Section 2. Visual Separation
7-2-1. VISUAL SEPARATION
Aircraft may be separated by visual means, as
provided in this paragraph, when other approved
separation is assured before and after the application
of visual separation. To ensure that other separation
will exist, consider aircraft performance, wake
turbulence, closure rate, routes of flight, and known
weather conditions. Reported weather conditions
must allow the aircraft to remain within sight until
other separation exists. Do not apply visual
separation between successive departures when
departure routes and/or aircraft performance preclude maintaining separation.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-20, Wake Turbulence
Cautionary Advisories.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-21, Traffic Advisories.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 3-1-9, Use of Tower Radar Displays.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-9-5, Approach Separation
Responsibility.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-4-1, Visual Approach.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-4-2, Vectors for Visual Approach.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-4-4, Approaches to Multiple
Runways.
P/CG Term- Visual Approach.
P/CG Term- Visual Separation.
a. TERMINAL. Visual separation may be applied
between aircraft under the control of the same facility
within the terminal area up to but not including
FL 180, provided:
1. Communication is maintained with at least
one of the aircraft involved or the capability to
communicate immediately as prescribed in
para 3-9-3, Departure Control Instructions,
subpara a2 is available, and:
2. The aircraft are visually observed by the
tower and visual separation is maintained between
the aircraft by the tower. The tower shall not provide
visual separation between aircraft when wake
turbulence separation is required or when the lead
aircraft is a B757.
3. A pilot sees another aircraft and is instructed
to maintain visual separation from the aircraft as
follows:
(a) Tell the pilot about the other aircraft
including position, direction and, unless it is obvious,
the other aircraft's intention.
(b) Obtain acknowledgment from the pilot
that the other aircraft is in sight.
(c) Instruct the pilot to maintain visual
separation from that aircraft.
(d) Advise the pilot if the radar targets appear
likely to converge.
NOTE-
Issue this advisory in conjunction with the instruction to
maintain visual separation, or thereafter if the controller
subsequently becomes aware that the targets are merging.
(e) If the aircraft are on converging courses,
inform the other aircraft of the traffic and that visual
separation is being applied.
(f) If the pilot advises he/she has the traffic in
sight and will maintain visual separation from it (the
pilot must use that entire phrase), the controller need
only "approve" the operation instead of restating the
instructions.
PHRASEOLOGY-
TRAFFIC, (clock position and distance),
(direction)-BOUND, (type of aircraft), (intentions and
other relevant information).
If applicable,
ON CONVERGING COURSE.
DO YOU HAVE IT IN SIGHT?
If the answer is in the affirmative,
MAINTAIN VISUAL SEPARATION.
If the pilot advises he/she has the traffic in sight and will
maintain visual separation from it (pilot must use that
entire phrase):
APPROVED.
If aircraft are on converging courses, advise the other
aircraft:
TRAFFIC, (clock position and distance),
(direction)-BOUND, (type of aircraft), HAS YOU IN
SIGHT AND WILL MAINTAIN VISUAL SEPARATION.
b. EN ROUTE. Visual separation may be used up
to but not including FL 180 when the following
conditions are met:
1. Direct communication is maintained with one
of the aircraft involved and there is an ability to
communicate with the other.
2. A pilot sees another aircraft and is instructed
to maintain visual separation from it as follows:
(a) Tell the pilot about the other aircraft
including position, direction and unless it is obvious,
the other aircraft's intentions.
(b) Obtain acknowledgment from the pilot
that the other aircraft is in sight.
(c) Instruct the pilot to maintain visual
separation from that aircraft.
(d) Advise the pilot if the radar targets appear
likely to converge.
(e) If the aircraft are on converging courses,
inform the other aircraft of the traffic and that visual
separation is being applied.
(f) Advise the pilots if either aircraft is a
heavy.
(g) Traffic advisories and wake turbulence
cautionary advisories shall be issued in accordance
with para 2-1-20, Wake Turbulence
Cautionary Advisories, and para 2-1-21,
Traffic Advisories.
(h) If the pilot advises he/she has the traffic in
sight and will maintain visual separation from it (the
pilot must use that entire phrase), the controller need
only "approve" the operation instead of restating the
instructions.
PHRASEOLOGY-
TRAFFIC, (clock position and distance),
(direction)-BOUND, (type of aircraft), (intentions and
other relevant information).
If applicable,
ON CONVERGING COURSE.
DO YOU HAVE IT IN SIGHT?
If the answer is in the affirmative,
MAINTAIN VISUAL SEPARATION.
If the pilot advises he/she has the traffic in sight and will
maintain visual separation from it (pilot must use that
entire phrase):
(Call Sign) APPROVED.
If aircraft are on converging courses, advise the other
aircraft:
TRAFFIC, (clock position and distance),
(direction)-BOUND, (type of aircraft), HAS YOU IN
SIGHT AND WILL MAINTAIN VISUAL SEPARATION.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-4-1, Visual Approach.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-4-2, Vectors for Visual Approach.
c. Nonapproach control towers may be authorized
to provide visual separation between aircraft within
surface areas or designated areas provided other
separation is assured before and after the application
of visual separation. This may be applied by the
nonapproach control tower providing the separation
or by a pilot visually observing another aircraft and
being instructed to maintain visual separation with
that aircraft.
PHRASEOLOGY-
VISUAL SEPARATION APPROVED BETWEEN
(identification) AND (identification),
and for departing aircraft,
(departing/succeeding aircraft) RELEASED YOUR
DISCRETION.
NOTE-
Separation of IFR aircraft before and after application of
visual separation is an IFR control function (Approach/Departure/En Route). A nonapproach control tower by
accepting authorization for visual separation becomes
responsible for ensuring that separation. Separation
requirements also apply to VFR aircraft when IFR,
Class B, Class C or TRSA separation is prescribed.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 4-8-11, Practice Approaches.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-6-1, Application.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-4-2, Vectors for Visual Approach.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-6-1, Application.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-7-1, Application.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-7-2, Issuance of EFC.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-7-3, Separation.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-7-4, Helicopter Traffic.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-7-5, Altitude Assignments.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-7-6, Approach Interval.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-7-7, TRSA Departure Information.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-8-2, Class C Services.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-8-3, Separation.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-8-4, Establishing Two-Way
Communications.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-8-5, Altitude Assignments.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-8-6, Exceptions.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-9-1, Application.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-9-3, Methods.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-9-4, Separation.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-9-6, Helicopter Traffic.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 7-9-7, Altitude Assignments.
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