ATC Vector Visual

Learning objectives

1. Know how to enter the pattern for a Visual Approach
2. Understand the directions of ATC
3. Know how to deal with breaches in the protocol

When Things Go Right

ATC's view of an airbase.

Flights should enter the pattern, follow ATC directives, and land safely. This is the ideal circumstance. Flying in close proximity with many aircraft, however, is rather dangerous if protocol is not kept.

Entering the Pattern

1. Flights shall arrive within 30nm of the Destination Airbase to be in range of ATC Approach airspace.
2. Flight Leads shall order their flight to switch to the appropriate Destination Approach Preset or Frequency. This is usually UHF 4, UHF 7, or UHF 10.
3. Flight Leads shall request vectors for visual approach. This enters all members of the flight in the ATC Queue, as long as they are within 5nm of the flight lead.

Note: It is important that all pilots in the flight are tuned to the appropriate frequency prior to requesting vectors. They will not hear ATC giving them vectors if they are not on the correct frequency.

ATC may give you information on initial contact, such as QNH. Each pilot should use this information and set the altimeter accordingly!

Following Pattern Directions

The ATC will vector each member of the flight individually. The radio chatter on the ATC Approach frequency can get busy rather quickly. If an airbase has 4 full flights returning, that is 16 different aircraft that ATC is vectoring concurrently. Each pilot must listen carefully for his callsign to be called. It is imperative that each member of the flight follow every directive as quickly and as safely as possible to avoid a collision.

The ATC's instructions to a pilot will start with the pilot's callsign and will reference up to three variables:

1. Heading
2. Altitude
3. Speed

An example directive might be, "Plasma 1-1, turn right heading 355. Descend to 5000. Maintain 300 kts." In this scenario, all three variables are explicitly mentioned. This is not always the case. All pilots will need to listen to the exact directive given to them while remembering what was given by ATC prior. Again, pilots must obey the directives as soon as possible in the safest manner.

If a pilot misses the directive, he may issue a "Say again" request to ATC Approach.

Understanding the Pattern

One flight successfully performs the approach.

The ATC may ask a pilot to orbit for spacing at a given altitude. An example directive might be, "Falcon 2-2, orbit for spacing. 6000." This is a directive to begin a right-hand orbit at 6000ft. If a pilot is asked to orbit above 4000ft, he may expect that there is traffic below him.

Eventually ATC will begin appending the landing runway to the directives. "Viper 1-3, turn heading 305. Descend to 4000. Maintain 270 kts. Vectors to final. Runway 18." This is letting the pilot know he's getting close to being handed off to ATC Tower.

On Final

Once ATC Approach tells a pilot to contact Tower on Final, the pilot should switch to the ATC Tower preset or frequency. This is typically UHF 3, UHF 8, or UHF 11. When he is within 6nm of the airbase and within 30° of either side of the threshold, the pilot must contact Tower and report "On final."

If all is good, Tower will give clearance and repeat the landing runway.

Note: It is NOT necessary to request landing clearance from the Tower. The pilot has already been entered into the ATC Tower Queue via ATC Approach. The Tower is expecting him to report that he is on final approach.