Definition
An IFR arrival procedure conducted by visual reference to the airport, used when weather conditions allow the pilot to see and navigate to the destination without relying on instrument approach guidance. The aircraft remains on an IFR flight plan, but ATC clears the pilot to proceed to the airport visually rather than via a published instrument approach.
Plain English
When the weather is good enough, ATC lets an IFR pilot fly to the airport by simply looking out the window and finding it, instead of flying a full instrument approach.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument procedure discussions when an aircraft is arriving near an airport and conditions allow the pilot to finish the arrival visually.
Derivation
“Visual” comes from a Latin root meaning “to see.” “Arrival” comes from older words meaning “to reach the shore” or “come to a destination.” Together, the words point to reaching the airport by what the pilot can see outside.
Why Pilots Care
It shortens the approach, reduces cockpit workload, and speeds up the arrival once visual conditions exist.
Grounding Statement
On a visual arrival, the key change is that the pilot is using the outside view as the main guide for getting to the airport.
Intuition Check
Do not read “visual arrival” as just any arrival in good weather. In this context, it means the pilot is using outside visual references as part of an authorized arrival, often while still operating under instrument flight rules.
Example Sentence 1
Approach control issued a visual arrival to runway 27 once the pilot reported the airport in sight.
Example Sentence 2
During the visual arrival the pilot maintained traffic separation while descending into the traffic pattern.