Chapter 7. Visual

Section 1. General

7-1-1. CLASS A AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS

Do not apply visual separation or issue VFR or “VFR‐on‐top” clearances in Class A airspace.

7-1-2. VFR CONDITIONS

1. You may clear aircraft to maintain “VFR conditions” if one of the following conditions exists:
   1. The pilot of an aircraft on an IFR flight plan requests a VFR climb/descent.
   2. TERMINAL.The clearance will result in noise abatement benefits where part of the IFR departure route does not conform to an FAA‐ approved noise abatement route or altitude.
2. When, in your judgment, there is reason to believe that flight in VFR conditions may become impractical, issue an alternative clearance which will ensure separation from all other aircraft for which you have separation responsibility.

7-1-3. APPROACH CONTROL SERVICE FOR VFR ARRIVING AIRCRAFT

Issue the following where procedures have been established for arriving VFR aircraft to contact approach control for landing information:

1. Wind, runway, and altimeter setting at the airport of intended landing. This information may be omitted if contained in the ATIS broadcast and the pilot states the appropriate ATIS code or if the pilot uses the phrase, “have numbers.”
2. Traffic information on a workload permitting basis.
3. Time or place at which the aircraft is to contact the tower on local control frequency for further landing information.
4. An aircraft may be instructed to contact approach control for landing and traffic information upon initial contact with the tower.

7-1-4. VISUAL HOLDING OF VFR AIRCRAFT

TERMINAL

When it becomes necessary to hold VFR aircraft at visual holding fixes, take the following actions:

1. Clear aircraft to hold at selected, prominent geographical fixes which can be easily recognized from the air, preferably those depicted on sectional charts.
2. Issue traffic information to aircraft cleared to hold at the same fix.