FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - AA 5342 collision with Blackhawk helicopter on approach to DCA (29 Jan 2025)
Old Feb 1, 2025 | 8:36 pm
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Originally Posted by LarryJ
It is not permissible. Minimum radar vertical separation is 500' when within 1-1/2 miles laterally.

Visual separation does not have any minimum distances or altitudes. It is up to the aircraft to stay separated.

We use visual separation extensively at SFO. Runways 28L and 28R are separated by 750', centerline to centerline. With good visibility, we fly wingtip to wingtip on those approaches using visual separation. It is used in many other places as well.

Your example of SFO isn't the best. You're dealing with parallel approaches that start nearly 20 miles out in clear VMC situations. Route 4 and the approach to Runway 33 intersect each other. Do you think it is safe or appropriate to be in a situation where you had two aircraft on intersecting headings with no more than 100 feet of vertical separation and horizontal separation of no more than about 2000 feet?

Last edited by IADCAflyer; Feb 2, 2025 at 7:47 am
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