Flight procedures are structured methods used to guide aircraft safely and efficiently during the different phases of flight, including departure, en-route navigation, arrival, approach, and landing. Their main purpose is to organize aircraft movements, maintain separation from terrain, obstacles, and other traffic, and ensure that operations are conducted in a predictable and standardized manner.
Depending on the operating conditions and the navigation references available to the pilot, flight procedures can be broadly classified into Visual Flight Procedures and Instrument Flight Procedures.
Visual Flight Procedures are based on the pilot’s ability to maintain visual reference with the ground, terrain, landmarks, obstacles, and surrounding traffic. They are normally used in weather conditions that provide sufficient visibility, allowing the aircraft to follow visual references such as rivers, valleys, roads, coastlines, or recognizable geographical features. These procedures provide flexibility and are especially useful in aerodrome environments, visual approaches, and areas where terrain or local conditions require clearly defined visual routes.
Instrument Flight Procedures, on the other hand, are designed for operations under Instrument Flight Rules, where the aircraft is guided primarily by onboard instruments, navigation systems, and external navigation aids. These procedures are essential in low-visibility conditions or controlled airspace environments, as they provide precise routes, altitude constraints, obstacle clearance, and standardized guidance for departures, arrivals, approaches, and missed approaches.
Together, visual and instrument flight procedures form the basis of safe and efficient air navigation. While visual procedures rely mainly on external visual references and pilot situational awareness, instrument procedures provide a more structured and technically defined framework based on navigation accuracy, obstacle protection, and airspace design criteria.