Plain English Meaning

It means done by looking outside the aircraft and using your eyes, instead of relying on cockpit instruments or radar.

Full Definition

In aviation usage, 'visual' refers to operations, approaches, references, or separation conducted by direct sight rather than by reference to instruments. It indicates that a pilot or controller is using outside visual cues — such as the runway, the horizon, the ground, or another aircraft — to navigate, separate, or fly an approach.

Context Anchor

Seen in terms such as visual approach, visual reference, visual , and .