What is the minimum for a visual approach?

Okay, so you’re wondering about the bare minimums for a visual approach, right? It’s a good question, and one that’s super important for obvious reasons! You don’t want to be caught out, believe me. Basically, you need at least 500 feet above the minimum vectoring altitude (MVA) – or the missed approach (MIA) ceiling, same difference – and 3 miles of visibility at the airport you’re aiming for. Think of it as a safety buffer, a little breathing room.

Now, what if the weather’s being all mysterious and there’s no official report? Ugh, I hate that! You gotta get creative, you know? Look for other clues – maybe an area forecast, or even a pilot report (PIREP) from someone who just flew through. I remember once flying into this tiny airport in Colorado… the weather reporting was down, but thankfully, a pilot had just reported clear skies a few minutes earlier. Saved my bacon! Seriously, those PIREPs can be lifesavers. The point is, you need to be reasonably sure you’ve got enough visibility and a decent ceiling before even thinking about a visual approach. It’s just not worth the risk otherwise, is it?