What is a Contact Approach?
A contact approach represents a specialized procedure for pilots operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), allowing them to deviate from published instrument approaches while maintaining visual contact with the ground below.
It bridges the gap between instrument and visual approaches. Conducted in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), it demands less stringent visibility requirements than standard visual approaches.
Pilots must specifically request contact approaches—ATC authorization is mandatory but cannot be initiated by controllers. This provides a useful option, particularly when visibility is limited but sufficient to maintain contact with the terrain.
Key Features of a Contact Approach
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Pilot-Initiated: The pilot must specifically request the approach; ATC cannot assign it without a pilot request.
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Weather Minimums: The pilot must have at least one statute mile (1 SM) of flight visibility and remain clear of clouds.
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Visual Reference: Requires continuous visual contact with the ground or water, but not necessarily the airport itself.
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Obstacle Clearance: The pilot assumes full responsibility for terrain and obstacle avoidance.
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ATC Separation: ATC continues to provide separation from other IFR and Special VFR aircraft.
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Airport Requirement: The destination airport must have a published instrument approach procedure as a backup.
Requirements for a Contact Approach
Pilot Responsibilities During Contact Approach
Obstacle clearance is the pilot’s primary responsibility. This requires thorough knowledge of the local terrain, obstacles, and minimum safe altitudes in the vicinity of the destination airport.
Should visibility deteriorate or cloud clearance become compromised, pilots must immediately notify ATC and request alternative clearance—typically reverting to a published instrument approach.
Navigation depends on the pilot’s proficiency with visual ground references. This requires strong situational awareness and detailed knowledge of the area, as detailed in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM 5-5-3).
Continuous ATC communication remains essential throughout the approach, with pilots reporting any condition changes or emerging challenges.
Contact Approach vs Visual Approach
| Feature | Contact Approach | Visual Approach |
|—|—|—|
| Visual Requirement | Must see the ground/water | Must see the airport or preceding aircraft |
| Weather Minimums | 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds | Typically 3 SM visibility and 1,000 ft ceiling |
| Initiation | Must be requested by the pilot | Can be offered by ATC or requested by pilot |
| Obstacle Clearance | Pilot responsibility | Pilot responsibility |
Dangers of a Contact Approach
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“Scud Running” Risk: Operating in marginal visibility at low altitudes resembles this dangerous practice that contributes to many accidents.
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Insufficient Local Knowledge: Pilots without detailed terrain knowledge face collision risks, particularly in areas with dramatic elevation changes.
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Overwhelming Workload: Low-altitude flight combined with marginal visibility and visual navigation can overwhelm less experienced pilots, leading to spatial disorientation or poor decision-making.
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Rapidly Changing Conditions: Weather can deteriorate swiftly, potentially trapping pilots between hazardous conditions and unfamiliar terrain—without the safety net of published procedures.
Conclusion: When to Use a Contact Approach
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Efficiency Gains: Breaking out of clouds with terrain visible before commencing lengthy instrument procedures allows for more direct routing.
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Weather Navigation: Pilots can visually circumnavigate isolated weather systems near airports while maintaining IFR flight plan status.
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Procedural Alternatives: Contact approaches offer alternatives to instrument procedures requiring substantial deviations from optimal arrival paths.
Safety should always take priority over convenience. The decision requires honest evaluation of pilot capability, aircraft performance, and comprehensive destination knowledge.
