A visual approach allows pilots to use what kind of references for navigation?

A visual approach allows pilots to use visual landmarks for navigation, which is critical for safely and efficiently aligning with the runway for landing. This mode of approach emphasizes the pilot's ability to see and identify significant geographical features, such as roads, buildings, or terrain, that can help guide their flight path. By using these landmarks, pilots can enhance situational awareness, ensuring they remain oriented visually during the approach phase of landing.

In contrast to relying exclusively on flight instruments, which are essential for instrument approaches, visual approaches permit pilots to engage with their environment, allowing for dynamic adjustments based on what they can see. Additionally, while air traffic control provides instructions that guide pilots through the airspace, those instructions often work in tandem with visual navigation rather than replacing it. Automated systems serve specific roles in managing aircraft, but during a visual approach, the primary navigation relies on what pilots can visually perceive in their surroundings.