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4 Answers

Practical Scenarios to Do Contact Approach?

Asked by: 2680 views Instrument Rating

Also, can you request it during an approach and simply transition to a contact approach?

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4 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Mar 24, 2015

    I suppose that if I were overflying an airport in a mile or better visibility on my way to an initial approach fix, I could request a contact approach and avoid having to fly to the IAF, do the procedure turn and fly the approach. I would be on the ground much quicker and free up the airspace for someone else. This would almost imply higher ceiling weather with low visibility.

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  2. Alex Weeks on Mar 25, 2015

    I’ve done a contact when a scattered layer prevented me from seeing the airport but I otherwise had good vis. It’s especially useful in places where the minimum vectoring altitude is high and the IAF is a long way from the airport. Rural airports mostly.

    That having been said, in 25-years of flying, I’ve only requested one a couple of times.

    There are lots of scenarios where it’s legal but stupid. Watch out for those.

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  3. Earl Kessler on Apr 04, 2015

    I try to teach my students not to request one except at their home field or one they are very familiar with the surrounding terrain. There is a reason ATC doesn’t have the authority to offer one. No 141 carrier will ever use one either. Be careful.

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  4. Kris Kortokrax on Apr 04, 2015

    Air carriers are not certificated under Part 141. Flight schools are certificated under Part 141.

    U.S. air carriers are certificated under Part 121 or 135. There is an OpSpec which authorizes air carriers to conduct contact approaches. OpSpec C076 allows it if crews have been trained on them.

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