11.6.4 Tracking Requirements. Tracking requirements for a visual approach
include the following:
a. A pilot in command must maintain track/heading on the route
progressively authorised by ATC until:
(1) by day, within 5NM of the aerodrome; or
(2) by night,
− for an IFR flight, within the prescribed circling area; or
− for a VFR flight, within 3NM of the aerodrome; and
− the aerodrome is in sight.
b. From this position the circuit must be joined as directed by ATC
for an approach to the nominated runway.
11.6.5 Minimum Altitude Requirements. During the conduct of a visual
approach, a pilot must descend as necessary to:
a. by day:
(1) for an IFR flight, remain not less than 500FT above the
lower limit of the CTA; and
(2) for IFR and VFR flights, operate not below the lowest altitude
permissible for VFR flight (CAR 157).
b. by night:
(1) for an IFR flight:
− maintain an altitude not less than the route segment
LSALT/MSA or the appropriate step of the DME/
GPS Arrival procedure, or 500FT above the lower
limit of the CTA, if this is higher; or
− if receiving an ATS surveillance service, operate not
below the last assigned altitude;
until the aircraft is:
− within the prescribed circling area for the category
of aircraft or a higher category, where the limitations
of the higher category are complied with, and the
aerodrome is in sight; or
− within 5NM (7NM for a runway equipped with an
ILS) of the aerodrome, aligned with the runway
centreline and established not below “on slope” on
the T-VASIS or PAPI; or
− within 10NM (14NM for Runways 16L and 34L at
Sydney) of the aerodrome, established not belowthe ILS glide path with less than full scale azimuth
deflection.
(2) for a VFR flight:
− maintain not less than the lowest altitude permissible
for VFR flight (CAR 174B) until the aircraft is
within 3NM of the aerodrome and the aerodrome is
in sight.
11.6.6 When conducting a visual approach, a pilot in command must not
climb above an altitude reported to ATC as having been reached or
left, unless authorised to do so.
11.6.7 A pilot in command operating under the IFR who desires a visual
approach and is satisfied that the visual conditions as per para
11.6.1 can be met must report ‘VISUAL’. A pilot who is unable to
continue a visual approach which has been authorised by ATC
must immediately advise ATC.
11.6.8 A pilot reporting VISUAL, may initially be given a clearance below
the LSALT to a specific altitude in the following terms:
a. by day, “DESCEND TO (level) VISUAL”; or
b. by night, “WHEN ESTABLISHED IN THE CIRCLING AREA,
DESCEND TO (level) VISUAL”.
11.6.9 A pilot descending to and maintaining a specific altitude visually
below the LSALT must comply with the minimum altitude requirements
detailed at para 11.6.5.
11.6.10 A pilot may be assigned the responsibility to follow another arriving
aircraft which he/she has reported sighting. When assigned
this responsibility, the pilot must maintain separation from and not
overtake that aircraft. In this circumstance, the pilot is also responsible
for providing his/her own wake turbulence separation except
that ATC is responsible for wake turbulence separation between
landing aircraft. If sighting is subsequently lost, the pilot must advise
ATC immediately.
I would ignore some of the previous advice.
Its a huge concern, although not supprising, the number of posters not aware of the requirements of a visual app.
Geez this is bread and butter stuff.
Always inverted, the plan should be in accordance with the above.
Nivo, WRONG
Mig3 its "easy" only if you know what you are talking about!
Of course you could request a clerarance to do something different.