The introduction of the FAA "Contact" approach is another red herring that has no relevance to the discussion on visuals or go around procedures. A contact can
ONLY be authorized at airfields with IAPs, required weather is only "clear of clouds", 1 SM visibility and the pilot's reasonably expecting to continue to the field visually. Yes, one can fly a contact to an airport with mins of 2 SM, if the field is reporting 1 SM visibility--busting mins legally. But, contacts within the context of FAR 121 flying are rare events, probably AK mostly.
The FAA just put out a InFO (
InFormation for
Operators) letter on 1/25/2011 on visual approaches. It cautions pilot's that they must remain "clear of cloud" during any visual approach, that there is NO missed approach segment to be flown and that a go around must remain "clear of cloud". The letter is the result of pilot's accepting visuals in marginal VMC raising questiions as to the pilot's compliance with regulations. You MUST have the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight and be able to fly to the destination while remaining clear of clouds.
The link is
http://faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_...ne_safety/info
It is a VISUAL maneuver--why all this talk of missed approaches? If you cannot fly clear of cloud, don't accept the visual, insist on a clearance for the IAP.
GF