Visual Approach and Pilot-Applied Visual Separation: Measurement of Use and Impact

View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-3684.vid One way for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to offer more efficient air traffic services is to find ways to increase airport throughput. Major airports can maintain maximum runway capacity when air traffic controllers can apply visual separation procedures and visual approach clearances. As weather conditions approach the minimum requirements for conducting visual operations at a given facility, or when pilots are unable to accept visual separation responsibility, airport capacity is reduced. Previous modeling of runway and airport throughput has depended on analyses of historical data during weather conditions defined by values of ceiling and visibility. These historical analyses assume a relationship between the ceiling and visibility thresholds and the use of visual approaches and pilot-applied visual separation. The analysis presented in this paper uses transcript data to measure the current use of visual approaches and pilot-applied visual separation compared to ceiling and visibility thresholds at 39 US airports. The analysis also examines the measured impact of visual approaches and pilot-applied visual separation on runway inter-arrival time and throughput at the airports. The purpose of the analysis is to help inform future modeling of airport throughput, especially analyses involving expanding the use of pilot-applied visual separation.