During a visual approach, the pilot must have which in sight at all times?

• A. The runway lights
• B. The weather radar
• C. The airport or the preceding aircraft
• D. ATIS information

Answer: (C)

During a visual approach, you must keep a visual reference to either the airport environment or the preceding aircraft at all times. This provides a concrete, continuous reference for navigation, descent, and maintaining safe separation under visual conditions. The airport gives you a fixed target for alignment with the runway, while the preceding aircraft offers a moving reference that helps you track a safe path and spacing from traffic ahead. If you lose sight of both the airport and the traffic you’re following, you should not continue the visual approach and should request an alternative (instrument) approach or a go-around.

Runway lights, while helpful cues, are not the required reference you must maintain in sight. Weather radar and ATIS information serve different purposes (weather awareness and field information, respectively) and are not the visual reference mandated for a visual approach.