Originally Posted by Monopole
My understanding of the "Visual" call was so the controllers can issue us with a Visual Approach.
NOt quite
Monopole. The call "VISUAL" to ATS indicates that the pilot believes that they can continue to the field visually clear of cloud, in sight of the ground or water, and desires a visual approach on arrival. It's a statement of nav capability, in flight conditions, and a request for the type of approach all rolled into one word.
Some believe that one cannot call "VISUAL" outside 30 nm but this belief is erroneous. If at, say, 60 nm one can see the destination city, is confident of navigating visually to the field, meeting the aforementioned conditions, one can call "VISUAL".