pilots discretion

[minitour]

The basic problem with all of this "Pilot's Discretion" stuff is that I have been hanging around pilots for 40 years and not one of them has any discretion at all. :0

'Sled

*rimshot*
Folks, he'll be here all week! Try the roast beef!

-mini

*edit*
PS. Avbug, I see what you mean and yeah...that makes more sense. I guess "Descent pilot's discretion for the Visual approach to runway 4" wouldn't be smart.

You could, however, get "Descent PD to 3,000, upon reaching 3000 cleared visual approach runway 4"...but again, he/she is giving you terrain/obstruction clearance down to 3000'. Once you get there (since you already have the field in sight), it's your job to watch for rocks and "pilot skewers" (antennas) below.

Good call avbug.

 

[172driver]

The quote you refer to as incorrect came directly from the article that was posted. The quote is, in fact, correct, though the clearance most certainly is not. Either it was inappropriately casual or the pilot writing the article quoted it incorrectly.

 

[DC8 Flyer]

The quote you refer to as incorrect came directly from the article that was posted. The quote is, in fact, correct, though the clearance most certainly is not. Either it was inappropriately casual or the pilot writing the article quoted it incorrectly.

Thank you! Someone that can read and understand!

 

[Vector4fun]

A visual approach is a discretionary descent. The pilot may descend at whatever time and rate he/she thinks appropriate for approach and landing. If a pilot reports leaving 4000' on a visual approach, ATC cannot then immediately assign 4000' to an aircraft above without insuring some other form of separation. I have, in fact, used the phraseology;

"Descend now to 3000', then cleared visual approach rwy XX"

To insure a descent at standard rates to 3000' before the discretionary descent begins. That said, once cleared for a visual, the crew is primarily responsible for maintaining a safe altitude above terrain. ATC's only responsibility is, of course, safety alerts if we are aware the aircraft is below a safe altitude. I emphasize that, because ATC may very well NOT be aware if you are outside or below radar coverage.

I *might* use an altitude restriction in conjunction with a visual approach clearance to insure separation from another aircraft. For example:

"Maintain 3000' till established on final, cleared visual approach".

That's to keep the aircraft separated from another below, that the crew doesn't see. Doesn't have anything to do with terrain.

 

[EMB170Pilot]

just another "senior moment" but here goes:

Cruising at FL280, ATC gives ' descend pilots discretion to FL180'. What do the regs say?

Please don't flame to hard!!

Lt Dan is that you?