Before a non-approach control tower can provide visual separation between an IFR arrival and an IFR departure, which condition must be met?

Before a non-approach control tower can provide visual separation between an IFR arrival and an IFR departure, which condition must be met?

• A. The IFR control facility must authorize it.
• B. The pilots must report visual contact.
• C. The tower must be radar-equipped for this operation.
• D. Visual separation is never allowed at non-approach towers.

Answer: (A)

Visual separation between IFR arrivals and IFR departures at a non-approach control tower is allowed only when the IFR facility that has jurisdiction has explicitly authorized the tower to apply it. This authorization ensures proper coordination and safety, since the responsibility for sequencing and separation rests with the controlling facility. Merely having pilots report visual contact or the tower being radar-equipped does not by itself permit this separation—the key requirement is the formal authorization from the IFR control facility.

Visual separation between IFR arrivals and IFR departures at a non-approach control tower is allowed only when the IFR facility that has jurisdiction has explicitly authorized the tower to apply it. This authorization ensures proper coordination and safety, since the responsibility for sequencing and separation rests with the controlling facility. Merely having pilots report visual contact or the tower being radar-equipped does not by itself permit this separation—the key requirement is the formal authorization from the IFR control facility.