What is the primary difference between a contact approach and a visual approach?

The primary distinction between a contact approach and a visual approach lies in the requirement for pilot action in requesting the procedure. A contact approach is a procedure that must be requested by the pilot and cannot be initiated without such a request, which makes the pilot's initiative crucial. This approach allows pilots to proceed to the airport under visual flight rules once they are in visual contact with the runway environment, even if they are not receiving the standard visual flight rules clearance typically required for a visual approach.

In contrast, a visual approach can be assigned by air traffic control (ATC) without any request from the pilot, as long as certain criteria, such as visibility requirements, are met. Visual approaches are often utilized to expedite landing when weather conditions permit.

It is also essential to note that there are visibility requirements for visual approaches, but in the case of a contact approach, those specific visibility criteria are not a determining factor; instead, the request from the pilot is the primary condition. Therefore, understanding this key requirement differentiates the two approaches comprehensively.