FAA use, it is a specific air traffic control clearance given to an aircraft that is still operating on an instrument flight rules flight plan.
Example Sentence 1
Cleared for the visual approach to Runway 27, the pilot reported the airport in sight and continued without flying the full instrument procedure.
Example Sentence 2
We accepted the visual approach behind the regional jet to avoid flying the full instrument procedure.