is weather required for ATC to issue an approach clearance?

[TAZ MAN]

This is a great discussion!

I wish more were just like this.

 

[Sctt@NJA]

I have to admit I don't know 121. But 135 back in the day weather was required to shoot an intrument approach, not a visual. There was no need to cancel IFR. We would do as an earlier poster mentioned: get down to minimum vectoring altitude and if that got you below the weather do a visual from there.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Asa

At ASA (Part 121), we have the following in our Flight Operations Manual:

Whether it is VMC or IMC, pilots will not takeoff or conduct approaches to any airport without a valid report of the airport's weather conditions.

A valid weather observation must include all of the following:

• Time of observation
• Wind direction/speed
• Visibility
• Ceiling
• Temperature/dew point
• Altimeter setting

There is more to it than just what I added above, but you get the general idea.