Definition
The portion of an instrument approach procedure between a defined point (typically the visual descent point or missed approach point) and the runway, which must be flown visually using outside references rather than instrument guidance. The pilot must have the required visual references in sight and adequate flight visibility to continue the descent and landing along this segment.
Plain English
The final part of an instrument approach where the pilot stops relying on instruments and flies the rest of the way to the runway by looking outside.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach discussions, approach chart use, and decisions about whether to land or go missed.
Derivation
From Latin 'visualis' (relating to sight) and 'segmentum' (a piece cut off). Together: a 'piece' of the approach flown by sight. The wording captures the handoff from instrument flying to visual flying.
Why Pilots Care
It marks the critical transition where the pilot must confirm visual contact to continue safely to landing; failure to acquire the visual segment requires a missed approach.
Grounding Statement
Picture coming out of cloud near the runway: the visual segment is the remaining path from that point to the pavement.
Intuition Check
Visual segment does not mean any part of a flight where the pilot is looking outside. In FAA use, it means a specific final portion of an instrument approach.
Example Sentence 1
After breaking out of the clouds at minimums, the pilot transitioned to the visual segment and continued the approach to landing.
Example Sentence 2
The approach plate notes the minimum altitude at which the visual segment begins for that procedure.