What is required for a visual approach to be authorized?

For a visual approach to be authorized, the weather conditions must meet specific criteria. In this case, the requirement for visibility is that it must be at least 3 statute miles (SM) and that the weather is deemed to be VFR (Visual Flight Rules). This means that the visibility and cloud cover must allow the pilot to navigate and maintain visual reference to the ground and surrounding environment as they approach the airport.

When weather is VFR and visibility is at least 3 SM, it allows the pilot to visually acquire the runway or airport environment while still receiving instrument guidance. This is important for maintaining safety and situational awareness during the approach. Meeting these requirements ensures that the pilot has sufficient visibility to execute a safe landing without relying solely on instruments, thus allowing for a smoother and more visually guided approach to the airport.

The other options present conditions that are not necessary for authorization of a visual approach. For example, the requirement regarding the ceiling of 1,000 feet, although beneficial, is not a strict requirement for a visual approach to be conducted as long as the visibility is adequate. Being on a VFR flight plan is also not mandatory for conducting a visual approach, as pilots operating under IFR can also perform visual approaches when the conditions are