IFR Flight/Visual approach question

[C-JBCS]

Hello all, sorry to be a bother but I just have a couple of questions with regard to shooting a visual approach on an IFR flight.

If cleared for a visual approach, and being handed off to tower for a visual approach, would I still be bound by IFR rules if I had to go around? For instance, let's say it's VMC at pattern Alt, you get handed off, and for some reason you can't land. Can you fly a VFR go around and remain in the pattern, or do you have to fly the IFR missed approach?

Also, when your handed over to tower for a visual approach, is it ok to ask for an extended downwind leg if your still a bit high while descending from the last approach controllers instructions?

As always, that's for all your time,

Jay

[Anthony Santanastaso]

The missed approach instructions will be issued by the tower controller. If it is VMC, and the controller can accommodate it, you can be asked to simply make left or right traffic and fly the pattern as you would if you were a VFR flight. An extreme example of this situation was when JFK Tower told an A340 to make left traffic for 31L after a go-around! So, yes, it is possible!

If you need to make an adjustment to your approach, you may request that from the tower controller. If it can be approved, it will. So long as you remain within their airspace (which they will be able to determine based upon your request) then you should be good to go.

[C-JBCS]

Thanks Anthony! That's perfect. Would've loved to see that Airbus going around left traffic. Lol

[Scott Medeiros]

This is a common area of confusion for most pilots. Visual approaches have no published missed. As Anthony said its pretty much up to the tower controller. For reference it is explained in the AIM section 5-4-23.

[ChrisS]

I had the same thing happen to me yesterday. Thanks for posting.