If an aircraft sees the airport or runway but NOT the preceding aircraft, the aircraft may be cleared for a visual approach if radar separation or visual separation is maintained.

• A. Radar separation or visual separation
• B. Radar separation only
• C. Visual separation only
• D. Vertical separation

Answer: (A)

Visual approaches can only be cleared when the controller can ensure separation from other traffic, either by radar separation or by visual separation. In this scenario, the aircraft has the airport or runway in sight but not the preceding aircraft, so the pilot cannot rely on visual separation from that traffic. The safety margin must come from radar separation—the controller tracks and keeps a safe distance between the aircraft and others. Because either radar separation or visual separation can underpin a visual approach clearance, the best choice is that separation can be maintained by radar or visual means. Vertical separation isn’t the method used to protect a visual approach in this context.