What is the weather criterion for an aircraft to be cleared for a visual approach?

• A. VMC conditions
• B. IFR conditions
• C. VFR conditions
• D. MVFR conditions

Answer: (C)

The criterion for an aircraft to be cleared for a visual approach is that it is operating under VFR conditions, which stands for Visual Flight Rules. Under VFR, the weather conditions must be sufficiently clear such that the pilot can navigate and operate the aircraft by visual reference to the ground and other landmarks, rather than relying solely on instruments.

When a pilot is cleared for a visual approach, it indicates that they are expected to proceed visually to the airport, using their own sight to maintain situational awareness and manage their descent towards the runway. This typically requires weather conditions that allow for good visibility, such as clear skies or minimal cloud cover.

In contrast, other conditions like VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions) also involve visual navigation but are generally a broader category and do not specifically apply to the requirement for a visual approach clearance. IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions refer to scenarios where visibility is below the thresholds required for visual navigation, meaning the pilot must rely entirely on instruments. MVFR (Marginal VFR) conditions refer to limits that are not optimal for visual navigation but might still permit some level of visual flight; however, these conditions do not strictly meet the criteria for a traditional visual approach.

Thus, only when VFR conditions are present can