Figure 4-34. Approach without a designated IF.  altitudes and separation from other aircraft. If the pilot  reports the airport in sight but does not see the aircraft  they are assigned to follow, ATC may still issue the  visual approach clearance but the controller maintains  responsibility for aircraft separation (including wake  turbulence separation). Once pilots report the aircraft  in sight, they assume the responsibilities for their own  separation and wake turbulence avoidance.  flight conditions permit. Requesting a contact approach  may be advantageous since it requires less time than  the published IAP and provides separation from IFR and  special visual flight rules (SVFR) traffic. A contact or visual  approach may be used in lieu of conducting a SIAP, and  both allow the flight to continue as an IFR flight to landing  while increasing the efficiency of the arrival.  When it is operationally beneficial, ATC may authorize  pilots to conduct a visual approach to the airport in  lieu of the published IAP. A pilot, or the controller,  can initiate a visual approach. Before issuing a visual  approach clearance, ATC must verify that the pilot  has the airport, or a preceding aircraft that they are to  follow, in sight. Once the pilot reports the airport, or  aircraft, in sight, the pilot is responsible to maintain safe  A visual approach is an ATC authorization for an aircraft  on an IFR flight plan to proceed visually to the airport of  intended landing; it is not an IAP. Also, there is no missed  approach segment. An aircraft unable to complete a visual  approach must be handled as any other go-around and  appropriate separation must be provided. A vector for a  visual approach may be initiated by ATC if the reported  ceiling at the airport of intended landing is at least 500 feet  above the MVA/MIA and the visibility is 3 SM or greater. At  airports without weather reporting service, there must be  reasonable assurance through area weather reports and  PIREPs that descent and approach to the airport can be  made visually, and the pilot must be informed that weather  information is not available.  The visual approach clearance is issued to expedite the flow  of traffic to an airport. It is authorized when the ceiling is  reported or expected to be at least 1,000 feet AGL and the  4-56  Visual Approaches  I n i t a l p r o a c h s e g m e n t  F e e d e r o u $_{t}$e  En route fix  IAF  FAF  Beginning of intermediate segment 